Application Note DN[Document ID] ams Application Note, Confidential Page 1 [v1-00] 2014-Jul-24 Document Feedback AS399x UHF Pico Reader Demo Board Description
Application Note DN[Document ID]
ams Application Note, Confidential Page 1
[v1-00] 2014-Jul-24 Document Feedback
AS399x UHF Pico Reader
Demo Board Description
AS399x UHF Pico Reader Demo Board Description
ams Application Note, Confidential Page 2
[v1-00] 2014-Jul-24 Document Feedback
Content Guide
1 General Description ............................................................................................................. 3
2 Key Features ........................................................................................................................ 3
3 Applications .......................................................................................................................... 4
4 Reader System Overview .................................................................................................... 5
4.1 Reader Part Overview .......................................................................................................... 5
4.2 Controller Part Overview ...................................................................................................... 7
5 Schematics and Layouts .................................................................................................... 10
5.1 Schematics ......................................................................................................................... 10
5.1.1 Controller Schematic .......................................................................................................... 10
5.1.2 Reader Schematic.............................................................................................................. 10
5.2 Layouts ............................................................................................................................... 12
5.2.1 Controller PCB Layout ....................................................................................................... 12
5.2.2 Reader PCB Layout ........................................................................................................... 13
6 Impedance Matched Tracks ............................................................................................... 14
6.1 Track Impedance Calculation ............................................................................................ 15
6.2 Reader PCB Stack Up ....................................................................................................... 15
7 Bill of Materials ................................................................................................................... 16
7.1 Controller BOM .................................................................................................................. 16
7.2 Reader BOM ...................................................................................................................... 17
8 Contact Information ............................................................................................................ 19
9 Copyrights & Disclaimer ..................................................................................................... 20
10 Revision Information .......................................................................................................... 21
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1 General Description
The PICO Reader from ams AG is a small form factor and low costs EPC Class 1 Gen 2 compliant
UHF RFID demonstration reader system. Leveraging the AS399x family of UHF RFID Reader IC’s,
provides close to the industry’s lowest BOM cost, best in class power consumption with the least
amount of complexity.
Second only to ams AG PICO design the low reader BOM enables UHF RFID markets that have
previously been out of reach due to cost restraints. With regards to overall cost vs. performance the
PICO UHF RFID demo reader is unmatched in the industry.
With an internal PA delivering up to 20 dBm, it is ideally suited for those applications that have similar
cost constraints but require that extra power.
The PICO demo reader comes in two parts namely the analogue (reader) and digital (controller) parts.
The user can separate the two stacked boards to fully prove out their own RF and digital parts. With
this set up it also means the user can evaluate the suitability of RFID in their current system.
The reader portion is designed such that it can be easily connected to a host MCU via SPI. The high
level of integration found on the AS399x UHF RFID Reader IC’s allows for minimal code loading and
quick implementation.
The designs come with free, fully portable code and all Gerber data and schematics. This allows for
a quick, trouble free design in.
2 Key Features
Interface
o Between the Controller and Host Computer: USB (optional UART)
o Between the Controller and the AS399x is SPI via a low cost pin header connection
o Between the RF board and the Antenna we use a U.FL (50 Ohm) SMA (Male)
5V power supply from USB.
GUI
o Adjust Output Power
o Adjust Receive – Sensitivity
o Adapt to different frequency schemes
o Change Gen2 specific parameters like BLF, Coding, Anti-Collision Slots, …
o Diagnostic Features: RSSI Measurement, Reflected Power Measurement
o Support for sending direct commands
o Advanced Tag Manipulations: R/W to different memory banks, define passwords
o Associate tags with other applications like media player
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o View and easily manipulate register settings with advance tool tip text.
