Abstract: 

One solution to supply chain management for ICs would be to embed an RFID or NFC function on each chip.  This is difficult with conventional RFID approaches since they are mainly analog components with charge pumps, capacitors, etc. Thus, they are difficult to port between different semiconductor processes.  In addition, they are relatively large.  The solution demonstrated in this work is to build an RFIC function largely with digital standard cells.  Only five additional cells need to be designed and they can easily be ported to another process. This paper will present a demonstration of such a solution. The UHF Gen2 RFID design is being fabricated in a Fujitsu 55nm CMOS process. The design achieves a state-of-the-art total chip area of 0.0375 mm2 for an input sensitivity of -2.0 dBm at 900 MHz in post-layout simulations.  The presentation will include a complete overview of the Concept of Operations from wafer fab to chip disposal.  It will also include details not discussed before on the choice of the encryption algorithm.

Biography:

Prof. Paul Franzon [North Carolina State University]

Paul Franzon (Fellow, IEEE) received a Ph.D. from The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA, Australia., He has also worked at AT&T Bell Laboratories, DSTO Australia, and Australia Telecom. He co-founded three companies, Communica, LightSpin Technologies, and Polymer Braille Inc. He has served with the Australian Army Reserve for 13 years as an Infantry Soldier and an Officer. He is currently the Cirrus Logic Distinguished Professor and the Director of Graduate Programs with the Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering, North Carolina State University, Raleigh, NC, USA. His current interests center on the technology and design of complex microsystems incorporating VLSI, MEMS, machine learning, advanced packaging, and nanoelectronics. He has led several significant efforts and published over 300 papers in these areas., Dr. Franzon received the NSF Young Investigators Award in 1993, the Alcoa Research Award in 2005, and the Board of Governors Teaching Award in 2014. In 2001, he was selected to join the NCSU Academy of Outstanding Teachers. In 2003, he was chosen as a Distinguished Alumni Professor.