I•CODE1 Chip Specification

Rev. 2.1

May 2000

SL040521.doc/M

Public

Page 6 of 22

5 Functional Description

5.1 Basic Features

The I•CODE1 Label IC is a dedicated chip for intelligent label applications like logistics and retail

(including EAS) as well as baggage and parcel identification in airline business and mail services.

The I•CODE system offers the possibility of operating labels simultaneously in the field of the

reader antenna (Anticollision). It is designed for long range applications.

Whenever connected to a very simple and cheap type of antenna (as a result of the 13.56 MHz

carrier frequency) made out of a few windings printed, winded, etched or punched coil the

I•CODE1 Label IC can be operated without line of sight up to a distance of 1.5 m (gate width).

5.2 Block Diagram of the IC

The label requires no internal power supply. Its contactless interface generates the power supply

and the system clock via the resonant circuitry by inductive coupling to the reader. The interface

also demodulates data that are transmitted from the reader to the I•CODE Label, and modulates the

electromagnetic field for data transmission from the I•CODE Label to the reader.

Data are stored in a non-volatile memory (EEPROM). The EEPROM has a memory capacity of 512

bit and is organised in 16 blocks consisting of 4 bytes each (1 block = 32 bits). The higher 12 blocks

contain user data and the lowest 4 blocks contain the serial number, the write access conditions and

some configuration bits.