Power Consumption: complete reader system: 1.5W (max)
Available with both the AS3991 and AS3992
Fully Gen 2 compliant, ISO 18000-6b & c
Differential Tx chip-output configuration
Internal Power Amplifier
Maximum output power 20 dBm scalable in 20 steps
Single – ended Rx chip-input configuration
Low cost MCU: Silabs (C8051F340-GQ)
Indicator LED
3 Applications
Typical applications for the PICO demo reader include:
Embedded Consumer Applications
Mobile Applications (Low Power Handheld, PDA’s, Smart Phones)
Embedded Industrial Applications
Gaming
Desk top readers
Low/Mid powered modules
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4 Reader System Overview
4.1 Reader Part Overview
Figure 1: Reader PCB - Top View
1. AS399x UHF RFID reader IC (austriaPicosystems)
2. Balun 2:1 (Johanson Technology)
3. Directional coupler / Low pass filter combination (Johanson Technology)
4. U.FL antenna port (Hirose)
5. Loop Filter
6. OAD pins for debugging purposes
7. Crystal
2
3
5
4
6
1
7
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Figure 2: Reader PCB - Bottom View
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4.2 Controller Part Overview
Figure 3: Controller PCB - Topview
1. MCU C8051F340 (Silabs)
2. USB connector
3. (3a-3c) Interface connectors to reader PCB
4. UART connector
5. C2 programming interface for boot loader
6. Indicator LED
1 2
3a
3b
3c 4 5
6
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Figure 4: Pico Reader System
The PICO Reader comprises of two PCBs which are stacked on top of each other. On the bottom
side is the controller PCB and on top is the reader PCB. The two PCBs are connected through 3 pin
header connectors with 5 contacts each.
The UHF RFID reader system is connected to the host computer via USB interface that also provides
the power supply for the reader system. The AS399x is supplied with 5V and internally generates
3.3V which in turn supply the MCU.
While the MCU uses its internal clock a 20 MHz crystal oscillator provides the clock for the AS399x
from which all the internal timers are derived.
Since the internal power amplifier (PA) is used the high power Tx ports (RFOUTN, RFOUTP) are
connected. The Tx ports for the external PA are not used and are therefore left open.
The output stage of the internal PA is supplied by the VDD_RF through RF-chokes.
Since the output impedance of the internal PA is not 50 ohm a matching network is needed in order
to transform from the differential output to single ended signals using a 1:1 balun.
After the balun the Tx signal is fed to a directional 10-dB coupler which includes a low pass filter. The
input-coupled pin of the coupler (pin 5) is connected to a 51 resistor in order to minimize reflections
at this pin. The output of the directional coupler is connected to the Tx/Rx antenna port – a U.FL
connector.
The RX signal is coupled with 10 dB of loss to pin 1 of the coupler and then fed to the single-ended
receiver input of AS399x
The communication interface between AS399x and the MCU is SPI which is defined by hardwiring
IO1 to VDD and IO0 to GND.
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Pin IO7 acts as MOSI, IO6 is the MISO pin and IO4 is slave select (SS). For a detailed description of
the SPI communication please refer to the datasheet of AS399x. Optionally an UART interface is
available through firmware re-programming an accessible by two pin header on the controller board.
An alternative 5V supply is necessary in this case.
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5 Schematics and Layouts
5.1 Schematics
5.1.1 Controller Schematic
Figure 5: Controller Schematic
5.1.2 Reader Schematic
Figure 6: Reader Schematic
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5.2 Layouts
5.2.1 Controller PCB Layout
Table 1: Controller PCB Layout
Top Layer Bottom Layer
Top Overlay & Assembly Bottom Overlay
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5.2.2 Reader PCB Layout
Table 2: Reader PCB Layout
Top Layer Bottom Layer
Top Overlay Bottom Overlay
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6 Impedance Matched Tracks
The reader system is designed for 50 Ohm. Therefore the single ended RF- tracks need to be
matched to the impedance of 50 ohm in order to keep reflections and losses low. The single ended
RF-tracks are designed as coplanar wave guides. The picture below outlines all impedance matched
tracks:
Figure 7: Impedance matched tracks
Note: due to the short length of the differential lines the impedance was not matched.
