Design and implementation of a security-enhanced baseband system for UHF RFID tag

This paper presents a security-enhanced baseband system for UHF RFID tag, which is based on ISO18000-6B protocol. The proposed baseband system consists of the following modules: Receiver, Controller, Power Management (PM), Transmitter, Advanced Encryption Standard with 128 bits cryptographic key (AES-128), and Cyclic Redundancy Check (CRC). AES-128 is the encryption engine, which is designed and implemented properly for low cost requirement. Tag uses AES-128 to protect sensitive data in memory and realize mutual authentication with reader. As the actual length of data transacted between reader and tag is less than 128 bits, a novel data flow is given to enhance security strength. The chip was designed using 0.18µm CMOS process. Total area of the baseband system is 685µmX360µm excluding pads. Power analysis shows that it consumes 6.9µw@1V. The chip is under fabrication.1