The first LDS-based UHF RFID transponder (radio frequency identification) to meet the high standards of aviation has been developed and used. This should greatly contribute to making advances in RFID technology.
 
The transponder can be mounted inside or outside the airplane cabin and makes marked components identifiable to readers from yards away. It’s extremely small (11 x 41 x 5 millimeters), very light (3.2 grams) and substantially resistant to outside thermal, mechanical and chemical influences. The functionality is guaranteed at temperatures ranging from minus 65 to plus 160 degrees Celsius.

The tag was developed by the Harting Technology Group in collaboration with Lufthansa Technik Logistik, Lufthansa Systems and the Centre for Intelligent Objects at the Fraunhofer Institute for Integrated Circuits.

The transponder is produced by Harting AG Mitronics using the LDS method. Harting sees potential applications throughout the entire value chain of airplane components, from production to airplane assembly all the way to service processes.