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6.1 Track Impedance Calculation
Figure 8: 50 ohm track - Impedance Calculation
6.2 Reader PCB Stack Up
Figure 9: Reader PCB Layer stack
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7 Bill of Materials
7.1 Controller BOM
Table 2: Controller BOM
Designator Comment Component_Description Manufacturer Manufacturer Part Number
C1 10uF MULTICOMP - MCCA000517 - MLCC, 0603, X5R, 6.3V, 10UF
MULTICOMP MCCA000517
C2, C3, C5 100nF MULTICOMP - MCCA000051 - MLCC, 0402, Y5V, 16V, 100NF
MULTICOMP MCCA000051
C4 1uF MULTICOMP - MC0402X105K6R3CT - CAPACITOR CERAMIC 1UF, 6.3V, X5R, 0402
MULTICOMP MC0402X105K6R3CT
D1 LED2 LED GREEN 0.2MM 13MCD 0402 SMD
Rohm Semiconductor
SML-P12PTT86
P1 Header 3 DNP FISCHER ELEKTRONIK - SL1.025.36Z - HEADER, PIN, 2.54MM, 36WAY
FISCHER ELEKTRONIK
SL1.025.36Z
P2, P3, P4 Header 5 - 1.27mm CONN HEADER .050" 5POS PCB GOLD
Sullins Connector Solutions
LPPB051NFFN-RC
P5 UART
R1, R2 Res3 RES 1.0K OHM 1/10W 5% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG
ERJ-2GEJ102X
R3 560R RES 560 OHM 1/16W 1% 0402 SMD
Yageo RC0402FR-07560RL
U1 IC 8051 MCU FLASH 64K 48TQFP
Silicon Laboratories Inc
C8051F340-GQ
U2 USB_B_MINI_Socket_SMD_02
CONN RECEPT MINIUSB R/A 5POS SMD
Molex Inc 54819-0572
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7.2 Reader BOM
Table 3: Reader BOM
Designator
Comment Component_Description Manufacturer Manufacturer Part Number
Quantity
C1, C5, C13, C15, C17, C19, C26, C29, C33, C43, C45, C47
2.2uF CAP CER 2.2UF 4.0V X5R 20% 0402
TDK Corporation C1005X5R0G225M 12
C2, C7, C12, C14, C16, C18, C27, C28, C32, C34, C37, C39, C40, C41, C42, C46
10nF MULTICOMP - MCCA000076 - MLCC 0402, X7R, 25V, 10NF
MULTICOMP MCCA000076 16
C3, C4 10pF MURATA - GRM1555C1H100JZ01D - CAPACITOR CERAMIC 10PF 50V, C0G, 0402
MURATA GRM1555C1H100JZ01D
2
C6, C11 12pF CAP CER 12PF 50V 5% NP0 0603
Murata Electronics North America
GRM1885C1H120JA01D
2
C8, C20 4p7F Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCC) - SMD/SMT 0402 4.7pF 50volt C0G +/-0.25pF
Murata GRM1555C1H4R7CZ01B
2
C9, C10 47pF Multilayer Ceramic Capacitors (MLCC) - SMD/SMT 0402 47pF 50volts C0G 5%
Murata GRM1555C1H470JA01D
2
C21 110pF MULTICOMP - MCCA000117 - MLCC, 0402, NP0, 50V, 110PF
MULTICOMP MCCA000117 1
C22 100pF CAP CER 100PF 50V 5% C0G 0402
Murata Electronics North America
GRM1555C1H101JZ01D
1
C24 3.3nF MULTICOMP - MCCA000142 - MLCC 0402, X7R, 50V, 3.3NF
MULTICOMP MCCA000142 1
C25, C50 220pF MULTICOMP - MCCA000056 - MLCC 0402, X7R, 25V, 220PF, MULTICOMP - MCCA000056 - MLCC, 0402, X7R, 25V, 220PF
MULTICOMP MCCA000056 2
C35, C38 10uF MULTICOMP - MCCA000517 - MLCC 0603, X5R, 6.3V, 10UF
MULTICOMP MCCA000517 2
C44 100nF MULTICOMP - MCCA000051 - MLCC 0402, Y5V, 16V, 100NF
MULTICOMP MCCA000051 1
L1, L2 39nH MURATA - LQW15AN39NG00D - SPULE, 0402, 39NH
MURATA LQW15AN39NG00D 2
L3, L4 3n9H MURATA - LQW15AN3N9B00D - SPULE, 0402, 3.9NH
MURATA LQW15AN3N9B00D 2
P2, P7, P8
Header 5 - 1.27mm
CONN HEADER .050" 5POS PCB GOLD
Sullins Connector Solutions
GRPB051VWVN-RC 3
P4 U FL Socket - Surface Mount
CONN UMC JACK STR 50 OHM SMD
Hirose Electric Co Ltd
U.FL-R-SMT-1(10) 1
R1 10k RES 10K OHM 1/10W 5% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG ERJ-2GEJ103X 1
R2 56k RES 56K OHM 1/10W 5% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG ERJ-2GEJ563X 1
