A document proposes the development of several alternative types of electronic circuits for wristband transponders for the system described in "Person-Locator System Based on Wristband Radio Transponders" (NPO-19280) NASA Tech Briefs, Vol. 19, No. 12 (December 1995), page 40. To recapitulate: microscopic transponder circuits embedded in wristbands would be powered by modulated signals radiated by transceiver nodes and would respond by transmitting signals modulated with unique digital codes to identify the wearers. The document includes a brief discussion of the advantages of the current mode in the proposed application; these advantages include superior high-frequency performance and independent control of closed-loop gain and bandwidth.
This work was done by Victor Boyadzhyan and Frederick Mintz of Caltech forNASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory. In accordance with Public Law 96-517, the contractor has elected to retain title to this invention. Inquiries concerning rights for its commercial use should be addressed to
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Refer to NPO-20100
This Brief includes a Technical Support Package (TSP).
Development of ciruitry for wristband radio transponders
(reference NPO20100) is currently available for download from the TSP library.
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Overview
The document is a technical support package from NASA, specifically detailing the development of circuitry for wristband radio transponders, aimed at enhancing a person-locator system. The report, authored by Victor Boyadzhyan and Frederick Mintz from Caltech for NASA's Jet Propulsion Laboratory, outlines the design and implementation strategies for these advanced electronic circuits.
The primary focus is on two types of circuit designs: one operating in conventional voltage mode and the other utilizing current mode technology. The voltage mode circuits will be designed and fabricated using multichip module (MCM) or hybrid technology, while the current mode circuits will employ complementary metal oxide semiconductor (CMOS) technology. The document emphasizes the advantages of current mode technology, which include superior high-frequency performance and the ability to independently control closed-loop gain and bandwidth, making it particularly suitable for the micro-miniaturization of passive RF circuits.
The report also includes a feasibility study on inductor emulation, which is crucial for the development of these circuits. It outlines a detailed timeline for the research and development process, including various phases such as Pspice simulation, circuit prototyping, parts ordering, testing, integration, and retesting. The total development effort is estimated to take approximately 18 months, with various tasks allocated specific durations.
Additionally, the document provides a comparison of the development timelines and area requirements for both current mode and conventional voltage mode technologies. It highlights the potential for current mode technology to "leapfrog" existing challenges in micro-miniaturization, addressing the high-risk aspects of the project early on to demonstrate feasibility.
Overall, this technical report serves as a comprehensive overview of the innovative approaches being explored for wristband radio transponders, showcasing NASA's commitment to advancing technology in the field of microelectronics and RF communication. The findings and methodologies presented in this document are intended to pave the way for future developments in wearable technology and personal identification systems.
