Integrated RFID Reader Block Cancellation for Multi-Standard Compatibility
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID readers are costly and lack multi-standard capabilities due to their discrete component designs, which hinders widespread deployment and efficient communication with various RFID tags.
Innovation Solution
An integrated RFID reader is developed on a single CMOS integrated circuit, featuring a transmitter and receiver with a block cancellation module to cancel blocking signals, allowing for multi-standard compatibility and reduced costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If discrete components are used for RFID reader design, then signal processing performance can be optimized for specific standards, but device cost increases and multi-standard capability is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple signal processing functions (modulation, demodulation, encoding, decoding, and multiple protocol handling) into a single integrated circuit. This merging eliminates the need for separate discrete components for each function, reducing overall device cost while maintaining optimized signal processing performance through dedicated hardware blocks within the integrated circuit.
Solution Approach 2:
The integrated circuit is designed with multi-functional blocks that can handle multiple RFID standards and protocols simultaneously. The circuit includes configurable modulators/demodulators and protocol processing units that can be adapted to different standards, providing universal functionality without requiring separate discrete components for each standard.
2Reliability
If separate integrated circuits are used for controller and radio functions, then optimal signal processing can be achieved, but manufacturing cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent integrates the controller functions and radio signal processing functions into a single CMOS integrated circuit. This consolidation reduces the number of separate components that need to be manufactured and assembled, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining optimized signal processing through dedicated hardware blocks within the unified circuit.
3Device complexity
If discrete component design is used, then interface definitions are simplified, but adaptability to different RFID standards is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The integrated circuit incorporates multiple protocol processing units and configurable communication interfaces that can adapt to different RFID standards (such as RFID-OM, RFID-OM2, and other emerging standards). This universal design allows the single circuit to handle multiple standards without requiring separate discrete components for each protocol, thereby improving adaptability while maintaining manageable interface definitions through standardized internal bus structures.
Data Source
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AI summary
A highly integrated and low-cost reader for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system is realized by providing a transmitter operable to generate an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal and a receiver operable to receive an inbound RF signal having a frequency similar to a frequency of the outbound RF signal on a single integrated circuit. Since the inbound RF signal may include not only a modulated RF signal produced by an RFID tag responsive to the outbound RF signal, but also a blocking signal corresponding to the outbound RF signal, the receiver additionally includes a block cancellation module operable to substantially cancel the blocking signal from the inbound RF signal using the outbound RF signal and to substantially pass the modulated RF signal before down-conversion of the modulated RF signal.