ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 1
AS3909/AS3910
13.56 MHz RFID Reader IC,
ISO-14443 A/B
The AS3909/10 is a high performance 13.56MHz HF RFID Reader
IC.
The AS3909/10 is unequalled in the domain of HF Reader ICs; it
contains two differential low impedance (1.5Ω) antenna
drivers.
These drivers are unmatched, which means that the IC can
deliver up to 8 times the output power of a standard HF Reader
IC using the same power supply voltage.
Additionally using this configuration means half of the power
consumption at the same output power.
The IC has an operating voltage down to 2.4V and a low power
operating mode of 5mA. This means the AS3909/10 is ideal for
portable or battery powered applications.
For applications where high power is required the AS3909/10
can attain up to 700mW. This means there is no need for
complex external booster circuitry.
The component count and complexity of the design is further
reduced through the patented automatic modulation depth
adjustment.
The analog front end (AFE) is complemented by a highly
integrated data framing engine for both ISO-14443 A and B.
This includes data rates up to 848kbits with all framing and
synchronization tasks on board. This enables the customer to
build a complete HF RFID Reader using only a low end micro.
The AS3909/10 not only supports reader to tag communication,
but sports Peer to Peer communication using the NFCIP-1 active
communication mode with a data rate of 106kbps.
The IC has a SPI, which enables bi-directional communication
with the external microcontroller.
Other standard and custom protocols, such as ISO -15693 or
Felica can be implemented via transparent mode.
Only available in AS3910: In addition to the above mentioned
advantages, AS3910 also features the ams' unique Automatic
Antenna Tuning (AAT)1 technology. With AAT, the device is
optimized for application with directly driven antenna and
enables the reader to retune itself to deliver maximum output
at 13.56MHz, when the surroundings detunes the antenna.
For further understanding in regards to the contents of the
datasheet, please refer to the Reference Guide located at the end
of the document.
1. Only available in AS3910.
General Description
AS3909/AS3910 – 2 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Figure 1:
Standard Products
Key Benefits & Features
The benefits and features of this device are listed below:
Figure 2:
Added Value of Using AS3909/10
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Only available in AS3910.
Part Number AAT Trim Pins
AS3909 No NC
AS3910 Yes Connect to external trim caps as mentioned in Calibrate Antenna
Resonance
Benefits Features
Stable Modulation Index Close loop adjustment of ASK modulation for accurate control
of modulation depth in case of ISO-14443B protocol
Enabling Ultra Low Power Applications Low power (3.5µA) NFC target mode
No communication holes AM/PM demodulator
Measuring signal strength on RFI pins Accurate RF envelope measurement (8 bit A/D)
Enables various antenna configurations
High output power at 3.3V power supply:
Up to 700mW in case regulator is externally shorted
Up to 500mW in case differential output and antenna
trimming is used
Up to 125mW in case of single ended output and antenna
trimming is used
Increases EMD immunity Squelch feature which performs gain reduction to compensate
for noise generated by transponder processing
Enable tuning of the Antenna LC Tank Automatic Antenna tuning (AAT) (1)
For support of other standards and custom
protocols (ISO-15693, FeliCa, ...) Transparent mode
Enabling Inductive wakeup in combination
with MCU Amplitude and phase measurement
Supporting 13.56 MHz and 27.12MHz Quartz oscillator with fast
start-up
Supply voltage range from 2.4V to 3.6V
Wide temperature range: -40ºC to 85ºC
32-pin QFN (5x5mm) for AS3910 and 32-pin TQFN (5x5mm) for
AS3909
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 3
General Description
Applications
The AS3909/10 is ideal for applications where the reader
antenna is directly driven (no 50 cable). It also includes several
unique features, which make it especially suitable for low power
and battery powered applications.
Block Diagram
The functional blocks of this device for reference are
shown below:
Figure 3:
AS3909/10 HF RFID Reader IC Block Diagram
Note: The main differences between AS3909 and AS3910 are elaborated in sections General Description, Pin Assignments, Detailed
Description, Direct Commands, Clear and Active Receive – Use in ISO-14443B Anticollision.
Logic
XTO XTI
RFO1
RFO2
RFI1
RFI2
SPI
FIFO
Bias
Transmitter
A/D Converter
Receiver
External Field
Detector
Regulators
FIFO
Control Logic
SPI Interface
Framing
Phase &
Amplitude
Detector
Oscillator
AS3909/10 HF RFID Reader IC Block Diagram
AS3909/AS3910 – 4 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Pin Assignments
The AS3909/10 pin assignments are described below.
Figure 4:
Pin Assignments (Top View)
Figure 5:
Pin Description
Pin Number Pin Name Pin Type Description
1 TIO Digital bi-directional Test IO pin
2EN
Digital input with
pull-down
Enable input
3TEST Test input
4 XTO Analog output Xtal oscillator output
5 XTI Analog input Xtal oscillator input
6 VSN_D Supply Digital ground
7VSP_A
Analog Input /
Output Analog supply, regulator output
8 VDD Supply External positive supply
9VSP_RF
Analog Input /
Output Supply, regulator output for antenna drivers
10 RFO1
Analog output Antenna driver output
11 RFO2
12 VSN_RF Supply Ground of antenna drivers
Pin Assignments
SDATAI
SDATAO
MCU_CLK
INTR
AS3909
9
2526272829303132
SEN
SCLK
VSN_A
AD_IN
16151413121110
VSP_RF
RFO1
RFO2
VSN_RF
NC
NC
NC
NC
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
AGD
RFI2
RFI1
VSS
NC
NC
NC
NC
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TIO
EN
TEST
XTO
XTI
VSN_D
VSP_A
VDD
AS3910
9
2526272829303132
SEN
SCLK
SDATAI
SDATAO
MCU_CLK
INTR
VSN_A
AD_IN
16151413121110
VSP_RF
RFO1
RFO2
VSN_RF
TRIM1_3
TRIM2_3
TRIM1_2
TRIM2_2
24
23
22
21
20
19
18
17
AGD
RFI2
RFI1
VSS
TRIM2_0
TRIM1_0
TRIM2_1
TRIM1_1
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
TIO
EN
TEST
XTO
XTI
VSN_D
VSP_A
VDD
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 5
Pin Assignments
13 NC/TRIM1_3
Analog input AS3909: NC
AS3910: Input to trim antenna resonant circuit
14 NC/TRIM2_3
15 NC/TRIM1_2
16 NC/TRIM2_2
17 NC/TRIM1_1
18 NC/TRIM2_1
19 NC/TRIM1_0
20 NC/TRIM2_0
21 VSS Supply pad Ground, die substrate potential
22 RFI1
Analog input Receiver input
23 RFI2
24 AGD Analog Input /
Output Analog reference voltage
25 AD_IN Analog input A/D converter input
26 VSN_A Supply pad Analog ground
27 INTR
Digital output
Interrupt request output
28 MCU_CLK Microcontroller clock output
29 SDATAO Digital Output /
Tristate Serial Peripheral Interface DATA output
30 SDATAI
Digital input
Serial Peripheral Interface DATA input
31 SCLK Serial Peripheral Interface Clock
32 SEN Serial Peripheral Interface Enable
Exposed Pad VSUB Supply Die substrate potential, to be connected to VSS on
PCB
Pin Number Pin Name Pin Type Description
AS3909/AS3910 – 6 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Stresses beyond those listed under “Absolute Maximum
Ratings” may cause permanent damage to the device. These are
stress ratings only. Functional operation of the device at these
or any other conditions beyond those indicated under
“Operating Conditions” on page 7 is not implied. Exposure to
absolute maximum rating conditions for extended periods may
affect device reliability.
Figure 6:
Absolute Maximum Ratings
Symbol Parameter Comments Min Max Unit
Electrical Parameters
VDD DC supply voltage -0.5 5 V
VIN Input pin voltage
(all except TRIM pins) -0.5 5 V
VINTRIM Input pin voltage TRIM
pins -0.5 30 V
ISCR Input current
(latch up immunity) Norm: Jedec 78 -100 100 mA
Electrostatic Discharge
ESD Norm: MIL 883 E method 3015 (Human
Body Model) ±2 kV
Temperature Ranges and Storage Conditions
Tstrg Storage temperature -55 125 ºC
Tbody Package body
temperature
Norm: IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020.
The reflow peak soldering temperature
(body temperature) specified is in
accordance with IPC/JEDEC J-STD-020
“Moisture/Reflow Sensitivity
Classification for Non-Hermetic Solid
State Surface Mount Devices”.
260 ºC
Humidity
non-condensing 585%
MSL Moisture Sensitive
Level
Represents a maximum floor time of
168h 3
Absolute Maximum Ratings
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 7
Electrical Characteristics
All limits are guaranteed. The parameters with min and max
values are guaranteed with production tests or SQC (Statistical
Quality Control) methods.
Operating Conditions
Figure 7:
Operating Conditions
DC / AC Characteristics For Digital Inputs and
Outputs
Figure 8:
DC / AC Characteristics For Digital Inputs and Outputs
Symbol Parameter Comments Min Max Unit
VDD Positive supply
voltage
In case power supply is lower than 2.6V, PSSR
can not be improved using internal regulators
(minimum regulated voltage is 2.4V)
2.4 3.6 V
VSS Negative supply
voltage 00V
TAMB Ambient
Temperature -40 85 ºC
VTRIM Input pin voltage
TRIM pins 30 V
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
CMOS Inputs: Valid for input pins EN, SEN, SDATAI, SCLK and TEST
VIH High level input voltage 0.7 *
VDD V
VIL Low level input voltage 0.3 *
VDD V
ILEAK Input leakage current 2 µA
R
PD
Pull-down resistance pad
EN 100 k
CMOS Outputs: Valid for output pins SDATAO, INTR and MCU_CLK
VOH High level output voltage ISOURCE = 1mA 0.9 *
VDD V
VOL Low level output voltage ISINK = 1mA 0.1 *
VDD V
CLCapacitive load 50 pF
Electrical Characteristics
AS3909/AS3910 – 8 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Electrical Characteristics
Electrical Specification
VDD = 3.3V, Temperature = 25ºC, unless otherwise noted.
Figure 9:
Electrical Characteristics
ROOutput Resistance 250 500
SPI Timing
T
SENL
SPI reset (SEN low) 100 ns
T
SCLKL
SCLK
low
100 ns
T
SCLKH
SCLK high 100 ns
T
SENCLKR
SEN rising to SCLK rising first SCLK pulse 50 ns
T
SENCLKF
SCLK falling to SEN falling last SCLK pulse 50 ns
Symbol Parameter Comments Min Typ Max Unit
IPD Supply current in Power-down
mode 0.3 2 µA
INFC Supply current in Initial NFC
target mode 3.5 7 µA
IRD Supply current in Ready mode 13.56 MHz Xtal used,
MCU_CLK disabled 23mA
IRA Supply current Receiver active
13.56 MHz Xtal used,
MCU_CLK disabled
57mA
ILP Supply current Receiver active,
low power mode 35mA
RRFO RFO1 and RFO2 driver output
resistance
IRFO=10mA
All segments ON 1.5 4
VRFI RFI input sensitivity fSUB=848kHz (1) 0.5 mVrms
VRFI_LP RFI input sensitivity, low power
receiver mode fSUB=848kHz 1.5 mVrms
RRFI RFI input resistance 10 k
VPOR Power on Reset Voltage 1.0 1.4 <2.4 V
VAGD AGD voltage 1.4 1.5 1.6 V
VAR Regulator drop
After execution of direct
command Adjust
Regulators
250 mV
Symbol Parameter Conditions Min Typ Max Unit
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 9
Electrical Characteristics
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Amplitude of carrier signal at RFI inputs is 2.5Vpp, maximum amplitude is 3Vpp.
TOSU Oscillator start-up time
13.56MHz or 27.12MHz
crystal RS=50 max, load
capacitance according to
crystal specification
0.7 ms
Symbol Parameter Comments Min Typ Max Unit
AS3909/AS3910 – 10 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Detailed Description
Figure 10:
Minimum Configuration with Single Sided Antenna Driving
Figure 11:
Minimum Configuration with Differential Antenna Driving
Note: AAT is only available for AS3910 (hence TrimX_X is only a connectable for AS3910).
Detailed Description
AGD
VSS
VSP_A
VSN_A
VSN_D
VSP_RF
VSN_RF
RF01
RF02
RFI1
RFI2
XTI
XTO
TRIM1_x
TRIM2_x
TEST
MCU_CLK
EN
SDATAO
SDATAI
SCLK
INTR
SEN
µC
AS3909/10
VDD
+3.3V
Antenna
AGD
VSS
VSP_A
VSN_A
VSN_D
VSP_RF
VSN_RF
RF01
RF02
RFI1
RFI2
XTI
XTO
TRIM1_x
TRIM2_x
TEST
MCU_CLK
EN
SDATAO
SDATAI
SCLK
INTR
SEN
µC
AS3909/10
VDD
+3.3V
1/2 Antenna
1/2 Antenna
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 11
Detailed Description
Transmitter
The Transmitter incorporates drivers, which drive external
antenna through pads RFO1 and RFO2. Single sided and
differential driving is possible. The transmitter block
additionally contains a subblock, which modulates transmitted
signal for communication reader to transponder (OOK or
configurable AM modulation).
The AS3909/10 transmitter is indented to directly drive
antennas (without 50Ω cable, usually antenna is on the same
PCB). Operation with 50Ω cable is also possible, but in that case
some of the advanced features are not possible.
Receiver
The receiver detects transponder modulation superimposed on
the 13.56MHz carrier signal. The receiver chain is composed of
a peak detector followed by two stages with gain and filtering
function and a final digitizer stage. The filter characteristics are
adjusted to optimize performance over different ISO modes and
data rates (subcarrier frequencies from 212 kHz to 848 kHz are
supported). The receiver chain input is the RFI1 pin; output of
digitizer stage is demodulated subcarrier signal. Receiver also
contains a subblock, which helps to detect the presence of
external RF field in NFCIP target mode. The receiver chain
incorporates several features, which enable reliable operation
in challenging phase and noise conditions.
