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CONTENTS
Abstract
How does RFID work?
EM4095
Y Introduction
Y Features
Y Applications
Y Typical Operating Configuration
Y Õlock Diagram
Y Functional Description
Y àin Description
Conclusion
RFID Antennas
Reference

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AÕSTRACT


Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is an automatic identification method,

relying on storing and remotely retrieving data using devices called RFID tags or
transponders.

An RFID tag is an object that can be applied to or incorporated into a product,

animal, or person for the purpose of identification using radio waves. Some tags
can be read from several meters away and beyond the line of sight of the reader.

Most RFID tags contain at least two parts. One is an integrated circuit for storing
and processing information, modulating and demodulating a (RF) signal, and other
specialized functions. The second is an antenna for receiving and transmitting the
signal. Chipless RFID allows for discrete identification of tags without an
integrated circuit, thereby allowing tags to be printed directly onto assets at a lower
cost than traditional tags.

RFID Reader Module, are also called as interrogators. They convert radio waves
returned from the RFID tag into a form that can be passed on to Controllers, which
can make use of it. RFID tags and readers have to be tuned to the same frequency
in order to communicate. RFID systems use many different frequencies, but the
most common and widely used & supported by our Reader is 125 KHz.

The data on the chip is usually stored in one of two types of memory. The most
common is Read-Only Memory (ROM); as its name suggests, read-only memory
cannot be altered once programmed onto the chip during the manufacturing
process. The second type of memory is Read/Write Memory; though it is also
programmed during the manufacturing process, it can later be altered by certain
devices.

The RFID tag consists of a powered or nonpowered microchip and an antenna. The
three different types of tags are described below. Passive tags are the simplest,
smallest and cheapest version of an RFID tag as they do not contain a built-in
power source and consequently cannot initiate communication with a reader. As
the available power from the reader field diminishes rapidly with distance, passive
tags have practical read ranges that vary from about 10 mm up to about 5 metres.

Semi-passive tags have built-in batteries and do not require energy from the reader
field to power the microchip. This allows them to function with much lower signal
power levels and act over greater distances.

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Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is able make fast, automatic data

acquisition possible, by using magnetic fields or radio waves. This allows for
wireless data transfer - including power - between transponder and reader.

A direct view connection is not necessary, due to the fact there is no disruption of
the signal by non-metallic materials. To properly develop an effective RFID
System there are many technological factors that need to be taken into account and
are addressed during the specification phase for the system. These factors include
selecting the transponders and adjusting them for the amount of data to be received
and the operating environment, like temperature, the positioning on the pallet or
transport devices, the position of the antennas and receiving units. The system is
then tested to ensure the optimal function and safety.

Shown below is a typical RFID system. In every RFID system the transponder
Tags contain information. This information can be as little as a single binary bit ,
or be a large array of bits representing such things as an identity code, personal
medical information, or literally any type of information that can be stored in
digital binary format.

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Shown is a RFID transceiver that communicates with a passive Tag. Passive tags
have no power source of their own and instead derive power from the incident
electromagnetic field. Commonly the heart of each tag is a microchip. When the
Tag enters the generated RF field it is able to draw enough power from the field to
access its internal memory and transmit its stored information.
When the transponder Tag draws power in this way the resultant interaction of the
RF fields causes the voltage at the transceiver antenna to drop in value. This effect
is utilized by the Tag to communicate its information to the reader. The Tag is able
to control the amount of power drawn from the field and by doing so it can
modulatethe voltage sensed at the Transceiver according to the bit pattern it wishes
to transmit.

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There are three types of Transponders. Tags are either Active, Passive, or Semi-
passive Transponders. As already mentioned, Passive Transponders have no
internal power source. They draw their power from the electromagnetic field
generated by the RFID reader. They have no active transmitter and rely on altering
the RF field from the transceiver in a way that the reader can detect.
Active transponders have their own transmitters and power source, usually in the
form of a small battery. As a result of this they are able to be detected at a greater
range than Passive ones. Active Tags remain in a low power "idle" state until they
detect the presence of the RF field being sent by the Reader. When the Tag leaves
the area of the Reader it again powers down to its idle state to conserve its battery.
Semi-Passive Transponders have their own power source that powers the
microchip only. They have no transmitter and as with Passive tags they rely on
altering the RF field from the Transceiver to transmit their data.

