RFID With Single Reader Multiple Antenna

Application Report
SLOA167 – May 2012
TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System
Josh Wyatt ...................................................................................... Embedded RF Applications/Systems
ABSTRACT
The purpose of this application report is to describe in concise detail the 16-channel high-frequency (HF)
(13.56 MHz) RFID Reader System (based on the TRF7960A RFID IC) designed by Texas Instruments for
customer use. The system hardware is comprised of one (1) RFID controller board and four (4) antenna
boards, along with their associated cables (power, RF, GPIO, and host communication). The system
firmware resides on Texas Instruments MSP430F2370 and supports the ISO/IEC15693 protocol in
addition to communication with a host. The host software resides on the controller, and the host command
details are also described in this document for reference during development and integration.
Contents
1 System Theory of Operation and Concepts .............................................................................. 2
2 System Hardware ............................................................................................................ 3
3 System Firmware ............................................................................................................ 4
4 System Host Commands ................................................................................................... 7
5 Performance Measurements and Testing ............................................................................... 11
6 References .................................................................................................................. 12
Appendix A Schematics ......................................................................................................... 13
Appendix B Layout Images ..................................................................................................... 17
Appendix C Cable Details ....................................................................................................... 18
List of Figures
1 TRF7960A Multiplexer RFID System Block Diagram ................................................................... 2
2 PE42440 Functional Diagram and Truth Table .......................................................................... 4
3 PE4257 Functional Diagram and Truth Table ........................................................................... 5
4 PE42440 and PE4257 Antenna Circuit Arrangement Detail Diagram ................................................ 5
5 RFID Controller Host Protocol General Format.......................................................................... 7
6 Example Application Flow Chart ........................................................................................ 10
7 TRF7960A Out (Approximately +23 dBm) ............................................................................. 11
8 TRF7960A to PE42440 Out (Approximately 0.5-dBm Loss) ......................................................... 11
9 TRF7960A to PE42440 to PE4257 out (Approximately 0.8-dBm Loss) ............................................ 12
10 RFID Controller Board (1 of 2) ........................................................................................... 14
11 RFID Controller Board (2 of 2) ........................................................................................... 15
12 Antenna Board .............................................................................................................. 16
13 RFID Controller Board Layout ............................................................................................ 17
14 RFID Antenna Board Layout .............................................................................................. 17
15 Signal Cascade Concept .................................................................................................. 18
16 Cabling for Signal Cascade Concept .................................................................................... 19
17 GPIO Cable Diagram ...................................................................................................... 20
SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 1

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Copyright © 2012, Texas Instruments Incorporated
System Theory of Operation and Concepts www.ti.com
1 System Theory of Operation and Concepts

The purpose of the system is to read individual RFID transponders (or tags) in up to sixteen different
locations. This system goal is accomplished by using one RFID reader controller board and four identical
antenna boards (with four antennas on each board), each of which is cascaded. See Figure 1 for the main
system block diagram.
RFID Antenna Board 1
GPIO and +3.3 VDC A1

c A2 A3
c A4
RF
GPIO and +3.3 VDC
RF
A5
c A6 A7
c A8
+9 VDC to +12 VDC
TRF7960A
GPIO and +3.3 VDC
Multiplexer
Host (PC) RF
RFID Controller
Board
RS-232 RFID Antenna Board 3
A9
c A10 A11
c A12
RF GPIO and +3.3 VDC
A13
c A14 A15
c A16
Figure 1. TRF7960A Multiplexer RFID System Block Diagram
The system design shown above in Figure 1 was done to the project requirements for one antenna board
design (with four addressable antennas onboard) and a simplified wired connectivity scheme which allows
for four of these identical antenna boards to be connected to each other and the RFID controller board
with the absolute least amount of cabling physically possible.
The system works by first initializing the RFID IC (TRF7960A) upon power up. Antenna 1 (on Antenna
Board 1) is selected by default. The host would then issue a series of commands to:
1. Turn on the RFID IC transmitter
2. Issue a single slot ISO/IEC15693 Inventory Command
3. Receive a response from the transponder in the field (if one was present)
4. Turn off the transmitter
5. Switch to the next antenna and then repeat steps 1-5 until all sixteen antennas in the system are
addressed and the transponders in their respective fields are read.
These steps are described in much greater detail later in the document and a flow chart is also provided in
this document to clearly show the example application process.
2 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