Phase and Amplitude Detector
The phase detector observes the phase difference between the
transmitter output signals (RFO1 and RFO2) and the pad signals
RFI1 and RFI2. The pad signals RFI1 and RFI2 are proportional
to the signal on the antenna LC tank. RFI1 and RFI2 signals are
also used to run the self-mixer, which generates output
proportional to their amplitude. The phase detector and self
mixer blocks are used for several purposes:
Variation of RFI1 and RFI2 phase is used to perform PM
demodulation
Average phase difference between RFOx pins and RFIx
pins is used to check antenna tuning and inductive
wake-up via MCU
Output of mixer is used to measure amplitude of signal
present on pins RFI1 and RFI2
A/D Converter
The AS3909/10 contains a built-in A/D Converter. Its input can
be multiplexed from different sources and is used in several
applications (measurement of RF amplitude, calibration of
modulation depth, checking of the antenna LC tank resonance,
AS3909/AS3910 – 12 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Detailed Description
A/D conversion of signal applied to pin AD_IN). The result of
A/D conversion is stored in a register, which can be read through
the SPI interface.
External Field Detector
The external field detector is a low power block, which is
switched on in NFCIP target mode to detect the presence of
initiator field. It is also used during the NFCIP Collision
Avoidance procedure.
Quartz Crystal Oscillator
The quartz crystal oscillator can operate with 13.56MHz and
27.12MHz crystals. At start-up the transconductance of the
oscillator is increased to achieve fast start-up. Since the start-up
time varies depending on crystal type, temperature and other
parameters, the oscillator amplitude is observed and an
interrupt is sent when stable operation is reached to inform the
controller that the clock signal is stable and reader field can be
switched on.
It also provides a clock signal to the external microcontroller
(MCU_CLK) according to setting in the control register.
Power Supply Regulators
Integrated power supply regulators ensure high power supply
rejection of a complete reader system. At power up, the
regulators are transparent. In case PSRR of the reader system
has to be improved, then the command Adjust Regulators is
sent. As a result of this command, the power supply level of VDD
is measured in maximum load conditions and the regulated
voltage reference is set 250mV below this measured level to
assure a stable regulated supply. The resulting regulated
voltage is stored in a register. It is also possible to define
regulated voltage by writing a configuration register. In order
to decouple any noise sources from different parts of IC there
are two regulators integrated with separated external blocking
capacitors (regulated voltage of both is the same). One
regulator is for the analog blocks, the other one is for the
antenna drivers. Logic and digital I/O pads are supplied directly
from VDD (negative supply pin for logic and digital I/O is
separated to avoid coupling of logic induced noise in the
substrate). This block additionally generates a reference
voltage for the analog processing (AGD - analog ground).
This voltage also has an associated external buffer capacitor.
POR and Bias
This block contains the bias current and voltage generator,
which provides bias currents and reference voltages to all other
blocks. It also incorporates a Power on Reset (POR) circuit, which
provides a reset at power-up and at low supply levels.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 13
Detailed Description
ISO-14443 and NFCIP Framing
This block performs ISO-14443 and NFCIP-1 106 kbps active
communication framing for receive and transmit according to
the selected ISO mode and data rate settings.
In reception, it takes demodulated subcarrier signal from
Receiver. It recognizes the SOF, EOF and data bits;
performs parity and CRC check; organizes the received
data in bytes and places them in the FIFO.
During transmit, it operates inversely; it takes bytes from
FIFO; generates parity and CRC bits; adds SOF and EOF;
and performs final encoding before passing modulation
signal to transmitter.
In Transparent mode, the framing and FIFO are bypassed;
the digitized subcarrier signal, which is Receiver output is
directly sent to SDATAO pin; signal applied to SDATAI pin
is directly used to modulate the transmitter.
FIFO
The AS3909/10 contains a 32byte FIFO. Depending on the
mode, it contains either data that has been received or data that
is to be transmitted.
Control Logic
The control logic contains I/O registers, which define the
operation of device.
SPI Interface
A 4-wire Serial Peripheral interface (SPI) is used for
communication between external microcontroller and the
AS3909/10.
AS3909/AS3910 – 14 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Operating Modes
The AS3909/10 operating mode is defined by the content of the
Operation Control Register (address #01).
At power up, all bits of the Operation Control Register are set to
0 and the AS3909/10 is in Power-down mode. In this mode –
the AFE static power consumption is minimized, only the POR
and part of bias are active, regulators are transparent and are
not operating. The SPI is still functional in this mode; so all
settings of ISO mode definition and configuration registers can
be done.
Control bit en (bit 7 of Operation Control Register) is controlling
both the oscillator and regulators. When this bit is set, the
device enters in Ready mode. In this mode, the oscillator and
regulators are enabled. An interrupt is sent to inform the
microcontroller when the oscillator frequency is stable.
Another possibility to enter in Ready mode is to assert EN pin
high (logic OR function between bit en and pin EN).
Enable of Receiver and Transmitter are separated, so it is
possible to operate one without switching on the other (control
bits rx_en and tx_en). In some cases this may be useful, in case
the reader field has to be maintained and there is no
transponder response expected receiver can be switched-off to
save current. Another example is NFCIP target mode in which
RF field is generated by the initiator and only Receiver operates.
The receiver also has a low power mode in which its power
consumption and as consequence sensitivity are reduced. This
mode is entered in by setting control bit rx_lp.
The last control bit of the Operation Control Register is nfc_t bit.
Setting of this bit is only allowed in case the NFC mode is set in
the ISO mode definition register. Setting this bit to one, while all
other Operation Control Register bits are set to 0, puts the
AS3909/10 into Initial NFC Target mode. In this low power
mode, only the Target Activation Detector, which will detect a
presence of external RF field, is active. Once the presence of
external RF field is detected, an interrupt is sent to
microcontroller which will in turn switch on oscillator and
receiver.
Transmitter
The Transmitter contains two identical driver blocks which are
driving external antenna connected to pins RFO1 and RFO2. The
driver is composed of 8 segments having binary weighted
output resistance. The MSB segment typical ON resistance is 3;
when all segments are turned on, the output resistance is
typically 1.5. Usually certain segments are switched off to
define AM modulated level, while they are all turned on to
define the non-modulated level. It is also possible to switch off
Application Information
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 15
Application Information
certain segments when driving the non modulated level to
reduce the amplitude of signal on the antenna and/or to reduce
the antenna Q factor.
The driver impedance in increased in case of AM modulation
(ISO-14443B), in case of OOK modulation (ISO-14443A) both
drivers are blocked to low state. In the single driver mode (bit
sing of configuration register 2 set to 1) only RFO1 output is
driven, RFO2 output is disabled.
AM modulation and operation of the driver segments is
controlled by writing AM modulation depth and antenna driver
registers (see AM Modulation Depth and Antenna Driver
Registers” on page 46). Register #13 defines which segments
will be used to define normal, non-modulated level. The default
setting is that all segments are used. Registers #10 to #12 are
used to define how the AM modulated level is set-up. It can be
set-up automatically by definition of modulation depth and the
direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth or by a direct
definition of segments which are turned off during AM
modulation.
Receiver
The receiver performs demodulation of the transponder
subcarrier modulation which is superimposed on the 13.56 MHz
carrier frequency. It performs AM or PM demodulation,
band-pass filtering and digitalization of subcarrier signals, 848,
424 and 212 kHz subcarrier frequencies are supported.
Additionally, it performs RSSI measurement, automatic gain
control (AGC) and Squelch function.
The receiver is switched on when Operation Control Register bit
rx_en is set. The operation of the receiver is additionally
controlled by the signal rx_on which is set high when
modulated signal is expected on the receiver input. This is
automatically done after every Transmit command. Signal
rx_on can be also forced high by sending direct command
Unmask Receive Data. Signal rx_on is used to control features
like RSSI and AGC.
AM demodulation is performed using a peak follower. Both the
positive and negative peaks are tracked to suppress common
mode signal. In case external demodulation is carried out the
peak follower stage can be bypassed by setting bit envi in
Configuration Register 2. In case of PM demodulation signal
coming from the phase detector is replacing the output of peak
follower.
Next stage in signal processing is the buffer amplifier followed
by second order low pass filter with adjustable corner
frequency. Final stage is a first order high pass filter with
adjustable corner frequency. The digital signal representing
transponder subcarrier modulation is produced by a window
comparator.
AS3909/AS3910 – 16 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Filter setting is done automatically when ISO mode and data
rate are chosen by writing ISO Mode Definition Register. Setting
is displayed in the Receiver Configuration Register (#06) and can
be changed by rewriting this register. In transparent mode ISO
mode register is not used and Filter selection has to be done by
writing Receiver Configuration register (#06).
By setting the Operation Control Register bit rx_lp receiver
operates in low power mode. In this mode, power consumption
is lower but as consequence also receiver sensitivity is reduced
(see “Electrical Characteristics” on page 7).
Gain Reduction, AGC and Squelch
The total gain of receiver chain is 160. In certain conditions it is
desirable to reduce this gain. There are several features
implemented in the Receiver to reduce this gain.
Automatic Gain Reduction (AGC)
AGC (automatic gain control) feature is useful in case the
transponder is close to the reader. In such conditions receiver
chain is in saturation and demodulation can be influenced by
system noise and saturation of last gain stage. When AGC is
switched on receiver gain is reduced so that the input to
digitizer stage is not saturated. The AGC system comprises a
window comparator which has its window three times larger
than window of digitalization window comparator. When the
AGC function is enabled gain is reduced until there are no
transitions on its output. Such procedure assures that the input
to digitalization window comparator is less than three times
larger than its window.
AGC operation is controlled by the Receiver Configuration
Register (#06) bits agc_en and agc_m. Agc_en bit enables AGC
operation, agc_m defines AGC operating mode. The AGC action
is started 20µs after rising edge of signal rx_on. In case agc_m
bit is 0 it will operate during a complete receive period, in case
it is 1 it will operate on first 8 subcarrier pulses. The AGC is
reducing gain to -21dB in 7 steps of 3dB. When signal rx_on is
low AGC is in reset.
Squelch
This feature is designed to avoid demodulation problems of
transponders which produce a lot of noise during data
processing which takes place when the data sent by the reader
is being processed and an answer prepared. It can also be used
in noisy environment. Transponder processing noise (or
environment noise) may be misinterpreted as start of
transponder response which results in reader decoding error.
These problems are avoided by reducing receiver gain so that
there are no transitions of output when noise is present. This is
done by sending direct command Squelch.
During execution of the direct command Squelch the digital
output of receiver (output of window comparator mentioned
above) is observed. In case there are more than two transitions
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 17
Application Information
on this output in 50µs time period, gain is reduced for 3dB and
output is observed during next 50µs. This procedure is repeated
until number of transitions in 50µs is lower or equal to 2 or until
maximum gain reduction (21dB) is reached. This setting is
cleared with direct command Clear Squelch.
Setting Gain Reduction in Receiver Configuration Register
(#06)
By setting bits rg2 to rg0 in Receiver Configuration Register (#06)
receiver gain can also be reduced in 7 steps of 3dB.
Actual gain reduction is combination of all three gain reduction
features mentioned above (AGC, Squelch and setting gain
reduction in Receiver Configuration Register). Actual gain
reduction state can also be observed by reading the Receiver
State Display Register (#17) bits gr_2 to gr_0.
RSSI
The receiver also comprises of an RSSI block (Received Signal
Strength Indicator) which measures the strength of the
modulated signal that is superimposed on the 13.56MHz carrier.
RSSI is a peak hold system which is started 20s and 16
transitions of demodulated signal after rising edge of rx_on. It
stays active while signal rx_on is high; while rx_on is low it is
frozen. Result of RSSI measurements is 4 bit value which can be
observed by reading Receiver State Display Register (#17) bits
rssi_3 to rssi_0. The RSSI range calculated back on RFI1 input is
280Vrms to 8.8mVrms, one LSB represents step of 2.15dB.
Since the RSSI measurement is a peak hold than the RSSI result
will not follow any variations in the signal strength (the highest
value will be kept). In such a case it is possible to reset RSSI bits
of Receiver State Display Register and restart the measurement
by sending direct command Clear RSSI.
AM and PM Demodulation
In addition to usual AM demodulation, the AS3909/10 also
includes the possibility of PM demodulation. Readers which
have only AM demodulation may have so called communication
holes in operating volume. Communication holes are areas
where transponder is not seen, they depend on transponder
characteristics such as Q factor and resonant frequency
variation. Usually both AM and PM modulation are present, in
so called communication holes receiver input signal is only PM
modulated. Choice between AM and PM demodulation is done
by setting the bit pmd in the Configuration Register 5 (#05);
default setting is AM. As mentioned above an RSSI
measurement is continually done while transponder message
is being processed. By comparing RSSI value in AM and PM
mode the external controller can opt for the demodulation
mode in which there is more signal. PM demodulation is done
by processing phase signal coming from the Phase Detector.
AS3909/AS3910 – 18 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
A/D Converter
The AS3909/10 contains an 8 bit successive approximation A/D
converter. Input to A/D converter can be multiplexed from
different sources to be used in several direct commands and
adjustment procedures. The result of last A/D conversion is
stored in a register which can be read through the SPI interface
(address #0D). Typical conversion time is 12s.
The A/D converter has two operating modes, absolute and
relative.
In absolute mode the low reference is 0V and the high reference
is 2V. This means that A/D converter input range is from 0 to 2V,
00 code means input is 0V or lower, FF means that input is 2V
or higher, LSB is 7.8125mV.
In relative mode low reference is 1/6 of VSP and high reference
is 5/6 of VSP, so the input range is from 1/6VSP to 5/6VSP.
Relative mode is only used in phase measurement in which
phase detector output is proportional to power supply. In all
other cases absolute mode is used.
The A/D converter input can also be accessed externally. When
the direct command AD Convert is sent, an A/D conversion of
voltage present on pin AD_IN is performed in absolute mode,
result is stored in A/D Converter Output Register. AD_IN pin
should be left non-connected in case A/D conversion is not
needed in application.
