2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS21308E-page 1
MCRF202
Features
External sensor input
Data polarity changes with sensor input condition
Read-only data transmission
96- or 128-bits of factory programming user
memory (also supports 48- and 64-bit protocols)
Operates up to 400 kHz carrier frequency
Low-power operation
Modulation options:
- ASK, FSK, PSK
Data Encoding options:
- NRZ Direct, Differential Biphase Manchester
Biphase
Die, Wafer, PDIP or SOIC package option
Factory programming and device serialization
Applications
Insect control
Industrial tagging
Package Type
Description
The MCRF202 is a passive Radio Frequency Identifi-
cation (RFID) device that provides an RF interface for
reading the contents of a user memory array. This
device is specially designed to detect the logic state of
an external sensor, and alters its data transmissions,
based on the condition of the sensor input. The device
outputs a normal bit data stream if the sensor input has
a logic `
1
' state, but outputs an inverted data stream for
a logic `
0
' state. In this way, the reader can monitor the
state (condition) of the external sensor input by
detecting whether the data from the device is a normal
or inverted data stream.
The device is powered by rectifying the incoming RF
carrier signal that is transmitted from the reader. When
the device develops sufficient DC voltage, it transmits
the contents of its memory array by modulating the
incoming RF carrier signal. The reader is able to detect
the modulation and decodes the data being transmit-
ted. Code length, modulation option, encoding option,
and bit rate are set at the factory to fit the needs of
particular applications.
The MCRF202 is available in die, wafer, PDIP and
SOIC packages. The encoding, modulation, bit rate
options, and data fields are specified by the customer
and programmed by Microchip Technology Inc. prior to
shipment. See Technical Bulletin TB023 for more
information on factory serialization (SQTPTM).
MCRF202
Reader
RF
Signal
Data
External
Sensor
Switch
PDIP/SOIC
V
A
V
B
1
2
3
4
8
7
6
5
NC
TEST
SENSOR
NC
V
SS
V
CC
125 kHz Passive RFID Device with Sensor Input
MCRF202
DS21308E-page 2
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
Block Diagram
Column
V
CC
V
SS
Rectifier and
Clock
Generator
External Coil
and Capacitor
Decode
Row
Decode
Modulation
Control Logic
Counter
Data
Mod
Inverter
Sensor
Input
Circuit
Power-On
Reset
AC Clamp
Connections
V
A
V
B
128-bit
EEPROM
Memory Array
Reset
12-bit
Configuration
Register
Baud
Rate
Timing
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS21308E-page 3
MCRF202
1.0
ELECTRICAL CHARACTERISTICS
1.1
Absolute Maximum Ratings
()
Storage temperature .............................................................................................................................. - 65C to +150C
Ambient temperature with power applied................................................................................................-40C to +125C
Maximum current into coil pads .............................................................................................................................. 50 mA
TABLE 1-1:
AC AND DC CHARACTERISTICS
NOTICE: Stresses above those listed under "Absolute Maximum Ratings" may cause permanent damage to the
device. This is a stress rating only and functional operation of the device at those or any other conditions above those
indicated in the operation listings of this specification is not implied. Exposure to maximum rating conditions for
extended periods may affect device reliability.
All parameters apply across the
specified operating ranges
unless otherwise noted.
Industrial (I): T
A
= -40C to +85C
Parameter
Sym
Min
Typ
Max
Units
Conditions
Clock frequency
F
CLK
100
--
400
kHz
Data retention
200
--
--
Years
25C
Coil current (Dynamic)
I
CD
--
50
--
A
Operating current with no V
CC
load
I
DD
--
5
--
A
V
CC
= 2V
No load to V
CC
pad
Operating current with V
CC
load
I
DL
--
10
--
A
V
CC
= 2V
V
CC
load through switch
to sensor
Turn-on-voltage (Dynamic) for
modulation
V
A
V
B
10
--
--
V
PP
V
CC
2
--
--
V
DC
Input Capacitance
C
IN
--
2
--
pF
Between V
A
and V
B
SENSOR pull-down
R
S
400
800
1200
k
SENSOR trigger threshold
V
S
0.5
1.0
1.5
V
MCRF202
DS21308E-page 4
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
2.0
FUNCTIONAL DESCRIPTION
The device contains three major building blocks. They
are RF front-end and sensor input, configuration and
control logic, and memory sections. The Block Diagram
is shown on page 1.
2.1
RF Front-End and Sensor Input
The RF front-end of the device includes circuits for
rectification of the carrier, V
DD
(operating voltage), and
high-voltage clamping to prevent excessive voltage
from being applied to the device. This section also
generates a system clock from the incoming carrier
signal and modulates the carrier signal to transmit data
to the reader.
