EM MICROELECTRONIC EM4223 User Manual

EM MICROELECTRONIC - MARIN SA

EM4223

Read-only UHF Radio Frequency Identification Device

according to ISO IEC 18000-6

Description

The EM4223 chip is used in UHF passive read-only transponder applications. The chip derives its operating power from an RF beam transmitted by the reader, which is received and rectified by the chip. It transmits its factory-programmed code back to the reader by varying the amount of energy that is reflected from the chip antenna circuit (passive backscatter modulation). The air interface communication protocol is implemented according to ISO18000-6 type A. The code structure supports the effort of EPCglobal, Inc. as an industry accepted standard. It additionally incorporates the Fast Counting Supertag™ protocol for applications where the fast counting of large tag populations is required. The chip is frequency agile, and can be used in the range of 800 MHz to 2.5GHz for RF propagating field applications.

Typical Applications

Supply chain management (SCM)

  Tracking and tracing  Asset control  Licensing  Auto-tolling

Key words

ISO 18000-6A

  UHF  EPC™ data structure  Fast Supertag™

Features

Air interface is ISO18000-6 type A compliant

  Supports EAN•UCC and EPC™ data structures as

defined by the Auto-ID center

 Supports Fast Counting Supertag™ mode  128 bit user memory license plate Group select by

means of ‘Application Family Identifier’ (AFI) according to ISO

 Fast reading of user data during arbitration (no need

to first take an inventory)

 Specific command set for supply chain logistics

support.

 Frequency independent: Typically used at 862 - 870

MHz, 902 - 950 MHz and 2.45 GHz

 Low voltage operation - down to 1.0 V  Low power consumption  Cost effective  -40 to +85°C operating temperature range

Benefits

 Numbering scheme according to international

standards

 Operates worldwide according to the local radio

regulation

 Ideal for applications where long range and high-

speed item identification is required

Typical Operating Configuration

Connect pad A+ And V dipole antenna

to a

A+

EM4223

VSS

Chip design is a joint development with RFIP Solutions Ltd

VDD

Fig. 1

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READ-ONLY UHF RADIO FREQUENCY

IDENTIFICATION DEVICE ACCORDING TO

ISO IEC 18000-6.................................................

Description ..................................................................1H1H1

Typical Applications ....................................................2H2H1

Key words ...................................................................3H3H1

Benefits.......................................................................4H4H1

TABLE OF CONTENTS.....................................5H5H2

Absolute Maximum Ratings ........................................6H6H3

Handling Procedures ..................................................7H7H3

Operating Conditions ..................................................8H8H3

Block Diagram.............................................................9H9H3

Electrical Characteristics.............................................10H10H4

Timing Characteristics ................................................11H11H4

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION.................................12H12H5

2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION...........................13H13H5

General Command Format .........................................14H14H6

Supported Command set ............................................15H15H6

3. BASIC COMMAND FORMATS..........................16H16H6

Short commands.........................................................17H17H6

Extended commands ..................................................18H18H6

Implied MUTE command (Fast Supertag Mode only) .19H19H7

Command state transitions .......................................20H20H11

0H0H1

EM4223

COMMANDS AND STATES............................ 43H43H23

Commands............................................................... 44H44H23

Tag States................................................................ 45H45H23

Tag state storage ..................................................... 46H46H24

10. COLLISION ARBITRATION............................ 47H47H25

General explanation of the collision arbitration

mechanism...............................................................

FST SYSTEMS ........................................................ 49H49H25

FST MODE OPTIONS.............................................. 50H50H26

Use of the round_size function (ISO & FST modes). 51H51H27

Ordering Information ................................................ 52H52H29

Versions ................................................................... 53H53H29

48H48H25

4. GENERAL REPLY FORMAT...........................21H21H14

5. FORWARD LINK ENCODING - READER TO

TRANSPONDER ..............................................

Carrier modulation pulses .........................................23H23H15

Basic time interval – definition of “Tari” .....................24H24H15

Data coding...............................................................25H25H16

Data Frame format....................................................26H26H16

Data decoding...........................................................27H27H17

Bits and byte ordering ...............................................28H28H17

Reader to Transponder 5 bit CRC (CRC-5) ..............29H29H17

Command Decoder...................................................30H30H17

22H22H15

6. RETURN LINK DATA ENCODING -

TRANSPORTER TO READER ........................

Return link data encoding .........................................32H32H18

Return link preamble.................................................33H33H19

Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC) .............................34H34H19

31H31H18

7. MEMORY ORGANISATION AND

CONFIGURATION INFORMATION.................

