User's Guide
ThingMagic Micro Family User Guide
Review Copy 11-6-10
2
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The following section provides detailed specifications of the Micro hardware.
Hardware Interfaces
The Micro supports two monostatic bidirectional radio frequency (RF) antennas through two U.FL
connector or edge side-pads. See Cables and Connectors for more information on antenna connector parts
and Micro Hardware Integration for antenna edge via locations and layout guidelines.
The maximum RF power that can be delivered to a 50 ohm load from each port is 1 Watt, or +30 dBm
(regulatory requirements permitting).
NOTE: The RF ports can only be energized one at a time.
Antenna Requirements
The performance of the Micro is affected by antenna quality. Antennas that provide good 50 ohm match at
the operating frequency band perform best. Specified sensitivity performance is achieved with antennas
providing 17 dB return loss or better across the operating band. Damage to the module will not occur for
any return loss of 1 dB or greater. Damage may occur if antennas are disconnected during operation or if
the module sees an open or short circuit at its antenna port.
Antenna Detection
Caution: The Micro DOES NOT support automatic antenna detection via DC current sensing.
As of firmware version 1.7.1, it uses a return loss measurement across all channels
in the defined region. For previous versions of firmware, when writing applications
to control the Micro you MUST explicitly specify the antennas to operate on. Using
the MercuryAPI, this requires creation of a SimpleReadPlan object with the list of
antennas set and that object set as the active / reader/read/plan. For more
information see the MercuryAPI Programmers Guide | Level 2 API | Advanced Reading
| ReadPlan section.
Digital/Power Interfaces
The digital connector provides power, serial communications signals, shutdown and reset signals to the
Micro module, and access to the GPIO lines. These signals are provided through edge side-pads and the
Molex 53748-0208 connector. See Cables and Connectors for more information on parts.
See Micro Hardware Integration for pinout details of both connections and layout guidelines
2 Hardware Overview