Xerox IGEN Users Manual

User Manual – IGEN Coupler Board

1.0 System Components

There are two components, not including the driving host computer and the power
supply, of the Radio Frequency CRUM Sub-System; the IGEN Coupler board (PWBA)
and the RF memory tag (TAG). The PWBA is controlled by a host computer which sends
commands and data to the PWBA. The PWBA then converts the commands into radio
frequency actions which allow communication to the TAG.

1.1 IGEN Coupler Board

The photo below shows the PWBA. The two connectors on the left side of the board are
used for power input, addressing and communication.

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1.2 RF Memory Tag (TAG)

The TAG is a memory device which is mounted on a flexable substrate. The memory
device is surrounded by a copper antenna also on the substrate. Through this antenna,
power for the memory device and it’s associated controlling hardware is obtained from
the RF signal generated by the PWBA.

2.0 Applying power to the PWBA (refer to the schematic for this discussion).

Power is applied to the PWBA through the 6 pin connector (5volts DC) or the 10 pin
connector (7.5 volts DC).
The 6 pin connector receives 5 volts on pin 1 (5volts) and pin 3 (ground).
The 10 pin connector receives 7.5 volts on pins 9, 10 (7.5 volts) and pin 8 (ground).
Note that the board cannot operate from both supply voltages at one time.

3.0 Board Addressing

Up to 8 PWBA’s can be communicated to by the host computer by using the three
address lines (ADD_E0, ADD_E1 and ADD_E2). These address lines are tied into the 6
pin and the 10 pin interface connectors. If the addressing lines are left open, address 0
will be selected. External address jumpers select the remaining addresses in a binary
fashion (refer to the schematic for details).

4.0 Sample Communication Protocol, IGEN Coupler Board to RF Memory Tag

(Note: The details of the communication protocol are beyond the scope of this document.
This is just a high level overview).

 The host processor board switches power on to the PWBA’s.
 A 100 milli-second stabilization time is waited.
 The RF field ON command is sent from the host processor to the PWBA to be

communicated to.

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