Phase and Amplitude Detector
Phase Detector
The phase detector is observing phase difference between the
transmitter output signals (RFO1 and RFO2) and the pad signals
RFI1 and RFI2, which are proportional to the signal on the
antenna LC tank. These signals are first passed by digitizing
comparators. Digitized signals are processed by a phase
detector. Filter characteristics of the phase antenna are adapted
to one of the two possible operation modes. For antenna tuning
check, a strong low power filter is used to get average phase
difference, for PM demodulation a low pass filter having 1MHz
corner frequency is used to pass the subcarrier frequency.
Antenna Tuning Check
The Phase Detector output reflects phase relationship between
the two inputs. The 90º phase shift (ideal antenna LC tank
tuning) results in VSP/2 output voltage. In case the antenna LC
tank is detuned, phase shift changes which results in different
phase detector output voltage. In case of command Check
Antenna Resonance phase detector output is applied to A/ D
converter in relative mode. Output of phase detector is also
observed by comparator with reference signal VSP/2. Output of
this comparator is used in execution of direct command
Calibrate Antenna.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 19
Application Information
PM Demodulation
The phase detector has low pass characteristics in case of PM
demodulation. This is to allow phase demodulation of the 848
kHz subcarrier signal. The output is then fed to the Receiver.
Amplitude Detector
Signals from pads RFI1 and RFI2 are used as inputs to the self
mixing stage. Output of this stage is DC voltage proportional
to amplitude of signal on RFI1 and RFI2 pads. This signal is fed
to A/D converter when amplitude of signal on RFI inputs has to
be measured (direct commands Measure RF and Calibrate
Modulation Depth).
External Field Detector
The External Field Detector is used in NFC mode to detect the
presence of an external RF field. It is composed of two
sub-blocks, Target Activation Detector and a RF Collision
Avoidance Detector. Input to both blocks is the signal from the
RFI1 pad. The thresholds of the two blocks can be
independently set by writing the NFCIP Field Detection
Threshold Register (#14). The outputs of both detectors are fed
to a logic or gate, output of which goes to the Control logic. A
low to high transition of this logic or gate output triggers an
interrupt (Interrupt due to nfc event)
Target Activation Detector
This block is turned on in NFC target mode to detect the
presence of an interrogator field. It is enabled by setting the
Operation Control Register bit nfc_t. It is a low power block with
an adjustable threshold in the range from 145mVpp and
590mVpp. This block generates an interrupt when an external
field is detected and also when it disappears. With such
implementation it can also be use d to detect the moment when
the external field disappears. This is useful to detect the
moment when external NFC device (it can either an interrogator
or a target) has stopped emitting an RF field since a response
can only be sent afterwards. Actual state of the Target
Activation Detector can be checked by reading the bit rfp in the
Receiver State Display Register (#17). When this bit is set to logic
one, there is a signal higher than the threshold present on the
input of Target Activation Detector.
RF Collision Avoidance Detector
This block is activated during the RF Collision Avoidance
sequence which is executed before every request or response
in NFC active communication (Initial or Response RF Collision
Avoidance). In case during the RF Collision Avoidance sequence
the presence of an external field is detected, request/response
is not sent, an interrupt is generated to inform the external
controller about collision. During RF Collision Avoidance, the
Target Activation Detector is disabled in order to have the
AS3909/AS3910 – 20 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
correct threshold when detection is made. The threshold of the
RF Collision Avoidance Detector can be adjusted in the range
from 50 to 1080mVpp.
Quartz Crystal Oscillator
The quartz crystal oscillator can operate with 13.56MHz and
27.12MHz crystals. The oscillator is based on an inverter stage
supplied by controlled current source. A feedback loop is
controlling the bias current in order to regulate amplitude on
XTI pin to 1Vpp. This feedback assures reliable operation even
in case of low quality crystals with Rs up to 50. In order to
enable a fast reader start-up an interrupt is sent when oscillator
amplitude exceeds 750mVpp.
The oscillator block always provides 13.56MHz clock signal to
the rest of the IC. In case of 27.12MHz crystal clock signal is
internally divided by two. Divider is controlled by Configuration
Register 2 (#02) bit osc.
Division by two assures that 13.56 MHz signal has a duty cycle
of 50% which is better for the Transmitter performance (no PW
distortion). Use of 27.12MHz crystal is therefore recommended
for better performance.
In case of 13.56MHz crystal, the bias current of stage which is
digitizing oscillator signal is increased to assure as low PW
distortion as possible.
The oscillator output is also used to drive a clock signal output
pin which can be used by the external microcontroller
(MCU_CLK). By setting bits in Configuration Register 2 MCU_CLK
a frequency can chosen between 13.56MHz, 6.78MHz and
3.39MHz. Any microcontroller processing generates noise
which may be captured by the AS3909/10 receiver. Using
MCU_CLK as the microcontroller clock source generates noise
which is synchronous to the reader carrier frequency and is
therefore filtered out by the receiver while using some other
incoherent clock source produces noise which may generate
some sideband signals captured by Receiver. Due to this fact it
is recommended to use MCU_CLK as microcontroller clock
source.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 21
Application Information
Power Supply, Regulators
The AS3909/10 includes two regulators which can be adjusted
automatically to improve the reader PSRR. VDD is an external
power supply pin. It is used to supply the logic and digital pins.
One regulator is used to supply analog blocks (VSP_A), another
is there just for transmitter (VSP_RF) in order to decouple
transmitter current spikes from the rest of the IC. All negative
power supply pins are externally connected to the same
negative supply, the reason for separation is in decoupling of
noise induced by voltage drops on the internal power supply
lines. These pins are VSS (die substrate potential), VSN_D
(negative supply of logic and digital pads), VSN_A (negative
supply of analog blocks) and VSN_RF (negative supply of
transmitter).
An additional regulator block provides AGD voltage (1.5V)
which is used as reference potential for analog processing
(analog ground).
Blocking capacitors have to be connected externally to
regulator outputs and AGD pins. For pins VSP_A and VSP_RF
recommended blocking capacitors are 2.2F in parallel with
10nF, for pin AGD 1F in parallel with 10nF is suggested.
The regulated voltage range is from 2.4V to 3.4V with step of
100mV. Both regulators are set to the same voltage. VSP_A
regulator maximum capability is 20mA while maximum
capability of VSP_RF regulator is 300mA. VSP_RF regulator also
has a built in protection which limits current to max 300mA in
normal operation and to max 500 mA in case of a short.
The regulators are operating when either the Operating Control
Register bit en is set or pin EN is high. In Power-down mode the
regulators are not operating, VSP_A and VSP_RF are connected
to VDD through 1k resistors. Connection through resistors
assures smooth power up of the system and a smooth
transitions from Stand-by mode to other operating modes. In
case regulators were regulating or were transparent at power
up a huge current would be pulled from VDD supply to charge
blocking capacitors of regulated outputs which is especially
problematic for battery powered systems.
At power up the regulated voltage is set to maximum voltage
(3.4V).
The regulator voltage can then be set automatically or
“manually”. Automatic procedure is started by sending the
direct command Adjust Regulators. In this procedure regulated
voltage is set 250mV below VDD. This procedure assures that
reader operates with maximum possible power while still
assuring good PSRR.
Regulator operation can be controlled and observed by writing
and reading two Regulator registers.
Regulator Display Register (#15) is a read only register which
displays actual regulated voltage when regulator is operating.
In Power-down mode its content is forced to 00.
AS3909/AS3910 – 22 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
By writing Regulated Voltage Definition Register (#16) user
chooses between automatic and “manual” adjustment of
regulated voltage. Automatic mode is chosen when bit reg_s is
0 (default and also recommended state). When bit reg_s is
asserted to 1 regulated voltage is defined by bits rege_3 to
rege_1 of the same register.
Communication to External Microcontroller
The AS3909/10 is a slave device and the external
microcontroller initiates all communication. Communication is
d o ne b y a 4 -w i re S er i al Pe ri p h er a l I n te r f a c e ( S PI ) . T h e A S 39 0 9/ 1 0
asks microcontroller for its attention by sending an interrupt
(pin INTR).
In addition the microcontroller can use clock signal available
on pin MCU_CLK when the oscillator is running.
The microcontroller can also drive pin EN. Putting this pin high
has the same function as setting the Operation Control Register
bit en (entry in Ready mode).
Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
For details about SPI timing refer to Figure 8.
Figure 12:
Serial Peripheral Interface (4-wire Interface) Signal Lines
Name Signal Signal Level Description
SEN Digital Input with pull down CMOS SPI Enable
SDATAI Digital Input CMOS Serial Data input
SDATAO Digital Output with tristate CMOS Serial Data output
SCLK Digital Input CMOS Clock for serial communication
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 23
Application Information
SPI Operation MODE Bits
When signal SEN is low, the SPI interface is in reset and SDATAO
is in tristate; when it is high, SPI interface is enabled. It is
recommended to keep signal SEN low whenever the SPI
interface is not in use. SDATAI is sampled at the falling edge of
SCLK. All communication is done in blocks of 8 bits (bytes). First
two bits of first byte transmitted after low to high transition of
SEN define SPI operation mode. Figure 13 defines possible
modes:
Figure 13:
SPI Operation Patterns <A7-A6>
MODE MODE Pattern (com. bits) MODE Related Data
MODE Register Address Register Data
M1 M0 C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
WRITE
Mode 0 0 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0
WD7 WD6 WD5 WD4 WD3 WD2 WD1 WD0
READ
Mode 0 1 A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0
RD7RD6RD5RD4RD3RD2RD1RD0
FIFO
Load 1 0 000000
WD7 WD6 WD5 WD4 WD3 WD2 WD1 WD0
FIFO
Read 1 0 111111
RD7RD6RD5RD4RD3RD2RD1RD0
COMMA
ND
Mode
1 1 C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0
AS3909/AS3910 – 24 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Writing of Data to Addressable Registers (WRITE
Mode)
SDATAI is sampled at the falling edge of SCLK (see Figure 14,
Figure 15). A SEN LOW pulse indicates the end of the WRITE
command after register has been written. Auto incrementing
address is supported, which means that if after the address and
first data byte some additional data bytes are sent, they are then
written to addresses incremented by 1. In case the command is
terminated by putting SEN low before a packet of 8 bits
composing one byte is sent, writing of this register is not
performed. In case the register on the defined address does not
exist or it is a read only register, no write is performed. Following
examples show cases of writing a single byte and writing
multiple bytes with auto-incrementing address.
Figure 14:
Writing of a Single Byte (falling edge sampling)
Figure 15:
Writing of Register Data with Auto-Incrementing Address
A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0 D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0 X00X
SEN falling
edge signals
end of WRITE
Mode
Data is moved to
Address
A5-A0
SCLK
falling edge
Data is sampled
SCLK raising
edge data is
transferred from
µC
Two leading
Zeros indicate
WRITE Mode
SDATAI
SCLK
SEN
A5 A4 A3 A2A1 A0 D7D6 D5 D4D3D2 D1 D0 X
00X
SEN fall-
ing edge
signals
end of
WRITE
Mode
Data is moved to
Address
<A5-A0> + n
Two leading
Zeros in d icate
WRITE Mode
SDATAI
SCLK
SEN
D7D6 D5 D4 D3 D2D1 D0D7 D6 D1 D0 D7 D6 D5D4D3 D2D1 D0
Data is moved to
Address
<A5-A0> + (n-1)
Data is moved to
Address
<A5-A0> + 1
Data is moved to
Address
<A5-A0>
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 25
Application Information
Reading of Data from Addressable Registers (READ
Mode)
The command control Byte for a read command consists of a
command code and an address. After the command code, the
address of register to be read has to be provided from the MSB
to the LSB. Then one or more data bytes can be transferred from
the SPI slave to the master, always from the MSB to the LSB. As
in case of the write command also the read command supports
auto-incrementing address. To transfer bytes from consecutive
addresses, SPI master has to keep the SEN signal high and the
SCLK has to be active as long as data need to be read from the
slave.
SDATAI is sampled at the falling edge of SCLK (like shown in the
following diagrams), data to be read from the AS3909/10
internal register is driven to SDATAO pin on rising edge of SCLK
and is sampled by the master (C) at the falling edge of SCLK.
A SEN LOW pulse has to be performed after register data has
been transferred in order to indicate the end of the READ
command and prepare the Interface to the next command
control Byte.
In case the register on defined address does not exist all 0 data
is sent to SDATAO. Figure 16 illustrates an example for reading
of a single byte.
Figure 16:
Reading of a Single Register Byte
Sending Direct Commands
Direct commands have no arguments, so a single byte is sent.
Command mode is entered if the SPI is started with two leading
ONE. After the COMMAND mode code 11 (see Figure 20), the
six bit command code is sent MSB to the LSB. The command is
executed on falling edge of SEN. During the direct command
execution, starting another activity over the SPI interface is not
allowed.
A5 A4 A3 A2 A1 A0
D7 D6 D5 D4 D3 D2 D1 D0
X
SEN falling
edge signals
end of READ
Mode
SCLK
raising edge
Data is moved
from Address
<A5-A0>
SCLK
falling edge
Data is
transferred
to µC
SDATAI
SCLK
SEN
X
X
SDATAO
SCLK
falling edge
Data is sampled
SCLK raising
edge data is
transferred from
µC
01 pattern indi-
cates READ
Mode
10
AS3909/AS3910 – 26 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Figure 17:
Sending Direct Commands
Loading Transmitting Data into FIFO
Loading the transmitting data into the FIFO is similar to writing
data into an addressable registers. Difference is that in case of
loading more bytes all bytes go to the FIFO. The command mode
code 10 indicates FIFO operations. In case of loading
transmitting data into FIFO all bits <C5 – C0> are set to 0. Then
a bit-stream, the data to be sent (1 to 32 bytes), can be
transferred. In case the command is terminated by putting SEN
low before a packet of 8 bits composing one byte is sent, writing
of that particular byte in FIFO is not performed. Figure 18 shows
how to load the Transmitting Data into the FIFO.