www.ti.com System Hardware
2 System Hardware
2.1 RFID Controller Board

The RFID controller board main components consist of one TRF7960A RFID IC, one MSP430F2370
microcontroller, one SN65176B RS-485 transceiver, two MAX3232E RS-232 drivers/receivers, and one
REG117-5 (+5 VDC, 800 mA) linear regulator. The MSP430 holds the firmware that is required to
communicate with the host via its UART channel and to initialize and communicate with the TRF7960A via
its SPI channel. The MSP430 firmware also takes properly formatted commands from the host and
controls the RF switches located on the antenna boards via its GPIO ports, then reports the results back
to the host via the UART channel. The linear regulator takes the +9 VDC to +12 VDC from the power
supply and down converts this voltage to +5 VDC for the TRF7960A to operate at full power. The
TRF7960A provides +3.3 VDC (via VDD_X) and a 6.78-MHz system clock (via SYS_CLK) to the MSP430
for high-speed operation. The TRF7960A also provides +3.3 VDC to the RF switches via VDD_X. One of
the RS-232 drivers/receivers is for direct host (that is, PC) RS-232 communications with the MSP430
(UART side). The second RS-232 driver/receiver is connected to the first RS-232 driver transceiver (DB9
side) and the RS-485 transceiver to create a simple RS-485 to RS-232 converter that simplifies the
connection to the MSP430F2370. Minor components consist of one 18-position Micro Mate-N-Lok
connector, one RJ-45 connector, one SMA connector, one DB9 connector (optionally populated for TI
testing), a power connector, along with the required passive and active components necessary for proper
power supply filtering, impedance matching, and charge pump voltage generation of the circuits on the
board. A full schematic and layout of the RFID controller board is shown in Appendix A. Data sheets for
the components that are used on this board can be found in References.
2.2 RFID Antenna Board

The RFID antenna board main components consist of four PCB trace loop antennas (tuned for
13.56 MHz, Q < 20), one Peregrine Semiconductor PE42440 SP4T RF switch, and one Peregrine
Semiconductor PE4257 SPDT RF switch. The minor components on the board are two 18-position Micro
Mate-N-Lok (for GPIO and +3.3 VDC in and GPIO and +3.3 VDC feedthrough to next antenna board), and
two SMA connectors (for RF in and RF out to next antenna board). There are four of these boards (total)
in the system. A full schematic and layout of the RFID antenna board is shown in Appendix A. Data sheets
for the components that are used on this board can be found in References.
2.3 System Cables and Connections
2.3.1 Host Communication

Host communication is achieved via either RS-232 or RS-485. The RS232 cable should be pinned out
according to industry standard for DCE to DTE (RS-232 DB9 pins 2, 3 and 5). The RS-485 cable is a
custom nonstandard implementation using CAT5 cable (uses TX/RX_1, TX/RX_2 and RTS).
2.3.2 Power Cable

Custom power cable is required for delivering +12 VDC to RFID controller board.
2.3.3 RF Cables
Industry standard 50-Ω coaxial cables with SMA plugs on both ends are required for this system. RG-316
is recommended cable type.
2.3.4 GPIO and +3.3 VDC Cables

GPIO cables to be used in this system are terminated into 18-position Micro Mate-N-Lok connectors. The
wires in these cables are terminated with receptacle contacts for mating to Micro Mate-N-Lok board
header.

System Hardware www.ti.com
2.4 ISO/IEC15693 Transponder

The requirement for this system was for ISO15693 compliant transponder with 2048 or 256 bits of user
memory. The Texas Instruments transponder and inlay offerings fit exactly this requirement and are what
is used in this application. Data sheets for these components can be found in References.
3 System Firmware
MSP430F2370 firmware used for this project is based on TRF7960A EVM firmware (see References).
This firmware project that is provided with this application report (now named _MUX_TRF7960A) has
been modified for use in this application to support extended GPIO port control of up to 16 antennas and
exclude (but not remove support for) the other ISO protocols. The firmware has also been modified to
return the unique identifier (UID) of the transponder as one would read it (versus the way it is returned
over the air). For example, the transponder UID is returned over the air LSByte first, so then the firmware
file uart.c was modified to manipulate the returned UID so that any host controller software is relieved of
this task. (that is, the UID is now returned to the host as E00781BCC1912470 rather than
702491C1BC8107E0).
3.1 MSP430F2370 Setup

The MSP430F2370 firmware initializes the TRF7960A RFID Reader IC and configures it for
ISO/IEC15693 operation using the default settings for the IC (full power out (+23 dBm), high transponder
data rate (26.4 kbps), and 1 of 4 data coding).
3.2 ISO/IEC15693 Support

The MSP430F2370 firmware supports all ISO15693 commands currently known to be relevant to this
project and allows for all mandatory and optional commands listed in the standard that do not apply to this
project currently, but could be used later.
3.3 GPIO Control

The firmware provides support for the hardware to control up to 16 antennas via the GPIO available on
the MSP430F2370 directly driving the control lines on the PE42440 and PE4257 RF switch ICs used on
the antenna boards. One PE42440 switch and one PE4257 switch are mounted on each antenna board to
accommodate the four PCB trace antennas and provide for output to next antenna board. The PE42440
and PE4257 switch functional diagrams and truth tables are shown in Figure 2 and Figure 3, respectively,
for reference. Table 1 is the combined (PE42440 + PE4257, as connected on each antenna board) truth
table. Figure 4 shows the block diagram of this circuit arrangement. The details about the switches and
the circuit arrangement are important to understand before looking at entire system arrangement.
Figure 2. PE42440 Functional Diagram and Truth Table

www.ti.com System Firmware
Figure 3. PE4257 Functional Diagram and Truth Table
Table 1. TRF7960A Multiplexer Antenna Truth Table (One Board)

