onsemi SPS1M002

Overview

SPS1M002 from ON Semiconductor is a battery-free UHF RFID-based smart passive sensor for direct moisture detection on non-metal surfaces, operating in FCC (902–928 MHz) or ETSI (866–868 MHz) bands, with 5-bit sensor code output, on-chip RSSI measurement, and EPC Gen 2 v2.0.0 compliance - deployed in medical wound monitoring, industrial leak detection, and facility humidity mapping.

For engineers reviewing the SPS1M002 datasheet, pinout, applications, or equivalent options, this page delivers verified technical context, memory-mapped sensor register access, frequency-dependent tuning behavior, moisture-induced antenna detuning response, and reader-side software considerations for reliable wet/dry discrimination.

Technical Context

The SPS1M002 embeds the RF Micron Magnus-S2® Sensor IC, leveraging patented Chameleon® self-tuning RF front-end architecture to dynamically adapt input impedance across environmental conditions. It digitizes moisture-induced antenna detuning into a 5-bit sensor code (0–31), with baseline dry reading averaging 18 and damp-cloth exposure yielding ~5-code reduction.

Sensor data is accessed via reserved memory bank registers (B0h–BFh for Sensor Code; D0h–DFh for RSSI Code), requiring Gen 2-compliant READ/SELECT commands. The On-Chip RSSI Threshold (A0h) enables reader-controlled spatial filtering using 6-bit thresholding with upper/lower bound control bit.

Key Specifications

Pinout & Package

SPS1M002 is a monolithic UHF RFID tag IC integrated into an antenna-in-package structure; it has no discrete pins or solderable terminals. The device is delivered as a complete RF tag assembly in Case 888AD (91.5 × 26.5 mm) for FCC-band use or Case 888AE (101.6 × 31.75 mm) for ETSI-band use, with aluminum antenna pattern embedded in PET tape substrate.

Key Features

Applications

Equivalent & Alternatives

The following parts are listed as comparable options for similar passive UHF moisture sensing applications.

Compared with SPS1M002, SPS1M003A improves read margin in marginal RF fields while maintaining full software and mechanical compatibility, whereas RFM2001-868 trades FCC flexibility for enhanced resolution and thermal robustness - making SPS1M002 the optimal balance of global band support, proven field reliability, and integration simplicity.

Availability

SPS1M002 is available at Aetrix Electronics and suitable for medical wound monitoring, industrial leak detection, and facility humidity mapping requiring stable component supply, long-term lifecycle assurance, and traceable sourcing for regulated environments.

Supply support for SPS1M002 includes scheduled delivery planning, volume procurement assistance, BOM continuity management, traceable sourcing, and lifecycle availability coordination for OEM customers, industrial embedded developers, connected-device designers, and electronics production programs.

Manufacturer

ON Semiconductor is a global semiconductor supplier delivering energy-efficient silicon solutions for automotive, industrial, cloud, medical, and IoT applications.

The SPS1M002 belongs to ON Semiconductor's Smart Passive Sensor family, co-developed with RF Micron to enable maintenance-free, battery-less condition monitoring using UHF RFID infrastructure.

FAQ

What is the operating frequency range of the SPS1M002?

The SPS1M002 operates in two regulatory-defined UHF bands: FCC (902–928 MHz) for North America and ETSI (866–868 MHz) for Europe. The specific variant (SPS1M002A or SPS1M002B) determines band support - SPS1M002 contains no internal oscillator or frequency synthesis; its operation is fully dependent on reader-generated RF carrier frequency and antenna resonance tuning.

How does the SPS1M002 detect moisture without a battery or external power?

The SPS1M002 harvests RF energy from a compatible UHF Gen 2 reader to power its internal Magnus-S2® IC. Moisture changes the dielectric environment around the integrated antenna, causing measurable detuning of its resonant frequency. The Chameleon® engine detects this shift and encodes it as a 5-bit sensor code (0–31), which is then backscattered to the reader - all without batteries or wired connections.

What memory banks are accessible on the SPS1M002 and how are they used?

The SPS1M002 implements EPC Gen 2 v2.0.0 memory architecture: TID (64-bit read-only), EPC (128-bit write-only default, extendable to 272-bit), USER (144-bit read/write), and RESERVED (read/write for sensor registers). Sensor Code resides at B0h–BFh, RSSI Code at D0h–DFh, and On-Chip RSSI Threshold is configured via SELECT command to address A0h - not a physical memory location.

Can the SPS1M002 be reconfigured for continuous tuning instead of single-shot power-up tuning?

Yes. By writing 0800h to the Analog Overwrite word (50h–5Fh in RESERVED bank), the SPS1M002 enters continuous Chameleon® tuning mode - adjusting impedance dynamically during active operation rather than locking at power-up. This mode improves responsiveness to rapid environmental shifts but increases RF power demand slightly compared to static tuning.

Is the SPS1M002 suitable for outdoor or high-humidity environments?

The SPS1M002 is rated for junction temperatures from −40°C to +85°C and is RoHS-compliant with Pb-free, halogen-free construction. However, its PET tape substrate and aluminum antenna are not encapsulated for direct rain or submersion exposure. For outdoor use, it must be mounted under protective overhangs or within IP-rated enclosures - validated performance is limited to indoor non-metal surfaces per datasheet test conditions.