Memory Map.............................................................36H36H19

Unambiguous User Data (UUD) & SUID...................37H37H19

AFI ............................................................................38H38H20

Personality Block ......................................................39H39H20

35H35H19

8. TRANSPONDER SELECTION OPERATION –

INIT_ROUND AND BEGIN_ROUND

COMMANDS.....................................................

INIT_ROUND COMMAND SELECTION OPERATION

..................................................................................

BEGIN_ROUND COMMAND SELECTION

OPERATION .............................................................

40H40H21

41H41H21

42H42H22

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Absolute Maximum Ratings

Parameter Symbol Min Max

-0.3

-50

+3.6

+150 10

Table 1

Supply Voltage V

– VSS (V)

Storage temperature (°C) RMS supply current pad A (mA)

store

Stresses above these listed maximum ratings may cause permanent damages to the device. Exposure beyond specified operating conditions may affect device reliability or cause malfunction.

Handling Procedures

This device has built-in protection against high static voltages or electric fields; however, anti-static precautions must be taken as for any other CMOS component. Unless otherwise specified, proper operation can only occur when all terminal voltages are kept within the voltage range. Unused inputs must always be tied to a defined logic voltage level.

Operating Conditions

Parameter Symbol Min Max Unit

Supply voltage VDD 1.0 3.5 V Operating Temperature TA -40 +85 °C

Block Diagram

Data

ROM 128b

EM4223

Table 2

AFI

ROM 8b

Ant

Limit

LOGIC

PON

OSC

Data

extractor

Fig. 2

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EM4223

Electrical Characteristics

VDD= 2.0V, T

Operating voltage VDD – VSS V Current consumption IS V Power On Reset Rising V Power On Reset Fall V Electrostatic discharge HBM to MIL-STD-

Internal oscillator frequency Input series Impedance @900MHz

Modulation depth decoding

=+25°C, unless otherwise specified

Parameter Symbol Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit

3.5 V

ponf

= 1.5 V 2.0 3.9 uA

DD-VSS

1.2 V

ponr

1.0 V

ponf

883 method 3015

VDD and VSS pad A+ pad

1.5

0.5

Fosc Over full temperature range 192 320 448 KHz

Rin C

– VSS < 1V 19

0.620

At typical pulse width 27 % 100 % %

Timing Characteristics

Over full voltage and temperature range, unless otherwise specified

Parameter Symbol Conditions Min. Typ. Max. Unit

Forward Link (Reader to Transponder) Pulse width Tpw 100% modulation depth 6 10 14 uS Pulse interval Data 0 T Pulse interval Data 1 T

Return Link (Transponder to Reader) (note 1) Bit rate accuracy short term (note 2) Bit rate accuracy long term @1.5V

Reply to Receive

turn-around time

Receive to Reply

turn-around time

Tag Command window Tcw Opens at the start of the 3rd bit

Note 1: VDD= 2.0V, TA=+25°C Note 2: V

= 2.0V

average 33 kbps

100% modulation depth 12 20 28 uS

pi0

100% modulation depth 24 40 56 uS

pi1

nominal at 25°C as selected by

factory programmed Personality Bit

kbps

160

During a message transmission +/- 1 %

of nominal 40kb/s +/- 15 %

2 Bit

Depends on Transponders chosen

150 uS

reply slot

clock period after the end of the last bit transmitted by the Transponder to the reader. Closes in the middle of the 5th bit clock period.



Table 3

times

Table 4

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1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

The EM4223 is a monolithic integrated circuit transponder for use in UHF passive backscatter RFID applications. Operating power for the transponder circuit is derived from the illuminating RF field of an RFID Reader by means of an on-chip virtual battery rectifier circuit. A user specified license plate or tag identifier is factory programmed into the transponder by means of laser trimming. This data is communicated to the reader by means of backscatter modulation of the illuminating RF carrier wave. The EM4223 supports both the ISO18000-6 type A and the Fast Supertag (FST) Protocols. The EM4223 may be configured to wake-up in either of these modes according to user requirements. Once active, the transponder will automatically respond to either protocol (and eventually switch modes) on receipt of the appropriate commands.

2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

When a Transponder is placed in the RF energising field of a Reader it powers up. When the power supply has reached the correct operating voltage, the Configuration Register is loaded with the contents of the three preprogrammed personality flags. Depending on the state of these wake-up flags, the Transponder will be placed in either ISO 18000-6 Type A (ISO) or Fast Supertag (FST) mode and in one of three states: READY, ACTIVE or ROUND_STANDBY. After this process is complete the Transponder is able to receive commands and to transmit data to the Reader.