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›

Introduction

The EM4095 (previously named P4095) chip is a CMOS integrated transceiver

circuit intended for use in an RFID basestation to perform the following functions:
- antenna driving with carrier frequency
- AM modulation of the field for writable transponder
- AM demodulation of the antenna signal modulation
induced by the transponder communicate with a microprocessor via simple
interface.

Features
 Integrated PLL system to achieve self adaptive carrier frequency to
antenna resonant frequency.
 No external quartz required.
 100 to 150 kHz carrier frequency range.
 Direct antenna driving using bridge drivers.
 Data transmission by OOK (100% Amplitude Modulation) using bridge
driver.
 Data transmission by Amplitude Modulation with externally .
 adjustable modulation index using single ended driver.
 Multiple transponder protocol compatibility.
 USB compatible power supply range 40 to +85°C temperature range.

Applications

 Car immobiliser
 Hand held reader
 Low cost reader

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Typical Operating Configuration

Read Only Mode

Read/Write Mode

Pin Assignment

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Õlock Diagram

Functional Description

The EM4095 is intended to be used with an attached antenna circuit and a

microcontroller. Few external components are needed to achieve DC and RF
filtering, current sensing and power supply decoupling. A stabilised power supply

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has to be provided. Please refer to EM4095 Application Notes for advice. Device
operation is controlled by logic inputs SHD and MOD. When SHD is high
EM4095 is in sleep mode, current consumption is minimised. At power up the
input SHD has to be high to enable correct initialisation. When SHD is low the
circuit is enabled to emit RF field, it starts to demodulate any amplitude
modulation (AM) signal seen on the antenna. This digital signal coming from the
AM demodulation block is provided through DEMOD_OUT pin to then
microcontroller for decoding and processing. High level on MOD pin forces in tri-
state the main antenna drivers synchronously with the RF carrier. While MOD is
high the VCO and AM demodulation chain are kept in state before the MOD went
high. This ensures fast recovery after MOD is released. The switching ON of
VCO and AM demodulation is delayed by 41 RF clocks after falling edge on
MOD. In this way the VCO and AM demodulation operating points are not
perturbed by startup of antenna resonant circuit.

Analog Õlocks
The circuit performs the two functions of an RFID basestation, namely:
transmission and reception. Transmission involves antenna driving and AM
modulation of the RF field. The antenna drivers deliver a current into the external
antenna to generate the magnetic field. Reception involves the AM demodulation
of the antenna signal modulation induced by the transponder. This is achieved by
sensing the absorption modulation applied by the tag (transponder).

Transmission
Referring to the block diagram, transmission is achieved by a Phase Locked Loop
(PLL) and the antenna drivers.

Drivers
The antenna drivers supply the reader basestation antenna with the appropriate
energy. They deliver current at the resonant frequency which is typically 125 kHz.
Current delivered by drivers depends on Q of externalresonant circuit. It is strongly
recommended that design of antenna circuit is done in a way that maximum peak
current of 250 mA is never exceeded (see Typical Operating Configuration for
antenna current calculation). Another limiting factor for antenna current is Thermal
Convection of package. Maximum peak current should be designed in a way that
internal junction temperature does not exceed maximum junction temperature at
maximum application ambient temperature. 100% modulation (field stop) is done
by switching OFF the drivers. The ANT drivers are protected against antenna DC
short circuit to the power supplies. When a short circuit has been detected the

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RDY/CLK pin is pulled low while the main driver is forced in tri-state. The circuit
can be restarted by activating the SHD pin.

à ase locked loop

The PLL is composed of the loop filter, the Voltage Controlled Oscillator (VCO),
and the phase comparator blocks. By using an external capacitive divider, pin
DEMOD_IN gets information about the actual high voltage signal on antenna.
Phase of this signal is compared with the signal driving antenna drivers. Therefore
the PLL is able to lock the carrier frequency to the resonant frequency of the
antenna. Depending on the antenna type the resonant frequency of the system can
be anywhere in the range from 100 kHz to 150 kHz. Wherever the resonant
frequency is in this range it will be maintained by the Phase Lock Loop.

