Radio frequency data communications device

• US 6,130,602 A
• Filed: 08/29/1996
• Issued: 10/10/2000
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1996
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: O'Toole, James E., Ovard, David K., Tuttle, John R., Rotzoll, Robert R., Tuttle, Mark E., Lowrey, Tyler, Higgins, Brian P., Yu, Shu-Sun, Devereaux, Kevin M., Pax, George E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Holloway, III, Edwin C.
• Application Number:
  US08/705,043
• Time in Patent Office: 1,503 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.54, 340/825.34, 340/572, 340/572.1, 340/10.33, 342/42, 342/44, 342/51, 455/343, 455/20, 375/21
• US Class Current: 340/10.33
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0707 the arrangement being capable of collecting energy from external energy sources, e.g. thermocouples, vibration, electromagnetic radiation G06K19/0702 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0712 the arrangement being capable of triggering distinct operating modes or functions dependent on the strength of an energy or interrogation field in the proximity of the record carrier active means for hindering electromagnetic reading or writing G06K19/07336
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0716 at least one of the integrated circuit chips comprising a sensor or an interface to a sensor
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0726 the arrangement including a circuit for tuning the resonance frequency of an antenna on the record carrier
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07758 arrangements for adhering the record carrier to further objects or living beings, functioning as an identification tag
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10059 transponder driven
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2225 used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/0995 the oscillator comprising a ring oscillator
• CPC Class Codes: H03L 7/148 said digital means comprising a counter or a divider

Abstract

A radio frequency identification device comprises an integrated circuit including a receiver, a transmitter, and a microprocessor. The receiver and transmitter together define an active transponder. The integrated circuit is preferably a monolithic single die integrated circuit including the receiver, the transmitter, and the microprocessor. Because the device includes an active transponder, instead of a transponder which relies on magnetic coupling for power, the device has a much greater range.

Claims

1. A method for conserving power in a radio frequency identification device defined by a single integrated circuit including a microprocessor and receiver, the method comprising in the single integrated circuit periodically switching from a sleep mode to a receiver-on mode and performing the following tests to determine whether to further switch to a microprocessor-on mode, in which more power is consumed than in the receiver-on mode, because a valid radio frequency signal is present:

(a) determining if any radio frequency signal is present and, if so, proceeding to step (b); and

, if not, returning to the sleep mode;

(b) determining if the radio frequency signal is modulated and has a predetermined number of transitions per a predetermined period of time and, if so, proceeding to step (c); and

, if not, returning to the sleep mode; and

(c) determining if the modulated radio frequency signal has a predetermined number of transitions per a predetermined period of time different from the predetermined time of step (b) and, if so, switching from the receiver-on mode to the microprocessor on mode; and

, if not, returning to the sleep mode.

2. A method in accordance with claim 1 wherein the radio frequency identification device further comprises a clock recovery circuit configured to recover a clock from the incoming radio frequency signals, the clock recovery circuit including a phase lock loop and wherein the tests further comprise:

determining whether frequency lock is achieved on the incoming radio frequency signal within a predetermined amount of time;

switching from the receiver-on mode to the microprocessor-on mode when the phase lock loop has achieved frequency lock within the predetermined time; and

returning to the sleep mode when the phase lock loop has not achieved frequency lock within the predetermined time.

3. A radio frequency communications device comprising:

a single integrated circuit including a transmitter and a receiver, the integrated circuit being configured to periodically check if a radio frequency signal is being received by the receiver, the integrated circuit further including a timer configured to set a time period for the checking, the timer having a frequency lock loop, the frequency lock loop including a current controlled oscillator, the integrated circuit being configured to recover a clock frequency from the received signal, the transmitter being configured to use the recovered clock frequency, the integrated circuit being configured to switch between a sleep mode, a receiver-on power mode in which more power is consumed than in the sleep mode and in which the checking takes place, and a microprocessor-on power mode in which more power is consumed than in the receiver-on power mode, the integrated circuit further including a variable value divider coupled to the output of the frequency lock loop, the value of the divider being programmable in response to a radio frequency command received by the receiver which contains data representing the desired value of the divider, so as to permit remote programming of the time period of the checking.

4. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 3 and further comprising a selectively engageable countdown timer configured to prevent switching from the sleep mode to the receiver-on mode for a predetermined amount of time set by a radio frequency command, received by the receiver, containing data representing the desired amount of time.

5. A radio frequency communications device in accordance with claim 3 wherein the device is configured to receive and process commands from an interrogator transmitting a radio frequency signal and to enable the frequency lock loop only during processing of a command, to calibrate the timer to a clock frequency recovered from a received command.

