AFE And Mixed Signal IPs For Integrated RFID NFC Controllers Design | ASTRI - Hong Kong Applied Science And Technology Research Institute Company Limited

Project Title:

AFE and Mixed Signal IPs for Integrated RFID NFC controllers Design

Project Reference:

ART/155CP

Project Type:

Project Period:

20130701 - 20141231

Funds Approved (HK$’000):

11892

Project Coordinator:

Dr Keh-chung Wang

Deputy Project Coordinator:

Deliverable:

1) 0.18um TSMC CMOS tapeout of IPs of RF analog front end for signal transmit and receive (commercial grade). 2) 40nm TSMC CMOS tapeout of IP of analog module + digital controller – inkind from Alchip (commercial grade). 3) 0.18um TSMC CMOS tapeout of NFC chip of analog front-end + digital controller + 8051 MCU + memory + I/O cell (commercial grade). 4) 0.18um IBM 7HV mixed voltages BCD process tapeout of NFC chip of item (3) above – inkind from IBM. (industry grade process). 5) Test report for the NFC controller IC evaluation, specifications and datasheet. 6) Board for application development as a general reference on NFC communication and function evaluation.

Research Group:

Dr K C Wang Mr Bryce Yau Dr Zhuiqiang Tang Mr Andy Wu Ms Karen Wan Mr Xiaoxiang Li Mr Tat Fu Chan Mr Jacky Cai Mr Henry Chiu Mr Brian Leung Mr K C Wan Ms Gigi Chan Mr K C Au Ms Sidar Lai Mr Edward Wong Ms Pearl Ma Mr Yat Tung Lai Mr Ka Hung Kwok

Sponsor:

Alchip Technologies Inc [Sponsor] IBM China/Hong Kong Limited [Sponsor] TENX TECHNOLOGY, INC

Description:

Near Field Communication (NFC) will revolutionize the way people access and use information. NFC-capable devices can enable mobile payment, loyalty collection, interactive advertising, ID authentication, transit-fare collection and many other mobile commerce applications. Although Hong Kong is one of the most important logistic hubs (with well-developed contactless infrastructure (softwares)) in Asia, it does not have the necessary integrated circuit and system technologies ( hardware ) to maintain its competitive position. This ASTRI initiative will help change the situation. The objectives of this project, therefore, are to provide all the core IC design capabilities for Hong Kong and China to develop IC chips for NFC (Near Field Communication) and Radio Frequency Identification ( RFID) applications. We shall deliver a comprehensive set of analog and mixed signal IPs comprising of a RFID analog front end and all of the essential digital building blocks for implementation of different NFC controllers. The project will take 18 months to complete and HK$13M to cover the development expenses. This technology is strategically important for ASTRI and Hong Kong. It is believed to have significant commercial potential in the region.

Co-Applicant:

Keywords:

More about ASTRI

Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute (ASTRI) was founded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region in 2000 with the mission of enhancing Hong Kong’s competitiveness through applied research. ASTRI’s core R&D competence in various areas is grouped under five Technology Divisions: Advanced Electronic Components and Systems; Artificial Intelligence and Trust Technologies; Communications Technologies; Innovative Mind; and IoT Sensing and AI Technologies. It is applied across six core areas which are Smart City, Financial Technologies, New Industrialisation and Intelligent Manufacturing, Digital Health, Application Specific Integrated Circuits and Metaverse.

Over the years, ASTRI has nurtured a pool of research, I&T talents and received numerous international awards for its pioneering innovations as well as outstanding business and community contributions. As of 2023/24, ASTRI has transferred more than 1,500 technologies to the industry and has been granted over 1,100 patents in the Mainland, the US, and other countries.

As a Hong Kong R&D centre, one of ASTRI’s important goals is to help customers harness business opportunities from the thriving technology market and increase their competitive strengths. Customers and partners can improve their efficacy by drawing on ASTRI’s expertise and research achievements.