Reception
The demodulation input signal for the reception block is the voltage sensed on the
antenna. DEMOD_IN pin is also used as input to Reception chain. The signal level
on the DEMOD_IN input must be lower than VDD-0.5V and higher than
VSS+0.5V. The input level is adjusted by the use of an external capacitive divider.
Additional capacitance of divider must be compensated by accordingly smaller
resonant capacitor. The AM demodulation scheme is based on the "AM
Synchronous Demodulation" technique. The reception chain is composed of
sample and hold, DC offset cancellation, bandpass filter and comparator. DC
voltage of signal on DEMOD_IN is set to AGND by internal resistor. The AM
signal is sampled, the sampling is synchronised by a clock from VCO. Any DC
component is removed from this signal by the CDEC capacitor. Further filtering to
remove the remaining carrier signal, high and low frequency noise is made by
second order highpass filter and CDC2. The amplified and filtered receive signal is
fed to asynchronous comparator. Comparator output is buffered on output pin
DEMOD_OUT.

Signal RDY/CLK
This signal provides the external microprocessor with clock signal which is
synchronous with the signal on ANT1 and with information about EM4095
internal state. Clock signal synchronous with ANT1 indicates that PLL is in lock
and that Reception chain operation point is set. When SHD is high RDY/CLK pin
is forced low. After high to low transition on SHD the PLL starts-up, and the
reception chain is switched on. After time TSET the PLL is locked and reception
chain operation point has been established. At this moment the same signal which
is being transmitted to ANT1 is also put to RDY/CLK pin indicating to

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microprocessor that it can start observing signal on DEMOD_OUT and giving at
the same time reference clock signal. Clock on RDY/CLK pin is continuous, it is
also present during time the ANT drivers are OFF due to high level on MOD pin.
During the time TSET from high to low transition on SHD pin RDY/CLK pin is
pulled down by 100 kȍ pull down resistor. The reason for this is in additional
functionality of RDY/CLK pin in case of AM modulation with index which is
lower then 100%. In that case it is used as auxiliary driver which maintains lower
amplitude on coil during modulation.

When the antenna quality is high using configuration of figure 6 or 7 the voltage
on antenna can arrive in the range of few hundred volts and antenna peak current
may exceed its maximum value. In such a case the capacitive divider ratio has to
be high thus limiting the sensitivity. For such case it is better to reduce antenna
circuit quality by adding serial resistor. In this way the antenna current is lower and
thus power dissipation of IC is reduced with practically the same performance In
the case AM modulation communication protocol reader to transponder (eg.
EM4069) is needed a single ended configuration has to be used (figure 9). When
pin MOD is pulled high driver on ANT1 is put in three state, driver RDY/CLK
continues driving thus maintaining lower antenna current. Modulation index is
adjusted by resistor RAM. As mentioned above RDY/CLK signal becomes
active only after the demodulation chain operating point is set. Before it is pulled
down by high impedance pull down resistor (100 kȍ) in order not to load ANT1
output. In the case of AM modulation configuration the total antenna current
change at the moment RDY/CLK pin becomes active, so external microprocessor
has to wait another TSET before it can start observing DEMOD_OUT.

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As mentioned above for high Q antennas the voltage on antenna is high and read
sensitivity is limited by demodulator sensitivity due to capacitive divider. Read
sensitivity (and thus reading range) can be increased by using external envelope
detector circuit. Input is taken on antenna high voltage side output is directly fed to
CDEC_IN pin. However, the capacitor divider is still needed for PLL locking.
Such configuration is shown in block diagram figure, the envelope detector is
formed by three components: D1, R1 and C1. The configuration presented in
figure 9 may also be used for read write applications but it has a drawback in the
case fast recovery of reading is needed after communication reader to transponder
is finished. The reason is in fact that DC voltage after diode D1 is lost during
modulation and it takes very long time before it is established again.Figure 10
presents a solution to that problem. A high voltage NMOS transistor blocks the
discharge path during modulation, so operating point is preserved. The signal
controlling NMOS gate has to be put low synchronously with signal MOD, but it
can be put high only after the amplitude on antenna has recovered after
modulation.

