FAQs - IB Technology Hardware Solutions
Q. Are your products complete systems that I can start using straight out of the box?
A. Our RFID readers have all the hardware and software necessary to use straight away. They have many features and simple highly optimised host commands to make interfacing to a microcontroller or computer an easy task. Programmable parameters allow automatic output of serial number and card Block data without host intervention as well as commands for reading/writing, etc.
Q. How do I evaluate your products?
A. We provide a Universal Evaluation Kit for our Micro RWD RFID modules. (Part number RWD-SDK.) The kit comes with a Universal Base Board and two RFID read/write modules:
- The RWD-MICODE (MIFARE-ICODE) supports 13.56MHz ISO14443A Mifare “classic” family and ISO15693 ICODE2 family. Card serial number acquisition from all other Mifare cards (DESFire, Mifare PLUS etc ) is included.
The RWD-MICODE datasheet provides more information.
Please note the RWD-MICODE (24-pin) module is based on the same design (and uses the same firmware) as the OEM-MICODE Reader boards so the RWD-MICODE datasheet covers both.
- The RWD-QT (Quad Tag) supports 125kHz Hitag1, Hitag S, Hitag2, EM4102, MCRF200 card/tag types.
The RWD QT datasheet provides more information.
Our “Getting Started” Guide will help set-up and use the SDK.
For evaluation of RWD-MICODE and general use, use the RWD-MIFARE/ICODE Windows application
For evaluation of RWD-QT and general use, use the RWD-QT Windows application
To help understand the command protocol and the data reply, a trial HEX RS232 TERMINAL PROGRAM is available. This is a really useful tool for sending/receiving HEX/ASCII data. (Windows HyperTerminal does not support HEX data and so has limited use).
For 64-bit Windows Operating Systems, a new demo version of the RS232 HEX TERMINAL PROGRAM is available to download from Virtual Integrated Design.
Further information on the Windows programs and how to install and set-up the RS232 HEX TERMINAL PROGRAM can be found on pages 5 and 6 of OPERATION.PDF
Q. Can I improve the operating range of the antenna?
A. Different cards from different manufacturers have different RF tolerances and so operating range and performance can vary. The environment and housing of the Reader will also affect antenna tuning and performance.
The 125kHz RWD modules and the antenna coils (ANT125k) have a relatively wide tuning tolerance but even so careful adjustment of peak antenna voltage and antenna tuning will help improve range and performance. See ANTENNA_125 datasheet for details of antenna tuning on the 125kHz Reader systems.
The 13.56MHz RWD modules, OEM Reader boards and the antenna assembly (ANT1356M) have a relatively narrow tuning tolerance so careful adjustment of antenna tuning will help improve range and performance. See ANTENNA_1356 datasheet for details of antenna tuning on the 13.56MHz Reader systems.
The 13.56MHz PCB track antenna on the “Universal Base Board” or the OEM-MICODE board can be adjusted using the trimming capacitor (C19 on Universal Base Board, C44 on OEM board). This will improve range and performance for the card/tag type being used and the operating environment.
For the proximity Reader solutions, the operating range is basically limited by the current available from the antenna driver stage of the RF chip. This limits maximum range to about 15cm for the 125kHz RWD Readers and 5-7cm for the 13.56MHz RWD Readers (using 7cm diameter antenna coil and credit card sized cards/tags).
Careful tuning of the antenna in-situ and the use of ferrite materials to shield surrounding metallic objects can also help improve range. A Ferrite rod core for the 125kHz antenna can help “focus” the magnetic flux to give a more directional, longer range field.
Q. What is the difference between the RWD modules and the OEM boards?
A. The 125kHz and 13.56MHz Micro RWD modules are based on a 24-pin wide DIP footprint and have the same pin out and host communication protocol. The modules need a 5-volt supply and an antenna coil connected to be a complete system. The modules use TTL level communication (Tx, Rx and CTS handshaking) and have output pins for Auxiliary communication protocols, LEDs and control.