Figure 18:
Loading Transmitting Data into FIFO
C5 C4 C3 C2 C1 C0 X
11X
SEN falling edge
signals start of
command execution
SCLK
falling edge
Data is sampled
SCLK raising
edge data is
transferred from
µC
Two leading
ONE indicate
COMMAND
Mode
SDATAI
SCLK
SEN
0000 00 1 to 32
bytes X
01X
SEN falling
edge signals
end of
COMMAND
Mode
Start of
payload
Data
SCLK
falling edge
Data is sampled
SCLK raising
edge data is
transferred from
µC
10 pattern
indicates
FIFO mode
SDATAI
SCLK
SEN
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 27
Application Information
Reading Received Data from FIFO
Reading received data from the FIFO is similar to reading data
from an addressable registers. Difference is that in case of
reading more bytes they all come from the FIFO. The command
mode code 10 indicates FIFO operations. In case of reading the
received data from the FIFO all bits
<C5 – C0> are set to 1. On the following SCLK rising edges the
data from FIFO appears as in case of read data from addressable
registers. In case the command is terminated by putting SEN
low before a packet of 8 bits composing one byte is read that
particular byte is considered unread and will be the first one
read in next FIFO read operation.
Interrupt Interface
When an interrupt condition is met the source of interrupt bit
is set in the Interrupt Register and the INTR pin transitions to
high.
The microcontroller then reads the Interrupt Register to
distinguish between different interrupt sources. After the
Interrupt Register is read its content is reset to 0 and INTR pin
signal transitions to low.
Note(s):There may be more than one Interrupt Register bit set
in case the microcontroller did not immediately read the
Interrupt Register after the INTR signal was set and another event
causing interrupt occurred.
In case an interrupt from a certain source is not required it can
be disabled by setting corresponding bit in the Mask Interrupt
Register. In case of masking a certain interrupt source the
interrupt is not produced, but the source of interrupt bit is still
set in Interrupt Register.
After reading the Interrupt Register the 13.56MHz clock coming
from the oscillator is used to produce a reset signal which clears
it and resets INTR signal. Practically in all interrupt cases the
oscillator is running when an interrupt is produced. The only
exception is the interrupt in the Initial NFC Target mode where
only the Target Activation Detector is operating. In this case the
interrupt is cleared with first SCLK rising edge following reading
of the Interrupt Register (an extra dummy CLK pulse during
reading of the Interrupt Register or first SCLK pulse of the next
SPI command will do the job).
Figure 19:
Serial Peripheral Interface (4-wire Interface) Signal Lines
Name Signal Signal Level Description
INTR Digital Output CMOS Interrupt Output pin
AS3909/AS3910 – 28 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
FIFO Water Level and FIFO Status Register
The AS3909/10 contains a 32 byte FIFO. In case of transmitting
the Control logic shifts data which was previously loaded by the
external microcontroller to the Framing Block and further to the
Transmitter. During reception, the demodulated data is stored
in the FIFO and the external microcontroller can download
received data once reception was terminated.
Transmit and receive capability the AS3909/10 is not limited by
of the FIFO size due to a FIFO water level interrupt system.
During transmission an interrupt is sent (interrupt due to FIFO
water level) when the content of data in the FIFO which still
need to be sent is lower than the FIFO water level for receive.
The external microcontroller can now add more data in the FIFO.
The same stands for receive mode. In case the number of
received bytes gets over the FIFO water level for receive an
interrupt is sent to inform the external controller that data has
to be downloaded from FIFO.
The external controller has to serve the FIFO faster than data is
transmitted or received. A general rule is that the SCLK
frequency has to be at least double than the actual data rate in
receive or transmit.
There are two settings of the FIFO water level available for
receive and transmit in Configuration Register 5 (#05).
After data is received the external microcontroller needs to
know how long the receive data string was before downloading
data from the FIFO: This information is available in the FIFO
Status Register (#09) which displays number of bytes in the FIFO
which were not read out.
The FIFO Status Register also contains a FIFO overflow bit. This
bit is set when during reception the external processor did not
react on time and more than 32 bytes were written in FIFO. The
received data is of course lost in such a case.
Direct Commands
Figure 20:
List of Direct Commands
Code Command Comments
000001 Set default Puts the AS3909/10 in default state (same as after
power-up)
000010 Clear Stops all activities and clears FIFO
000100 Transmit with CRC Starts a transmit sequence using automatic CRC
generation
000101 Transmit without CRC Starts a transmit sequence without automatic CRC
generation
000110 Transmit REQA Transmits REQA command (ISO-14443A mode only)
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 29
Application Information
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Only available in AS3910.
Set Default
This direct command puts the AS3909/10 in the same state as
power-up initialization. All registers are initialized to the default
state. Please note that results of different calibration and adjust
commands are also lost. This direct command is accepted in all
operating modes.
000111 Transmit WUPA Transmits WUPA command (ISO-14443A mode only)
001000 NFC transmit with Initial RF
Collision Avoidance
Equivalent to Transmit with CRC with additional RF
Collision Avoidance
001001 NFC transmit with Response
RF Collision Avoidance
Equivalent to Transmit with CRC with additional RF
Collision Avoidance
001010
NFC transmit with Response
RF Collision Avoidance with
n=0
Equivalent to Transmit with CRC with additional RF
Collision Avoidance
010000 Mask receive data Receive after this command is ignored
010001 Unmask receive data
Receive data following this command is normally
processed (this command has priority over internal
mask receive timer)
010010 AD convert A/D conversion of signal on AD_IN pin is performed,
result is stored in A/D Converter Output Register
010011 Measure RF RF amplitude is measured, result is stored in A/D
Converter Output Register
010100 Squelch Performs gain reduction based on the current noise
level.
010101 Clear Squelch Resumes gain settings which were in place before
sending Squelch command
010110 Adjust regulators Adjusts supply regulators according to the current
supply voltage level
010111 Calibrate modulation depth
Starts sequence which activates the TX, measures the
modulation depth and adapts it to comply with the
specified modulation depth
011000 Calibrate antenna (1)
Starts the sequence to adjust parallel capacitances
connected to TRIMx pins so that the antenna LC is in
resonance.
011001 Check antenna resonance Measurement of antenna LC tank resonance to
determine whether calibration is needed.
011010 Clear RSSI Clears RSSI bits and restarts the measurement
011100 Transparent mode Enter in Transparent mode
Code Command Comments
AS3909/AS3910 – 30 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Clear
This direct command stops all current activities (transmission
or reception) and clears FIFO. It also clears Collision and
Interrupt Registers. This command has to be sent first in a
sequence preparing a transmission (except in case of direct
commands Transmit REQA and Transmit WUPA).
Transmit Commands
All Transmit commands (Transmit with CRC, Transmit without
CRC, Transmit REQA and Transmit WUPA) are only accepted in
case the Transmitter is enabled (bit tx_en is set).
NFC Transmit Commands
The NFC transmit commands (NFC transmit with Initial RF
Collision Avoidance, NFC transmit with Response RF Collision
Avoidance, NFC transmit with Response RF Collision Avoidance
with n=0) are used to transmit requests and responses in the
NFC mode. Before actual transmission the RF Collision
avoidance with Collision avoidance threshold defined in the
NFCIP Field Detection Threshold Register is performed.
In the command NFC transmit with Response RF Collision
Avoidance n is randomly set in a range from 0 to 3, while in the
command NFC transmit with Response RF Collision Avoidance
with n=0 it is set to 0. In case collision is detected during the RF
Collision Avoidance the transmission is not done and an
interrupt is sent with flag INTR due to NFC event.
The NFC transmit commands switch on and off the transmission
block, setting the Operation control bit tx_en in the NFC mode
is not allowed.
Timing of the NFC transmit commands is according to the
ISO/IEC 18092 standard. For some timings the ISO/IEC 18092
specifies a range.
Figure 21:
NFC P2P Timings Implemented in AS3909/10
Symbol Parameter Value Unit Note
TIDT Initial delay time 302 µs Initial RF Collision Avoidance
TRWF RF waiting time 37.76 µs
TIRFG Initial guard time 5.11 ms Initial RF Collision Avoidance
TADT Active delay time 151 µs Response RF Collision Avoidance
TARFG Active guard time 84 µs Response RF Collision Avoidance
TGAS Guard time after sending
response or request 65 µs
TGAS is the time during which RF field stays
switched on after sending a response or
request. This time is not specified in the
ISO/IEC 18092.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 31
Application Information
An interrupt due to end of transmission is sent when RF field is
switched off.
All NFC Transmit commands are only authorized in case the ISO
mode configuration bit nfc is set and the oscillator and
regulators are running.
Mask Receive Data and Unmask Receive Data
After the direct command Mask Receive Data the signal rx_on
which enables the RSSI and AGC operation of the Receiver (see
“Receiver” on page 11) is forced to low, processing of the
receiver output by the framing block is disabled, all received
modulation is rejected. This command is useful to block receiver
and receive framing from processing the data when there is
actually no input and only a noise would be processed (for
example in case where a transponder processing time after
receiving a command from the reader is long).
The direct command Unmask Receive Data is enabling normal
processing of the received data (signal rx_on is set high to
enable the RSSI and AGC operation, the framing block is
enabled. A common use of this command is to enable again the
receiver operation after it was disabled by the command Mask
Receive Data.
Another possible use is in case one wants that the receive
processing starts immediately after the transmit command
(usually the receiver operation is enabled 40 µs after the
transmission is terminated). This is accomplished by sending
the Unmask Receive Data immediately after the end of
transmission interrupt is received.
The command Unmask Receive Data has to be used in the NFC
target mode. The sequence implemented in the AS3909/10
supposes that every action is started with a transmit command,
after sending the transmit data, the receive mode is
automatically entered to process the response. Such a
sequence is always in place in case of the ISO-14443 reader
mode and also in case of the NFCIP mode where the AS3909/10
is the initiator. In case of the NFC target mode this sequence is
started by receiving the interrogator request. After the
interrupt caused by the first initiator request command Unmask
Receive Data is sent to force the AS3909/10 in receive mode.
The commands Mask Receive Data and Unmask Receive Data are
only accepted when the Receiver is operating.
AD Convert
A/D conversion of signal on AD_IN pin is performed; result is
stored in A/D Converter Output Register (see “A/D Converter on
page 11).
Duration time: 42µs max.
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running.
AS3909/AS3910 – 32 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Measure RF
This command measures the amplitude on the RFI inputs and
stores result in the A/D Converter Output Register (see also “A/D
Converter” on page 11 and Amplitude Detector” on page 19).
When this command is executed the output of the Amplitude
detector is multiplexed to the A/D converter input (the A/D
converter is in absolute mode). The Amplitude Detector
conversion gain is 0.6 Vinpp/Vout. One LSB of the A/D converter
output represents 13.02mVpp on the RFI inputs, a 3Vpp signal
which is maximum allowed level on each of the two RFI inputs
results in 1.8V output DC voltage and would produce the value
of 1110 0110 on the A/D converter output.
Duration time: 42s max.
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running.
Squelch
This direct command is intended to avoid demodulation
problems of transponders which produce a lot of noise during
data processing (while data sent by reader is processed and
answer prepared). It can also be used in a noisy environment.
The operation of this command is explained in “Squelch” on
page 16.
Duration time: 500s max
This command is only accepted when the Transmitter and
Receiver are operating.
Clear Squelch
Clears the gain reduction which was established by sending
Squelch command.
This command is accepted in any mode.
Adjust Regulators
When this command is sent the power supply level of VDD is
measured in maximum load conditions and the regulated
voltage reference is set 250 mV below this measured level to
assure maximum possible stable regulated supply (see “Power
Supply, Regulators” on page 21). Using this command increases
the system PSSR.
At the beginning of execution of this command, both the
receiver and transmitter are switched on to have the maximum
current consumption, the regulators are set to the maximum
3.4V regulated voltage. After 300s VSP_RF is compared to VDD,
in case VSP_RF is not at least 250mV lower the regulator setting
is reduced for one step (100mV) and measurement is done after
300s. Procedure is repeated as long as VSP_RF drops 250mV
below VDD of until minimum regulated voltage (2.4V) is
reached.
Duration time: 5ms max
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 33
Application Information
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running. This command is not accepted in case
the external definition of the regulated voltage is selected in
the Regulated Voltage Definition Register (#16, bit reg_s is set to
H)
Calibrate Modulation Depth
Starts a patent pending sequence, which activates the
transmission, measures the modulation depth and adapts it to
comply with the modulation depth specified in the Modulation
Depth Definition Register (#10). When calibration procedure is
finished result is displayed in Modulation Depth Display Register.
Please see AM Modulation Depth Definition Using Direct
Command Calibrate Modulation Depth” on page 60 for details
about setting the AM modulation depth and running this
command.
Duration time: 10ms max
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running.
Calibrate Antenna2
Sending this command starts a patent pending sequence
which adjusts the parallel capacitances connected to TRIMx
pins so that the antenna LC is in resonance. See “Calibrate
Antenna Resonance” on page 64 for details.
Duration time: 400s max
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running.
Check Antenna Resonance
This command measures the antenna LC tank resonance to
determine whether a calibration is needed. See “Check Antenna
Resonance” on page 63 for details.
Duration time: 42s max.
This command is accepted in any mode where the oscillator and
regulators are running.
Clear RSSI
The Receiver automatically clears the RSSI bits in the Receiver
State Display Register and starts to measure the RSSI when the
signal rx_on is asserted. Since the RSSI bits store peak value
(peak-hold type) eventual variation of the receiver input signal
will not be followed (this may happen in case of long message
or test procedure). The direct command Clear RSSI clears the
RSSI bits in the Receiver State Display Register, the RSSI
measurement is restarted (in case of course rx_on is still high).
2. Only available in AS3910.
AS3909/AS3910 – 34 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Transparent Mode
Enter in the Transparent mode. The Transparent mode is
entered on the falling edge of signal SEN and is maintained as
long as signal SEN is kept low. See “Transparent Mode on
page 66 for details about the Transparent Mode.
