Introduction, Features – MagTek LOW POWER SHIFT-OUT User Manual
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INTRODUCTION
MagTek’s Low Power Shift-Out IntelliHead consists of a high-performance multi-channel fully
integrated magnetic stripe decoder chip encapsulated within a low-profile magnetic read-head. The
Low Power Shift-Out IntelliHead is designed for battery operated devices that need to “wake from
swipe”. It features a typical quiescent current when armed to accept a swipe of only 1.5 μA. If this
low quiescent current is not needed, then cost savings can be realized by using the regular Shift-Out
IntelliHead. See MagTek specification 99875258 for details.
Note that the Low Power Shift-Out IntelliHead is limited to reading cards that have at least track 2
encoded. This is because it keys off of track 2 only for its “wake-up” signal. If track 2 is encoded,
the other encoded tracks (track 1 and/or track 3) will also be read.
FEATURES
• Ultra-low Sleep or Armed-to-Read current – only 1.5 μA typical current when no card is
being swiped. Ideal for battery-powered readers.
• Ultra-compact design – low-profile read head contains all needed circuits. Save PCB space!
• No external components – even the decoupling capacitor is integrated. Only 4 signals, VDD,
VSS, DATA, and STROBE to connect to your micro-controller for up to 3 tracks
• Data buffer with Shift-Out – allows full card data to be locally stored on ASIC. Use a low-
power controller with interrupt on swipe, limited memory, low-speed, low pin-count, etc.
• High noise immunity – no analog signals leave the shielded magnetic head! Withstands noisy
PC monitors, cell phones, switching power supplies, etc.
• High performance decoding – new design reads badly damaged cards; compensates for poor
head mounting
• Robust re-synchronization capabilities – reads cards with badly damaged leading or
synchronization zero-bits in either swipe direction
• Low voltage operation – 2.85 V to 3.6 V
• Low operating current – less than 1.2 mA maximum total current at 3.3V (for up to 3 tracks)
while card is being swiped
• AGC (Automatic Gain Control) – reads cards from 30% - 200% of ISO 7811 amplitude
standard
• Wide operational temperature range – -40 °C to +85 °C
• Wide range of card swipe speeds – from 6 ips to 100 ips (15 cm/s to 250 cm/s)
• ROHS Compliant – “lead (Pb) free” component