UHF Recommendation 
Impinj M700
For retail, inventory and item-level tagging.
Security PWD
Memory 96–496 bit EPC
Alien Higgs-9: Technical Data, Security and Use
The Alien Higgs™ 9 from Alien Technology is a passive UHF RFID chip for 840 to 960 MHz. It supports GS1 Class 1 Gen 2 and ISO/IEC 18000-6C and offers a flexibly usable memory structure with a nominal 96-bit EPC, expandable to up to 496 bits, as well as up to 688 bits of user memory. Alien names automotive and aviation applications in particular as areas of use.
The Higgs-9 is particularly suitable for applications in which many transponders are detected from a greater distance and additional data is to be stored on the tag alongside an identifier. Typical fields of application are asset tracking, automotive and aviation as well as mass tagging and UHF-based event applications.
| Feature | Value |
|---|---|
| Manufacturer | Alien Technology |
| Product family | Higgs |
| Type designation | Higgs-9 |
| RFID class | UHF |
| Frequency | 840–960 MHz |
| Standard | GS1 Class 1 Gen 2; ISO/IEC 18000-6C |
| Total memory | 1,024 bits NVM/RAM |
| EPC | Nominally 96 bits, expandable to up to 496 bits |
| User Memory | Up to 688 bits |
| Memory structure | Flexible memory structure with expandable EPC and user memory |
| Access protection | 32-bit access password |
| Kill password | 32 bits |
| TID | 48-bit unique TID / unchangeable unique serial number |
| User memory protection | Block PermaLock and password-protected reading in 256-bit blocks |
| Anti-collision | Yes, according to GS1 Class 1 Gen 2 |
| Read range | Up to 13 m with a suitable antenna; highly dependent on tag, reader and environment |
| Write cycles | 200,000 at 25 °C |
| Data retention | 50 years |
| Dynamic Authentication | Yes, anti-cloning/anti-counterfeit function according to Alien |
| QuickWrite / BlastWrite | Yes, for fast chip and mass programming |
| Smartphone NFC | No, external UHF RFID reader required |
| Product status at manufacturer | Currently listed |
| Typical media | UHF label, RFID label and application-specific UHF tag |
| Security rating | Medium |
| Recommendation | Mass tagging and UHF applications with additional user memory |
A special feature of the Higgs-9 is the flexible division of memory: the EPC field comprises 96 bits by default and can be expanded to up to 496 bits. In addition, up to 688 bits of user memory are available. Alien specifies a total of 1,024 bits of NVM/RAM and a unique 48-bit TID. The manufacturer also specifies 200,000 write cycles and a maximum range of up to 13 meters with a suitable antenna.
Typical Applications
The Higgs-9 is designed for UHF applications in which tags are to be identified contactlessly over greater distances and, if necessary, written with additional data. Alien names automotive and aviation, among others, as areas of use; the flexible memory structure and high sensitivity are further focal points of the product.
Typical applications are:
- mass tagging of objects and goods,
- automotive applications,
- aviation applications,
- asset and inventory tagging,
- UHF-based event applications,
- applications with an extended EPC and
- applications in which additional object, service or usage data is stored directly in the user memory.
Particularly suitable media are UHF labels, RFID labels and application-specific UHF tags. The specific read range is not determined by the chip alone, but is significantly influenced by antenna design, reader, transmission power, mounting and environment.
Security
Security level: Medium
The Higgs-9 has a 32-bit access password and a 32-bit kill password. The access password protects certain access operations, while the kill password can be used to permanently deactivate a tag in accordance with the Gen2 procedure. Parts of the user memory can also be permanently locked and protected against unauthorized reading in 256-bit blocks.
Alien also names Dynamic Authentication™ as an anti-cloning or anti-counterfeit function. However, the publicly accessible product page does not describe any AES-based protection comparable to modern cryptographic RFID chips. Password protection and Dynamic Authentication should therefore not be equated with AES-128 authentication.
For product tagging, inventory and comparable UHF applications, the existing protection mechanisms offer more options than a completely unprotected EPC tag. If an application requires documented cryptographic authentication, a chip designed for this purpose, such as NXP UCODE DNA, should be considered.
Advantages and Disadvantages of Alien Higgs-9
| Advantages | Disadvantages |
|---|---|
| Flexible EPC field from a nominal 96 up to 496 bits | No direct smartphone NFC support |
| Up to 688 bits of user memory for additional application data | 32-bit passwords are not AES-based authentication |
| UHF read range of up to 13 m with a suitable antenna | Read range highly dependent on antenna, reader, mounting and environment |
| 200,000 write cycles at 25 °C | Flexible memory division must be taken into account during encoding |
| User memory can be protected or permanently locked block by block | Other chips are more suitable for applications with documented strong cryptography |
Alternatives to Alien Higgs-9
Depending on memory requirements, security needs and the focus of the UHF application, other chip types may be better suited. However, switching from UHF to HF/NFC is not a direct chip replacement and requires different readers.
