A complete single-chip multi-standard dual-mode CMOS RFID reader with low power consumption

A fully-integrated single-chip RFID reader consisting of zero-IF receiver, direct up-conversion transmitter, sigma-delta phase-locked loop synthesizer, and modulation/demodulation (MODEM) module has been developed using a 0.18 μm CMOS process. The RFID reader operates from 860-960 MHz in steps of 100/200 kHz, supporting a multi-band global standard suitable for USA, Europe and Korea for both passive and active communications. It is specifically designed to achieve small size, low spur levels, low power consumption, and complete integration while meeting requirements for short-range applications. The developed reader exhibits transmitting output power of -7.4 dBm controllable over 15-dB range, receiver P_1dB of -7 dBm, receiver sensitivity of -70 dBm, and IF spectral purity of more than 46.4 dBc at frequencies greater than 140.625 Hz away. The complete RFID reader including transmitter, receiver, synthesizer, ADC, DAC and MODEM occupies 10.9 mm² and consumes 116.18 mW.