RF Switches Used Channels Used PCB Antenna and Switch Notes
Port Selected
PE42440 RFC → RF1 1 Default on power up
PE42440 RFC → RF2 2
PE42440 RFC → RF4 3
PE42440 RFC → RF3 To PE4257 RFC For antenna 4 or RF OUT
PE42440 + PE4257 RFC → RF2 (PE4257) 4
PE42440 + PE4257 RFC → RF1 (PE4257) RF OUT To next antenna board
ANT 1
RF1
RFC RF2
ANT 2
RF IN PE42440 RF4
RF3
ANT 3
RF2
PE4257 RF1
RFC
ANT 4
RF OUT (to next antenna board)
Figure 4. PE42440 and PE4257 Antenna Circuit Arrangement Detail Diagram

System Firmware www.ti.com
The full switch logic matrix is shown in Table 2 and can be viewed in the firmware by opening the
msp430f23x0.h file where they are defined and the host.c file where they are called (using 0xC0:0xCF and
0xD0:0xDF host commands).
Table 2. MSP430 GPIO Switch Logic Matrix (Full System)

ANTENNA 1 2 3 4
BOARD
GPIO USED P4.6 P4.5 P4.3 P4.4 P4.2 P4.1 P3.7 P4.0 P1.7 P1.6 P1.4 P1.5 P1.3 P1.2 P1.1
ANTENNA V2 V1 CTRL CTRL V2 V1 CTRL CTRL V2 V1 CTRL CTRL V2 V1 CTRL
1 2 1 2 1 2 1
1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
2 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
3 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
4 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
5 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
6 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
7 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
8 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
9 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0 0 0 0 0
10 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0 0 0
11 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0 0 0 0 0
12 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0 0 0
13 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 0 0
14 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 0 0
15 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1 1 0
16 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 0 1 1
In Table 2, the green shaded blocks follow the 13.56-MHz signal path through the system and show the
antenna selected as well as the GPIO used in the process. Table 3 shows the Host Command Codes that
are used to turn the antennas on or off. The complete Host Command format is described in Section 4.
Table 3. Host Command Codes for Antenna Selection

Antenna Number Command Codes (on / off)
1 N/A (DEFAULT ANT)
2 0xC0 / 0xC1
3 0xC2 / 0xC3
4 0xC4 / 0xC5
5 0xC6 / 0xC7
6 0xC8 / 0xC9
7 0xCA / 0xCB
8 0xCC / 0xCD
9 0xCE / 0xCF
10 0xD0 / 0xD1
11 0xD2 / 0xD3
12 0xD4 / 0xD5
13 0xD6 / 0xD7
14 0xD8 / 0xD9
15 0xDA / 0xDB
16 0xDC / 0xDD

www.ti.com System Host Commands
4 System Host Commands

The System Host Commands provide the method by which the host controller communicates with the
RFID controller board. The host controller in the system (that is, the PC) sends specifically formatted
commands as defined in the following section to accomplish a task. The MSP430F2370 firmware on the
RFID controller board echoes back the command sent along with any data that is relevant to that
command (for example, the Unique ID with RSSI value or transponder block data).
4.1 Host Commands Structure Definition

The Host Commands have a general protocol structure that is shown in Figure 5.
SOF LENGTH 03 04 CMD PARAMETERS EOF
End of Frame (0x0000)

Parameters (according to command)
Command (1 byte)
Entity ID (0x04)
Reader Type (0x03)
Length of Protocol String (2 bytes, LSByte first)

Start of Frame (0x01)
Figure 5. RFID Controller Host Protocol General Format
For simplification purposes and for brevity of this system document, the Host Commands are fixed
examples and should be used as explained in the following subsections. For further reading on the other
Host Commands possible with the ISO/IEC15693 protocol supported by this firmware, see the TRF7960
Evaluation Module ISO 15693 Host Commands (SLOA141).
4.2 Initiate Communication With RFID Controller Board

To initiate communication with the RFID controller board firmware from the host terminal, the following
command should be sent:
0108000304FF0000
Where FF is the command, with no parameters being sent.
The controller board echoes this command string, followed by text string in ASCII of:
TRF7960A_MUX_RFID
****COM Port found! ****
4.3 Set Protocol

The set protocol command is issued to configure the TRF7960A reader IC for operation with the
ISO/IEC15693 standard based transponders. In the ISO/IEC15693 standard, there are multiple settings for
this allowed. For best performance, the command string example used here in this document will be for
TRF7960A operating with +5VDC, full power out (+23dBm), 100% modulation depth on the downlink with
ISO15693 high transponder data rate (26.48kbps) with single subcarrier transponder response and 1 of 4
data coding used/expected back on the uplink. This is a register write request to the TRF7960A Chip
Status Control and the ISO Control Registers. (Registers 0x00 and 0x01) The command string example
used here to be sent from a Host Terminal would be:
010C00030410002101020000
Where 10 is the command, and 00210102 are the parameters.
This string echoes from the RFID Controller Board, followed by the ASCII string:
Register Write Request

