The most innovative team was composed of : (standing,
from left) Katrina Fe Ramos, Dr. Joel S. Marciano Jr,
Deogracias Villame, (seated) Joe Cris Molina and
John Paolo Adaoag.
The team was cited for developing an RFID-reader that can scan at a longer range.
RFiDSP, a student team from the College of Engineering, bagged the Most Innovative and the Best Business Plan — the top awards at the Philippine Emerging Startups Open (PESO) Challenge 2006 finals.
The most innovative team was composed of : (standing,
from left) Katrina Fe Ramos, Dr. Joel S. Marciano Jr,
Deogracias Villame, (seated) Joe Cris Molina and
John Paolo Adaoag.
PESO focused on innovation and technology- driven ideas. Winners were selected from eight team finalists coming from a field of 56 team entries.
RFiDSP is composed of four undergraduate students, namely: John Paolo Adaoag, BS Computer Engineering; Joe Cris Molina, BS Electronics and Communication Engineering (BSECE); Katrina Fe Ramos, BS Industrial Engineering; and Deogracias Villame, BSECE; and Dr. Joel S. Marciano Jr., Associate Professor at the Department of Electrical and Electronics Engineering (EEE).
The team proposed a new type of Radio Frequency identification (RFID) reader modules using an advanced architecture and digital signal processing (DSP) techniques. The team intends to make an RFID reader that could read objects accurately at a longer distance.
RFID is a wireless form of tag meant to replace barcodes for retail business. At present, the application of the RFID system is more on warehouse and supply chain management.
With DSP techniques, which are done in digital hardware, the performance of a conventional RFID reader would be enhanced, making it more robust and more reliable. Marciano and his team sought to explore the many possibilities of RFID applications, particularly to get access to information wherever and whenever it is available, making it a reader that is differentiated.
“You can have RFID reader in your car to read advertisements along the highway. Or if you have a reader in your watch, it can read smart advertisements from establishments several meters away,” said Marciano.
PESO is now on its second year. Initiated by Filipino students at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology who wanted to encourage start-ups technologies, the contest is now run by volunteers based in the Philippines. PESO provides seminars throughout the competition and offers post-competition support for winners. Two 2005 finalists are being mentored by the UP Ayala Technology Business Incubator, PESO’s partner and sponsor.
Awarding ceremonies were held on January 28 at the Ayala Museum, Makati City.
—Bino C. Gamba