This command is only accepted when the Transmitter and
Receiver are operating.
Registers
The 6 bit register addresses below are defined in the
hexadecimal notation. The possible address range is from
00(hex) to 3F(hex). A sign # before a number is used in this
document to reference a hexadecimal number.
There are two types of registers implemented in the AS3909/10:
configuration registers and display registers. The configuration
registers are used to configure the AS3909/10. They can be
written and read through the SPI (RW). The display registers are
read only (RO); they contain information about the AS3909/10
internal state which can be accessed through the SPI.
Main Registers
Figure 22:
ISO Mode Definition Register
Address # 00: ISO Mode Definition Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7 nfc 0 1=NFC, 0=ISO-14443
NFC means NFCIP-1,
106 kbps active communication
mode
6 b_a 0 1=ISO-14443B, 0=ISO-14443A Applicable in case nfc=0
5tx_rate2 0 tx_rate2 tx_rate1 tx_rate0 bit rate
Selects ISO-14443 data rate for
transmit, Applicable in case
nfc=0
4tx_rate1 0 0 0 0 106kb/s
3tx_rate0 0
001212kb/s
010424kb/s
011848kb/s
1xxRFU
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 35
Application Information
Note: In case nfc=1, then both transmit and receive data rates are set to 106kbps independent of TX and RX setting. Default setting
is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Figure 23:
Operation Control Register
Note: Receive low power operation sacrifices the input sensitivity for low consumption. If Rx consumption is reduced from 10mA to
5mA, then a 10mA reader operation is possible. Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
2rx_rate2 0rx_rate2 rx_rate1 rx_rate0 bit rate
Selects ISO-14443 data rate for
receive, Applicable in case nfc=0
1rx_rate1 0 0 0 0 106kb/s
0rx_rate0 0
001212kb/s
010424kb/s
011848kb/s
1xxRFU
Address # 01: Operation Control Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7en 0
en=1 enables oscillator and regulator
(Ready mode)
Is internally ORed with the EN
pin
6 rx_en 0 rx_en=1 enables receiver operation
5 rx_lp 0 rx_lp=1 low power receiver operation Receive consumption is
reduced
4 tx_en 0 tx_en=1 enables RF output
3 nfc_t 0 nfc_t =1 enables Initial NFC Target mode At the moment RF field is
detected, interrupt is sent.
2
Not used1
0
Address # 00: ISO Mode Definition Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
AS3909/AS3910 – 36 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Configuration Registers
Figure 24:
Configuration Register 2
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 02: Configuration Register 2 Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7sing 01 only RFO1 driver will be used Choose between single and
differential driving of antenna.
6envi 01 input applied to RFI1 is envelope RF envelope input
5 tf2 0
1 reduces the gain for 11 dB in first
stage after peak detector When both bits are set there is 17 dB
gain reduction in first stage
4 tf1 0
1 reduces the gain for 6 dB in first
stage after peak detector
3osc 0
0 13.56MHz Xtal,
1 27.12MHz Xtal Selector for crystal oscillator
2out_cl1 0 out_cl1 out_cl0 out_cl
Selection of clock frequency on
MCU_CLK output. In case of “11”,
MCU_CLK output is permanently low.
1
out_cl0 0
0 0 3.39MHz
0 1 6.78 MHZ
1 0 13.56 MHZ
11 no output
0Not used
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 37
Application Information
Figure 25:
Configuration Register 3
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 03: Configuration Register 3
(ISO-14443A and NFC) Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7crc_rx 01 receive without CRC
For ISO-14443A
anticollision.
Valid only for ISO14443A
mode, receive without
CRC is not supported in
ISO14443B mode.
6no_par 0 1 no byte parity checking
When set to 1 parity bits
are still detected and
removed before received
data is put in FIFO, but
there is no check for their
correctness.
5p_len3 0 p_len3 p_len2 p_len1 p_len0 reduction
Modulation pulse
reduction,
Defined in number of
13.56 MHz clock periods.
4 p_len2 0 0 0 0 0 0
3p_len1 0 0 0 0 1 74ns
2p_len0 0
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
1 1 1 1 1106ns
1
Not used
0
AS3909/AS3910 – 38 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Figure 26:
Configuration Register 4
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 04: Configuration Register 4 (ISO-14443B) Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7egt2 0 egt2 egt1 egt0 number of EGT
EGT time defined in number of
etu
6egt1 0 0 0 0 0
5egt0 0
001 1
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
110 6
111 6
4 sof_0 0 0 10 etu, 1 11 etu SOF, number of etu with logic 0
(10 or 11)
3 sof_1 0 0 2 etu, 1 3 etu SOF, number of etu with logic 1
(2 or 3)
2eof 00 10 etu, 1 11 etu EOF, number of etu with logic 0
(10 or 11)
1egt 0
0 no EGT after last character,
1 EGT after each character
0Not used
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 39
Application Information
Figure 27:
Configuration Register 5
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 05: Configuration Register 5 Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7pmd 0
1 PM demodulation
0 AM demodulation AM/PM demodulation selection
6am 00 OOK, 1 AM
Valid for Transparent mode. For
ISO-14443 and NFC modes,
modulation type is set
automatically (ISO-14443A and NFC
is OOK, ISO-14443B is AM
see Figure 38)
5
Not used4
3
2fifo_lr 00 28, 1 24 FIFO water level for receive
1fifo_lt 00 4, 1 8 FIFO water level for transmit
0Not used
AS3909/AS3910 – 40 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Figure 28:
Receiver Configuration Register
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command, filter selection bits are preset also when ISO mode or receive
data rate change.
Address # 06: Receiver Configuration Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7 agc_en 0 1 AGC is enabled
AGC operation
mode
6 agc_m 0 1 AGC operate on first eight subcarrier pulses
0 AGC operate during complete receive period
5rg2 0 rg2 rg1 rg0 Gain reduction
Gain reduction in
3dB steps. From 0
to 21dB.
4rg1 0 0 0 0 0
3rg0 0
001 3 dB
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
111 21 dB
2fs2 0 fs2 fs1 fs0 Filter
Selection Comment
Filter selection is
automatically set
when ISO mode
or receive data
rate change
(Change of ISO
mode definition
register). After
automatic preset
filter, selection
can be changed
by writing these
bits.
1fs1 0 0 0 0
ISO-14443A
106 kb/s
Automatic
preset
0fs0 0
001
ISO-14443B
106 kb/s
Automatic
preset
010
ISO-14443A/
B 212 kb/s
Automatic
preset
011
ISO-14443A/
B 424 kb/s
Automatic
preset
100
ISO-14443A/
B 848 kb/s
Automatic
preset
110
424/484 kHz
subcarriers
No
automatic
preset
111212 kHz
No
automatic
preset
Other combinations not
supported or used for block
testing purposes
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 41
Application Information
Interrupt Register and Associated Registers
Figure 29:
Mask Interrupt Register
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Figure 30:
Interrupt Register
Address # 07: Mask Interrupt Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7 M_osc 0 mask INTR when oscillator frequency is stable
6 M_nfc 0 mask INTR due to nfc event
5 M_wl 0 mask INTR due to FIFO water level
4 M_rxs 0 mask INTR due to end of receive
3 M_txe 0 mask INTR due to end of transmission
2 M_err 0 mask INTR due to error in receive data coding
1 M_crc 0 mask INTR due to CRC error
0 M_col 0 mask INTR due to bit collision
Address # 08: Interrupt Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7I_osc
INTR when oscillator frequency is
stable Set after enable
6 I_nfc INTR due to nfc event
Set when nfc_t is 1 and en=0 informing that
an RF field has been detected,
Set when transmission could not be done
due to detection of RF field during RF
Collision Avoidance
5 I_wl INTR due to FIFO water level
Set during receive, informing that FIFO is
almost full and has to be read out.
Set during transmit, informing that FIFO is
almost empty and that additional data has
to be sent.
4I_rxsINTR due to end of receive
3 I_txe INTR due to end of transmission
2I_err
INTR due to error in receive data
coding This includes parity error and framing error
1 I_crc INTR due to CRC error
AS3909/AS3910 – 42 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Note: At power up and after Set Default command, content of this register is set to 0.
After Interrupt register read, its content is set to 0
Figure 31:
FIFO Status Register
Note: At power up and after direct commands, Set Default and Clear content of this register is set to 0.
0 I_col INTR due to bit collision Valid only for ISO-14443A
Address # 09: FIFO Status Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7fifo_b5
Number of bytes (binary coded) in the
FIFO which were not read out Valid range is from 000000 to 100000
6fifo_b4
5fifo_b3
4fifo_b2
3fifo_b1
2fifo_b0
1 fifo_ovr FIFO overflow
0rx_act
Active receive. This bit is set to 1 when
start of transponder message is
detected and stays high until end of
receive.
By reading this bit it can be checked
whether transponder is answering. See also
Application Notes (Active receive).
Address # 08: Interrupt Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 43
Application Information
Figure 32:
Collision Register
Note: At power up and after direct commands Set Default and Clear content of this register is set to 0.
Figure 33:
Number of Transmitted Bytes Register 0
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Bits frm4 and antcl are cleared after transmission is performed.
2. Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 0A: Collision Register
(for ISO-14443A only) Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7c_byte3
Number of full bytes before the bit
collision happened
6c_byte2
5c_byte1
4c_byte0
3c_bit2
Number of bits before the collision in
the byte where the collision happened
2c_bit1
1c_bit0
0 rfu Not used, always 0
Address # 0B: Number of Transmitted Bytes
Register 0 Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7 ntx1 0 Number of bytes to be
transmitted in one
command, LSB bits
Maximum supported number of bytes is
1023
6ntx00
5nbtx20
Number of bits in the split
byte
000 means that all bytes all
full
Applicable only to ISO-14443A bit oriented
anticollision frame in case last byte is split
byte
4nbtx10
3nbtx00
2Not used
1 frm4 0 4bit response frame Has to be set to 1 when 4bit response frame
is expected (Mifare Ultralight)
0 antcl 0 ISO-14443 anticollision frame Has to be set to 1 when ISO-14443A bit
oriented anticollision frame is sent
AS3909/AS3910 – 44 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Figure 34:
Number of Transmitted Bytes Register 1
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command
A/D Converter Output Register
Figure 35:
A/D Output Register
Note: At power up and after Set Default command, content of this register is set to 0.
Address # 0C: Number of Transmitted Bytes
Register 1 Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7ntx90
Number of bytes to be
transmitted in one
command, MSB bits
Maximum supported number of bytes is
1023
6ntx80
5ntx70
4ntx60
3ntx50
2ntx40
1ntx30
0ntx20
Address # 0D: A/D Output Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7ad7
Displays results of A/D conversion.
6ad6
5ad5
4ad4
3ad3
2ad2
1ad1
0ad0
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 45
Application Information
Antenna Calibration Registers
Figure 36:
Antenna Calibration Register
Note: At power up and after Set Default command content of this register is set to 0.
Figure 37:
External Trim Register
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 0E: Antenna Calibration Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7 tri_3 MSB This register stores result of Calibrate
antenna command. LC trim switches are
defined by data written in this register in
case trim_s=0. A bit set to 1 indicates that
corresponding transistor on TRIM1_x and
TRIM2_x pin is switched on.
6tri_2
5tri_1
4 tri_0 LSB
3 tri_err 1 antenna calibration error Set when Calibrate antenna sequence was
not able to adjust resonance
2
Not used1
0
Address # 0F: External Trim Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7trim_s0
0 LC trim switches are
defined by result of Calibrate
antenna command
1 LC trim switches are
defined by bits tre_x written
in this register
Defines source of driving switches on TRIMx
pins
6tre_30MSB
LC trim switches are defined by data written
in this register in case trim_s=1. A bit set to 1
switch on transistor on TRIM1_x and
TRIM2_x pin.
5 tre_2 0
4 tre_1 0
3tre_00LSB
2
Not used1
0
AS3909/AS3910 – 46 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
AM Modulation Depth and Antenna Driver Registers
Figure 38:
Modulation Depth Definition Register
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Figure 39:
Modulation Depth Display Register
Note: At power up and after Set Default command content of this register is set to 0.
Address # 10: Modulation Depth Definition Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7am_s0
0 AM modulated level is defined by
bits mod5 to mod0. Level is adjusted
automatically by Calibrate Modulation
Depth command
1 AM modulated level is defined by
bits dram7 to dram0.
6mod50MSB
See Application Notes for details
about AM modulation level definition.
5mod40
4mod30
3mod20
2mod10
1mod0 LSB
0
Address # 11: Modulation Depth Display Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7md_7MSB
Displays result of Calibrate Modulation Depth
command. Antenna drivers are composed of
8 binary weighted segments. Bit md_x set to
one indicates that this particular segment
will be disabled during AM modulated state.
6md_6
5md_5
4md_4
3md_3
2md_2
1md_1
0md_0LSB
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 47
Application Information
Figure 40:
Antenna Driver AM Modulated Level Definition
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Figure 41:
Antenna Driver Non-Modulated Level Definition
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 12: Antenna Driver AM Modulated
Level Definition Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7dram70MSB
Antenna drivers are composed of 8 binary
weighted segments. Setting a bit dram to 1
will disable corresponding segment during
AM modulated state in case am_s bit is set to
1.
6dram60
5dram50
4dram40
3dram30
2dram20
1dram10
0dram00LSB
Address # 13: Antenna Driver Non-Modulated
Level Definition Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7droff70MSB
Antenna drivers are composed of 8 binary
weighted segments. Setting a bit droff to 1
will disable corresponding segment during
normal non-modulated operation.
6droff60
5droff50
4droff40
3droff30
2droff20
1droff10
0droff00LSB
AS3909/AS3910 – 48 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Figure 42:
NFCIP Field Detection Threshold
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
NFCIP Field Detection Threshold Register
Figure 43:
Target Activation Threshold as seen on RFI1 Input
Address # 14: NFCIP Field Detection Threshold Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7 trg_l3 Target activation level MSB
Threshold used to detect presence of
interrogator magnetic field. See Figure 43
for threshold definition.