System Host Commands www.ti.com
4.4 Inventory Command

The Inventory Command is used by the TRF7960A to retrieve the unique ID (UID) from the transponder.
The command string example used here (Single Slot Inventory) to be sent from a Host Terminal would be:
010B000304142601000000
ISO 15693 Inventory request
And then the UID is sent back to the host along with a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value,
which indicates relatively how close the transponder is to the energizing antenna:
[UID,RSSI]
For example, [E00781BCC1912470,77]
Where E00781BCC1912470 is the UID (for this transponder in the field), and 77 is the RSSI value (as the
transponder is very close to the antenna. The RSSI values can range from 0x40 to 0x7F.
4.5 Turn Off RF Transmitter

Turning off the transmitter before switching channels is a recommended practice in any RF application as
it reduces the amount of stress on the switch or relay in a given system, providing for a potentially longer
service life. This is a register write request to the TRF7960A Chip Status Control Register (Register 0x00)
and more specifically a toggle of bit 5 in that register. The command string example used here to be sent
from a Host Terminal would be:
010A0003041000010000
4.6 Switch Antenna

Switching antennas is the main feature highlight of this system. The MSP430 firmware has been modified
(as explained in previously in this document) to allow the host to choose any of the sixteen antennas in
the system by using the host commands shown in Table 3 and outlined in Table 2. The command string
example used here to be sent from a Host Terminal would be:
0108000304C00000
Where C0 is the command, with no parameters being sent.
Switch 2 On
The other Switch Antenna commands are shown in Table 3 and have similar messaging in ASCII
corresponding to the operation performed. For example, sending 0108000304C10000 results in that string
being echoed back, followed by the ASCII string: Switch 2 Off.
4.7 Turn On RF Transmitter

The transmitter of the TRF7960A RFID IC must be turned on prior to issuing any commands to
transponders in the field. Otherwise, they will not be energized and will not respond. This is a register
write request to the TRF7960A Chip Status Control Register (0x00) and more specifically a toggle of bit 5
in that register. The command string example used here to be sent from a Host Terminal would be:
010A0003041000210000

www.ti.com System Host Commands
4.8 Read Transponder Data Blocks

The Read Single Block Command is used by the TRF7960A to retrieve the transponder memory data
preprogrammed onto the transponder. The command string example used here to be sent from a Host
Terminal would be:
010B000304180220000000
Where 18 is the command, and 022000 are the parameters. 02 are the request flags for the command, 20
is the Read Single Block command, and 00 is the block # to be read (in this example) (block range with
this transponder is from 0x00 to 0x3F)
This string echoes from the RFID Controller Board and, if the read was successful, it is followed by:
[0078563412]
Where 78563412 is the transponder memory block data (in this example), note that the data is returned
MSByte first and the 00 in the return indicates no error. The data in this block could be programmed to
any value between 0x00000000 to 0xFFFFFFFF.
4.9 Write Transponder Data Block

The Write Single Block Command is used by the TRF7960A to write data (program) to the transponder
memory. The command string example used here to be sent from a Host Terminal would be:
010F00030418422100785634120000
Where, 18 is the command, and 42210078563412 are the parameters. 42 are the request flags for the
write operation, 21 is the Write Single Block command, and 00 is the block to be written (in this example).
78563412 is the data block to be written (in this example). User memory (data blocks) range on the
transponder being used is from 0x00 to 0x3F. Data can be any value desired in hexadecimal format (from
0x00000000 to 0xFFFFFFFF). Note this block data is sent MSByte first.
This string echoes from the RFID Controller Board, and if write was successful, it will be followed by the
ASCII string:
Request mode
And then the Error Flags are returned in the following manner:
[00], where 0x00 equals no error (write operation was successful)
Other possible responses here are:
[0103] = Option not supported (option flag not set, should be set for TI tags (0x42)
[010F] = Unknown error
[0110] = Block not available (memory block range is 0x00 to 0x3F)
[0113] = Programming was not successful (memory block could be locked or too far away)

System Host Commands www.ti.com
4.10 Example Application Flow Chart
START
APPLY POWER TO RFID SYSTEM
INITIATE COMMUNICATION WITH

RFID CONTROLLER BOARD
[SEND 0108000304FF0000]
(SEE SECTION 4.2)
SET PROTOCOL ON TRF7960A

[SEND 010C00030410002101020000]
(SEE SECTION 4.3)
SEND INVENTORY COMMAND

[SEND 010B000304142601000000]
(SEE SECTION 4.4)
(Optionally, Read Single Block or
Write Single Block commands could
be sent in place of or in addition to
the Inventory command at this point.
SEE SECTION 4.8 and SECTION 4.9)
TURN OFF RF TRANSMITTER

