Elatec TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE Release Note

TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE
Technical Handbook
DocRev7, June 17, 2020
Elatec GmbH

Contents
Contents
1 Introduction .............................................. 3
2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.1 Functional Overview . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4
2.2 Dimensions ........................................... 5
2.3 Pinout .............................................. 6
2.3.1 USB (X1) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.2 Generic Interface (X2) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 6
2.3.3 UART (X3) . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 8
2.4 Versions ............................................. 9
3 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Feature . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 10
4 Power states and current consumption breakdown . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 11
5 Disclaimer............................................... 13
Page 2 of 13

1 Introduction
1 Introduction
The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE is a configurable Reader/Writer for RFID transponders. This addition to
the TWN4 family offers the Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) interface. The module has both low (125kHz,
134.2kHz) and high (13.56MHz) frequency antennas, allowing the User access to a wide range of RFID
standards.
This Technical Handbook provides the details needed to get started using the TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE: a
functional overview of the board, listing the features and interface options available.
A custom User App can be loaded onto the module using the AppBlaster software. For more information
regarding the programming of the TWN4 module please see a dedicated User Guide for AppBlaster.
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2.1 Functional Overview
The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE is a complete RFID Reader system that requires a 5V or 3.3V power source
and connection to a host to work. The majority of the circuitry responsible for processing the RFID card
information and executing the module firmware is shielded as shown on Figure 2.1. The device can be
connected to the host via USB interface. A more generic breakout interface to the main controller is
available; its pinout is shown in Table 2.2. The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE also offers a SAM slot and a
speaker on board.
The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE can interact with the User via Bluetooth Low-Energy interface. This develop-
ment pack contains documentation on BLE protocol and API implemented on the module.
Figure 2.1: TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE View Functional
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2.2 Dimensions
Figure 2.2 provides the physical dimensions of the TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE. All dimensions in mm unless
otherwise stated.
Figure 2.2: PCB Dimensions
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2.3 Pinout
2.3.1 USB (X1)
Pin Pin Name Function
1 UVCC USB VCC (5V)
2 USB_DM_P USB Data -
3 USB_DP_P USB Data +
4 NC not connected
5 UGND USB Ground
Table 2.1: Main USB connector (X1) Pin Configuration
2.3.2 Generic Interface (X2)
The module provides a generic access port that allows the User to bypass the main USB connector and
interact with the TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE microcontroller directly. The port name is X2 and the polarity of
its pins is shown in Figure 2.3. The pinout is provided in Table 2.2.
Figure 2.3: Connector X2
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
Pin Pin Name Function
1 CAN_TX TTL TX pin of CAN interface. An external interface circuit is required.
2 CAN_RX TTL RX pin of CAN interface. An external interface circuit is required.
3 I2C_SCL Clock pin of I2C interface. No internal pull up.
4 I2C_SDA Data pin of I2C interface. No internal pull up.
5 SPI_MOSI Pin MOSI of SPI interface
6 SPI_MISO Pin MISO of SPI interface
7 SPI_SS- Pin SS- of SPI interface
8 SPI_SCK Pin SCK of SPI interface
9 V24_TXD RS232 TXD (Output)
10 HOSTSENSE Host channel selector: Low (connect to GND) = COM1 (no USB enumeration);
high (connect to VCC) = USB. This pin is internally pulled high.
11 V24_RXD RS232 RXD (Input)
12 GND Ground
13 UVCC USB VCC (5V)
14 USB_DM_P USB Data -
15 UGND USB Ground
16 USB_DP_P USB Data +
17 COM1_TX Low active TTL output (push/pull) of asynchronous TXD from COM1.
18 COM1_RX Low active TTL input with internal pull-up resistor of asynchronous RXD to
COM1.
19 VCC Direct access to 3.3V supply net after Regulator. Microcontroller and majority of
circuitry is powered by this.
20 GPIO4 I/O pin for general purposes.
21 GPIO5 I/O pin for general purposes.
22 GPIO6 I/O pin for general purposes.
23 PWRDWN- Low active TTL input with internal pull-up resistor for turning off the voltage reg-