The Transponder is half-duplex and is thus in either receive mode (default) or transmit mode. When not actively transmitting messages to the Reader on the Return Link, the Transponder will wait for the start of a new command, which will be detected as a quiet period of specific duration, followed by a valid Start Of Frame (SOF) symbol (see the quiet period in order to ensure that it does not detect partial transmissions by a reader as a valid command. This can occur if a transponder enters the field of a reader and powers up part through a reader transmission. The received SOF symbol is used to calibrate the command decoder every time a command is received. This calibration is used to establish a pivot to distinguish between subsequent data ‘0’ and data ‘1’ symbols. Each time that a new command is received by the Transponder, the SOF re-calibrates the decode counter thereby compensating for any variation in the Transponder clock frequency due to changes in RF excitation levels or temperature variations. The circuit has been designed to accommodate a Transponder clock frequency variation of +/-40% from nominal. When the Transponder is transmitting the receive circuitry is disabled.

54H54HFig. 11). The Transponder requires

EM4223

All commands received from the Reader will have an immediate effect on the Transponder. In addition, certain commands will have a persistent effect. The possible immediate effects are one or both of the following:

 A change of State (see 55H55HFig. 19)  A Data Message sent to the Reader.

The possible persistent effects are:  Data Messages to the Reader will contain SUID (as

described later in this section) or Data Messages to the Reader will contain USER DATA of 128 bits,

 The Round Size (Number of Slots) over which all of

the Transponders in the population will spread their Data Messages to the Reader will be configured.

 The Transponder will switch between ISO and FST

modes of operation (as described below).

 A sub-population of Transponders will be enabled to

send Data Messages to the Reader dependent on either the AFI or on all or a portion of the USER DATA of 128 bits.

The start of a command from the Reader has a special significance if a Transponder is operating in the FST mode and is in the ROUND_ACTIVE state. When the falling edge of the first symbol of a command (SOF) is received by a Transponder in the ROUND_ACTIVE state while in FST mode, it will immediately move to the ROUND_STANDBY state. If a command is successfully received, the Transponder will move back to the ROUND_ACTIVE state. If the Transponder does not receive a valid command it will remain in the ROUND_STANDBY state until a valid command has been received. This enables the Reader to silence all Transponders that have not already started sending their Data Messages to the Reader in compliance with the FST protocol. It is important to note that the Reader does not have to send a full command or indeed even a part of a command, as long as it sends a low going pulse of approximately ½ Tari (Type A Reference Interval Time) duration.

An important feature of this transponder is its ability to switch seamlessly between ISO mode and FST mode whatever its “wake up” personality setting, depending only on the mode or characteristics of the controlling reader. A Transponder that “wakes up” in the ISO mode on powerup will switch to the FST mode if it receives a Wake_Up_FST command. Similarly, a Transponder that “wakes up” in the FST mode on power-up will switch to the ISO mode if it receives an INIT-ROUND, INITROUND-ALL or BEGIN-ROUND command.

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Transponders will only transmit Data Messages to the Reader while they are in the ROUND_ACTIVE state. When the CURRENT SLOT NUMBER and the SELECTED SLOT NUMBER values held by the Transponder match, the Transponder transmits its Data Message to the Reader. The Reply message will contain either the SUID (the Integrated Circuit Manufacturer code of 0x16 for MARIN and the lower 32 bits of the 128 bit User Data) or the 128 bit User Data .

In situations where different groups of transponders present in the reader field contain data having different owners, a reader may selectively wake up these different groups of transponders by means of the ISO compliant AFI parameter in the Init_Round command or by using the Mask parameter in the Begin_Round command. The Begin_Round command additionally supports selection of groups of transponders based on the user data content according to the EPC™ method.

General Command Format

All commands are transmitted from the Reader to the Transponder by means of pulse interval encoding as

defined in chapter 5: forward link encoding, beginning with

an SOF (Start Of Frame) and terminating in an EOF (End Of Frame). Commands are supported in accordance with the ISO 18000-6A specification which divides commands into the categories of MANDATORY, OPTIONAL, CUSTOM and PROPRIETARY. The EM4223 supports all of the ISO 18000-6A MANDATORY commands and 4 of the ISO 18000-6A OPTIONAL commands – Init_Round, Close_Slot, New_Round and Begin_Round. In addition, the EM4223 implements 1 PROPRIETARY command in accordance with the ISO 18000-6A specification – this is the Wake_Up_FST command which uses Op-Code 0x39.

