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HF/UHF dual band RFID transponders for an information-driven public transportation system

HF/UHF Dualband-RFID-Transponder für ein informationszentriertes, öffentliches Verkehrssystem

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Abstract

The limited communication range of HF radio frequency identification (RFID) smart cards does not allow to automatically assess the alighting point of passengers on public transportation. This work considers HF/UHF dual band RFID transponders for electronic ticketing in an information-driven public transportation system. The UHF RFID interface is intended to enable a remote detection of passengers inside a vehicle and thus to assess the alighting point of passengers. A review of the specific operating conditions for the UHF RFID link is given and associated privacy issues are addressed. We introduce a low-complexity approach to safeguard the privacy of passengers. Following a discussion of the architecture of appropriate HF/UHF dual band transponder ICs, the focus is set on questions of the circuit implementation. With regard to the progressing CMOS technology scaling, we can observe potential risks of overvoltage stress for the UHF RFID front-end at high input powers. Two RF voltage limiters that prevent overvoltages are presented. Experimental results of circuit prototypes in a 40 nm CMOS technology demonstrate the functionality of two UHF RFID front-ends that incorporate the RF voltage limiters.

Zusammenfassung

Die begrenzte Kommunikationsreichweite von kontaktlosen Chipkarten, basierend auf HF Radiofrequenz-Identifikations-Technologie (RFID), erlaubt es nicht, automatisch den Ausstiegspunkt von Passagieren in öffentlichen Verkehrsmitteln festzustellen. Diese Arbeit behandelt HF/UHF Dualband-RFID-Transponder für ein elektronisches Zahlungssystem in einem informationszentrierten, öffentlichen Verkehrssystem. Die UHF RFID-Schnittstelle ist vorgesehen, um eine Ferndetektion von Passagieren innerhalb von Verkehrsmitteln zu ermöglichen und damit den Ausstiegspunkt von Passagieren zu ermitteln. Die spezifischen Einsatzbedingungen des UHF RFID-Links und die damit zusammenhängenden Fragen der Privatsphäre werden untersucht. Wir stellen eine einfache Methode zum Schutz der Privatsphäre von Passagieren vor. Im Anschluss an eine Diskussion der Architektur entsprechender Dualband-Transponder-ICs werden Fragen der Schaltungsumsetzung behandelt. Im Hinblick auf die fortschreitende Skalierung von CMOS-Prozessen können wir mögliche Risiken im Zusammenhang mit Überspannungen am UHF RFID-Frontend, bei hohen Eingangsleistungen, feststellen. Wir führen zwei RF Spannungsbegrenzer ein, zur Vermeidung von Überspannungen. Anhand von Messergebnissen von Schaltungsprototypen in einer 40 nm CMOS-Technologie demonstrieren wir die Funktionalität von zwei UHF RFID-Frontends, welche die beiden RF Spannungsbegrenzer inkludieren.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Institute of Microwave and Photonic Engineering, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 12, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Lukas Zöscher, Jasmin Grosinger, Dominik Amschl & Wolfgang Bösch

  2. Institute for Applied Information Processing and Communications, Graz University of Technology, Inffeldgasse 16a, 8010, Graz, Austria

    Raphael Spreitzer & Hannes Gross

  3. NXP Semiconductors Austria, Mikron-Weg 1, 8101, Gratkorn, Austria

    Lukas Zöscher, Ulrich Mühlmann & Hubert Watzinger

Authors
  1. Lukas Zöscher
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  2. Raphael Spreitzer
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  3. Hannes Gross
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  4. Jasmin Grosinger
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  8. Wolfgang Bösch
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Correspondence to Lukas Zöscher.

Additional information

This work was performed as part of the K-project “Secure Contactless Sphere — Smart RFID Technologies for a Connected World” that has been funded by the Austrian Research Promotion Agency (FFG).

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Zöscher, L., Spreitzer, R., Gross, H. et al. HF/UHF dual band RFID transponders for an information-driven public transportation system. Elektrotech. Inftech. 133, 163–175 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-016-0405-y

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00502-016-0405-y

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