UHF RFID Reader Presentation –AS3990 Design In … block diagram and needed external components. passive components inclusive loop filter crystal requirement UHF specifics matching

UHF RFID Reader Presentation – AS3990

Design In presentation

Integrated Reader IC

Start 9:40

Thomas Luecker: Technical Marketing / Application

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Confidential – Use under NDA

General Block Diagram

AS3990 operation modes:

High performance for mid range application with VCO, Circulator, TXCO

Printer application:Internal PA, VCO, crystal, no Circulator

EPC Gen 2 Protocol Handling

SupplyRegulators

&

Refernces

MC

UIn

ter f

ace

AS3990

Directionalunit

1

CO

MN

_AC

OM

P_B

CO

MN

_B

2 3 5

VD

D_5

LFI

VS

S

6

VS

S

8

MIX_INP 7

MIX_INN 9

MIXS_IN 10

VS

N_M

I X

11

CB

I B

12

VD

D_M

IX

13

CB

V5

14

VD

D_T

XP

AB

15

VE

XT

16

VE

XT

2

17

27

RFOUTN_2 28

RFOUTN_1

20

RFOUTP_2 21

RFOUTP_1

VS

N_1

22

VS

N_2

23

VS

N_3

24

VS

N_4

25

VS

N_5

26

VS

N_D

29

32

RFOPX 33

RFONX

VS

N_R

FP

35

36

OSCO 37

OSCI

39 EN40 IRQ

41 IO042 IO143 IO244 IO345 IO446 IO547 IO648 IO7

49 CLSYS

50 CLK

51 VDD_IO

38 VDD_D18 VDD_RF19 VDD_B54 AGD

VS

N_A

55

EXT_IN 56

VS

N_C

P

57

59 VDD_A

VCO 60

63 VDD_LF

64

CO

MP

_A

EX

P_P

AD

65

CD

1

53

CD

2

52

34 VDD_RFP

4xC2xC

7xC

Micro controller

Oscillator& Timing

System

RSSI

AFE

Digitizer

DigitizerDouble Down-ConversionMixer

GainFilter

RF Out

24 Byte FIFO

EPC Gen 2 ProtocolHandling

CRC

GEN-2

Frame Gen

OAD 31

30OAD_258ADC

DAC 4

VOSCCP

61

62

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Register:

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Circulator: Leakage definition

-TxLeakage 1 : due to the poor isolation of

circulator

-TxLeakage 2 : due to the antenna

mismatching

-Tx and Rx needs to be separated in chip

�ground up RFID by austriamicrosystems

-LNA or active mixer can be saturated by the

strong TX signal.

-DC Offset can be caused by the self mixing.

-The received signal can suffer from significant

noise due to the phase noise of the TX leakage.

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Circulator Selection

What is a Circulator?

A 3 port passive ferrite device that passes

RF energy from one port to the next

Isolates Tx from Rx chain

What Specs are Important?

- Frequency 860-960 MHz

- Insertion Loss .2dB

- Rejection/Isolation 30dB

Recommended Suppliers

–Tyco MAFRIN0494 860-960 MHz (Wideband)

–Tyco MAFRIN0493 902-928 MHz ( US)

–Tyco MAFRIN0495 860-872 MHz (Europe)

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Directional Coupler Selection

What is a Directional Coupler?

A 4 port passive device. One path passes signal

The other ports see a coupling of the signal

What Specs are Important?

- Frequency 860-960 MHz

- Insertion Loss .2dB

- Coupling/Isolation 20dB

What is the difference between Coupler and Circulator

–Directional Coupler is smaller and cheaper

–Directional Coupler has 20dB attenuation to receive path, so can limit the range

–Directional Coupler is more suited to shorter range

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Antenna requirements

High gain

Low S11 Reflectivity ( VSWR)

High bandwidth

Polarization

Ceramic vs. free space vs chip

(DEMO)

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Antenna suppliersCompany name Ordering name Antenna type Frequency dimension gain Polarization BW in 10 dB