UHF Recommendation 
NXP UCODE DNA
For track and trace with increased security requirements.
Security AES-128
Memory 224 bit EPC + 3,072 bit user
HF / NFC Recommendation 
NTAG 213 / 215 / 216
For NFC marketing, business cards and smartphone applications.
Security PWD
Memory 144–888 B
Frequently Asked Questions about Alien Higgs-9
How much memory does the Alien Higgs-9 have?
Alien specifies a total of 1,024 bits of NVM/RAM for the Higgs-9. The EPC field comprises a nominal 96 bits and can be expanded to up to 496 bits thanks to the flexible memory structure. Up to 688 bits of user memory are available for additional application data. In addition, there is a unique 48-bit TID and the memory areas for the access and kill passwords. EPC and user memory values must therefore not simply be added together as independent fixed memory areas to obtain the total memory.
What is the read range of the Alien Higgs-9?
Alien specifies a maximum operating range of up to 13 meters with a suitable antenna. This value is not a guaranteed range for every RFID label. The distance actually achievable depends, among other things, on the inlay or antenna design, the reader used, its antenna, the permissible transmission power, the orientation and the material of the tagged object.
Can Alien Higgs-9 be read with a smartphone?
Not directly with a smartphone's usual NFC module. Higgs-9 operates in the UHF range of 840 to 960 MHz and uses GS1 Class 1 Gen 2 or ISO/IEC 18000-6C. Smartphone NFC, on the other hand, operates in the HF range at 13.56 MHz. A suitable UHF RFID reader is therefore required to read a Higgs-9 tag.
How large are the EPC and user memory of the Higgs-9?
The EPC field is designed for 96 bits by default and can be expanded to up to 496 bits. The user memory comprises up to 688 bits. The flexible memory structure is particularly relevant when an application needs to store more than the usual EPC identifier or requires additional information directly on the transponder.
Can the memory of the Higgs-9 be permanently locked?
Yes. Alien states that the user memory can be permanently locked block by block. In addition, read access can be password-protected in 256-bit blocks. A permanent lock should only be set after encoding has been completed, because the relevant memory release cannot simply be undone afterwards.
What is the difference between Alien Higgs-9 and Impinj M700?
Both are passive UHF chips for tagging and identifying objects. The main difference for selection lies, among other things, in the memory profile. Depending on the variant, the Impinj M700 series offers a 96- or 128-bit EPC and is geared toward retail, inventory and item-level tagging. Higgs-9, by contrast, offers a nominal 96-bit EPC expandable to up to 496 bits as well as up to 688 bits of user memory.
What is the difference between Alien Higgs-9 and NXP UCODE DNA?
The Higgs-9 relies on access and kill passwords as well as the anti-cloning function that Alien calls Dynamic Authentication. NXP UCODE DNA, on the other hand, offers AES-128-based authentication and is designed for track-and-trace applications with increased security requirements. If documented AES-based authentication is required, UCODE DNA is therefore a technically differently oriented alternative.
How often can the Alien Higgs-9 be written?
Alien specifies 200,000 programming cycles at 25 °C. The value describes the memory endurance of the IC under the specified conditions and should not be confused with the number of possible read operations. Passive RFID tags can generally be read very frequently without using up a write cycle.
Can a Higgs-9 tag be permanently deactivated?
Yes. The chip has a 32-bit kill password. This means it supports the permanent deactivation of a tag provided for in the Gen2 protocol. This is relevant, for example, if an RFID transponder should no longer respond to readers after the end of its intended use. The kill password should be protected and managed accordingly.
Request RFID Media with Alien Higgs-9
Do you need UHF RFID labels, tags or special transponders with Alien Higgs-9?
For an inquiry, the desired media format, quantity, operating environment, existing UHF reader infrastructure, required read range and the desired EPC and user memory encoding are particularly helpful. If there are special mounting requirements, please also state the material on which the transponder will be used.
Technical sources
Data as of: September 2026
The technical information is based on the current product page of Alien Technology and the data sheet provided there „Higgs™ 9 – High Capacity GS1 Class 1 Gen 2 RFID Tag IC“, data sheet version: 21 February 2020. There, Alien lists ISO/IEC 18000-6C and GS1 Class 1 Gen 2, 840–960 MHz, 1,024 bits NVM/RAM, up to 496 bits EPC, up to 688 bits of user memory, a 48-bit unique TID and 32-bit access and kill passwords, among other things.
Trademark notice
Higgs™, Sentinel™, QuickWrite™, BlastWrite™ and Dynamic Authentication™ are trademarks or product names of Alien Technology, LLC.