Smart label uses polymer thick film technology on low-cost substrates

A smart label represents a new generation of contactless electronic tags. It is a flexible device, which operates at a distance from a reader unit. That means that the IC chip on the smart label uses an RF antenna for its energy supply and the data transfer. The key markets of such devices are rental services, parcel services and above all logistics like airline baggage handling. This paper shows the process steps with emphasis on mass production, PET substrate reliability, low-cost paper substrates and our experiences in chip assembling with anisotropic conductive adhesive (ACA).