LPWA(ZETag) Communication IC
ZETag®*, powered by a button battery, is an active tag that transmits its unique ID information. It uses the LPWA (Low Power, Wide Area) communication standard protocol ZETA, enabling communication with access points in several kilometers away. Unlike traditional passive RFID tag that requires a reader for scanning or passing through an antenna-embedded gate, ZETag® allows an automatic management of the locations of pallets and roll-box-pallet in large warehouses or open spaces.
Socionext’s ZETag® IC, "SC1330A," has incorporated the next-generation ZETA communication standard "Advanced M-FSK" technology, achieving a more power-efficient and high-performance active tag.
*: ZETag is a registered trademark of TOPPAN Holdings Inc
Product Overview
ZETag® IC “SC1330A” is a tag chip that supports a wide range of interface functions and applies next-generation ZETA communication standard technology, Advanced M-FSK. This solution has integrated components like CPU, various external interface functions, a signal processing unit to support Advanced M-FSK modulation and so on into one device. This implementation brings several advantages to the tag products: simplify the design efforts; increase on quality level; reduces potential costs on external components and production. In addition, the digital-analog mixed integration design also offers significant advantages for designing low-power tag product.
SC1330A
●Main Features
Enables connection with external sensors through its extensive interface functions.
Advanced M-FSK function compatible with next-generation ZETA communication standard.
●Advantages
Simplifies implementation into tag products by single-chip integration, enhancing product quality levels.
Potentially reduces implementation costs by minimizing the need for external components.
Achieves low power consumption through digital-analog mixed integration in a single chip.
Enhances tag functionality by extensive external interface functions and Advanced M-FSK technology.
●System Structure
Applications
Specification
●Block Diagram
●Overview
| Item | Description |
|---|---|
| Supported Frequency | 418 to 510MHz 815 to 930MHz |
| Modulation | Compliant to Advanced M-FSK (2/4/8-(G)FSK) |
| Max. Output Power | +10dBm |
| TX Symbol Rate | 75sps to 250ksps |
| TX Data Buffer | 64bytes |
| Carrier Sense Bandwidth | 2kHz,40kHz,200kHz |
| Integrated CPU | 32bits RISC-V Processor ROM 32Kbytes(OTP) RAM 4Kbytes |
| Power Consumption | TX: 22mA(+10dBm) |
| Interface | GPIO, I2C, SPI, UART, External Interrupt |
| Power Supply | +1.8 to +3.6V |
| Operation Temperature | -40 to +85℃ |
| Number of Pins | 24pins (pin pitch : 0.5mm) |
| Package Type/ Size | QFN/ 4mm x 4mm |
Advanced M-FSK Modulation
●Features
Enhances ZETA communication link budget with an improved signal attenuation resistance.
Compared to existing ZETA communication standard, it offers the following advantages:
(1)Over 20 times the data transfer rate.
(2)More than 10 dB improvement in reception sensitivity.
(3)Enables communication from moving objects at speeds of 60 km/h.
●Function Comparison
●Challenges
The access point can transmit at relatively high power, but the terminal (tag) side is limited in transmission power due to constraints such as battery power and storage size.
Key Achievement of Implementing Advanced M-FSK
Realize ZETA's unique encoding technology like error correction and multi-level FSK in one action.