Commands are divided into 2 basic types: Short Commands of a fixed 16 bit length and Extended commands which consist of a 16 bit section consistent with the Short Command format followed by a variable length extension containing various parameters and a second CRC of 16 bit length which covers the entire command, including the 1 been covered by the 5 bit CRC and the 5 bit CRC itself.

Supported Command set

The EM4223 fully supports the four ISO MANDATORY commands: NEXT_SLOT, STANDBY_ROUND, RESET_TO_READY and INIT_ROUND_ALL.

The ISO OPTIONAL commands: INIT_ROUND, CLOSE_SLOT, and NEW_ROUND are also supported.

11 bits which will already have

EM4223

The BEGIN_ROUND command is included for Supply Chain Logistics support. In addition to the above, the Fast Supertag commands: WAKE_UP_FST and MUTE are supported for compliance with the FST protocol. MUTE is interpreted as any partially decoded or invalid command as described in section

3. BASIC COMMAND FORMATS

There are 7 short commands, 2 extended commands and 1 implied command.

Short commands

Short commands are a fixed length of 16 bits, which includes a 5 bit CRC. The commands comprise the following fields:

 Protocol extension – 1 bit.  Command Op-code – 6 bits.  Parameters – 4 bits (parameters could include flags).  CRC – 5 Bits.

SOF RFU

Short commands are used for collision arbitration and other immediate functions.

Extended commands

The EM4223 supports 2 Extended commands

(Init_Round and Begin_Round). They comprise a fixed

length part of 16 bits, which is identical with the format of the 16 bit Short Commands described above, followed by an 8 bit fixed length parameter in the case of both of the Extended commands, followed by a 2 variable length up to 136 bits and terminated with a 16 bit CRC. The Extended commands comprise the following fields:

 Protocol extension – 1 bit.  Command Op-code – 6 bits.  Parameters – 4 bits (parameters could include flags).  CRC – 5 Bits.  Extension of 8 bits (AFI) in the case of the

 CRC-16 :- 16 Bits (over full message from after the

56H56H0.

(1 bit)

Command

Code (6 bits)

Fig. 3 General format, Short commands

Parameters &

Flags (4 bits)

CRC-5 (5 bits)

EOF

parameter of

INIT_ROUND command, or an 8 bit (MASK_LENGTH) parameter followed by a variable length (MASK) parameter in the case of the BEGIN_ROUND command

SOF to the last bit before the CRC16 itself).

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EM4223

SOF

RFU

(1 bit)

Command

Code

(6 bits)

Parameters

& Flags

(4 bits)

CRC-5 (5 bits)

The 2 Extended commands supported by the EM4223 are used to all selected sub-populations of Tags to be introduced to the Arbitration process.

Implied MUTE command (Fast Supertag Mode only)

When operating in the Fast Supertag Mode and in the ACTIVE state, the reception of the first low-going pulse of any command causes the EM4223 to move to the ROUND_STANDBY state. This could be any single pulse or the first pulse of the SOF of a valid command. The Transponder will continue to decode the command. A known and valid command causes the Transponder to execute the command and to move to either the ROUND_ACTIVE or the READY state, depending on the command and its parameters (if any). An unknown command or a command having an error will cause the Transponder to remain in the ROUND_STANDBY state.

Optional

Parameter

(8 bits)

2nd Optional

Parameter

(0-136 bit)

Fig. 4 - General format, Extended commands

CRC-16

16 bits

EOF

During reception of a command, and until the command has been correctly received, the Transponder will holdoff any attempt to reply until the command has been correctly received and executed. At the end of receiving a command, if it has not been correctly decoded, the Transponder will remain in the ROUND_STANDBY state until moved out of this state by the first correctly received and decoded command.

If the Tag is in the Fast Supertag Mode and in the TTF (Tag Talks First) sub-mode (Wake Up Status Flag = X00), the Tag will automatically leave the ROUND_STANDBY state after a timeout period of 2.5 X 176 tag bit periods has elapsed since the last MUTE command (176 bits = maximum Tag Data Message length).This timeout will be reset each time a new implied MUTE command is received.

Command Protocol

Init-Round Always = 0 01 SUID

Next-Slot Always = 0 02 * Signature 4 bits 5 bits The signature must match the

Close Slot Always = 0 03 Ignored by

StandbyRound

New-Round Always = 0 05 SUID

Reset-ToReady Init-RoundAll

Extension

Always = 0 04 * Ignored by

Always = 0 06 * Ignored by

Always = 0 0A * SUID

Op-

Code

bits

Parameter / flags

1 bit

EM4223

1 bit

EM4223

1 bit

4 bits

Round Size 3 bits

Round size 3 bits

CRC-5 Extended

5 bits AFI

5 bits Advances the CURRENT

5 bits The signature is not used in

5 bits

5 bits Moves Transponder from

5 bits SUID = 0 tag responds with

parameters

16 bits SUID = 0 tag responds with

8 bits

CRC-16 Comments

the 128 bits of user data. SUID = 1 tag responds with SUID. If AFI field = 00H, all tags respond, else if AFI is other value, only tags with matching AFI respond. Also moves tags already active in FST mode to ISO mode.

signature value transmitted by the tag in its last reply to acknowledge the tag’s reply. Advances the CURRENT SLOT COUNTER.

