Colorado Springs, Colo. -- An RFID reader from Texas Instruments Inc. supports both amplitude- and phase-modulation receive modes. The TRF7960/7961 has several low-power modes to keep power dissipation to levels appropriate for hand- held readers in RFID networks.
The 13.56-MHz chip--offered in an evaluation module with TI's low-power MSP430 microcontroller--is packaged in a 5 x 5-mm, 32-lead QFN, allowing for ultrasmall reader designs. It uses on-chip linear voltage regulators to power up analog and digital circuitry and power amps.
Problems with holes in coverage in existing RFID networks that handle only one modulation mode led to TI's decision to support both amplitude and phase modulation in one chip, said RFID product manager Johnsy Varghese. Retaining both modes in the receive chain assures better coverage, he said.
The reader IC has an internal clock for the MCU and needs only a single external 13.56-MHz crystal. In power-down mode, it operates between 2.7- and 5.5-Vdc input, with consumption of less than 1 microamp.