ulator.
24 RESET- Low active TTL input with internal pull-up resistor for hard reset.
Table 2.2: Generic Interface (X2) Pin Configuration
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2.3.3 UART (X3)
Pin Pin Name Function
1 +5V 5V supply
2 COM1_RX Low active TTL input with internal pull-up resistor of asynchronous RXD to COM1.
3 COM1_TX Low active TTL output (push/pull) of asynchronous TXD from COM1.
4 GND Ground
Table 2.3: UART connector (X3) Pin Configuration
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2 TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE PCB
2.4 Versions
Various versions of TWN4 MultiTech 3 are available: One full-featured version and three cost-optimized
versions which support LF (125kHz, 134.2kHz) and/or HF (13.56MHz) transponders. Table 2.4 lists the
different features of the corresponding model:
Feature TWN4 TWN4 TWN4 TWN4
MultiTech 3 BLE MultiTech 3 MultiTech 3 LF MultiTech 3 HF
LF √√√-
HF √√-√
BLE √- - -
Nr of SAM-Slots 1 1 - 1
Table 2.4: Different features of TWN4 MultiTech 3 Versions
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3 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Feature
3 Bluetooth Low Energy (BLE) Feature
The traditional Bluetooth standard is convenient for constant-flow media transfer applications such as video
streaming. The Bluetooth Low Energy standard was introduced for applications requiring a lower power
consumption profile. Data is sent in bursts, followed by periods of electrical idle.
The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE uses the BGM121 module from Silicon Labs. The chip implements the
Physical, Link and L2CAP Layers of the BLE Protocol. The API is implemented within the firmware of
the main TWN4 microcontroller. The two chips interact via the COM2 port and GPIO7 (connected to Reset
of BGM121) of the TWN4 microcontroller, thereby making COM2 and GPIO7 unavailable for custom user
functions.
For more information regarding the Bluetooth Low Energy Standard please see document "Designing for
Bluetooth Low Energy" from Silicon Labs.
For the description of all the BLE-related commands available, please see the TWN4 API document.
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4 Power states and current consumption breakdown
4 Power states and current consumption
breakdown
The TWN4 MultiTech 3 BLE supports 3 power states that can be used to reduce the current consumption
of the reader when the application calls for it.
In Normal state the reader can accommodate a request to search for a high-/low-frequency tag, perform
a BLE action or interact with peripherals on short notice; the current consumption in this state is the
highest.
In Sleep state the reader is not capable of any of the above, but consumes considerably less current. The
reader can be woken by communication on USB/COM ports, predefined timeout, or a Low-Power-Card-
Detection (LPCD) event and taken to Normal state.
In Stop state the reader consumes the least current and can be woken up via external/internal interrupt, or
a Low-Power-Card-Detection (LPCD) event and taken to Normal state.
Changing the LPCD poll time will change the current consumption, which can be estimated with the fol-
lowing formula:
ILP CD = 0.5mA +0.1mAs
tP oll[s]
The first section of Table 4.1 shows the expected typical current draw in the 3 states described above,
depending on the reader interface used. The second section of the table lists the maximum additional
current drawn by the device’s peripherals; these values are to be added to those in the "Normal Idle" base
state. It is assumed that a +5V DC Power Source is used.
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4 Power states and current consumption breakdown
Host Connection USB UART-TTL
Typical Consumption in Base System States
Normal Idle 65 59
Sleep 15 6,8
Sleep LPCD Option 15,3 7,0
Stop N/A 0,45
Stop LPCD Option N/A 0,8
Maximum Consumption by Function wrt. Normal Idle System State
SearchTag-HF +140
SearchTag-LF +25
RS232 +4
BLE Active Packet Reception +9
BLE Active Transmission (0 dBm output power) +9
BLE Active Transmission (8 dBm output power) +24
Speaker Constant Tone +80
LED (Red) +2
LED (Green) +6
Table 4.1: Current Consumption Breakdown given +5V DC Supply (mA)
Page 12 of 13

5 Disclaimer
5 Disclaimer
Elatec reserves the right to change any information or data in this document without prior notice. The
distribution and the update of this document is not controlled. Elatec declines all responsibility for the use
of product with any other specifications but the ones mentioned above. Any additional requirement for a
specific custom application has to be validated by the customer himself at his own responsibility. Where
application information is given, it is only advisory and does not form part of the specification.
All referenced brands, product names, service names and trademarks mentioned in this document are the
property of their respective owners.
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