6 trg_l2
5 trg_l1
4 trg_l0 Target activation level LSB
3 rfe_t3 Collision avoidance threshold
MSB
Threshold used to detect presence of
external field during collision avoidance. See
Figure 44 for threshold definition.
2 rfe_t2
1 rfe_t1
0 rfe_t0 Collision avoidance threshold
LSB
trg_l3 trg_l2 trg_l1 trg_l0 Target activation threshold
voltage [mVpp on RFI1]
x000
forbidden (measurement is
deactivated)
0001 590
0010 420
0011 350
1001 350
0100 300
0101 265
1010 265
0110 235
0111 220
1011 220
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 49
Application Information
Figure 44:
Collision Avoidance Threshold as seen on RFI1 Input
1100 190
1101 175
1110 155
1 1 1 1 145
rfe_3 rfe_2 rfe_1 rfe_0 Collision avoidance threshold
voltage [mVpp on RFI1]
x000
forbidden (measurement is
deactivated)
0001 50
0010 67
0011 88
0100 120
1001 145
0101 172
1010 185
0110 240
1011 255
1100 340
0 1 1 1 350
1101 480
1110 700
1111 1080
trg_l3 trg_l2 trg_l1 trg_l0 Target activation threshold
voltage [mVpp on RFI1]
AS3909/AS3910 – 50 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Regulator Registers
Figure 45:
Regulators Display Register
Note: At power up and after Set Default command, regulated voltage is set to maximum 3.4V.
Figure 46:
Regulated Voltage Definition Register
Note: Default setting is set at power up and after Set Default command.
Address # 15: Regulators Display
Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7 reg_3 MSB
This register displays actual regulated voltage when
regulator is operating.
In Power-down mode, its content is forced to 00. See
Figure 47 for definition.
6reg_2
5reg_1
4 reg_0 LSB
3
Not used
2
1
0
Address # 16: Regulated Voltage Definition Register Type: RW
Bit Name Def. Function Comments
7reg_s0
0 regulated voltages are defined by
result of Adjust regulators command
1 regulated voltages are defined by
rege_x bits written in this register
Defines mode of regulator voltage
setting
6rege_30MSB
External definition of regulated
voltage.
See Figure 47 for definition.
5rege _20
4rege _10
3rege _00LSB
2
Not used1
0
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 51
Application Information
Figure 47:
Definition
reg_3
rege_3 reg_2
rege_2 reg_1
rege_1 reg_0
rege_0 Regulated voltage [V]
1111 3.4
1110 3.3
11013.2
1100 3.1
1011 3.0
1010 2.9
10012.8
1000 2.7
0111 2.6
0110 2.5
0101 2.4
other combinations 2.4
AS3909/AS3910 – 52 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Receiver State Display Register
Figure 48:
Receiver State Display Register
Note: At power up and after Set Default command, content of this register is set to 0.
Address # 17: Receiver State Display Register Type: R
Bit Name Function Comments
7 rssi_3 MSB
Stores peak value of RSSI
measurement. Automatically cleared
at beginning of transponder message
and with Clear RSSI command.
6 rssi_2
5 rssi_1
4 rssi_0 LSB
3oscok/rfp
Unlatched osc_ok flag in case nfc=0
Target activation detector output in case nfc=1
2gr_2 gr_2 gr_1 gr_0 Gain
reduction
Displays status of receiver gain
reduction (result of AGC, gain
reduction setting and Squelch
command)
1gr_1 0 0 0 0
0gr_0
001 3 dB
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
-
11121 dB
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 53
Application Information
Figure 49:
Receive State Display Register - rssi_0 ... rssi_3 bits
rssi_3 rssi_2 rssi_1 rssi_0 Signal on RFI1 [mVrms]
0000 0 ~ 0.28
0001 0.28 ~ 0.35
0010 0.35 ~ 0.45
0011 0.45 ~ 0.57
0100 0.57 ~ 0.74
0101 0.74 ~ 0.95
0110 0.95 ~ 1.21
0111 1.21 ~ 1.56
1000 1.56 ~ 2.00
1001 2.00 ~ 2.55
1010 2.55 ~ 3.27
1011 3.27 ~ 4.20
1100 4.20 ~ 5.37
1101 5.37 ~ 6.88
1110 6.88 ~ 8.80
1111 >8.80
AS3909/AS3910 – 54 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Typical Operating Sequence
At power up the AS3909/10 enters in the Stand-by mode.
Content of all registers is set to the default state which is in most
cases 0.
First action of the microcontroller after a power-up should
be to load the ISO Mode Definition Register and the
configuration registers to configure reader operation.
Since the regulators are by default set to the maximum
3.4V, which means that they are at supply voltages lower
than 3.4V transparent, it is advised to send the direct
command Adjust Regulators to improve the system PSRR.
In case the LC tank trimming is implemented the direct
command Calibrate Antenna has to be sent.
In case the AM modulation will be used (ISO-14443B for
example) setting the modulation depth in the Modulation
Depth Definition Register and sending the command
Calibrate Modulation Depth is suggested next.
After the sequence of events mentioned above the AS3909/10
is ready to operate.
ISO-14443 Reader Operation
First the Ready mode has to be entered by setting the en bit of
the Operation Control Register (address #01 or asserting pin EN).
In this mode the oscillator is started and the regulators are
enabled. When the oscillator operation is stable an interrupt is
sent. Before sending any command to a transponder the
transmitter and receiver have to be enabled by setting the bits
rx_en and tx_en.
In case REQA or WUPA has to be sent, then it is simply done by
sending the appropriate direct command. Or else, the following
sequence has to be followed:
1. Send the direct command Clear
2. Define the number of transmitted bytes in the registers
0B and 0C
3. Write the bytes to be transmitted in the FIFO
4. Send the direct command Transmit with CRC or Transmit
without CRC (whichever is appropriate)
5. When all the data is transmitted, an interrupt is sent to
inform the microcontroller that the transmission is
finished (INTR due to end of transmission).
After the transmission is executed, the AS3909/10 receiver
automatically starts to observe the RFI inputs to detect a
transponder response. The RSSI and AGC (in case it is enabled)
are started. The framing block processes the subcarrier signal
from receiver and fills the FIFO with data. When the reception
is finished and all the data is in the FIFO an interrupt is sent to
the microcontroller (INTR due to end of receive), additionally
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 55
Application Information
the FIFO Status Register displays the number of bytes in the FIFO
so the microcontroller can proceeded with downloading the
data.
In case there was an error or bit collision detected during
reception, an interrupt with appropriate flag is sent.
Microcontroller has to take appropriate action.
In case of an error it usually repeats the command; it can also
check the RSSI level in the Receiver State Display Register and
change the AM/ PM mode in case the RSSI is low.
In case of a bit collision it will consult the Collision Register to
determine in which bit there was collision.
Transmit and Receive In Case Data Packet is Longer Than
FIFO
I n c as e a da ta p a ck e t i s lo n g er t ha n F IF O th e se q u en ce e x pl a in e d
above is modified.
Before transmit the FIFO is filled. During transmit an interrupt
is sent when remaining number of bytes is lower than the water
level (INTR due to FIFO water level). The microcontroller in turn
adds more data in the FIFO. When all the data is transmitted an
interrupt is sent to inform the microcontroller that transmission
is finished.
During reception situation is similar. In case the FIFO is loaded
with more data than the receive water level, an interrupt is sent
and the microcontroller in turn reads the data from the FIFO
(additionally to the interrupt the FIFO Status Register displays
the number of bytes which were not read out). When reception
is finished an interrupt is sent to the microcontroller (INTR due
to end of receive), additionally the FIFO Status Register displays
the number of bytes in the FIFO which are still to be read out.
NFCIP-1 Operation
Only the NFCIP-1 106 kbps active mode is supported.
For operation in this mode, the bit nfc has to be set in the ISO
Mode Definition Register.
Next the NFCIP Field Detection Threshold Register (address #14)
has to be written to define the thresholds for Target activation
and RF Collision avoidance (see “External Field Detector” on
page 19).
Please note that in the NFC mode the transmitter enable bit
(tx_en) is never set in the Operation Control Register. The
transmitter is activated automatically by the NFC transmit
commands).
NFCIP Target
The AS3909/10 enters in the Initial NFC Target mode by setting
the nfc_t bit in the Operation Control Register. In this low power
mode only the Target Activation Detector is running.
AS3909/AS3910 – 56 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
At the moment presence of external the RF field is detected an
interrupt is sent (INTR due to nfc event). The microcontroller
can now activate the oscillator, regulators and receiver.
As explained in Target Activation Detector” on page 19, the
Target Activation Detector may also be used to detect the
moment when initiator turns off its RF field. In case the delay
time, after which the initiator turns off its field after sending its
request, is known, this feature is not needed and the Target
Activation Detector can be turned off by setting bit nfc_t low
after presence of the initiator field is detected.
Next the direct command Unmask Receive Data has to be send
to put the Receiver and control logic in the receive mode. The
AS3909/10 is now ready to receive request from the initiator.
Procedure during the reception is the same as in case of the
ISO-14443 mode.
The target response is done in the same way as in case of the
ISO-14443 transmission, only that the command which actually
starts the transmission is either NFC transmit with Response RF
Collision Avoidance or NFC transmit with Response RF Collision
Avoidance with n=0. These two commands perform the RF
Collision avoidance procedure before actually starting the
transmission. In case an external RF field is detected during the
RF Collision avoidance procedure an interrupt is sent (INTR due
to nfc event) and the transmission is not performed.
Next the AS3909/10 expects a new request from the initiator.
In case the Target Activation Detector is still enabled an
interrupt will be generated when the initiator switch on its field.
This is additional information for the external controller, but it
is not required by the receiver. The receiver is already running,
reception will be done automatically and an interrupt will be
sent when reception will be completed (or when the FIFO water
level will be reached in case of a long request).
NFCIP Initiator
In case the AS3909/10 is an NFCIP initiator, the microcontroller
activates the oscillator and receiver and prepares everything
for transmitting as in case of the ISO-14443 transmission. The
transmission is actually executed by direct command NFC
Transmit with Initial RF Collision Avoidance.
Following events are the same as described in previous chapter
only that roles of the initiator and target are interchanged.
The Target Activation Detector may also be used in case of the
NFCIP initiator operation to detect the moment when the target
RF field turns on and off.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 57
Application Information
ISO-14443A SELECT SEQUENCE
In the 14443A select sequence the commands REQA (also
WUPA), ANTICOLLISION and SELECT are used. For the
commands REQA and WUPA the short frame is used, for
ANTICOLLISION the bit oriented anticollision frame is used, for
SELECT the standard frame is used. Transponder replies to
commands REQA, WUPA and ANTICOLLISION do not contain the
CRC so the configuration bit crc_rx of the Configuration Register
3 (address 03) has to be set to 1 (receive without CRC) before
these commands are sent.
REQA and WUPA
Sending of these two commands is simple since they are
implemented as the AS3909/10 direct commands (Transmit
REQA and Transmit WUPA). Procedure is the following (note that
since the ATQA response does not contain a CRC the
configuration bit crc_rx of the Configuration Register 3 (address
#03) has to be set to 1 before this procedure is started):
1. Send the direct command Transmit REQA (or Transmit
WUPA)
2. When all the data is transmitted an interrupt is sent to
inform the microcontroller that transmission is finished
(INTR due to end of transmission)
3. When reception of the ATQA is finished and all data is
in the FIFO an interrupt is sent to the microcontroller
(INTR due to end of receive), additionally the FIFO Status
Register displays number of bytes (2 bytes in case of
ATQA) in the FIFO so the microcontroller can proceeded
with downloading data from the FIFO.
Sending the direct command Clear before sending Transmit
REQA and Transmit WUPA is not necessary.
ANTICOLLISION
In this command, the bit oriented anticollision frame is used.
There is no CRC, neither in the command send from PCD to PICC
(part 1 of the bit oriented anticollision frame), nor in the reply
sent from PICC to PCD (part 2 of the bit oriented anticollision
frame). Due to this configuration the bit crc_rx of the
Configuration Register 3 (address #03) has to be set to 1 before.
Sequence in case full bytes are transmitted (no collision during
the transponder response):
1. Send the direct command Clear
2. Define the number of transmitted bytes for part1 of the
bit oriented anticollision frame in the registers #0B and
#0C. Bit 0 (antcl) of register #0B has to be additionally
set to 1 to indicate that anticollision frame is sent.
3. Write the bytes to be transmitted in the FIFO
4. Send the direct command Transmit without CRC
AS3909/AS3910 – 58 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
5. When all the data is transmitted an interrupt is sent to
inform the microcontroller that transmission is finished
(INTR due to end of transmission)
6. When the reception of part2 of the bit oriented
anticollision frame is finished and there was no collision
detected, data is put in the FIFO and an interrupt is sent
to microcontroller (INTR due to end of receive),
additionally the FIFO Status Register displays the number
of bytes in the FIFO, so the microcontroller can
proceeded with downloading data from the FIFO.
Sequence in case of a split byte (no collision during transponder
response):
1. Send the direct command Clear
2. Define the number of full bytes and the number of bits
in the split byte to be transmitted in the registers #0B
and #0C (bits ntx define the number of full bytes, bits
nbtx in register #0B define the number of bits in the split
byte). Bit 0 (antcl) of register #0B has to be additionally
set to 1 to indicate that anticollision frame is sent.
3. Write the bytes to be transmitted in FIFO. Since the SPI
communication is byte oriented 8 bits have to
transferred also for split byte (sent last), the MSB bits of
split byte which are not transmitted are don’t care.
4. Send the direct command Transmit Without CRC
5. When all the data is transmitted an interrupt is sent to
inform the microcontroller that the transmission is
finished (INTR due to end of transmission)
6. When the reception of part2 of the bit oriented
anticollision frame is finished and there was no collision
detected, data is put in the FIFO and an interrupt is sent
to the microcontroller (INTR due to end of receive),
additionally the FIFO Status Register displays the number
of bytes in the FIFO so the microcontroller can
proceeded with downloading data from the FIFO. First
downloaded byte contains second part of the split byte,
so only the MSB part of byte which was not sent during
transmit is valid.
