Aplus Flash Technology introduces new high-performance, low-current RFID EEPROM ip: secure and cost efficient, Aplus' rfid eeprom ip offers rfip chip designers the first easy drop-in eeprom memory solution

Update: Aplus Flash Technology is no more in business

San Jose, CA (May 17, 2004) – Aplus Flash Technology has introduced a new version of its silicon proven 0.35um 2P3M CMOS based EEPROM IP that is targeted for RFID applications. This is the first of Aplus' line of RFID IP targeted for low-current, low-voltage operation.

Typically, there are four frequencies (<150KHz, 13.56MHz, 860-960MHz, & 2.4GHz – 5.8GHz) used in RFID applications to detect data at various ranges. Aplus' RFID EEPROM IP delivers lower-current consumption in both read and write modes and is suitable for RFID applications working at two standard frequencies: 13.56MHz and <150KHz, and can detect data at distances of <10cm and <75cm respectively. US companies such as Walmart, Gap and Harley Davidson use RFID tags reading at 13.56MHz. Customers wishing to embed EEPROM into their RFID ICs can utilize Aplus' RFID EEPROM IP to achieve maximum performance in current consumption, block size efficiency, read and programming speeds and program/erase cycles over a wide operating voltage range of 1.8V to 5.5V.

Aplus' RFID EEPROM IP* offers:

Wide operating voltage range from 1.8V – 5.5V
Low read current: ~1.5uA
Low write current: ~27uA
Fast write time: ~10ms
Small block sizes
High Endurance: 1.5 million program/erase cycles
Temperature range: 0 - 85ºC
10-year data retention
Low-power CMOS technology

*Data measured on RFID EEPROM IP with density of 256bits

RFID applications require extremely low current consumption and low operating voltage because it is a contactless technology. Although RFID technology has been in existence for over 30 years, its use in supply chain tracking has increased dramatically in recent years. RFID is used in applications from banking cards to retail supply chain tags to security and military tracking. To ensure accuracy and to cover a larger physical radius, RFID chips need to be able to read and receive data at very low operating voltages for certain applications. Data retention is also critical to maintaining data integrity as applications such as RFID tags are read many times under varying conditions. Aplus' RFID EEPROM IP utilizes a traditional 2P3M CMOS technology that has been silicon proven and in mass production with good data retention for many years.

“We are excited to provide a memory solution to the growing worldwide RFID market because we have had many customer requests for it,” states Peter Lee, CEO of Aplus Flash Technology. “Our present EEPROM IP can fulfill current specification demands, and we are currently developing next-generation EEPROM IP for further cost-savings and performance enhancement.”

Aplus' RFID EEPROM IP currently offers low-current consumption down to 1.8V, and Aplus is developing a next-generation RFID EEPROM IP to allow operation down to 1V for 2.4GHZ and above, the highest RFID frequency operations. This Aplus IP will be targeted for those applications requiring longer reading distances and Aplus expects to introduce the 1V RFID EEPROM IP in Q4 of 2004.

“Safe Harbor” statement under the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995: This release contains forward looking statements that are subject to risks and uncertainties, including, but not limited to, the impact of competitive products and pricing, product demand and market acceptance, new product development, reliance on key strategic alliances, availability of raw materials, the regulatory environment, fluctuations in operating results and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's filings with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Such statements involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties and other factors that could cause the actual results of the Company to differ materially from the results expressed or implied by such statements, including changes from anticipated levels of sales, future national or regional economic and competitive conditions, changes in relationships with customers, access to capital, difficulties in developing and marketing new products, marketing existing products, customer acceptance of existing and new products, and other factors disclosed in the Company's annual report for the year ended December 31, 2003. Accordingly, although the Company believes that the expectations reflected in such forward-looking statements are reasonable, there can be no assurance that such expectations will prove to be correct. The Company has no obligation to update the forward-looking information contained in this release.

# # #