Pattern reconfigurable UHF RFID reader antenna array
Overview
This technology is a novel antenna design of a reconfigurable UHF RFID reader to address issues related to coverage, polarization mismatch, and efficiency in passive RFID-based applications. The antenna can radiate four electronically switchable radiation beams in the azimuth plane, operate in the RFID ISM band (902-928 MHz in the US) and has a high gain and a low axial ratio. The antenna is low-cost, easy to fabricate, offering flexibility in performance for applications such as warehouse inventory monitoring, smart healthcare, and household applications.
Market Applications
- Warehouse inventory monitoring
- Smart healthcare systems
- Household applications
- Wearable sensors and on-body passive RFID sensor research
- Indoor localization applications
Key Advantages
- Impedance match in the 902-928 MHz UHF RFID band in the US. (The antenna offers a 54 MHz bandwidth (890-944 MHz) and 8.9 dBi maximum gain)
- The antenna is LHCP (Left Hand Circularly Polarized) with axial ratio (AR) ranging from 0.45 dB to 7 dB in the RFID ISM band
- High gain with electronically reconfigurable beam patterns
- Circular polarization for improved communication with linearly polarized tags
- Low-cost design using FR4 boards for rapid fabrication
Problems Solved
- Coverage issues for tags placed behind the antenna
- Polarization mismatch between reader and tag antennas
- Multipath fading, and mutual interference in RFID systems
- Reduced radiation efficiency near the human body in wearable antennas
- Challenges posed by user movement in sensor systems
- Interference management in wireless sensor networks
- Need for increased coverage and flexibility in RFID applications
Intellectual Property
United States Patent Pending - Pattern reconfigurable uhf rfid reader antenna array
Contact Information
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