Intel sells Impinj RFID operation, deal expected to stimulate market

The deal will see Impinj add to its existing UHF RFID portfolio of tag chips and fixed-reader products with Intel's R1000 RFID reader chip technology. ABI Research calls the deal a "game-changing move."

By Suzanne Deffree, Managing Editor, News -- Electronic News, 7/10/2008

Following on moves to establish itself as a pure-play RFID company, Impinj Inc has bought Intel Corp’s RFID operation for an undisclosed price.

Today’s announced deal will see Seattle-based Impinj add to its existing UHF RFID portfolio of tag chips and fixed-reader products with Intel’s R1000 RFID reader chip technology, which Impinj described as a single chip that integrates 90% of the components required for a reader radio.

The acquisition follows on Impinj’s June sale of its non-volatile memory IP business for $5.2 million to Virage Logic. That sale left Impinj focused on its RFID business and has the company relying on Virage for the logic non-volatile memory IP technology required for its RFID product offering.

"The UHF RFID market is a strong opportunity, and we believe this business and its assets are an optimal fit for Impinj," said Rich Wykoff, general manager of Intel's New Business Initiatives (NBI) incubator, in a statement. "Intel's NBI incubator program is practiced at establishing new businesses in emerging markets, and Impinj's acquisition of the RFID operation demonstrates the incubator's ability to create valued businesses in new technology areas."

In its own statement, ABI Research called the deal a “game-changing move.”

"As the RFID market matures and new passive UHF applications are enabled, the demand for highly integrated technology like the R1000 is growing," said Michael Liard, ABI Research RFID and contactless research director, said in a statement. "By choosing Impinj, Intel provides a clear confirmation of Impinj's leading role in the RFID industry. This acquisition will allow Impinj to build new applications and promote new reader form factors, providing added stimulus to the market."

Impinj said it will target the R1000 RFID at fixed, mobile, and embedded readers in applications across numerous vertical markets, including supply-chain management, asset tracking, authentication, and access control.