R3 27k RES 27K OHM 1/10W 5% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG ERJ-2GEJ273X 1
R4 51R RES 51.0 OHM 1/10W 1% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG ERJ-2RKF51R0X 1
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R5 51R DNP RES 51.0 OHM 1/10W 1% 0402 SMD
Panasonic - ECG ERJ-2RKF51R0X 1
T1 Balun - JTI - 1:1 BALUN - 0900BL15C050
BALUN GSM/DCS/PCS/CDMA 900MHZ
Johanson Technology Inc
0900BL15C050E 1
T2 Coupler - JTI - 0910CF15B0100
DIR COUPLER W/FILTER 910MHZ
Johanson Technology Inc
0910CF15B0100E 1
U1 AS399x Austriamicrosystems AG
1
Y1 XTAL CRYSTAL 20MHZ 7.2PF SMD
NDK NX3225SA-20.000000MHZ-B2
1
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8 Contact Information
Buy our products or get free samples online at:
www.ams.com/ICdirect
Technical Support is available at:
www.ams.com/Technical-Support
Provide feedback about this document at:
www.ams.com/Document-Feedback
For further information and requests, e-mail us at:
For sales offices, distributors and representatives, please visit:
www.ams.com/contact
Headquarters
ams AG
Tobelbaderstrasse 30
8141 Unterpremstaetten
Austria, Europe
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 0
Website: www.ams.com
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9 Copyrights & Disclaimer
Copyright ams AG, Tobelbader Strasse 30, 8141 Unterpremstaetten, Austria-Europe. Trademarks
Registered. All rights reserved. The material herein may not be reproduced, adapted, merged,
translated, stored, or used without the prior written consent of the copyright owner.
Information in this document is believed to be accurate and reliable. However, ams AG does not
give any representations or warranties, expressed or implied, as to the accuracy or completeness of
such information and shall have no liability for the consequences of use of such information.
Applications that are described herein are for illustrative purposes only. ams AG makes no
representation or warranty that such applications will be appropriate for the specified use without
further testing or modification. ams AG takes no responsibility for the design, operation and testing
of the applications and end-products as well as assistance with the applications or end-product
designs when using ams AG products. ams AG is not liable for the suitability and fit of ams AG
products in applications and end-products planned.
ams AG shall not be liable to recipient or any third party for any damages, including but not limited
to personal injury, property damage, loss of profits, loss of use, interruption of business or indirect,
special, incidental or consequential damages, of any kind, in connection with or arising out of the
furnishing, performance or use of the technical data or applications described herein. No obligation
or liability to recipient or any third party shall arise or flow out of ams AG rendering of technical or
other services.
ams AG reserves the right to change information in this document at any time and without notice.
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10 Revision Information
Changes from 1-00 (2013-Jul-16) to current revision 1-01 (2014-Jul-24) Page
Update to corporate format 1-19
Note: Page numbers for the previous version may differ from page numbers in the current revision.