The Brains of the Operation: Next-Generation RFID & NFC ICs at WIoT tomorrow 2025

The silent architects of the IoT revolution aren’t flashy dashboards or cloud services — they’re the powerful, evolving integrated circuits (ICs) at the core of every connected device.

For engineers and product developers, the choice of IC shapes everything from security and power consumption to system cost and real-world reliability. And the industry is no longer content with simple identification. RFID and NFC technology are advancing to enable dynamic, secure, data-rich networks for logistics, retail, healthcare, and beyond.

This week, we spotlight three leading innovators — a performance benchmark, a secure-connectivity powerhouse, and a system-on-chip integration champion — each showcasing their next-generation silicon at WIoT tomorrow 2025.

When it comes to RAIN RFID, Impinj is widely recognized as the industry benchmark. For large-scale systems in logistics, retail, and supply chain, reliably reading vast numbers of tags in challenging conditions is mission-critical.

Their flagship innovation, the Impinj M800 series (M830 and M850), is designed for this challenge.

Why It Matters for System Designers:

 Unmatched Read Sensitivity: The M800 series delivers ~30% higher sensitivity than previous generations. This enables longer read ranges and exceptional reliability even for hard-to-tag items like liquids or metals — reducing missed reads at dock doors and improving inventory accuracy.

Enhanced Authentication: Responding to the demand for verifiable product identities (e.g., Digital Product Passport initiatives), the M800 includes cryptographic authentication features. This helps brands and integrators build systems that both identify and verify genuine products, protecting against counterfeits.

Compact and Sustainable: Designed with smaller inlays in mind, the M800 family supports more sustainable packaging solutions with reduced material use — a key factor for modern retail and consumer brands.

To discuss real-world performance and scaling your operations, meet the Impinj team at WIoT tomorrow 2025 on the Cisper stand, Booth L3-08.

NXP Semiconductors is a global leader in secure transactions and smart interactions. Its NTAG (NFC) and UCODE (RAIN RFID) product families define industry standards, trusted in everything from consumer goods to medical devices.

At WIoT tomorrow 2025, NXP is highlighting its NTAG 22x DNA series and UCODE 9 / DNA solutions.

Why It Matters for Product Developers:

Advanced Security for New Use Cases: The NTAG 22x DNA series supports EAL5+ certified crypto cores with features like SUN message authentication. This enables secure tap-to-authenticate experiences for luxury goods, refillable consumables, or patient ID wristbands in healthcare.

Ultra-Low Power NFC: For battery-powered devices, power drain during NFC detection is critical. NTAG 22x DNA chips achieve up to ~40% lower power usage during field detection, making them ideal for wearables and connected packaging with stringent battery requirements.

RAIN RFID Evolution: The UCODE 9 family offers ultra-fast inventory reads with lower error rates, supporting billions of items in retail and logistics. For supply chain transparency, UCODE DNA adds AES-128 encryption for secure authentication.

To see how NXP can help you build the next generation of secure, connected products, visit their team at WIoT tomorrow 2025 at Booth L3-09.

Their latest innovation, the PR7 high-performance RFID reader/writer chip, launched in 2024, is a masterclass in this philosophy. It's not just a component; it's a complete RAIN RFID system on a single piece of silicon.

Why It Matters for Hardware Engineers:

True SoC Design for Unmatched Efficiency: The PR7 is a game-changer for device architecture. By integrating a powerful 128MHz ARM Cortex-M3 processor and 256kB of flash memory directly onto the chip, it completely eliminates the need for an external MCU. This drastically reduces the BOM cost, simplifies PCB layout, and shortens development cycles, allowing OEMs to bring powerful handheld and fixed readers to market faster and more cost-effectively.

Exceptional Performance and Flexibility: This isn't just about integration; it's about power. The PR7 delivers a remarkable 20dB sensitivity improvement over its predecessor, making it ideal for demanding long-range applications. Furthermore, its rich set of built-in peripherals (ADC, DAC, USB, etc.) and multi-protocol support (including ISO18000-6C/6B/6D) provide engineers with exceptional flexibility to develop a wide range of custom IoT applications without requiring additional components.

A Full Spectrum of Reader Modules: Leveraging the power of the PR7 chip, PHYCHIPS also offers the WiNE series of reader modules. This family provides developers with pre-built, high-performance options for any use case:

• WiNE7: For maximum power (30dBm) and performance in fixed-reader applications.
• WiNE5: A compact, power-efficient module perfect for mobile and handheld devices.
• WiNE3: The ideal choice for cost-sensitive, low-power embedded applications.

This integrated ecosystem of a powerful SoC and a versatile module family empowers engineers to select the perfect building block for their specific needs, from high-power industrial gates to compact mobile readers.

To learn how you can simplify your next hardware design and accelerate your time-to-market with the PR7 platform, connect with the PHYCHIPS team at WIoT tomorrow 2025 on the Cisper stand, Booth L3-08.

These latest IC innovations from Impinj, NXP, and PHYCHIPS are more than incremental updates. They’re enablers of a smarter, safer, and more sustainable IoT.

For system designers and developers, these building blocks are the starting point for delivering real-world benefits — from lower costs and reduced waste to stronger security and better customer experiences.

To see these technologies in action, meet the experts, and build your vision for the connected future, there’s one place to be: WIoT tomorrow 2025.