Collision Detection
The AS3909/10 Framing block is able to detect the bit collision
in case of presence of more ISO-14443A transponders. This
feature is very useful during the select sequence. The collision
is detected during the ANTICOLLISION command (different
transponders have different UIDs); it may already be detected
in the ATQA (answer to REQA or WUPA). When the bit collision
is detected an interrupt is sent (INTR due to collision) and the
bit at which collision occurred is indicated in the Collision
Register (#0A). In case of anticollision frame (indicated to the
AS3909/10 by bit 0 of register #0B) the bit collision position
displayed in Collision Register is counted from beginning of
anticollision frame (including the part which is transmitted).
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 59
Application Information
Please note that after getting an interrupt due to a collision, the
reader has to wait for the transponders to finish sending their
messages before sending a new command. The end of
transponder message is indicated by the End of Receive
interrupt. It may also happen that the interrupt due to collision
and due to end of receive are read at the same time (in case
reaction to the first interrupt is slow and collision happens at
the end of transponder message). Collision Register (#0A) can
be read after receiving collision interrupt while the FIFO can
only be read after receiving the End of Receive interrupt.
There is also a slight possibility that the end of message flag is
just written to the Interrupt Register while it is being erased at
the end of the Interrupt Register read due to the collision
interrupt. In such a case there is no end of receive interrupt. In
case it is not clear whether the receive logic is still processing
response the Active Receive bit (rx_act) in FIFO Status Register
can be consulted (See “ISO-14443B, Reduction of TR0 and TR1
and Suppression of EOF/SOF in PICC Response” on page 67 for
details about Active Receive bit).
SELECT
The SELECT command uses standard frame, response to the
SELECT command (SAK) contains also a CRC, so before sending
this command the configuration bit crc_rx of Configuration
Register 3 has to be reset back to 0. Since the SELECT command
contains CRC the direct command Transmit with CRC can be
used.
Receiving 4-Bit Tag Response Frame
Mifare Ultralight tag uses 4 bit response frame to indicate ACK
and NACK. The AS3909/10 framing expects that response frame
is composed of bytes (except in case of anticollision frame) and
it rejects a 4 bit response frame as an error (error due to receive
data coding). By setting the bit 1 (frm4l) of register #0B, a 4 bit
response frame is correctly processed and put in FIFO (MSB bits
of first byte). In case of setting this bit a standard frame response
is not processed correctly.
Response to Mifare Ultralight WRITE command is either ACK or
NACK. So in case of this command bit frm4 has to be set to
distinguish between the two possible 4 bit responses.
Response to READ command is either a standard frame, in case
command is correctly processed, or a NACK, in case of an error.
In this case the bit frm4 can not be used, interrupt due to receive
data coding error should be interpreted as a NACK.
AS3909/AS3910 – 60 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
AM Modulation Depth: Definition and
Calibration
The AM modulation of the transmitted carrier is used for
communication reader to transponder in two configuration
cases:
The ISO-14443B mode is configured in the ISO Mode
Definition Register (#01)
The Transparent mode with AM modulation [direct
command Transparent Mode, the bit 6(am) of the
Configuration Register 5 (#05) is set to 1]
In other cases the OOK modulation is used.
The AM modulation depth can be automatically adjusted by
setting the Modulation Depth Definition Register (#10) and
sending the direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth. This
procedure is patent pending. There is also an alternative
possibility where the command Calibrate Modulation Depth is
not used and the modulated level is defined by writing the
Antenna driver AM Modulated Level Definition Register (#12).
AM Modulation Depth Definition Using Direct
Command Calibrate Modulation Depth
Before sending the direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth
the Modulation Depth Definition Register (#10) has to be
configured in the following way:
•The bit 7 (am_s) has to be set to 0 to chose definition by
the command Calibrate Modulation Depth.
The bits 6 to 1 (mod5 to mod0) define target AM
modulation depth.
Definition of Modulation Depth Using Bits mod5 to mod0
The RFID standard documents usually define the AM
modulation level in form of the modulation index. The
modulation index is defined by formula (a-b)/(a+b) where ‘a’ is
amplitude of the non-modulated carrier and ‘b’ is the amplitude
of the modulated carrier.
The modulation index specification is different for different
standards. The ISO-14443B modulation index is typically 10%
with allowed range from 8% to 14%, range from 10 to 30% is
defined in the ISO-15693 and 8% to 30% in the Felica™.
The bits mod5 to mod0 are used to calculate the amplitude of
the modulated level. The non-modulated level which was
before measured by the A/D converter and stored in an 8 bit
register is divided by a binary number in range from 1 to 1.98.
The bits mod5 to mod0 define binary decimals of this number.
Example: In case of the modulation index 10% the modulated
level amplitude is 1.2222 times lower than the non-modulated
level. 1.2222 converted to binary and truncated to 6 decimals
is 1.001110. So in order to define the modulation index 10% the
bits mod5 to mod0 have to be set to 001110.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 61
Application Information
The figure below depicts setting of the mod bits for some often
used modulation indexes.
Figure 50:
Setting mod bits for Modulation Indexes
Execution of Direct Command Calibrate Modulation Depth
The modulation level is adjusted by increasing the RFO1 and
RFO2 driver output resistance. The RFO drivers are composed
of 8 binary weighted segments. Usually all these segments are
turned on to define the normal, non-modulated level, there is
also a possibility to increase the output resistance of the
non-modulated state by writing the Antenna driver
non-modulated level definition register (#13).
Before sending the direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth
the oscillator and regulators have to be turned on. When the
direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth is sent the
following procedure is executed:
1. The Transmitter is turned on, non-modulated level is
established
2. The amplitude of the non-modulated carrier level
established on the inputs RFI1 and RFI2 is measured by
the A/D converter and stored in the A/D Converter
Output Register
3. Based on the measurement of the non-modulated level
and the target modulated level defined by the bits mod5
to mod0 the target modulated level is calculated
4. The output driver control is taken over by the eight bit
Calibrate Register with initial level defined in the
Antenna Driver Non-Modulated Level Definition Register
(#13). Content of the Calibrate Register is incremented
by 1 to increase the driver resistance, the reduced
amplitude is measured by the A/D converter and the
result is compared to the target modulation level.
5. The procedure from previous point is repeated as long
as the measured level is greater than target level.
modulation index [%] a/b [dec] a/b [bin] mod5………mod0
8 1,1739 1,001011 001011
10 1,2222 1,001110 001110
14 1,3256 1,010100 010100
20 1,5000 1,100000 100000
30 1,8571 1,110111 110111
33 1,9843 1,111111 111111
AS3909/AS3910 – 62 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
6. When the measured level is equal or lower than the
target level, actual state of the Calibrate Register is
copied in the Modulation Depth Display Register (#11).
Content of this register is used to define the AM
modulated level.
Note(s):After this calibration procedure is finished, the content
of Antenna driver non-modulated level definition register (#13)
should not be changed. Modification of this register content
will change the non-modulated amplitude and therefore the
ration be-tween the modulated and non-modulated level will
be changed.
Please also note that in case the Calibration of antenna resonant
frequency in implemented command Calibrate Antenna has to
be run before AM modulation depth adjustment.
AM Modulation Depth Definition Using Antenna
Driver AM Modulated Level Definition Register (#12)
When the bit 7 (am_s) of the Modulation Depth Definition
Register (#10) is set to 1 the AM modulated level is controlled
by writing the Antenna Driver AM Modulated Level Definition
Register (#12). In case setting of the modulated level is already
known it is not necessary to run the calibration procedure, the
modulated level can simply be defined by writing this register.
There is also a possibility to run a calibration procedure from
externally using the Antenna driver non-modulated level
definition register (#13) and the direct command Measure RF.
The procedure is the following:
1. Write the non-modulated level in register #13 (usually
it is all 0 to have the lower possible output resistance)
2. Switch on the transmitter
3. After the settling time (10µs should be enough), send
the direct command Measure RF. Read result from the
A/D Converter Output Register (#0E)
4. Calculate the target modulated level from the target
modulation index and result from the previous point
5. In the following iterations content of the register #13 is
modified, the command Measure RF performed and
result compared to the target modulated level as long
as the result is not equal or close enough to the target
modulated level.
6. At the end the content of the register #13 which results
in the target modulated level is written in the Antenna
Driver AM Modulated Level Definition Register (#12) while
the register #13 is restored with the non-modulated
level definition value.
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 63
Application Information
Antenna LC Tank Resonance: Checking and
Calibration
The AS3909/10 comprises the building blocks which make
possible checking and adjustment of the antenna LC tank
resonance frequency. The arrangement of these building blocks
and associated adjustment procedure are patent pending.
The key block in the resonance frequency checking and
adjustment is the Phase Detector (see “Phase Detector” on
page 18). The Phase Detector is measuring the phase shift
between the Transmitter output signals (RFO1 and RFO2) and
the inputs RFI1 and RFI2, which are proportional to voltage on
the antenna LC tank. In case of perfect tuning there is a 90º
phase shift between them.
Check Antenna Resonance
In case of the perfect 90º phase shift mentioned above, the
Phase Detector output results in VSP/2 output voltage. A phase
shift of 1% of the carrier frequency period (3.6º) results in the
output voltage change of 2% of VSP (1% phase shift results in
60mV change at VSP=3V).
During execution of the direct command Check Antenna
Resonance the Phase Detector output is multiplexed on the
input of A/ D converter which is set in relative mode. 1 LSB of
the A/D conversion output represents 0.13% of carrier
frequency period (0.468º). The result of A/D conversion is in case
of the perfect tuning exactly in the middle of range (1000 0000
or 0111 1111).
Value higher than 1000 0000 means that phase detector output
voltage is higher than VSP/2, which corresponds to case with
resonance frequency higher than target 13.56 MHz. In the
opposite case, when the resonance frequency is lower than
target, the result of A/D conversion is lower than 0111 1111.
Execution of the command Check Antenna Resonance is fast and
it can be used frequently to check whether system settings are
correct.
AS3909/AS3910 – 64 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Calibrate Antenna Resonance3
In order to implement the antenna LC tank calibration binary
weighted trimming capacitors have to be connected between
the two coil terminals to the pads TRIM1_3 to TRIM1_0 and
TRIM2_3 to TRIM2_0. In case single driver is used only the pads
TRIM1_3 to TRIM1_0 are used, pads TRIM2_3 to TRIM2_0 are left
open.
Figure 51 depicts connection of the trim capacitors for both,
single and differential driving. The TRIM pads contain the
HVNMOS switch transistors to VSS. During trimming procedure
the resonance frequency is adjusted by connecting some of the
trimming capacitors to VSS and leaving others floating.
The switches of the same binary weight are driven from the
same source and are both on or off (the switches TRIM1_2 and
TRIM2_2 are for example both either on of off ).
The breakdown voltage of the HVNMNOS switch transistors is
30V, which limits the maximum peak to peak voltage on LC tank
in case trimming is used. The on resistance of TRIM1_0 and
TRIM2_0 switch transistors which are meant to be connected
to LSB trimming capacitor is typ 50Ω at 3V VSP, the on resistance
of other pads is binary weighted (the on resistance of TRIM1_3
and TRIM2_3 is 6.25Ω).
Figure 51:
Connection of Trimming Capacitors to the Antenna LC Tank in case of Single (left) and Differential
Driving (right)
3. Only available in AS3910.
TRIM1_0
TRIM1_1
TRIM1_2
TRIM1_3
RF01
RF02
RFI1
RFI2
Antenna
TRIM2_3
TRIM2_2
TRIM2_1
TRIM2_0
TRIM1_0
TRIM1_1
TRIM1_2
TRIM1_3
RF01
RF02
RFI1
RFI2
½ Antenna
½ Antenna
TRIM2_3
TRIM2_2
TRIM2_1
TRIM2_0
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 65
Application Information
Antenna Calibration Using Command Calibrate Antenna
The calibration of LC tank resonance frequency is automatically
done by running the direct command Calibrate Antenna. During
execution of this command the comparator at the output of
Phase Detector is used. In case the LC tank resonance frequency
is higher than the target 13.56MHz, the Phase Detector output
gets higher than VSP/2 and the comparator output is high. In
the opposite case, when the resonance frequency is lower, the
Phase Detector output gets lower than VSP/2 and the
comparator output is low.
At the beginning of the command Calibrate Antenna execution
the switches in all TRIM pads are turned off. As consequence all
the trimming capacitors are disconnected so in case the LC tank
dimensioning is correct the resonance frequency has to be
higher than the target and the comparator output has to be
high. In case the comparator output is low at this initial state
the resonance frequency is too low even when all the trimming
capacitor are disconnected and adjusting of the resonance
frequency is not possible. An error flag is set and execution of
the command is terminated.
In case the comparator output was high at the initial state, the
LSB switches (TRIM1_0 and TRIM2_0) are switched on and after
10µs state of the comparator output is checked again. This
procedure is repeated until the comparator output transitions
to low or until the final state with all switches turned on is
reached. The switch state at which the comparator output is
transitional is the one at which the LC tank is in resonance.
In case the state with all switched turned on was reached and
the comparator output is still high, the resonance frequency is
too high even when all the capacitors are connected and the
adjusting is not possible. The error flag is set.
The result of the direct command Calibrate Antenna can be
observed by reading the Antenna Calibration Register (#0E). This
register displays the state of four bits representing state of the
switches when resonance was reached and the error flag.
After the execution of direct command Calibrate Antenna the
resonance can be checked by running the direct command
Check Antenna Resonance.
Antenna Calibration Using External Trim Register
There is also a possibility to control the position of the TRIM
switches by writing the External Trim Register (#0F). When the
bit trim_s of this register is set to 1 position of the trim switches
is controlled by bits tre_3 to tre_0. Using this register and the
direct command Check Antenna Resonance a trimming
procedure may be implemented from externally.