SLOT COUNTER.

this implementation because the EM4223 has no select state. The EM4223 will always move to the ROUND_STANDBY state.

current state to READY state.

the128 bits of user data. SUID = 1 tag responds with SUID. Also moves tags already active in FST mode to ISO mode.

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BeginRound

Wake-UpFST

Mute Low

Always = 0 OB SUID

Always = 0 39 SUID

Pulse

EM4223

1 bit

1 Bit

Round size 3 bits

Round size

5 bits Mask

length

8 bits

5 bits

Wakes tag up in the Fast

Mask value 0-136 bits

3 bits

Implied command in FST

16 bits Tags that match the MASK

value of MASK length will move to the ROUND_ACTIVE state from the ROUND_STANDBY or READY states or will remain in the ROUND_ACTIVE state if already there. Tags that do not match the Mask will move to the READY from either ROUND_ACTIVE or ROUND_STANDBY states. SUID = 0 tag responds with the 128 bits of user data. SUID = 1 tag responds with SUID, where the DSFID field is replaced by AFI field. Also moves Transponders already active in FST mode to ISO mode.

Supertag™ mode. Also moves tags already active in ISO mode to FST mode. SUID = 0 tag responds with the 128 bits of user data SUID = 1 tag responds with SUID.

mode. When tag receives an SOF it moves to the ROUND_STANDBY state. The tag returns to the active state on receipt of a next-slot or init-round or new-round command, or when a period of

2.5 X 176 tag bit periods has elapsed since the last Mute command (176 bits = maximum message length).

Mandatory ISO commands op-codes are marked with an * and command titles are in bold type face.

Table 5- Supported Commands

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Reader Command Transponder Operation in

ISO Mode

INIT_ROUND Initialises the start of the arbitration sequence

and tells the Transponder over how many slots to randomise the transmit slot selection. Configures the Transponder to transmit the SUID data or the full 128 bit User Data to the Reader dependent on the SUID parameter in the command. Moves the Transponder from the READY to the ROUND_ACTIVE states if the Transponders AFI matches the AFI in the command or if the AFI in the command = 0x00 . If the AFI in the command is non-zero and does not match the AFI in the Tag, causes the Tag to move from the ROUND_ACTIVE to the READY states.

BEGIN_ROUND Initialises the start of the arbitration sequence

and tells the Transponder over how many slots to randomise the transmit slot selection. Configures the transponder to transmit the SUID data where DSFID field is replaced by AFI field, or the full 128 bit User Data to the reader, depending in the SUID parameter in the command. Moves the Transponder from the READY to the ROUND_ACTIVE states if the number of bits of the Transponders User Data specified in the command is identical to the matching data in the command Mask parameter .

INIT_ROUND_ALL Initialises the start of the arbitration sequence

NEW_ROUND Causes the EM4223 to enter a new Round and

to change the number of pseudo-slots over which it randomises its transmissions. Tags in the READY state will ignore this command.

WAKE_UP_FST Not supported in ISO Mode – causes the

Transponder to immediately switch to Fast

Supertag Mode.

EM4223

Transponder Operation in

Fast Supertag Mode

Not supported in Fast Supertag Mode – causes the Transponder to immediately switch to ISO Mode.

Causes the EM4223 to change the number of pseudo-slots over which it randomises its transmissions. Tags in the READY state will ignore this command.

Initialises the start of the Fast Supertag arbitration sequence and tells the Transponder over how many slots to randomise the transmit slot selection. Configures the Transponder to transmit the full 128 bit User Data to the Reader irrespective of the SUID parameter in the command. Moves the Tag from the ROUND_STANDBY to the ROUND_ACTIVE states or from the READY to the ROUND_ACTIVE states if the Mask parameter matches, else moves Tag to the READY state.

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+ 20 hidden pages

EM MICROELECTRONIC EM4223 User Manual

Specifications and Main Features

Frequently Asked Questions

User Manual

Table of contents

1. GENERAL DESCRIPTION

2. FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION

3. BASIC COMMAND FORMATS