28.03.2007 – 14:09

Atmel Corporation

Atmel Introduces Advanced Stand-alone AVR ATmega128-based 125-kHz RFID Evaluation Kit

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire)

Atmel(R) (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today the availability of the
ATA2270-EK1125-kHz RFID demo kit. This new kit enables the evaluation
and prototyping of Atmel's wide portfolio of LF IDIC(R)s, which are
used in a broad range of RFID applications including access control,
industrial automation, loyalty cards, anti-counterfeiting, and animal
identification. This stand-alone kit is ideal for the evaluation and
customization of RFID solutions without requiring advanced knowledge
of RF engineering.

Atmel's ATA2270-EK1 provides a completely self-contained means to
begin using RFID systems. The kit includes several IDIC transponder
samples such as the ATA5567 and ATA5570 read/write ISO card devices
for contactless identification, the TK5530 read-only transponder, the
ATA5567 coin tag, and other read/write IDIC micromodules. A reader
unit using Atmel's read/write base station IC, the U2270B, in
conjunction with Atmel's ATmega128 AVR(R) Flash microcontroller, an
antenna, and a power supply with international adapters complete the
kit. An on-board joystick, LCD, and control buttons enable easy user
interaction with the RFID system without requiring an additional
connected PC.

The ATA2270-EK1 offers an easy way to test the capabilities and
characteristics of Atmel's LF RFID tags and thus allows engineers
effective identification of the most suitable RFID solution. The kit
supports both read-only and read-write IDICs, including the
e5530/TK5530, T5551/TK5551, ATA5567 (T5557), ATA5570, ATA5577, and
ATA5558 from Atmel. The convenient LCD displays the data content of
the IDICs, and routines included in the AVR software can be used to
test the features of Atmel's chips. This kit is also suitable for
evaluation of animal tagging and tracking applications. By exchanging
the antenna tuning components, the kit can be tuned to 134.2 kHz,
which is required for animal tagging analysis. A special routine
included in the AVR software enables data to be read and written in
accordance with ISO standards 11784 and 11785. The ATA2270-EK1 will
also support Atmel's next generation of IDIC products.

Thanks to the inclusion of unrestricted source code and Gerber
schematics, the ATA2270-EK1 provides a unique prototyping environment
for low-cost turnkey solutions, allowing users to develop, implement,
and test system-level designs. The ATA2270-EK1 is supported by all
the standard AVR development tools such as AVR Studio(R), STK(R)500,
JTAGICE mkII, etc.

Availability and Pricing

Samples of the new LF IDIC evaluation kit ATA2270-EK1 are
available now. Pricing starts at US $299 per unit.

Footnote
    ID = Identification
    IDIC(R) = Identification ICs (registered trademark of Atmel)
    LCD = Liquid Crystal Display
    LF = Low Frequency
    PC = Personal Computer
    RFID = Radio Frequency IDentification

About Atmel

Atmel is a worldwide leader in the design and manufacture of
microcontrollers, advanced logic, mixed-signal, nonvolatile memory
and radio frequency (RF) components. Leveraging one of the industry's
broadest intellectual property (IP) technology portfolios, Atmel is
able to provide the electronics industry with complete system
solutions. Focused on consumer, industrial, security, communications,
computing and automotive markets, Atmel ICs can be found Everywhere
You Are(R).

NOTE: Atmel(R), logo and combinations thereof, IDIC(R), AVR(R),
AVR Studio(R), STK(R), Everywhere You Are(R) and others are
registered trademarks or trademarks of Atmel Corporation or its
subsidiaries. Other terms and product names may be trademarks of
others.

Information

Information on the ATA2270-EK1 demo kit may be retrieved at http:/
/www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?family_id=644&family_nam
e=RF+Identification&tool_id=3956

If you are interested in Atmel's complete RFID product scope,
please visit: http://www.atmel.com/products/RFID/

    Press Contacts
    Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
     Products
    Phone: +49-7131-67-2081, Email:  susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com
    Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim
    Phone: +1-408-487-2963, Email:  hperlegos@atmel.com
    Veronique Sablereau, Corporate Communications Manager - Europe
    Phone: +33-1-30-60-70-68, Fax: +49-7131-67-2423,
     Email:  veronique.sablereau@atmel.com

Web site: http://www.atmel.com

Contact:

Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products, +49-7131-67-2081, or susanne.van-clewe@hno.atmel.com, or
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations - USA and Asia Pacific Rim,
+1-408-487-2963, or hperlegos@atmel.com, or Veronique Sablereau,
Corporate Communications Manager - Europe, +33-1-30-60-70-68, or fax,
+49-7131-67-2423, or veronique.sablereau@atmel.com