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NFC Modulation and Coding-NRZ coding, Manchester coding, Modified Miller coding, 10% ASK, 100% ASK, load modulation

This page covers NFC modulation and NFC coding.NFC modulation and coding types used are NRZ-L, Manchester, Modified Miller, ASK etc. It covers 10% ASK, 100% ASK and load modulation types.

As we know NFC network consists of two devices known as initiator and target. The tag and reader can be one of these. These devices communicate using RF carrier frequency of 13.56 MHz using contactless electro-magnetic induction method. The devices shoule be very close for communication to happen (approx. less than 10cm). NFC is low data rate and short range wireless technology. Based on different data rates as well as modulation & coding, there are three standards viz. NFC-A, NFC-B and NFC-F.

The NFC modulation and coding are mapped to these NFC standards as mentioned in the table-1 below.

NFC NRZ-L Coding

The figure-1 depicts NRZ-L Coding type.

As shown binary 1 is represented by high voltage(+V) and binary 0 is represented by low voltage (i.e. 0 volt). It is also referred as unipolar NRZ coding type.

NFC Manchester Coding

The figure-2 depicts Manchester Coding type.

As shown there are two types of manchester codes i.e. AC and DC type. Here both logic 1 and logic 0 are represented by transition from high to low and low to high within the same bit period duration. High to Low transition is mapped as binary logic-1 and Low to High transition is mapped as binary logic-0. Transition occurs exactly in the middle of bit period. AC type is known as bipolar and DC type is known as unipolar manchester codes.

NFC Modified Miller Coding

The figure-3 depicts Modified Miller Coding type.

• As shown binary logic 1 is always represented by high to low and high within the bit period. It does not depend on previous bit for mapping.
• While binary 0 is mapped according to previous bit condition i.e.
if previous bit was 1 then current zero (logic 0) is mapped as reverse of logic '1' mapping done.
if previous bit was 0 then current zero (logic 0) is mapped same as mapping done for logic '1'.

What is 10% ASK and 100% ASK

The term 10% ASK refers to amplitude shift keying modulation having modulation index anywhere between 8 and 14%.
Modulation index is expressed as follows:
Modulation index = (A-B)/(A+B)
Where,
A is unmodulated signal amplitude
B is Modulated signal amplitude

The term 100% ASK means ASK modulation in which modulation and carrier amplitude are almost equal. In this modulation, modulation wave amplitude sometimes touches zero.
Refer 10% and 100% ASK modulation types.

What is Load Modulation

In NFC based communication between reader and transponder (passive), reader transfers data to transponder using ASK modulation while transponder transmits data back to reader using load modulation.

In load modulation, modulation resistance connected in parallel to the antenna is switched ON and OFF at clock rate of the signal which need to be transmitted. Often it is carried out using either bringing resistor or capacitor in and out of the antenna circuit. Here modulated carrier frequency is 848 KHz. Subcarrier is ASK modulated with manchester coded data at bit rate of 106Kbps. This is specified in ISO/IEC 14443 standard. This is known as load modulation.
Refer ASK active load modulation used in NFC.

NFC Near Field Communication Related Links

NFC basics    NFC-A,NFC-B,NFC-F types    NFC vs RFID    difference between bluetooth,wifi,RFID and NFC    What is NFC on phone    Difference between NFC tag types    NFC Tag vs NFC Reader    NFC tester for NFC testing    NFC Tools and Equipments   

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