Design of a low-power, low-cost UHF RFID reader module

A new low-power, low-cost ultrahigh-frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) reader module for short range low/mid-powered applications is presented in this paper. AS3993 is used as the reader IC, which integrates all building blocks including an analog front-end, a microcontroller unit interface, a voltage-controlled oscillator, and a phase-locked loop in a 48-pin QFN (7 x 7 x 0.9 mm) package. It has a new architecture for lowering the power consumption with a DC supply of 2.7 V and a current of 65 mA, and improved AO dBm sensitivity. A power amplifier with medium power and high efficiency is also integrated to fulfill the function of the UHF RFID reader module. The reader module fully supports EPC Class 1 Gen2 ISO 18000-6C protocol and IS029143 air interface for mobile RFID. With the use of the AS3993 reader IC it is possible to reduce the total cost. This paper describes all the hardware and software designs and experimental results of the designed system. The measurement results indicate that the set output power value in the chip is achieved quite successfully.