Chequers JPA0915S35T63XA Ceramic 915 70*70 4 RHCP 3CompoTek CTA866/5/PA7NF/S1 patch 866 254*254*61 5 circ 4??Fractus ZIGBEE-915-EB chip 915 18*7.3*1 0 lin 5??Huber Suhner SPA 860 patch 867 620*320*40 11 RHCP 5Huber Suhner SPA 860/55/10 patch 867 370*370*41 10 RHCP 5Huber Suhner SPA 860/70/8 Patch 867 190*190*30 8 LIN 5Inpaq ACG-2005-A1-MC-S chip 868 20*5 0?? LIN 5??Johanson P/N 0920AT50A080 Chip 920 11*5 -1 LIN 5??Laird S9028PCL patch 915 9 circ 26Laird S9025PR patch 915MAC Korea MPAC62SF912PS-TA Ceramic 912 61*61 (65*68) -1 Circ 6Partron ANPS0912U9ZTA Ceramic 912 50*50 (70*70) 4 RHCP 6Pointing PATCH A0025 patch 860-960 245*245*40 7 circ 100Pointing PIFA 004 Ceramic 860 36*32*8 0?? lin ? 6RAN RANP0914B Ceramic 914 25*25*8 2 RHCP 4Tsanguan DAA915R37F915X4-40 Ceramic 915 37*37*4 3,5 RHCP 2Würth 7488910092 chip 868 11*5,1 -1 Lin 5??Yageo 29545 chip 868 17*14 1,5 LinTyco patch 868 CircKathrein patch 868 10 CircWisi patch 868 11 Lin

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Antenna measurement 1: Network analyzer

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Antenna measurement: reflected power

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Antenna measurment: Distance

Setup1:

Pout = ca.28dBm (TX-Level = 0dB/0dB), F = 920MHz

Reading Range = ca. 1cm

Setup2:

Pout = ca.20dBm (TX-Level = -6dB/-2dB), F = 956MHz

Reading Range = ca. 80cm max.

Setup3:

Pout = ca.27dBm (TX-Level = 0dB/0dB), F = 956MHz, NXP-Tag

Reading Range = ca. 170cm max.

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Needs for the PA Power Amplifier Parameters

CLEAN SUPPLY

– Amplitude (switching noise) will be seen in

spectrum

Gain approximately 3 dB higher than

output power

Low noise figure

High efficiency and heat sink

Temperature/Voltage range

5V5V Supply Voltage

Depends on source (USB source not possible)

Depends on source

Current Consumption

30dB20Gain

47dBm40dBmOPIP3

Approx 5dBApprox 5dBNoise Figure

>29dBm>20dBmOutput Power (P1dB)

840-960MHz840-960MHzFrequency Range

Long RangeShort RangeParameter

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PA overview

Producer Model Frequency Gain Vd Id NFOutput

IP3

P1dB suitable power Comment/Package

Minicircuits GALI 74+ 0-1 GHz 21,8 5 80 2,7 33 18,3 Gain BlockHitTite HMC580ST89 DC-1 GHz 17 5 88 2,8 33 19 Gain Block

SKYWORKS SKY65017-70LF DC-6 GHz 20 5 120 4,5 38 20 Gain BlockHitTite HMC589ST89 DC-4 GHz 19 5 82 4 32 21 Gain BlockASB ASL29W DC-3 GHz 13,5 5 75 0,9 39 22 Gain Block

RFMD SGA-7489(Z) DC-3000 MHz 21,5 5 115 2,8 35,5 22,4 Gain BlockSKYWORKS SKY65004 0,25-2,7 22 5 120 4 42 24 Gain Block

RFMD RF2172 0,9-2,5 28 3,6 130 na na 24 QFN 16RFMD RF3315 0,3-3 GHz 18 5 150 3 41 25 Gain Block

MACOM MAAMSS0048 0,25-4GHz 21 5 180 4,5 40 27 Gain BlockSKYWORKS SKY65112 0,4-2,3 18 5 200 (450@ 25 dBm) na 39 27 SO8- AMP

RFMD SPA2118 0,8 - 1 GHz 33 5 400 5 47 29 SO8- AMPASB AS420 DC-3GHz 31,5 5 370 6,8 47 29,5 SO8- AMP

SKYWORKS SKY65113-84LF 0,4-2,3 19 5 450 (550@30 dBm) 40 30,6 SO8- AMPRFMD RF5110G 0,8-0,95 27 3,5 200 (2000 @ 35 dBm) na na 32 QFN 16

MACOM MAAPSS0095 0,8-0,95 28 3,3 180(1000 @33 dBm) na na 32 GFN 16SKYWORKS SKY65111-348LF 0,8-1GHz 37? 3,2 200 (1300@33 dBm) na na 32 QFN 16

HitTite HMC453QS16G 0,4-2.2GHz 15 5 730 @32 dBm 8,5 49 32 QSOP16GASB AS621SW DC-3GHz 30 5 930 11 48 33 SO8- AMP

TRIQUENT AH322 0,4-3,2 GHz 20 5 500 (800@30 dBm) na 49 33,5 SO8- AMPMACOM MAAP-007649-000100 0,8-1GHz 19 7,5 540 49 34 QFN 16

TRIQUENT AH420 0,4-2,9 GHz 16 5 800 (1200@33 dBm) na 49 35 12 Pin DFN

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Passive components capacitors

Capacitors

Capacitors are non ideal components

Used to block noise

Matching for UHF

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Passive components Inductors

Inductors

Inductors are non ideal components too

Usage–Supply of PA

–Matching for UHF

Wired inductors –higher Q

–higher power

–danger of instability

Ceramic inductors –lower costs

P S

T1

XFMR_TCML1-116 1

34

positive out

C2822pF

L63n3

L339n

C20

47pF

C21

47pF

C39

10uF

C295p6

L23n3

L539n

C1222pF

C135p6

C35

n.c.

