Atmel Introduces a Graphical User Interface (GUI) for its Advanced AVR-based 125-kHz RFID Evaluation Kit

Heilbronn, Germany (ots/PRNewswire) -

Atmel(R) (Nasdaq: ATML) announced today a significant enhancement
to the ATA2270-EK1 125-kHz RFID demo kit. This kit, which enables the
evaluation and prototyping of Atmel's wide portfolio of LF IDIC(R)s,
has been upgraded to include a PC-based GUI application to be
connected directly to the kit's hardware. This new user interface
provides an optimized platform for the evaluation and customization
of Atmel's RFID solutions used in access control, industrial
automation, loyalty cards, anti-counterfeiting, and animal
identification. Configuration of Atmel tags in all available modes
and the selection of the most suitable RFID solution without advanced
knowledge of RF engineering have been made even easier.

Atmel's ATA2270-EK1 kit contains everything needed to start using
an RFID system including several read/write IDIC transponder samples
such as the ATA5558, ATA5567 and ATA5577 ISO card devices for
contactless identification. It also includes ATA5567 and ATA5577 coin
tags, micromodules, and several other form-factors for evaluation. A
reader unit using Atmel's U2270B read/write base station IC, in
conjunction with Atmel's ATmega128 AVR(R) Flash microcontroller, an
antenna, and a power supply with international adapters provide the
means to access the tags. An on-board joystick, LCD, and control
buttons allow stand-alone usage of the ATA2270-EK1.

The new PC-based GUI enables detailed evaluations by providing
direct access to all the functions of each device. Configuration
modes can be easily selected and programmed, and users are warned
when modes configured in the transponder IDICs are not compatible
with the ASK-based reader IC. Using the software the user can select
Animal-ID functionality and the kit can be tuned to the 134.2 kHz
required for animal tagging analysis. A special routine included in
the AVR firmware enables data to be read and written to the IDICs in
accordance with ISO standards 11784 and 11785. Unique format (used
for access control), and waste management can also be configured from
the GUI. A special "Bit String" form allows users to create and test
commands by sending out a bit string to the IDIC. All of these
incredibly powerful tools enable the user to control every aspect of
the RFID system including the ability to render tags inoperable.

Thanks to the inclusion of royalty-free 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

The RF IDIC evaluation kit ATA2270-EK1 with the new PC-based GUI
is available now. Pricing starts at US $399 per unit.

Footnote
GUI = Graphical User Interface
ID = Identification
IDIC(R) = Identification IC (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.

(C) 2008 Atmel Corporation. All rights reserved. Atmel(R), Atmel
logo and combinations thereof, AVR(R), AVR Studio(R), IDIC(R), STK(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

Product Information on Atmel's ATA2270-EK1 demo kit may be
retrieved at:
http://www.atmel.com/dyn/products/tools_card.asp?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
Tel: +49-7131-67-2081, Email: susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com
Helen Perlegos, Public Relations
Tel: +1-408-487-2963, Email: hperlegos@atmel.com

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

ots Originaltext: Atmel Corporation
Im Internet recherchierbar: http://www.presseportal.de

Contact:
Dr. Susanne van Clewe, Marcom Manager Communications and Automotive
Products,
+49-7131-67-2081, susanne.van-clewe@atmel.com, or Helen Perlegos,
Public Relations, +1-408-487-2963, hperlegos@atmel.com, both of Atmel