6. A method for conserving power in a radio frequency identification device of a type including a single integrated circuit having a microprocessor, a transmitter, a receiver, and circuitry for performing the following:

periodically switching from a sleep mode to a receiver-on mode and performing tests to determine whether to further switch to a microprocessor-on mode, in which more power is consumed than in the receiver-on mode, because a valid radio frequency signal is present, the tests including counting transitions in spread spectrum data to determine if the number of transitions within a predetermined time period fall within a predetermined range and, if so, determining if chip lock has occurred and, if not, returning to the sleep mode;

if chip lock has occurred, determining if frequency lock has occurred and, if so, switching to a microprocessor-on mode and, if not, returning to the sleep mode; and

selectively disabling the periodic switching from the sleep mode for a predetermined amount of time, the selective disabling being performed in response to a radio frequency command, wherein the selective disabling cannot be cancelled by a subsequent radio frequency command, the selective disabling comprising setting a countdown timer, the length of the predetermined amount of time being a variable amount and being selectable from a number of predetermined selectable amounts of time via a radio frequency command.

7. A method of operating a radio frequency identification device comprising:

determining when a predetermined timer interval has elapsed;

providing, after determining that the predetermined timer interval has elapsed, a receiver wake-up signal;

asserting a bias control signal in response to the receiver wake-up signal to turn on a master receiver bias to provide electrical power to a radio receiver;

testing to verify presence of the master receiver bias;

repeating asserting the bias control signal when the testing determines that the master receiver bias is not present;

determining, when the testing determines that the master receiver bias is present, when a radio frequency signal is being received by the radio receiver and returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode when the radio frequency signal is not present;

determining when a first number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal falls within in a predetermined first range of numbers and occurs during a first predetermined interval, and, when the first number of transitions within the predetermined first range of numbers does not occur during the first predetermined interval, returning the radio receiver circuit to the sleep mode;

determining when a second number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal falls within a predetermined second range of numbers and occurs during a second predetermined interval, and, when the second number of transitions does not occur during the second predetermined interval, returning the radio receiver circuit to the sleep mode; and

providing a microprocessor wake-up signal to a microprocessor that is co-integrated in a single integrated circuit with the radio receiver circuit when the first number of transitions occurs during the first predetermined interval and the second number of transitions occurs during the second predetermined interval.

8. A method as claimed in claim 7 wherein the radio frequency identification device includes a wake-up controller circuit, wherein the determining when a predetermined time interval has elapsed is performed by the wake-up controller circuit, and returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode comprises:

turning off the master receiver bias; and

restarting a timer in the wake-up controller.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, further comprising:

receiving by the receiver and decoding by the microprocessor a wake-up timer interval reset signal for setting a new wake-up interval in a wake-up interval timer in the wake-up controller; and

resetting the wake-up interval in the wake-up timer in response to the wake-up timer interval reset signal.

10. A method as claimed in claim 7, wherein asserting a bias control signal comprises turning on a bias control signal to turn on a master receiver bias to provide electrical power to a clock and data recovery circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator, the method further comprising, prior to providing a microprocessor wake-up signal and after determining when a second number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal occurs during the second predetermined interval:

determining, during an interval of predetermined length, presence or absence of clock signal acquisition from the radio frequency signal by the clock and data recovery circuit, and, when absence of clock signal acquisition is determined, returning the radio receiver circuit to the sleep mode; and

determining, during an interval of predetermined length, when the voltage controlled oscillator and clock and data recovery circuit have acquired frequency lock, and, when absence of frequency lock is determined, returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode.

11. A method of operating a radio frequency identification device comprising:

determining, in a wake-up controller circuit, that a predetermined timer interval has elapsed, while the radio frequency identification devices is in a sleep mode requiring a first power level;

providing, when the predetermined interval has elapsed, a receiver wake-up signal to set the radio frequency identification device to a receiver on mode requiring a second power level greater than the first power level;

determining, when testing determines that the master receiver bias is present, when a radio frequency signal is being received by the radio receiver;

returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode when the radio frequency signal is not present;

enabling a master receiver bias when the radio frequency signal is present to set the radio frequency identification device to a test mode requiring a third power level greater than the second power level, the master receiver bias providing electrical power to a radio receiver, a clock and data recovery circuit and a voltage controlled oscillator;

initiating the voltage controlled oscillator to oscillate at a first frequency;

determining, by the wake-up controller, when a first number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal occurs during a first predetermined interval, and, when the first number of transitions does not occur during the first predetermined interval, returning the radio receiver circuit to the sleep mode;

determining, by the wake-up controller, when a second number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal occurs during a second predetermined interval, and, when the second number of transitions does not occur during the second predetermined interval, returning the radio receiver circuit to the sleep mode;

determining, during an interval of predetermined length, presence or absence of voltage controlled oscillator signal acquisition from the radio frequency signal by the clock and data recovery circuit, and, when absence of clock signal acquisition is determined, returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode; and

providing a microprocessor wake-up signal from the wake-up controller to a microprocessor that is co-integrated in a single integrated circuit with the radio receiver circuit and the wake-up controller when the first number of transitions occurs during the first predetermined interval and the second number of transitions occurs during the second predetermined interval, the microprocessor wake-up signal setting the radio frequency identification device to a processor-on mode requiring a fourth power level that is greater than the third power level.

