Innovision Research & Technology, which develops Near Field Communication (NFC) and RFID solutions, has launched Topaz-512, the latest addition to its family of low-cost tags, to further open up opportunities for the development of non-payment applications of NFC.
Innovision says that with 512 bytes of memory – more than five times that of the existing 96-byte Topaz tag – Topaz-512 will help bridge the gap between low-memory tags and high-cost products that typically target high-security payment applications, such as contactless credit cards.
The new tag is designed to help accelerate the market for non-payment applications by making NFC an attractive option for additional mass-market opportunities, such as business cards, automatic SMS messaging and digital content delivery through smart posters.
It is available in a variety of form factors, from cards and stickers, to key fobs and waterproof laundry tags. Like all Topaz tags, Topaz-512 is mandated as a Type 1 tag by the NFC Forum, which means it is compatible with any NFC-certified mobile phone or other device. 
So-called ‘tag in a box’ applications, where NFC tags are included as part of a mobile phone package with an NFC-enabled handset, are also a key market opportunity for the new tags. Innovision is already working with mobilkom Austria to commercially distribute an NFC phone with a set of pre-programmed Topaz NFC service tags. In this application, Topaz-512 supports the delivery of additional data to simplify service discovery and usage.
“Clearly, payment and ticketing will be an important part of NFC evolution,” says Stephen Graham, VP marketing at Innovision. “But non-payment applications are emerging as a key driver for early NFC adoption. Innovision is committed to supporting new markets and opportunities, and Topaz-512 is evidence of this and our role at the forefront of NFC development.”
Topaz-512 tags are available to order direct from Innovision via a dedicated website (part number TPZ-505-016), with the option for customized artwork. The website provides a one-stop shop for NFC application developers and consumers, with advice on NFC tag usage, application development, and which tags are best suited to different applications.
