The present invention provides a passive RFID chip with on-chip charge
pumps for generating electrical power for the chip from radio
frequencies. The passive RFID chip comprises an analog portion and a
digital portion. The analog portion primarily comprises a voltage sensor
and an AM data detector. The digital portion comprises a state machine
digital logic controller. Incoming RF signals enter the chip via external
antennas. The RF signals are converted into regulated DC signals by RF-DC
converters with the voltage sensor. The RF-DC converters provide power
for all the on-chip components and hence the chip does not require
external power supply. The incoming RF signals are demodulated by
demodulators and enter the AM data detector where the envelope
transitions are detected. A voltage alarm is provided to ensure the
voltage level does not drop below an operational level of the chip. The
logic signals and programming data are controlled by the state machine
digital logic controller and the timing signals are provided by an
on-chip oscillator.