[SEND 010A0003041000010000]
(SEE SECTION 4.5)
SWITCH ANTENNA CHANNEL

[SEND 0108000304C00000]
WHERE VALUE FOR C0 IS
ACCORDING TO TABLE 3
(SEE SECTION 4.6)
TURN ON RF TRANSMITTER
[SEND 010A0003041000010000]
(SEE SECTION 4.7)
Figure 6. Example Application Flow Chart

www.ti.com Performance Measurements and Testing
5 Performance Measurements and Testing

In antenna multiplexing and switching applications such as this example, close attention should always be
paid to the potential of RF signal loss and crosstalk between channels. The switches that were chosen for
this application have a 50-Ω characteristic impedance, are made for the frequency of operation (in this
case 13.56 MHz), are rated for more than the maximum output power level possible from the transmitter
(in this case +23 dBm (200 mW)), and have good isolation between channels.
In this reference design, the Peregrine Semiconductor devices PE42440 and PE4257 were used and meet
these criteria. These were lab tested with TRF7960A EVM, PE42440, and PE4257 EVMs. Loss measured
was within expected levels as the PE42440 and PE4257 data sheets indicate that 0.45-dBm and 0.7-dBm
loss should be expected from these parts, respectively. RF-HDT-DVBB read range was also checked here
with the different power output levels with same antenna 6.5-cm diameter coils. Read range was minimally
affected, where observed read range varied approximately 0.25 cm. Figure 7, Figure 8, and Figure 9 show
the spectrum analyzer captures for the bench-top hand-wired prototype.
Figure 7. TRF7960A Out (Approximately +23 dBm)
Figure 8. TRF7960A to PE42440 Out (Approximately 0.5-dBm Loss)

References www.ti.com
Figure 9. TRF7960A to PE42440 to PE4257 out (Approximately 0.8-dBm Loss)
6 References
1. MSP430F2370 data sheet (SLAS518)
2. TRF7960A data sheet (SLOS732)
3. TRF7960A MSP430F2370 Base Firmware Example (SLOC251)
4. TRF7960 Evaluation Module ISO 15693 Host Commands (SLOA141)
5. MAX3232E RS-232 Line Driver/Receiver data sheet (SLLS664)
6. SN75176B RS-485 Transceiver data sheet (SLLS101)
7. REG1117-5 +5VDC 800mA Linear Regulator data sheet (SBVS001)
8. PE42440 data sheet (http://www.psemi.com/content/products/switches/PE42440.html)
9. PE4257 data sheet (http://www.psemi.com/pdf/datasheets/pe4257ds.pdf)
10. RF-HDT-DVBB 2kbit ISO15693 Encapsulated Transponder data sheet (SCBS857)
11. ISO/IEC15693-2, -3 Standard (http://www.ieee.org/)

Appendix A
SLOA167 – May 2012
Schematics

14
Appendix A
VDD_A VCC VDD_PA BAND_GAP VDD_X

JTAG
C20 C19 C16 C13 C18 C17 C22 C21 C29 C2 14 13
12 11 RST_NMI
.01uF 2.2uF .01uF 2.2uF .01uF 2.2uF .01uF 2.2uF .01uF 2.2uF 10 9 GND
8 7 TCK
GND GND GND GND GND 6 5 TMS
4 3 TDI
MSP430_VIN 2 1 TDO/TDI 20 21 DATA_CLK
3 OSC_OUT EN MISO 19 22 TXD
OUT MOSI
JTAG 18 23 RXD
GND
R1
SS 17 24
10k
OSC_IN 1 IN
16 25 SW_9
GND
27pF C24 15 26 SW_8
P4.0/TB0
OSC_IN
OSC_OUT
SYS_CLK
DATA_CLK
GND
14 27 SW_7
P4.1/TB1
C23 27pF VDD_X
TRF7960 13 28 SW_6
P4.2/TB2
32
31
30
29
28
27
26
25
IRQ 12 29 SW_5
P4.3/TB0
GND
GND GND GND 11 30 SW_4
P4.4/TB1
SW_10 10
EN
31 SW_3
P4.5/TB2
EN2
SMA-142-0701-871/876 SW_11 9 32 SW_2
GND P4.6/TBOUTH/ACLK
VSS_D
VDD_X
SW_12 8
OSC_IN
33 PWR_LED
P4.7/TBCLK
SYS_CLK
SW_13
OSC_OUT
24 7 34
DATA_CLK
C7 10pF VDD_A 1 VDD_A I/O_7 MOSI
HF_TX_RX_50_OHM VCC 2 23 MISO SW_14 6 35 TDO/TDI

