Q & A
Q
What is DTI?
A
DTI stands for Digital Temperature Indicator, a smart label that tracks a critical temperature and updates the visual and digital status.
It monitors the temperature continuously without the need of a battery or an external power source. The digital status can be read wirelessly using an RFID reader or an NFC smartphone.
Q
How does DTI work?
A
DTI uses thermoresponsive materials that irreversibly change their color and electrical properties at specific temperatures. This sensing operation functions without the need of any external power sources.
The color change allows users to monitor the status visually while the change in the electrical characteristics can be wirelessly read and transmitted via RFID or NFC. These communication protocols enable multiple readings at the same time.
Because the status change is irreversible, the DTI has a memory function. Once exposed to the critical temperature, the DTI indicates that such an event has occurred even after the temperature has returned to normal.
Q
How is DTI different from an RFID with an on-chip temperature sensor?
A
DTI can continuously track the temperature even when not interrogated by an RFID reader.
Its function is ideally suited for the continuous tracking of temperature status throughout the supply chain or logistics from the manufacturing point to the end-users.
The same function is applicable to monitoring the temperature of equipment in preventive maintenance. The typical inspection at intervals can miss the temperature spikes during peak operations.
For on-chip temperature-sensing RFID, the temperature measurement is limited to only when the tag receives power from a battery or an RF interrogator.
Q
How is DTI different from a Time-Temp Indicator or TTI?
A
DTI provides both color and digital status indications. The wireless reading of the digital status by RFID allows for fast data collection of multiple tags simultaneously and seamless data integration with the IT infrastructure.
TTI labels only give the visual indication. The tags have to be inspected manually one at a time.