C18n.c.

C38

100n 50R-track

negative out

Supply voltage of power amplifier

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Loop filter components

100p //

15p

4n718k33p //

330p

9k1External

VCO

100p4n720k330p10kInternal

VCO

C3C2R2C1R1

VCO bandwidth determined by:•KVCO•Charge pump current•Main divider N

basically 2nd order Wn = root(Icp.Kv/C.N)

The resistors effect the damping factorwider loop bandwidth, faster settling, but more noise and spurs, compromise

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Clock generation

Required accuracy: 10 ppm

1. Crystal;-

• need shunt capacitors for tuning

• temperature dependency

2. TCXO

• easy to source

• no shunt needed

• Cost are higher

U7

20MHz1 3

24 C19

24p

C22

24p

X2TCXO

VC

1O

UT

3

GND2

VDD4 3V3

C562u2

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Filter

Ceramic Filter

Available in 0603, 0805

S11 ( reflectivity for stability of PA)

Insertion loss (S21)

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Balun‘s

Balun� BALanaced Unbalanced

Transformer for differential to single ended

Impedance on one side

100:50…

S21 (Insertion loss)

S11 (return loss)

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Hardware Tips

•Keep tune line of VCO away from other signals as could be cause noise to VCO

•In RF lines avoid sharp turns.

•Allow enough ground plane for chip Antennas. Don’t put components on other side of the PCB as will

disturb the antenna

•Ground in extremely important. Avoid ground loop.

•Use longer leads on the QFN 64, so you have more solder tin.

•Use less solder tin on the exposed paddle. ( swimming effect)

•MCU lines should not cross the CD1,2, ADGm VCO, CP, COMPA...COMNB. This

will corrupt both, the TX spectrum and RX performance.

•using a LDO that blocks the Supply noise in front of the PA

•using a strong ground concept between the LDO, the PA and the UHF chip to minimize ground loop

induced noise.

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Some words on the Protocol

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TX protocol settings

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ALOHA anti collision

DEMO

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Logic analyzer

System debugging with OAD pins

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Tag memory

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GUI setup

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System training

Focus: Application training for UHF developers

Hardware:

general block diagram and needed external components.

passive components inclusive loop filter

crystal requirement

UHF specifics

matching network

balun

circulator / coupler

Power amplifier

layout rules

Guideline on hand solder a QFN64 device

What are the specific's on the reference designs and how they can help you to speed up the design

Software:

What the Software can do for us.- What are the features the are already integrated.

Layers of the Software

Host to reader Communication Interface commands

defines to tailor the Software

Needed steps for porting the software

GUI:

setup the compiler

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What the Software can do for us

FW Software Feature List

Modular setup

portable to Controller

change of communication Interface

Diagnosis functions Network analyzer, spectrum analyzer

Access, Lock, Kill, Read, Write commands included

Special commands from Tag chips vendors (NXP)

USB- HID, and UART Interface layer

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Layers of the Software

Link to Docu Index file

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Interface possibilities

no experience yet, Software questionable

Needs old fashioned Interface

Needs driver to be installed, unstable operation,

Difficult to program, New commands needs to be installed in the descriptor, low throughput ( 20 Tags/ sec)

very high throughput, no driver needed, WLAN can be integratedeasy programming

High throughput, easy programming,

Needs no driver easy for user very stable operation

EthernetUARTUSB UARTUSB HID

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Resources of Software

•Firmware provided by austriamicrosystems

–Features can be added on customer request

•Firmware provided by third party companies ( license model)

•GUI provided by austriamicrosystems

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Optional software License model based ARM-7

Step 1: Step 2: Step 3:

Licence Reader

Licence Dongle

Source: RF-

Embedded

UART

Upload Firmware

Firmware

Source: RFE FTP

Server

Use Reader

Reader Tag

PCB

Controller + boot loader

AS399x

Distributor

Licenscefrom dongle

UART

PC + update tool

UART, USB

Internet

PCB+ Bootlader+ Firmware

Vendor Customer

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Simplified flowchart of application layerMain.c

initialization

usbCommands()

selftest

usbCommands()