2.1.1
RECTIFIER AC CLAMP
The AC voltage generated by the external tuned LC
circuit is full wave rectified. This unregulated voltage is
used as the maximum DC supply voltage for the rest of
the device and for the V
CC
supply to the external
sensor or switch. Any excessive voltage on the tuned
circuit is clamped by the internal circuitry to a safe level
to prevent damage to the IC.
2.1.2
MODULATION CIRCUIT
The MCRF202 sends the encoded data to the reader
by AM-modulating the coil voltage across the tuned LC
circuit. A modulation transistor is placed between the
antenna coil pads (V
A
and V
B
). The transistor turns on
and off based on the modulation signal. As a result, the
amplitude of the antenna coil voltage varies with the
modulation signal. See Figure 2-1 for details.
2.1.3
V
CC
REGULATOR
The device generates a DC supply voltage from the
unregulated coil voltage. The Vcc pin can be used to
power a separate low-current device (read range will
be affected).
2.1.4
CLOCK GENERATOR
This circuit generates a clock based on the carrier
frequency from the reader. This clock is used to derive
all timing in the MCRF202, including the baud rate and
modulation rate.
2.1.5
POWER-ON RESET
This circuit generates a Power-on Reset when the tag
first enters the interrogator field. The Reset releases
when sufficient power has developed on the V
DD
regulator to allow correct operation.
2.1.6
SENSOR INPUT AND DATA
INVERTER
The SENSOR input responds to logic high or logic low
voltages to drive the internal inverter on or off. A logic
high results in normal tag operation; a logic low at
SENSOR input activates an inverter, which inverts the
entire data stream prior to modulation.
The SENSOR input has an internal pull-down resistor
of 800 k
(
typical
)
. See Figure 2-4 for application
details.
FIGURE 2-1:
MODULATION SIGNAL AND MODULATED SIGNAL
MCRF202
Mod.
Signal
V
A
V
B
Mod. TR
Modulation Signal
Modulated Signal
(across V
A
and V
B
)
L
C
Amplitude
t
2003 Microchip Technology Inc.
DS21308E-page 5
MCRF202
2.2
Configuration Register and
Control Logic
The configuration register determines the operational
parameters of the device. It directly controls logic
blocks which generate the baud rate, memory size,
encoded data, modulation protocol, etc. CB11 is
always a zero. Once the array is successfully pro-
grammed at the factory, the lock bit CB12 is set. When
the lock bit is set, programming and erasing the device
becomes permanently disabled. Table 2-1 contains a
description of the control register bit functions.
2.2.1
BAUD RATE TIMING OPTION
The chip will access data at a baud rate determined by
bits CB2, CB3, and CB4 of the configuration register.
For example, MOD32 (CB2 =
0
, CB3 =
1
, CB4 =
1
) has
32 RF cycles per bit. This gives the data rate of 4 kHz
for the RF carrier frequency of 128 kHz.
2.2.2
DATA ENCODING OPTION
This logic acts upon the serial data being read from the
EEPROM. The logic encodes the data according to the
configuration bits CB6 and CB7. CB6 and CB7 deter-
mine the data encoding method. The available choices
are:
Non-return to zero-level (NRZ_L)
Biphase_S (Differential)
Biphase_L (Manchester)
Inverted Manchester
2.2.3
MODULATION OPTION
CB8 and CB9 determine the modulation protocol of the
encoded data. The available choices are:
ASK
FSK
PSK_1
PSK_2
When ASK (direct) option is chosen, the encoded data
is fed into the modulation transistor without change.
When FSK option is chosen, the encoded data is rep-
resented by:
a)
Sets of 10 RF carrier cycles (first 5 cycles
higher amplitude, the last 5 cycles
lower
amplitude) for logic "high" level.
b)
Sets of 8 RF carrier cycles (first 4 cycles
higher amplitude, the last 4 cycles
lower
amplitude) for logic "low" level.
For example, FSK signal for MOD40 is represented:
a)
4 sets of 10 RF carrier cycles for data `
1
'.
b)
5 sets of 8 RF carrier cycles for data `
0
'.
Refer to Figure 2-2 for the FSK signal with MOD40
option.
The PSK_1 represents change in the phase of the
modulation signal at the change of the encoded data.
For example, the phase changes when the encoded
data is changed from `
1
' to `
0
', or from `
0
' to `
1
'.
The PSK_2 represents change in the phase at the
change on `
1
'. For example, the phase changes when
the encoded data is changed from `
0
' to `
1
', or from `
1
'
to `
1
'.
FIGURE 2-2:
ENCODED DATA AND FSK OUTPUT SIGNAL FOR MOD40 OPTION
Encoded Data `
1
'
Encoded Data `
0
'
40 RF cycles
40 RF cycles
5 cycles (HI)
5 cycles (LO)
4 cycles (HI)
4 cycles (LO)
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