NFC Transponder Master Mode Data Exchange Without Microcontroller
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional NFC/RFID dual interface tags require a microcontroller for communication, leading to increased application costs, power consumption, development complexity, maintenance needs, and physical size, due to their reliance on a microcontroller for data exchange between contactless and wired interfaces.
Innovation Solution
A contactless transponder with both a contactless interface and a wired interface, configured to operate as a master on the wired bus, allowing direct communication between a contactless reader and modules without a microcontroller, using pass-through means and state machines to manage data exchange and protocol transformations between the two interfaces.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a microcontroller is used for data exchange between contactless and wired interfaces, then communication functionality is achieved, but application costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the microcontroller from the system by implementing a state machine directly in the NFC tag hardware. This eliminates the need for a separate microcontroller component while maintaining communication functionality, thereby reducing application costs.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent merges the microcontroller's control functions directly into the NFC tag's state machine hardware. By combining these functions at the hardware level, the system eliminates the need for a separate microcontroller, reducing component costs and simplifying the overall architecture.
2Reliability
If a microcontroller is used for data exchange, then communication control is achieved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent removes the power-hungry microcontroller and replaces it with a hardware state machine that consumes significantly less power. This extraction of the control function to the hardware level eliminates the continuous power consumption associated with microcontroller operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The state machine operates autonomously without requiring microcontroller intervention, managing communication protocols and data exchange automatically. This self-service capability eliminates the need for continuous power supply to a microcontroller while maintaining communication control.
3Reliability
If a microcontroller is used, then data exchange management is achieved, but development complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts data exchange management from software (microcontroller firmware) and implements it in hardware through a dedicated state machine. This hardware implementation simplifies development by eliminating the need for complex firmware programming while maintaining reliable data exchange management.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the software-based microcontroller system with a hardware-based state machine. This substitution of software control with hardware logic simplifies the development process by eliminating software compilation, debugging, and firmware updates while maintaining data exchange management capabilities.
4Reliability
If a microcontroller is used, then communication processing is achieved, but maintenance needs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts communication processing from the microcontroller and implements it in a hardware state machine. This hardware implementation eliminates maintenance needs associated with software bugs, firmware updates, and microcontroller programming, as the state machine operates as fixed hardware logic.
Solution Approach 2:
The state machine replicates the microcontroller's communication processing functions in hardware logic. This hardware copy provides the same communication processing capabilities without the maintenance overhead of software, as hardware logic is inherently more stable and requires no updates.
5Reliability
If a microcontroller is used, then system control is achieved, but physical size increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the microcontroller's control functions directly into the NFC tag's hardware state machine. This integration eliminates the need for a separate microcontroller component and its associated packaging, thereby reducing the overall physical size of the system.
Solution Approach 2:
The NFC tag's state machine is designed to perform multiple functions including protocol handling, data exchange management, and communication control that would otherwise require a dedicated microcontroller. This multi-functionality consolidates components and reduces physical size.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution reduces application costs, power consumption, simplifies development and maintenance, and minimizes physical size by eliminating the need for a microcontroller, enabling efficient data exchange between contactless and wired interfaces.
Implementation Method 1
the reader generates a magnetic field via its antenna which is generally in the standards conventionally used, a sine wave (the carrier) at 13.56 MHz
Implementation Method 2
The transponder antenna then modulates the field generated by the reader, according to the information to be transmitted
Data Source
AI summary
In an embodiment an apparatus includes a contactless transponder including a contactless interface and a wired interface, wherein the contactless transponder is configured to communicate with a contactless reader according to a contactless protocol through the contactless interface, a wired communication bus connected to the wired interface and at least one module connected to the bus, wherein the transponder is configured so that the reader is a master on the bus when the reader and the transponder communicate.