USB data packet

availible ?

callSendFirmwareHardwareID;

callSendDeviceInfo;

ccallResetCPU;

callAntennaPower;

callWriteRegister;

callReadRegister;

callInventory;

callSelectTag;

callWriteToTag;

callReadFromTag;

callLockUnlock;

callKillTag;

callNXPCommands;

callInventory6B;

callChangeFreq;

callInventoryRSSI;

end

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Host to Reader Interface

PayloadFrame LengthReport ID

Variable lengthByte 2Byte 1

0x38IN_READ_FROM_TAG

0x37OUT_READ_FROM_TAG

0x50IN_READ_FROM_TAG_6B_ID0x36IN_WRITE_TO_TAG

0x49OUT_READ_FROM_TAG_6B_ID0x35OUT_WRITE_TO_TAG

0x48IN_WRITE_TO_TAG_6B_ID0x34IN_SELECT_TAG

0x47OUT_WRITE_TO_TAG_6B_ID0x33OUT_SELECT_TAG

0x46IN_NXP_COMMAND0x32IN_INVENTORY

0x45OUT_NXP_COMMAND0x31OUT_INVENTORY

0x44IN_INVENTORY_RSSI0x1DIN_READ_REG

0x43OUT_INVENTORY_RSSI0x1COUT_READ_REG

0x42IN_CHANGE_FREQ0x1BIN_WRITE_REG

0x41OUT_CHANGE_FREQ0x1AOUT_WRITE_REG

0x40IN_INVENTORY_6B_ID0x18OUT_ANTENNA_POWER

0x3FOUT_INVENTORY_6B_ID0x16OUT_CPU_RESET

0x3EIN_KILL_TAG0x13IN_DEVICE_INFO

0x3DOUT_KILL_TAG0x12OUT_DEVICE_INFO

0x3CIN_LOCK_UNLOCK 0x11IN_FIRM_HARDW_ID

0x3BOUT_LOCK_UNLOCK0x10OUT_FIRM_HARDW_ID

valueReportvalueReport

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Defines to tailor the Software

System defines:

LEO, ROGER, ARNIE

LOWSUPPLY

EXTPA vs. INTPA, SINGLEINP vs. BALANCEDINP INTVCO vs. EXTVCO

RUN_ON_AS3992, UARTSUPPORT

AS399X_DO_SELFTEST

SERIALINTERFACE (SPI)

Memory usage:

EPCLENGTH, PCLENGTH, MAXFREQ, MAXTAG

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Needed steps to port the Software

1. Set the defines to system requirements

2. Exchange the micro controller specific code

• parallel port communication

• Host to reader protocol

3. Add the communication part

4. Strip down code to needs ( read write..) from app layer ( usb_commands.c)

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Our possibilities with reference design

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How we segmented the market

High PowerLow Power Mid Power

Leo RogerArnie

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Low Power Applications

Ticketing

Mobile Phones

UHF Printers

UHF Enabled PDA’s

E Passport/Ticket Scanners

Low Power Scanner

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Mid Power Applications

Library

Interactive Shopping Carts

Apparel

High Power Handheld

Access Control

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High Power Applications

Electronic Toll Control

Pallet Tracking

Car Parking

Portals

Container Tracking

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Reference Design Roadmap

H1/2008 H2/2008 H1/2010

LEO

Roger

Frank

Ready and being used in the market.

Ready to be shipped

1 W power output – 30 dBm

20 – 27 dBm out

Low cost, low power

Up to 20 dBm out

Modular approach

Circulator design

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Evaluation System content FrankDigital board

–Microcontroller, USB Interface

–LCD

Analogue board–Circulator, VCO, power amplifier

Software package–PC control Software

–Firmware source code

–Application note

Additional equipment–Main power adapter

– 6 dBi gain Patch Antenna

–Chip Antenna

–Antenna cable

–2 EPC GEN2 tags

CDROM Documentation–Application note

–Demo board schematic

–Software description

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LEO and ROGER

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Features of Demo board

Modular approach with a controller board and an analogue board

Digital board enables:–USB Interface to a PC Software

–Simple hardware adaptation to own controller platform

–Simple firmware adaptation due example based on TI-MSP 430

Several options on analogue board possible–Optional VCO

–Optional Power Amplifier

–Optional Circulator

–Optional TXCO

Equipped with optional VCO, TXCO, Power Amplifier and Circulator

Documents

UHF RFID Reader Presentation –AS3990 Design In … block diagram and needed external components. passive components inclusive loop filter crystal requirement UHF specifics matching