4-bit CMOS transponder achieved by PolyIC

At ISSCC 2009 in San Francisco, PolyIC presented the prototype of an air stable passive organic CMOS 4-bit RFID transponder for a carrier frequency of 13.56MHz. Other than the electrodes, all involved layers consist of soluble organic molecules and were deposited by spin coating on a flexible plastic substrate. While the prototype was realized in the laboratory, the materials and methods used are compatible with printing processes for mass production.

 

The core element of the organic CMOS transponder is the organic CMOS chip consisting of 168 organic transistors, half of them being n-type and p-type transistors, respectively. Measurements on single inverters showed typical CMOS properties like rail-to-rail switching, a symmetric inverter transfer curve and high noise margins leading to robust circuits. At -20V supply voltage the CMOS chip operates at a clock frequency of 196 Hz and shows its characteristic data sequence. Furthermore, lifetime investigations on CMOS ring oscillator circuits demonstrate shelf life of more than 15 months without any encapsulation.

 

The transponder system was completed by combining the CMOS transponder chip with an organic rectifier, an organic modulation circuit and a standard antenna suitable for 13.56 MHz. Using this setup, the transponder signal was correctly transmitted and detected by a 13.56 MHz RFID reader within several cm of reading distance from the reader. For more information please see www.polyic.com .

 

For more attend Printed Electronics Europe 2009 .

 

 

by Wolfgang Mildner

Managing Director

PolyIC