Melexis MLX90130 boasts high integration, performance and cost-effectiveness for improving usability and manufacturability of HF RFID reader systems.

The needs of the RFID industry have grown from simply reading tags to mission-critical solutions that streamline the supply chain, improve business control and intelligence, and enhance security. Building from the success of an industry-leading HF reader platform, the MLX90130 incorporates solution-oriented features that offer Melexis customers more for their RFID implementations.

The MLX90130 is a high-performance 13.56-MHz HF RFID reader IC comprising an integrated analog front end (AFE) and a built-in data framing engine for ISO15693, ISO14443A/B and ISO18000-3 mode 1. The MLX90130 offers OEMs and system integrators the ability to deliver highly reliable, best-in-class, high performing RFID enabled devices.

The MLX90130 is designed to handle sub-carrier frequencies from 106 KHz to 848 KHz and baud rates up to 848kbit/s. Its digital signal processing blocks handle the lower protocol layers from API to physical layer using advanced bit and frame decoding functions. It includes a digital demodulator based on sub-carrier detection and a programmable bit and symbol encoder/decoder. It also encodes and decodes the start and stop bits, parity bits, extra guard time (EGT), start and end of frame (SOF/EOF), and CRC. Its 256 byte buffer accommodates an entire RFID frame. The SPI/UART communication ports enables easy interface with the customer’s choice of microcontroller, especially the low cost ones.

MLX90130 has both tag and field detection capabilities. The tag detection capability is based on the detection of a variation in the HF field near the device. If an object approaches or moves away from the antenna, it can influence the amplitude of the HF field. The device is able to detect any HF field variation within a short period of field presence. The RFID IC wakes up the microcontroller and initiates communication with the tag when the right field level is reached.

The MLX90130 is a member of a series of advanced NFC/RFID products resulting from an ambitious and successful cooperation program with ST Microelectronics. “We are very pleased to join forces with Melexis to develop this family of highly integrated RFID/NFC transceivers. By leveraging Melexis's highly skilled development team with a lot of experience in RFID design we are well positioned to offer best-in-class yet cost-effective multi-protocol RFID readers” says Marie-France Florentin, General Manager, Secure Microcontroller Division at ST Microelectronics.

“Adding the MLX90130 reader chip to the Melexis portfolio of RFID reader chips provides our customers exceptional price-performance enabling them to develop their own game-changing products” says Françoise Chombar, CEO of Melexis.

The MLX90130 is packaged in a 5x5mm QFN package and rated for operation over -40 to +105°C. The device is available in sample quantities immediately.