Another possibility of external trimming procedure is using this
register and the direct command Measure RF. In this case the
resonance is adjusted by looking for operating point with the
maximum amplitude.
AS3909/AS3910 – 66 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Application Information
Transparent Mode
The AS3909/10 framing supports the ISO-14443 standard.
Other standard and custom 13.56MHz RFID reader protocols
can be realized using the AS3909/10 AFE and framing
implemented in the external microcontroller.
After sending the direct command Transparent Mode the
external microcontroller directly controls the transmission
modulator and gets the
Receiver output (control logic becomes “transparent”).
The Transparent Mode is entered on falling edge of signal SEN
after sending the command Transparent Mode and is
maintained as long as the signal SEN is kept low. Before sending
the direct command Transparent Mode the Transmitter and
Receiver have to be turned on, the AFE have to be configured
properly.
While the AS3909/10 is in the Transparent Mode the AFE is
controlled directly through SPI interface:
The Transmitter modulation is controlled by pin SDATAI
(high is modulator on)
Signal rx_on is controlled by pin SCLK (high enables RSSI
and AGC)
The Receiver output is sent to pin SDATAO
By controlling the rx_on advanced Receiver features like the
RSSI and AGC can be used.
Configuration bits related to the ISO mode, framing and FIFO
are of course meaningless in Transparent Mode, all other
configuration bits are respected.
For communication reader to transponder the OOK and AM
modulation are supported. Type of the modulation is defined
by writing the bit 6 (am) of the Configuration Register 5 (#05).
The direct command Calibrate Modulation Depth supports
modulation depths up to 30%, by writing the AM Modulated
Level Definition Register (#12) also definition of deeper am
modulation is possible.
The Receiver filters support the subcarrier frequencies from 212
kHz to 848 kHz. The filter characteristics are defined by writing
the bits fs2 to fs0 in the Receiver Configuration Register (#6).
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 67
Application Information
Active Receive – Use in ISO-14443B
Anticollision
Usually the microcontroller does not need information about
beginning of the transponder message, it gets an interrupt once
reception is finished or earlier in case the transponder message
is longer than the FIFO.
In some cases the information about the fact that the receiver
is already processing a message from the transponder is useful.
The bit rx_act in the FIFO Status Register (address 09) provides
this information. This bit is set to 1 when start of the
transponder message is detected and stays high until the end
of reception.
This information can be used to speed up the ISO-14443B
anticollision procedure when more slots are used. In case there
is no message in a certain slot the reader does not have to wait
the time message ATQB takes before sending the next
Slot-MARKER command, it can send it as soon as it is clear that
there is no answer in that particular slot. The microcontroller
can obtain this info by reading the rx_act flag at the time the
receiver should already be processing the ATQB message. In
case rx_act flag is set to one the receiver is processing a message
and the microcontroller has to wait for the end of receive
interrupt, in opposite case when the rx_act flag is set to zero
there is no ATQB message in that particular slot and the next
Slot-MARKER command can be sent immediately.
ISO-14443B, Reduction of TR0 and TR1 and
Suppression of EOF/SOF in PICC Response
The ISO-14443-3 standard, chapter 7.10.3 Coding of Param 1
defines possibility to reduce the TR0 and TR1 and suppress the
EOF/SOF in PICC response.
Note(s):The AS3909/10 Receiver and Framing blocks do not
support the reduction of TR0 and TR1 and suppression of
EOF/SOF. In case default settings of these parameters are
changed, the framing block will not be able to decode the PICC
response.
Test Pins
Pins TEST and TIO are used to test the AS3909/10. Pin TEST is a
digital pin with pull down, it is used to enter the test mode, pin
TIO is used in test mode as a digital IO, in normal mode it is in
tristate. It is recommended to connect pin TEST to VSS and to
leave pin TIO open.
AS3909/AS3910 – 68 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Package Drawings & Markings
These devices are available in a 32-pin QFN (5x5mm) & 32-pin
TQFN (5x5mm) packages.
Figure 52:
Package Drawings for AS3910 (QFN)
Package Drawings & Markings
Symbol Min Typ Max
A 0.80 0.90 1.00
A1 0 0.02 0.05
A3 0.20 REF
L 0.35 0.40 0.45
L1 0 - 0.15
b 0.18 0.25 0.30
D5.00 BSC
E5.00 BSC
e0.50 BSC
D2 3.20 3.30 3.40
E2 3.20 3.30 3.40
aaa - 0.15 -
bbb - 0.10 -
ccc - 0.10 -
ddd - 0.05 -
eee - 0.08 -
fff - 0.10 -
N32
AS3910 @
YYWWXZZ
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 69
Package Drawings & Markings
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Dimensioning and tolerancing conform to ASME Y14.5M-1994.
2. All dimensions are in millimeters, angle are in degrees.
3. Dimension b applies to metallized terminal and is measured between 0.25 and 0.30mm from terminal tip.
4. Dimension L1 represents terminal full back from package edge up to 0.15mm is acceptable.
5. Coplanarity applies to the exposed heat slug as well as the terminal.
6. Radius on terminal is optional.
7. N is the total number of terminals.
Figure 53:
Marking YYWWXZZ
YY WW XZZ @
Pb-free; Year Manufacturing week Plant Identifier Traceability code Sublot Identifier
AS3909/AS3910 – 70 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Package Drawings & Markings
Figure 54:
Package Drawings for AS3909 (TQFN)
Symbol Min Typ Max
A 0.50 0.55 0.60
A1 0.00 0.05
A3 0.152 REF
b 0.18 0.23 0.28
D5.00 BSC
E5.00 BSC
D2 3.20 3.30 3.40
E2 3.20 3.30 3.40
e0.50 BSC
L 0.35 0.40 0.45
L1 0.00 0.10
aaa 0.10
bbb 0.10
ccc 0.10
ddd 0.05
eee 0.08
AS3909 @
YYWWXZZ
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 71
Package Drawings & Markings
Note(s) and/or Footnote(s):
1. Dimensioning & toleranceing confirm to ASME Y14.5M-1994.
2. All dimensions are in millimeters. angles are in degrees.
3. Dimension b applies to metallized terminal and is measured between 0.25mm and 0.30mm from terminal tip.
4. Dimension L1 represents terminal full back from package edge up to 0.1mm is acceptable.
5. Coplanarity applies to the exposed heat slug as well as the terminal.
Figure 55:
Marking YYWWXZZ
YY WW XZZ @
Pb-free; Year Manufacturing week Plant Identifier Traceability code Sublot Identifier
AS3909/AS3910 – 72 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
RoHS Compliant & ams Green Statement
RoHS: The term RoHS compliant means that ams products fully
comply with current RoHS directives. Our semiconductor
products do not contain any chemicals for all 6 substance
categories, including the requirement that lead not exceed
0.1% by weight in homogeneous materials. Where designed to
be soldered at high temperatures, RoHS compliant products are
suitable for use in specified lead-free processes.
ams Green (RoHS compliant and no Sb/Br): ams Green
defines that in addition to RoHS compliance, our products are
free of Bromine (Br) and Antimony (Sb) based flame retardants
(Br or Sb do not exceed 0.1% by weight in homogeneous
material).
Important Information: The information provided in this
statement represents ams knowledge and belief as of the date
that it is provided. ams bases its knowledge and belief on
information provided by third parties, and makes no
representation or warranty as to the accuracy of such
information. Efforts are underway to better integrate
information from third parties. ams has taken and continues to
take reasonable steps to provide representative and accurate
information but may not have conducted destructive testing or
chemical analysis on incoming materials and chemicals. ams
and ams suppliers consider certain information to be
proprietary, and thus CAS numbers and other limited
information may not be available for release.
RoHS Compliant & ams Green
Statement
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 73
Ordering & Contact Information
The devices are available as the standard products shown in
Figure 56.
Figure 56:
Ordering Information
Buy our products or get free samples online at:
www.ams.com/ICdirect
Technical Support is available at:
www.ams.com/Technical-Support
For further information and requests, e-mail us at:
ams_sales@ams.com
For sales offices, distributors and representatives, please visit:
www.ams.com/contact
Headquarters
ams AG
Tobelbaderstrasse 30
8141 Unterpremstaetten
Austria, Europe
Tel: +43 (0) 3136 500 0
Website: www.ams.com
Ordering Code Description Delivery Form Package
AS3909-BQTT HF RFID Reader IC Tape & Reel 32-pin TQFN (5x5mm)
AS3910-BQFT HF RFID Reader IC Tape & Reel 32-pin QFN (5x5mm)
Ordering & Contact Information
AS3909/AS3910 – 74 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Copyrights & Disclaimer
Copyright © ams AG, Tobelbader Strasse 30, 8141
Unterpremstaetten, Austria-Europe. Trademarks Registered. All
rights reserved. The material herein may not be reproduced,
adapted, merged, translated, stored, or used without the prior
written consent of the copyright owner.
Devices sold by ams AG are covered by the warranty and patent
indemnification provisions appearing in its Term of Sale. ams
AG makes no warranty, express, statutory, implied, or by
description regarding the information set forth herein. ams AG
reserves the right to change specifications and prices at any
time and without notice. Therefore, prior to designing this
product into a system, it is necessary to check with ams AG for
current information. This product is intended for use in
commercial applications. Applications requiring extended
temperature range, unusual environmental requirements, or
high reliability applications, such as military, medical
life-support or life-sustaining equipment are specifically not
recommended without additional processing by ams AG for
each application. This Product is provided by ams “AS IS” and
any express or implied warranties, including, but not limited to
the implied warranties of merchantability and fitness for a
particular purpose are disclaimed.
ams AG shall not be liable to recipient or any third party for any
damages, including but not limited to personal injury, property
damage, loss of profits, loss of use, interruption of business or
indirect, special, incidental or consequential damages, of any
kind, in connection with or arising out of the furnishing,
performance or use of the technical data herein. No obligation
or liability to recipient or any third party shall arise or flow out
of ams AG rendering of technical or other services.
Copyrights & Disclaimer
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 75
Reference Guide
1 General Description
2 Key Benefits & Features
3 Applications
3 Block Diagram
4 Pin Assignments
6Absolute Maximum Ratings
7 Electrical Characteristics
7 Operating Conditions
7 DC / AC Characteristics For Digital Inputs and Outputs
8 Electrical Specification
10 Detailed Description
11 Transmitter
11 Receiver
11 Phase and Amplitude Detector
11 A/D Converter
12 External Field Detector
12 Quartz Crystal Oscillator
12 Power Supply Regulators
12 POR and Bias
13 ISO-14443 and NFCIP Framing
13 FIFO
13 Control Logic
13 SPI Interface
14 Application Information
14 Operating Modes
14 Transmitter
15 Receiver
16 Gain Reduction, AGC and Squelch
16 Automatic Gain Reduction (AGC)
16 Squelch
17 Setting Gain Reduction in Receiver Configuration Register
(#06)
17 RSSI
17 AM and PM Demodulation
18 A/D Converter
18 Phase and Amplitude Detector
18 Phase Detector
18 Antenna Tuning Check
19 PM Demodulation
19 Amplitude Detector
19 External Field Detector
19 Target Activation Detector
19 RF Collision Avoidance Detector
20 Quartz Crystal Oscillator
21 Power Supply, Regulators
22 Communication to External Microcontroller
22 Serial Peripheral Interface (SPI)
23 SPI Operation MODE Bits
24 Writing of Data to Addressable Registers (WRITE Mode)
Reference Guide
AS3909/AS3910 – 76 ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02]
Reference Guide
25 Reading of Data from Addressable Registers (READ
Mode)
25 Sending Direct Commands
26 Loading Transmitting Data into FIFO
27 Reading Received Data from FIFO
27 Interrupt Interface
28 FIFO Water Level and FIFO Status Register
28 Direct Commands
29 Set Default
30 Clear
30 Transmit Commands
30 NFC Transmit Commands
31 Mask Receive Data and Unmask Receive Data
31 AD Convert
32 Measure RF
32 Squelch
32 Clear Squelch
32 Adjust Regulators
33 Calibrate Modulation Depth
33 Calibrate Antenna
33 Check Antenna Resonance
33 Clear RSSI
34 Transparent Mode
34 Registers
34 Main Registers
36 Configuration Registers
41 Interrupt Register and Associated Registers
44 A/D Converter Output Register
45 Antenna Calibration Registers
46 AM Modulation Depth and Antenna Driver Registers
48 NFCIP Field Detection Threshold Register
50 Regulator Registers
52 Receiver State Display Register
54 Typical Operating Sequence
54 ISO-14443 Reader Operation
55 Transmit and Receive In Case Data Packet is Longer Than
FIFO
55 NFCIP-1 Operation
55 NFCIP Target
56 NFCIP Initiator
57 ISO-14443A SELECT SEQUENCE
57 REQA and WUPA
57 ANTICOLLISION
58 Collision Detection
59 SELECT
59 Receiving 4-Bit Tag Response Frame
60 AM Modulation Depth: Definition and Calibration
60 AM Modulation Depth Definition Using Direct Com-
mand Calibrate Modulation Depth
61 Execution of Direct Command Calibrate Modulation
Depth
62 AM Modulation Depth Definition Using Antenna Driver
AM Modulated Level Definition Register (#12)
63 Antenna LC Tank Resonance: Checking and Calibration
ams Datasheet, Confidential: 2013-Oct [3-02] AS3909/AS3910 – 77
Reference Guide
63 Check Antenna Resonance
64 Calibrate Antenna Resonance
65 Antenna Calibration Using Command Calibrate Antenna
65 Antenna Calibration Using External Trim Register
66 Transparent Mode
67 Active Receive – Use in ISO-14443B Anticollision
67 ISO-14443B, Reduction of TR0 and TR1 and Suppression
of EOF/SOF in PICC Response
67 Test Pins
68 Package Drawings & Markings
72 RoHS Compliant & ams Green Statement
73 Ordering & Contact Information
74 Copyrights & Disclaimer
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