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Optimizing Read Range in RFID Systems: Designfeature
Optimizing Read Range in RFID Systems: Designfeature
I frequency identification) tags can track and tag systems, you derive the data clock from an on-chip
just about any object you can think of. Costs have oscillator. In read/write systems, the reader transmits
come down, and performance has risen to the point amplitude-modulated data as well, so the tagging IC
that tagging applications that were out of reach only must also peak-detect (or gap-detect in 100%-mod-
two years ago are now common. But one of the most ulation systems) the signal to extract the envelope
basic questions is how far away the reader can read that contains the command or data (“command de-
data from these tags. tector” in Figure 2b).
This article provides a brief tutorial on the fac- Inductively coupled systems, as all passive 125-
tors affecting read range and a real-time, real-life de- kHz and 13.56-MHz systems are, behave much like
sign example. The tutorial and design example are loosely coupled transformers (Figure 3). The mag-
based on passive, 125-kHz to 13.56-MHz, induc- netic coupling between the primary winding (read-
tively coupled RFID systems. The article focuses pri- er antenna coil) and secondary winding (tag anten-
marily on the interface between tag and reader, be- na coil) conveys power from reader to tag. You use
cause a detailed discussion of reader-datapath tuned LC circuits at these frequencies to maximize
designs could fill an entire textbook—or at least an- coupling between the primary and secondary wind-
other article. ing, because you cannot use an iron core when read-
In contact systems, such as reading the data from ing at a distance.
a serial EEPROM over a two-wire (I2C) or three-wire A time-variant H-field from the reader, which
SPI or Microwire bus, the power, clock, and data current I1 generates and the tag coil intercepts, in-
lines are connected separately (Figure 1). Passive duces current I2 and voltage across the tag coil. The
RFID devices also use a serial bus, but the power,
clock, and data are all in the same signal (Fig- VCC
Q, or tuning.
The tag’s antenna aperture re- 431023
ter-tight, chemical-re-
sistant seal, such as an LOW Q HIGH Q
epoxy, PVC, or
plastic disk. A Figure 7
number of manufac-
turers provide this SMALL CHANGE IN
type of packaging in a RECEIVED POWER DRAMATIC CHANGE
variety of shapes and IN RECEIVED POWER
You could use a flat rather than a complicated than you imagine, optimiz-
wound inductor for the tag coil. In this
WHEN USING AN RFID ing read range is simpler than you imag-
case, you would use Equation 3 for a TAG AND READER, ine if you use these hints, guidelines, and
square inductor or Equation 2 for a equations.k
round one. Alternatively, you could use OPTIMIZING FOR READ
a wire-wound coil for the reader anten- References
na instead of a copper trace on the pc RANGE IS A SYSTEM ISSUE. 1. “13.56 MHz RFID System Design
board. Because of the inductance and Guide,” DS 21299, Microchip Technolo-
resistance of a large loop of wire, this length. For this reason, you must care- gy Inc.
frequency still usually limits you to us- fully choose the material, considering all 2. “125 kHz RFID System Design
ing only one turn. Equation 4 repre- the application requirements. Guide,” DS 51115, Microchip Technolo-
sents a single-turn, circular-loop gy Inc.
antenna: STEP BACK AND REASSESS 3. Lee, Youbok, “Antenna Circuit De-
When designing an RFID tag and sign,” Application Note 710, Microchip
L50.01257a(2.303log10(16a/d-2)), (4)
reader, remember that optimizing for Technology Inc.
where a is the mean radius of the loop read range is a system issue; no single
in centimeters, d is the wire diameter component determines the entire read Author’s bio graphy
in centimeters, and L is in microhenries. range. A tagging IC has no read range; it Peter Sorrells is marketing manager for
Note that Equation 4 does not calcu- can only maximize or minimize its part Memory and RFID products at Microchip
late Q for coil and capacitor values, be- of the system. Only a total system can Technology’s Microperipheral Products Di-
cause resistivity, which controls Q, is in- have a read range. Also, keep in mind the vision (Chandler, AZ), where he has
dependent of the reactive parameters in different semiconductor devices, materi- worked for more than eight years. He re-
the tuning equations. However, the ma- als, and techniques available for use in ceived a BSEE from the University of Ari-
terials you select for the windings dra- RFID tags and systems, because careful zona (Tucson, AZ). His spare-time inter-
matically affect Q, because every mate- selection by application is critical. And, ests include playing the guitar and raising
rial has a characteristic resistance per unit although optimizing read range is more three boys.