àin Description

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Dimensions of SOIC 16 àackage (table in millimeters)

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RFID Antennas
One of the most critical elements of any RFID installation is the performance
characteristic of its antenna system. The antenna is the main component for
transferring energy from the transmitter to the passive RFID tags, receiving the
transponder's replying signal and avoiding in-band interference from electrical
noise and other nearby RFID components. Long wave radio transmitters and
nearby PC monitors are common sources for disturbances.
Dynasys supplies "Off-The-Shelf" antenna components that can offer sufficient
performance for most applications. Custom antenna design may be required to
optimize performance where the radio field must cover large areas or be focused
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into a local area. The application may also require a special shaped antenna that
needs to be built around, or into, an existing space. Special field patterns may also
be desired to avoid nearby sources of electrical noise.

Antenna àerformance
The reading range of an antenna is dependent on many variables. These include the
quality of the earth ground connection, the antenna size, the tag size, the tag's
orientation with respect to the transmitting antenna, the antenna location with
respect to other materials and the ambient electrical and magnetic noise within the
band of interest.

Low Frequency Transmission

TIRFID low frequency tags operate on a carrier frequency of 134.2 kHz. The
"uplink" from the RFM Reader (Radio Frequency Module) to the RFID Tag
Transponder is a Frequency Shift Keyed (FSK) transmission with a bandwidth of
25 kHz. The "downlink" from the RFID Tag Transponder to the RFM is an
Amplitude Shift Keyed (ASK) transmission replying with identification and stored
data information. Classical radio transmission is comprised of a combination of an
electrostatic field and a magnetic field component. These fields are depicted as
orthogonal vectors that propagate a transverse electromagnetic (TEM) disturbance
that can be received at a distance from the source. Although Low Frequency RFID
Tags are generating TEM waves their magnetic component becomes most the
significant source of energy transfer for the link of the near field.
As the energy is coupled from the RFM to the antenna, magnetic flux waves
extend into the space surrounding the coils. Similar to a transformer coupling
energy from its primary winding to its secondary winding, the expanding field
from the transmitter antenna coils can induce a voltage in a second coil in its
proximity, such as an antenna coil within an RFID tag present in the field. The
induced voltage in the tag's coil is utilized to charge a capacitor.

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Acting as a temporary battery, the capacitor then powers a chip that provides the
data and intelligent protocol for transponding back to the RFM.
The ratio of turns between the RFM antenna coil and the RFID transponder coil
determines the maximum voltage that can be induced by this transformer action.
By increasing the turns ratio of the antennas it may increase the induced voltage
linking in one direction but decreases the induced voltage linking in the opposite
direction. Just adding more turns to the RFM antenna does not increase
performance. In fact it may decrease the performance.

Õigger is not Always Õetter

Reading performance does not necessarily increase when using a larger antenna.
Although larger loops tend to yield wider coverage areas for the transponder tags,
received noise from the environment may result in obtaining a worse "Signal-To-
Noise Ratio" at the receiver. A careful balance must be attained between the
coverage area required and the reliability of the reception. A 6 dB difference
between signal and noise levels must be maintained.

Antenna Types
Antennas come in all shapes and sizes - "one size does not fit all!". When selecting
the antenna type which will optimize your performance take into account size,
shape, proximity to other materials, field pattern, cost and perhaps a number of
other concerns. Also, consider utilizing a multiple array of smaller antennas that
may operate better than one larger antenna. Loop Antennas Small RFM antennas
have less area than large antennas to transmit and capture energy. By increasing
the number of windings of the smaller antenna more energy can be captured.
However, as mentioned previously, the induced voltage at the RFID transponder is
somewhat dependent on the turns ratio between transmitter and tag coils. More
turns on the transmitter coil induces a stepped down voltage at the tag. Also, as the
distance between the coils increase, less lines of flux are available to cut through
each other. The loss of voltage due to the step-down ratio and loss of field lines can
be offset by increasing the "permeability" of the core of the couplings.

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Also, the number of turns of the loop is determined by the overall size of the
antenna and how tightly the wires are packaged together. The optimum number of
turns for maximum range is also affected by the close proximity of metal. Metals
having different magnetic permeability will exhibit different achievable ranges.
Stick Antennas Ferrite rods are used to increase magnetic flux density without
appreciable energy losses at the transmission frequency. The concentrated flux
lines at the ends of the ferrite rod focus the field pattern. This effect tends to
increase the transmission distance while in this main lobe of the beam. The field
outside of this main lobe decays rapidly with distance.
Ferrite rods are utilized in both RFM antennas and within transponder tags.
Examples can be seen in our P-7558 "Stick Antenna" and can also be seen in the
glass tube RFID transponder series, P-7521, P-7518, etc. and our long range
"Cylindrical TRP" transponder, P-7531.

