Distributed receiving in RFID systems

Abstract

Many shortcomings in radio frequency identification (RFID) systems stem from the underlying communication architecture; affecting performance, scalability and usability. This paper remedies such hindrance by introducing the novel paradigm of distributed receiving in RFID systems. The proposed scheme entails dispersing the routine functions of conventional readers onto spatially distributed entities, within the reader's interrogation zone, enabling formation of micro-zones. Such micro-zones facilitate the novel concept of multi-point communication in RFID systems. We also present a new breed of anti-collision algorithms - parallel singulation - exploiting the spatially isolated nature of micro-zones and the new multi-point communication architecture. Simulation analysis validates the distributed receiving system by demonstrating significant performance improvements, enhanced scalability and usability.