RFID Tag Command State Machine Latency Reduction
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Solution Overview
Problem
There is a need in RFID systems to eliminate the delay in providing an edge detect signal to the command state machine within a RFID tag, which affects the latency and throughput of the system.
Innovation Solution
The system uses an input data signal as a clock signal directly connected to the command state machine in the RFID tag, allowing immediate initiation of the backscatter process and reducing latency by bypassing the delay in the edge detect unit.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Loss of time
If the edge detect unit is used to provide clock signals to the command state machine, then the system operates with stable signal processing, but latency increases due to the delay in edge detect signal provision
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the clock signal function from the edge detect unit and directly connects the demodulated data signal to the clock input of the command state machine. This removes the delay introduced by the edge detect unit while maintaining reliable operation, as the data signal itself serves as the clock reference for state transitions.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent prepares the data signal in advance through the demodulator to be ready as a clock signal before it would normally reach the edge detect unit. By pre-processing the signal to extraction mode, the system eliminates the subsequent delay in providing clock signals to the state machine, enabling immediate state transitions.
2Productivity
If the demodulator output is directly connected to the command state machine clock input, then latency is reduced and throughput increases, but the system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent makes the demodulator output serve multiple functions: it provides both the data input and the clock signal to the command state machine. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate edge detect unit circuitry, reducing overall system complexity while improving throughput through direct connection.
3Reliability
If the edge detect unit processes the data signal before providing it to the state machine, then signal validation is improved, but the backscatter process initiation is delayed
Solution Approach 1:
The demodulator performs preliminary signal validation and processing in extraction mode before the signal reaches the command state machine. This pre-validation ensures signal reliability while eliminating the subsequent processing delay that would occur in a traditional edge detect unit, enabling immediate backscatter initiation.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method is disclosed for using an input data signal as a clock signal in a state machine of a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. An output of a demodulator in the RFID tag is directly coupled to a clock input of the command state machine in the RFID state machine. The command state machine receives an edge detect signal directly from the input data signal and then immediately generates backscatter signals to begin a backscatter process. The edge detect signal may comprise a rising edge of a data symbol of the RFID protocol. The immediate initiation of the backscatter process reduces latency of the backscatter process in the RFID state machine.