A 0.65μW baseband processor for UHF RFID with on-chip antenna

A low-cost low-power baseband processor for passive UHF RFID tag based on self-defined protocol is presented in this work. In order to be driven by the on-chip antenna, baseband processor employs various methods of low power technology, including GSLA (Globally Synchronous Locally Asynchronous) concept, multiple working voltages, scaling frequency of some modules, clock-gating, reuse of registers, etc. Both the average and peak power have got the optimal value. Simulation results indicate that the processor consumes less than 0.65 μW at 1 V supply voltage and the minimum area is 0.0375 mm
²
. The whole tag including on-chip antenna (OCA), RF frontend, low-power baseband processor and an OTP of 256 bits is designed and fabricated successfully using a 0.18 μm process. In measurement, the tag has proper functions in both testing and normal modes and the reading distance can reach 1 mm.