In embodiments of the present invention improved capabilities are described for a passive radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, where the passive RFID tag contains an RF network node and communication facility. The RF network node includes an RF and analog block for receiving and transmitting an RFID reader signal, a data processing and controller block for digital information processing, a memory store, and a power management block for managing power requirements of the RF network node. The communication facility communicates at least in part with an external display facility. The distribution of power to the RF network node functional blocks is controlled using the power management block to select between an extended operational time and an increase in available functionality.