VIN I/O_6 SW_15 TDI
C3 3 33 22 5 36
VDD_RF PAD I/O_5 SW_16 TMS
TMS
1500pF VDD_PA 4 21 SS 4 37
330nH 150nH VDD_PA I/O_4 EN TCK
TCK
50_OHM 5 GND 20 3 38
TX_OUT I/O_3
6 19 I/O_2 2 39 RST_NMI
L2 L1 VSS_PA I/O_2 SYS_CLK GND
C12 C11 C9 C8 C5 C4 7 18 I/O_1 1 40
VSS_RX I/O_1 MSP430_VIN MSP430_VIN
1500pF RX_IN18 17 TP
RX_IN1 I/0_0 GND GND
27pF 100pF 220pF 680pF 1200pF
GND GND C10 GND C6 GND
RX_IN2
VSS
BAND_GAP
ASK/OOK
IRQ
MOD
VSS_A
VDD_I/O
680pF RX_IN2 1200pF RX_IN1
10
12
13
14
15
16
TRF7960
R4 MSP430_VIN
GND GND
VDD_X RFID_READY R6 PWR_LED
100R
R3
560R
47k
red
RX_IN2 9
R2 ASK/OOK
IC4 RST_NMI
BAND_GAP 11
ASK/OOK
IRQ
MOD
VDD_X
C1 1k
REG1117 R10
X22
12VDC 3 2 VCC GND GND 0.01uF R5 MOD
+12VDCIN-2 VIN VOUT
I/O_1
I/O_2
0R 1k
1 C30
GND
+12VDCIN-1 GND GND
R12 R13
1uF

1
GND 10k 10k
GND
Figure 10. RFID Controller Board (1 of 2)

GND IC3 VDD_X
1
VCC
C1+
C33 1uH 2
V+
3 C32 1uH
C1-
RS232 6
V-
1 4 C25 1uH
C2+
RS_232_PIN2 2 6 C31 1uH
7 5 GND
RS_232_PIN3 3 RTS C2-
4 8
5 9 TXD 11 14 RS_232_PIN2
T1IN T1OUT
10 7
T2IN T2OUT
RXD 12 13 RS_232_PIN3
R1OUT R1IN
9 8
GND R2OUT R2IN
MAX3232ESE
SLOA167 – May 2012

www.ti.com

www.ti.com
SLOA167 – May 2012

RS-485 to RS-232 CONVERTER
IC2
VCC 1

C1+
2 C28 1uH TX_RX_1 RS-485
V+ 1
1uH C26 3
C1- R9 TX_RX_2 2
6
V- RTS 3
1uH C15 4
C2+ 4
C27 1uH 5
5 120
GND C2- U3 6
7
RS_232_PIN2 14 11 1 8 VCC
T1OUT T1IN R VCC 8
7 10 2 7 TX_RX_2
T2OUT T2IN RE B
RJ45-8L2-B
RS_232_PIN3 13 12 3 6 TX_RX_1 C14

R1IN R1OUT DE A
RTS 8 9 4 5
R2IN R2OUT D GND
1uF
MAX3232ESE SN65176B
GND
GND GND
SW_2
X1.1
SW_3 2X9-A X1.2
SW_4 2X9-A X1.3
SW_5 2X9-A X1.4
SW_6 2X9-A X1.5
SW_7 2X9-A X1.6
SW_8 2X9-A X1.7
SW_9 2X9-A X1.8
SW_10 2X9-A X1.9
SW_11 2X9-A X1.10
SW_12 2X9-A X1.11
SW_13 2X9-A X1.12
SW_14 2X9-A X1.13
SW_15 2X9-A X1.14
SW_16 2X9-A X1.15
VDD_X 2X9-A X1.16

50_OHM 2X9-A X1.17
GND 2X9-A X1.18
2X9-A
Figure 11. RFID Controller Board (2 of 2)

GND

Appendix A
15
16
Appendix A
CTRL_1
GND
ANTENNA_2 ANTENNA_1 CTRL_2 R7
VDD_X
16
15
14
13
100
GND
N/C
RF2
RF1
1 12
16
17
18
19
20
SW
GND7
GND1 GND6
2 11 RF_IN PE4257
VDD RFC
GND V2 3 10
V2 GND5
19
C2
C1
V1 4 9 X1
V1 GND4
VDD
SMA-142-0701-871/876
TH 15 1
PAD 15 1
R8
100
VSS/GND
GND2
RF4
GND3
RF3
14 2
14 2
5
6
7
8
VDD_X
GND RF_OUT 13
RF2 GND RF1
3 ANTENNA_4
PAD
GND
12 4
12 4
GND
GND
RF4 11 5

11 5
GND
ANTENNA_3
X4
SMA-142-0701-871/876
10
9
RFC
7
6
GND
GND
GND
GND
9
8
7
6
10
RF4
GND
GND
Main Connector Feed_Through Connector

V2 X10.1 SW_6 X11.1
C4
C12
2X9-A X10.2 2X9-A X11.2
ANT1, 5, 9 or 13 ANT3, 7, 11 or 15 V1 2X9-A X10.3 SW_7 2X9-A X11.3
X6 X8 CTRL_2 2X9-A X10.4 SW_8 2X9-A X11.4
P$1 P$1 CTRL_1 SW_9
P$1 P$1 SW_6
2X9-A X10.5
SW_10
2X9-A X11.5
2X9-A X10.6 2X9-A X11.6
C3
SW_7 SW_11
C11
2X9-A X10.7 2X9-A X11.7
MC-921 MC-921 SW_8 2X9-A X10.8 SW_12 2X9-A X11.8
R3
R5
SW_9 SW_13
10k
10k
Figure 12. Antenna Board

