How to Generate Load Modulation Amplitude Equivalent to Vs1pp or Vs2pp Values Defined by EMVCo With a MP500 TCL3 Signal Generator?

As a payment terminal designer I would like to perform load modulation sensitivity tests when using MP500 TCL3 signal generator with EMVCo reference antennas to adjust the sensitivity of my reader before validation test. 

In Near Field Communication (NFC), during a contactless communication between a reader and a passive device like a contactless smartcard, the smartcard is load modulating the carrier of the reader to answer to reader command. This is the Load Modulation Amplitude (LMA) principle.

For proper NFC exchange, any reader shall be able to understand answers with LMA values between minimum and maximum values.
For reader designers, adjusting the sensitivity of the reader to LMA is challenging and it is  
crucial to be able to perform Load Modulation Amplitude sensitivity tests.

When using MP500 TCL3 signal generator it is quiet simple to perform load modulation sensitivity tests 
thanks to the card emulation features of the device and the script editor plugin of MPManager. 

Indeed, it is possible to adjust the voltage level of the signal that will be applied by the MP500 TCL3 signal generator to simulate a card answer.  
Depending on the antenna used and the voltage applied at the Mod In connector of a given simulation antenna, the Load Modulation Amplitude seen by a reader under test will be high enough or not for the reader to send the next command.

In the next steps moving forward, we will be focused on Load Modulation Amplitude sensitivity tests for payment terminals following EMVCo test specification. 

In particular, how to Generate Load Modulation Amplitude equivalent to Vs1pp or Vs2pp values defined by EMVCo with a MP500 TCL3 Signal Generator?

Connections and steps:

- connect AUX1 connector of MP500 device used to HDMI connector of the HDMI splitter when using 
HDMI-HDMI cable
- connect Analog In connector of MP500 device used to J4 connector of the EMVCo test reference antenna you want to use, when using SMAm-SMAm 50 cm cable
- connect J1 connector of the EMVCo test reference antenna you want to use to Vdc out connector of the HDMI splitter, when using SMAm-SMBf 50 cm cable
- connect J2 connector of the EMVCo test reference antenna you want to use to Mod connector of the HDMI splitter, when using SMAm-SMBf 50 cm cable
- Check that a power supply cable is connected to the MP500 device you want to use.
- Connect MP500 device to your laptop when using USB or Ethernet cable.
- Power On MP500 TCL3.

- Launch MPManager GUI
- Connect MP500 TCL3 and go to the script editor
- Open the type A or type B card emulation script available for download at the end of the page

You will need to adjust the high range of the square signal that will be generated by Set Load Modulation command.
The delta between the high and low range of the Set Load Modulation command corresponding to the voltage that will be applied by MP500 TCL3 at the modulation input of the EMVCo test reference antenna you want to use. 
Locate the set modulation command in the script.



Use the correlation table below to adjust the high state modulation value of the Set Load Modulation command in the script to generate LMA equivalent to Vs1pp or Vs2pp values defined by EMVCo PCD analog test specification.  

The card emulation type A script available for download at the end of the page can be used to generate 
a LMA equivalent to Vs2,pp nom of 20 mV to communicate with a payment reader using EMVCo reference PICC 1. 

The card emulation type B script available for download at the end of the page can be used to generate 
a LMA equivalent to Vs1,pp min of 5.5 mV to communicate with a payment reader using EMVCo reference PICC 2. 

Next Steps

Change the high state modulation value of the Set Load Modulation command in the script to generate LMA equivalent to Vs1pp or Vs2pp values defined by EMVCo PCD analog test specification depending on the EMVCo test PICC reference antenna you want to use.

In case you have additional questions please open a service request on ni.com.