Resonance
In order to transfer maximum energy from the RFM to its antenna system the
antenna circuit (tank) should be tuned to resonate at the carrier frequency of 134.2
kHz. At resonance the capacitance of the circuit is balanced out by the inductance
of the antenna coil. Antennas having a nominal inductance of 27 ȝH is ideal for
standard low frequency RFMs. On-board variable tuning components should
properly resonate antennas having from 25.5ȝH to 28.5ȝH.

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Îuality Factor ± ³Î
dimensionless figure of merit called the "Quality Factor", or simply "Q" represents
the relationship between effective impedance caused by the inductance of the coil
at the frequency of transmission and the resistance of the antenna wire. The lower
the resistance of the conductor - the higher goes the Q.
A high Q antenna not only transfers maximum energy at resonance, it also has a
narrow bandpass limiting out-of-band interference. Keeping the resistance of the
coil approximately 0.3 Ohm will yield a Q typically near 100; offering increased
performance and maximum immunity to noise.

àroximity wit Metals

Altered performance of the RFID system can be expected when metals are in close
proximity of the radiation field. Proximity to metals effectively lowers the
antenna's inductance. Lower inductance causes an increase in resonant frequency
and also a reduction in "Q". Designers may consider starting with a higher-than-
needed "Q" "in the lab" to start with, expecting it to be lowered when it is installed
in its intended location. External capacitance may be required to tune the modified
antenna system back to resonance. These types of situations can be experienced
around conveyor belt structures and also embedding antenna loops on concrete
driveways where metal re-bar absorbs some of the radiated energy.

Skin Effect
"Skin Effect" is the tendency of alternating currents to exist in the area of a
conductor approaching the
surface, rather than in the entire cross-sectional area of the conductor. At radio
frequencies the
moving charges in the conductor cause a self-induced magnetic field which in
itself generates a
counter voltage. This self-inductance is greatest at the center of the conductor and
thus limits the current in that area. Electrical currents move toward the outer
surface of the conductor where the counter EMF is minimum.
To limit losses due to skin effect the conductors chosen should have a maximum
surface area for its volume. Multi-stranded, insulated, fine wire has more surface
area than does a single solid wire of the same overall gage.

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Antenna Arrays
Multiple antennas may be desired to cover a larger area or to alter the polarization
characteristics. Multiple loops may simply be directly connected together or
"multiplexed" through intelligent antenna switches and matching networks to alter
the tag detection patterns. An analogy can be realized by connecting audio
speakers to a stereo amplifier. Caution must be taken when attaching "+" and "-"
leads to be sure the sound produced by each speaker is "in-phase" with each other.
If parallel antenna loops are connected "in-phase" a strong field is produced
between them. This field is ideal for operating tags that are oriented parallel to the
loops. If they are connected "out-of-phase", also referred to as "anti-phase", the
field is rotated and is ideal for a tag oriented at right angles to the loops. Anti-phase
connection is used where noise reduction by phase cancellation is required.
Consideration must be given to the effective inductance of two individual loops
connected in parallel.


   
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Conclusion
RFID is a very useful technology in this era of automation. Apart from the several
industrial application it is now becoming applicable in domestic and academic
areas. We as a student can best apply this technology in our college library.
RFID in the library speeds up book borrowing, monitoring, books searching
processes and thus frees staff to do more user-service tasks. But the performance
varies with respect to the vendors of RFID readers and tags. The efficient
utilization of the technology also depends upon the information to be written in
tag. Experimental results with respect to effectiveness of RFID reader position, tag
position are presented in the paper. The work is in progress to setup the same in
CDAC library. Developments in RFID technology continue to yield larger memory
capacities, wider reading ranges, and faster processing.


References :-

www.rfidinc.com
http://shay.ecn.purdue.edu/~mobility/RFID/
http://www.ti-rfid.com
http://www.amtech.com
khalid_nouman@hotmail.com
qiaom@purdue.edu
eamback1@purdue.edu

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