The OEM Reader boards support the 13.56MHz card/tag types and have on-board antenna, LEDs and RS232 or USB host interfaces. They are designed for “plug-and-go” applications with everything integrated onto a single board. Windows applications are provided together with host software examples to allow easy connection and use with a PC/laptop computer. The Reader commands are highly optimised and there are only a few commands to use so communication software can be easily written for any host computer or Operating System.
The OEM Reader boards are based on the same design and use the same firmware as the Micro RWD MIFARE-ICODE (MICODE) modules.
Your decision should therefore be based on whether you want to use the RWD-MICODE on your own PCB with TTL serial comms (with a simple track antenna around it) or a complete Reader board with full RS232 or USB interface.
Q. Do you have a roadmap to high volume?
A. We have a strong, connected roadmap from evaluation to high volume. Our modules are pin and host command compatible and can be used for evaluation or full-production depending on your requirements. For higher volume applications, all our products are available as a “Reference Design Pack” containing Schematics, Gerber files. Bill-of-Materials. Customers can then use the chip set in their own products and benefit from a proven, quick time-to-market RFID Reader solutions at lowest-cost and with minimum engineering effort.
Q. How do we design-in your chip-sets?
A. You would receive our Reference Design Pack. The pack contains schematics, Gerber files, Bill-of-Materials, design layout notes and a few pre-programmed microcontroller samples. We provide technical support and PCB layout guidance and checking services. You can then copy the Reader design onto your PCB and just purchase the pre-programmed microcontroller from IB Technology. Manufacture and procurements of all other components is then completely under your control. This has proved a very popular route for our OEM customers.
Q. Can I use your readers in industrial applications?
A. Yes. All IBT products use Industrial temperature grade components (-40 deg to + 85 degrees C).
Q. Do you have any guidance for power filtering and EMC/EMI issues?
A. Noise on the power supply rails is the enemy of any RFID Reader system. Our power supply filtering datasheet shows "worst case" power supply filtering. Please note that the filter is ONLY needed for noisy power supplies.
For typical evaluation we just recommend using a high value, low ESR capacitor (220+uF) across the 5v and ground lines to "smooth out" the current pulses. The use of the high-value, low ESR cap across the rails acts as a reservoir to help "soak up" these pulses. More information can be found in the RFID Reader with RS232 interface. Again the supply filters and zener protection is included as "worst case" protection but in almost all cases you just need the high-value low-ESR cap across the rails again.
You don’t need the5-volt filtering and protection if you have a good clean 5-volt supply. You can also ignore the 2 x decoupling capacitors from the antenna to ground. All these “extras” are to “bullet-proof” the design and are not necessary for basic applications.
Q. How do you keep power consumption low?
A. Our readers only turn on the RF for a short period each polling cycle and then power down the RF chip and "SLEEP" during the (programmable) polling dead-time. This means the average current consumption is low with brief current pulses each polling cycle. The average current consumption can be down to 100uA (micro Amps) even when fully active and scanning.
Q. Which module should I get to evaluate Hitag1, Hitag S256 or Hitag S 2048 card/tag types?
A. The best way to evaluate these tags is to buy the RWD-QT (Quad Tag) module with the ANT125K (700uH antenna coil). The default “Reader mode” for the RWD-QT is for Hitag1/S.
Q. I have bought the RWD-QT but my Hitag2 card does not work and I get a red LED.
A. The default “Reader mode” for the RWD-QT is for Hitag1/S. Change this mode to read Hitag2 cards.
Q. Can your 5V modules accept 3.3V logic inputs from a 3.3V micro?
A. All our products are designed to operate at 5-volts. The Micro RWD I/O pins (and the OEM board J2 connector pins) are therefore at 5-volt TTL level BUT can accept 3.3 volts signals from a host microcontroller. If using a 3.3v microcontroller you should ensure that your inputs are 5-volt tolerant or use a potential-divider or level-shifter to reduce the Micro RWD output voltage.
Q. Can the reader read the tag serial number without any host intervention?
A. Yes, many of the Micro RWD module versions and the OEM Reader boards can be configured to automatically output the card serial number or card memory data without any host intervention. This is a popular feature for customers who just need the serial number information.