12. The method of claim 11, further comprising, prior to providing a microprocessor wake-up signal, determining, during a frequency lock interval of predetermined length, when the voltage controlled oscillator and clock and data recovery circuit have acquired frequency lock, and, when absence of frequency lock is determined, returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode.

13. A method of operating a radio frequency identification device comprising:

changing a state of the identification device from a sleep mode requiring a first power level to a second mode by turning a radio receiver in the identification device on in response to a first criterion, the radio receiver requiring a second power level greater than the first power level;

changing the state of the identification device from the second mode to a third mode when a second criterion is met, the third mode requiring a third power level greater than the second power level, and, when the second criterion is not met, changing the state from the second mode to the sleep mode; and

changing the state of the identification device from the third mode to a fourth mode when a third criterion is met, the fourth mode requiring a fourth power level greater than the third mode, and, when the third criterion is not met, changing the state from the third mode to the sleep mode.

14. A method as claimed in claim 13 wherein changing the state to a fourth mode when a third criterion is met includes providing a microprocessor wake-up signal when a variable frequency oscillator achieves frequency lock with a received RF signal.

15. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

a radio receiver having an output;

a wake-up timer circuit providing a receiver wake-up signal to the radio receiver at predetermined intervals to change a state of the radio frequency identification device from a sleep mode requiring a first power level to a second mode requiring a second power level greater than the first power level;

a radio frequency signal detection circuit having an input coupled to the radio receiver output, the radio frequency detection circuit providing an output signal returning the radio frequency identification device to the sleep mode when no radio frequency signal is detected, the radio frequency signal detection circuit setting the radio frequency detection device to a third mode requiring more power than the second mode when a radio frequency circuit is detected;

a wake-up controller circuit having an input coupled to the radio receiver output, the wake-up controller circuit first testing the radio frequency signal to determine when a first number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal occurs during a first predetermined interval, the wake-up controller circuit providing an output signal returning the radio frequency identification device to the sleep mode when the wake-up controller circuit determines that the first number of transitions does not occur during the first predetermined interval, the wake-up controller circuit then testing the radio frequency signal to determine when a second number of spread spectrum transitions of the radio frequency signal occurs during a second predetermined interval and providing an output signal returning the radio frequency identification device to the sleep mode when the wake-up controller circuit determines that the second number of transitions does not occur during the second predetermined interval;

a clock and data recovery circuit including a phase-locked loop, the clock and data recovery circuit having an input coupled to the radio receiver output, the clock and data recovery circuit determining, during an interval of predetermined length, presence or absence of voltage controlled oscillator signal acquisition from the radio frequency signal and returning the radio receiver to the sleep mode when absence of clock signal acquisition is determined; and

a microprocessor having a data input coupled to the radio receiver output and a control input coupled to the wake-up controller circuit, the wake-up controller circuit providing a microprocessor wake-up signal to the microprocessor when the first number of transitions occurs during the first predetermined interval, the second number of transitions occurs during the second predetermined interval and the wake-up controller determines presence of voltage controlled oscillator signal acquisition from the radio frequency signal, the microprocessor wake-up signal setting the radio frequency identification device to a processor-on mode requiring a fourth power level that is greater than the third power level.

16. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

a radio receiver having an output and a control input;

a microprocessor having a data input coupled to the radio receiver output and having a control input;

a timer having an output coupled to the control input of the radio receiver, the timer providing an output signal to the radio receiver control input changing a state of the identification device from a sleep mode requiring a first power level to a second mode by turning the radio receiver in the identification device on in response to a first criterion, the radio receiver requiring a second power level greater than the first power level; and

a wake-up controller circuit including an output coupled to the microprocessor control input, the wake-up controller circuit changing the state of the identification device from the second mode to a third mode when a second criterion is met, the third mode requiring a third power level greater than the second power level, and, when the second criterion is not met, changing the state from the second mode to the sleep mode, the wake up controller circuit providing an output signal to the microprocessor control input changing the state of the identification device from the third mode to a fourth mode when a third criterion is met, the fourth mode requiring a fourth power level greater than the third mode, and, when the third criterion is not met, changing the state from the third mode to the sleep mode.

17. The identification device as claimed in claim 16 wherein changing the state to a fourth mode when a third criterion is met includes providing a microprocessor wake-up signal when a variable frequency oscillator achieves frequency lock with a received RF signal.