2X9-A X10.9 2X9-A X11.9
C1 C2 C9 C10 SW_10 2X9-A X10.10 SW_14 2X9-A X11.10
SW_11 2X9-A X10.11 SW_15 2X9-A X11.11
SW_12 SW_16

2X9-A X10.12 2X9-A X11.12
P$2 P$2 SW_13
P$2 P$2 SW_14
2X9-A X10.13 2X9-A X11.13
2X9-A X10.14 2X9-A X11.14
SW_15 2X9-A X10.15 2X9-A X11.15
SW_16
C8
C16
R1 2X9-A X10.16 2X9-A X11.16
GND
GND
RF_IN VDD_X 2X9-A X10.17 RF_OUT R2 VDD_X 2X9-A X11.17
X7 X9
0 GND
2X9-A X10.18 0 GND
2X9-A X11.18
P$1 P$1 2X9-A 2X9-A
P$1 P$1
C7
C15
MC-921 MC-921
R4
R6
10k
10k
C5 C6 C13 C14
P$2 P$2
P$2 P$2
ANT2, 6, 10 or 14 ANT4, 8, 12 or 16
GND
GND
SLOA167 – May 2012

www.ti.com

Appendix B
SLOA167 – May 2012
Layout Images
4 inches / 101.6 mm
F09
RS232
Texas
2,54
Instruments +12VDCIN
6 9
14 IC4
1 1 5
JTAG
2 R10 C30
RFID_READY
C1 R3
R6
F2370
IC3
IC2
C2 R4
C29 C23 Q1 C24 R1 U3
2.3 inches / 58.42 mm C19
C20 C25
C16
C14
C13
C17
C33 C32 C31
C18 C26 C28 C27 C15
C4
L1 R9
RS-485
HF_TX_RX_50_OHM
R12 R13
C8
C3
0
96
F7
C5
TR
C7
C6
C22 C21 R2 R5
L2
C10
C9
C11
X1
C12
Figure 13. RFID Controller Board Layout
The dimensions of this board are 4.00 inches x 2.3 inches (101.6 mm x 58.42 mm). Original customer
requirement was that this board be no larger than 110 mm x 220 mm. Mounting holes are M4.
20.43307 inches / 519 mm
X1
R1
NAME
VALUE
NAME
VALUE
M4 hole @ 6.75mm / 43.75mm X10 M4 hole @ 512.25mm /43.75mm

U1
R8
C8
C7
R7
R4
2.17 inches / 55 mm C6 U2
C5
32mm between holes
Antenna 1, 5, 9 or 13 Antenna 2, 6, 10 or 14 Antenna 3, 7, 11 or 15 Antenna 4, 8, 12 or 16
32mm between holes
C9 C13
C1 C10
C2 R3 C14
R5 R6
C12
C11
C3
C4
C16
C15
M4 hole @ 6.75mm /11.75mm

VALUE
VALUE
X11 M4 hole @ 512.25mm / 11.75mm

NAME
NAME
R2
X4
0mm / 0mm reference
Figure 14. RFID Antenna Board Layout
The dimensions of this board are 20.433 inches x 2.17 inches (519 mm x 55 mm). Per original customer
specification, two M4 size mounting holes are provided on either end of this board, spaced 6.75 mm from
the board edge and 32 mm apart from each other vertically. With respect to the mounting hole spacing
from each other horizontally, they are spaced 505.5 mm from each other, again, per original customer
specification.

Appendix C
SLOA167 – May 2012
Cable Details
The system boards are designed with simplification of the cabling scheme in mind. Figure 15 shows the
cascade concept for the signal flow from the controller board out to the first antenna array board, then
from the first antenna array board to the second, and so on to the last antenna array board. The GPIO
signals and the RF signals are cascaded through the boards as shown while the +3.3 VDC and ground
are provided to each board directly. Figure 16 shows this in greater detail.

GPIO and +3.3 VDC
(18 position)
RFID Controller
Board RF A1
c A2 A3
c A4
(SMA)
GPIO and +3.3 VDC
RF (18 position)
(SMA)
A5
c A6 A7
c A8
GPIO and +3.3 VDC

RF (18 position)
(SMA)
A9
c A10 A11
c A12
RF GPIO and +3.3 VDC

(SMA) (18 position)
A13
c A14 A15
c A16
Figure 15. Signal Cascade Concept

www.ti.com Appendix C
Antenna Array 1 Antenna Array 2 Antenna Array 3 Antenna Array 4

(uses SW2:SW5) (uses SW6:SW9) (uses SW10:SW13) (uses SW14:SW16)
Controller Board all GPIO signals all GPIO signals all GPIO signals
shifted up by shifted up by shifted up by
four positions four positions four positions
SW2 SW6 SW10 SW14

SW3 SW7 SW11 SW15
SW4 SW8 SW12 SW16
SW5 SW9 SW13
SW6 SW10 SW14
SW7 SW11 SW15
SW8 SW12 SW16
SW9 SW13
SW10 SW14
SW11 SW15
SW12 SW16
SW13
SW14
SW15
SW16
+3.3VDC +3.3VDC +3.3VDC +3.3VDC
GND GND GND GND
OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN OUT IN
Figure 16. Cabling for Signal Cascade Concept
Table 4 shows the cable pin out of the signal distribution that is shown in Figure 16 for clarity and
understanding. This cabling approach allows for one cable assembly to be created and then replicated
four times for the system, which accommodates and distributes all of the signals that are required for
command and control. Examination of the schematics and Figure 16 show that the cabling between the
controller board and the antennas can all be the same, because the signal routing and shifting occurs on
the boards.
Table 4. GPIO Cable Pin Out

Pin Name Function
SW2 from controller to first antenna board, SW6 for second antenna board, SW10
1 SW2 / SW6 / SW10 / SW14
for third antenna board, SW14 for fourth antenna board
2 SW3 / SW/7 / SW11 / SW15
3 SW4 / SW8 / SW12 / SW16
4 SW5 / SW9 / SW13 SW5, SW9, and SW13 from controller to first antenna board for further routing
8 SW9 / SW13 SW9 and SW13 from controller to first antenna board for further routing
12 SW13 SW13 from controller to first antenna board for further routing
16 VDD_X (+3.3VDC) Voltage supply for digital switches
17 RF_OUT/RF_IN (50_OHM) RF (coaxial or twisted pair) (optional, use based on testing)
18 GND GND (coaxial or twisted pair)

Appendix C www.ti.com
The preliminary cable assembly diagram is shown in Figure 17.
18 Position 18 Position
Micro Mate-N-Lok Receptacle Connector Micro Mate-N-Lok Receptacle Connector
(TE Connectivity P/N 1-794617-8) (TE Connectivity P/N 1-794617-8)
Length TBD
18 wires are terminated on both ends with TE Connectivity Receptacle Contacts

TE Connectivity P /N 1-794606 -1 (for 24AWG )
TE Connectivity P /N 1-794610-1 (for 20-24AWG)
Cabling is pin to pin (that is, pin 1 to pin 1 and pin 18 to pin 18)
Figure 17. GPIO Cable Diagram

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RFID With Single Reader Multiple Antenna

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Application Report

SLOA167 – May 2012

TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System

Josh Wyatt ...................................................................................... Embedded RF Applications/Systems

SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 1

1 System Theory of Operation and Concepts

RFID Antenna Board 1

GPIO and +3.3 VDC A1

RFID Antenna Board 2

RF GPIO and +3.3 VDC

RFID Antenna Board 4

Figure 1. TRF7960A Multiplexer RFID System Block Diagram

2 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

2.1 RFID Controller Board

2.2 RFID Antenna Board

2.3 System Cables and Connections

2.3.1 Host Communication

2.3.2 Power Cable

2.3.4 GPIO and +3.3 VDC Cables

SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 3

2.4 ISO/IEC15693 Transponder

3.1 MSP430F2370 Setup

3.2 ISO/IEC15693 Support

3.3 GPIO Control

Figure 2. PE42440 Functional Diagram and Truth Table

4 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

Figure 3. PE4257 Functional Diagram and Truth Table

Table 1. TRF7960A Multiplexer Antenna Truth Table (One Board)

RF OUT (to next antenna board)

Figure 4. PE42440 and PE4257 Antenna Circuit Arrangement Detail Diagram

SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 5

Table 2. MSP430 GPIO Switch Logic Matrix (Full System)

Table 3. Host Command Codes for Antenna Selection

6 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

4 System Host Commands

4.1 Host Commands Structure Definition

SOF LENGTH 03 04 CMD PARAMETERS EOF

End of Frame (0x0000)

Length of Protocol String (2 bytes, LSByte first)

Figure 5. RFID Controller Host Protocol General Format

4.2 Initiate Communication With RFID Controller Board

4.3 Set Protocol

SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 7

4.4 Inventory Command

4.5 Turn Off RF Transmitter

4.6 Switch Antenna

4.7 Turn On RF Transmitter

8 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

4.8 Read Transponder Data Blocks

4.9 Write Transponder Data Block

SLOA167 – May 2012 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System 9

4.10 Example Application Flow Chart

APPLY POWER TO RFID SYSTEM

INITIATE COMMUNICATION WITH

SET PROTOCOL ON TRF7960A

SEND INVENTORY COMMAND

TURN OFF RF TRANSMITTER

SWITCH ANTENNA CHANNEL

Figure 6. Example Application Flow Chart

10 TRF7960A RFID Multiplexer Example System SLOA167 – May 2012

5 Performance Measurements and Testing

Figure 7. TRF7960A Out (Approximately +23 dBm)

Figure 8. TRF7960A to PE42440 Out (Approximately 0.5-dBm Loss)