Semi-passive RFID Research Articles

Efficiency Measurements of Energy Harvesting from Electromagnetic Environment for Selected Harvester Systems

The results of our research devoted to efficiency measurements of energy harvesting from tele-transmission systems featuring examples of model autonomous semi-passive RFID identifiers have been presented in this paper. The selected harvester systems were tested in different systems and circuit configurations to determine of energy harvesting conditions. The appropriate laboratory stand was designed and constructed for investigations in accordance with real-world electromagnetic conditions. The obtained results made it possible to determine the dependence of harvester output voltage in selected applications (operation mode, localization related to the energy source) as well as the minimum power threshold required for identifier operations in the environment. The real energy balance was also established, which is highly useful for configuring identifier parameters and optimizing the operation mode to achieve the best energy harvesting from the electromagnetic environment.

Review of Wireless RFID Strain Sensing Technology in Structural Health Monitoring.

Strain-based condition evaluation has garnered as a crucial method for the structural health monitoring (SHM) of large-scale engineering structures. The use of traditional wired strain sensors becomes tedious and time-consuming due to their complex wiring operation, more workload, and instrumentation cost to collect sufficient data for condition state evaluation, especially for large-scale engineering structures. The advent of wireless and passive RFID technologies with high efficiency and inexpensive hardware equipment has brought a new era of next-generation intelligent strain monitoring systems for engineering structures. Thus, this study systematically summarizes the recent research progress of cutting-edge RFID strain sensing technologies. Firstly, this study introduces the importance of structural health monitoring and strain sensing. Then, RFID technology is demonstrated including RFID technology's basic working principle and system component composition. Further, the design and application of various kinds of RFID strain sensors in SHM are presented including passive RFID strain sensing technology, active RFID strain sensing technology, semi-passive RFID strain sensing technology, Ultra High-frequency RFID strain sensing technology, chipless RFID strain sensing technology, and wireless strain sensing based on multi-sensory RFID system, etc., expounding their advantages, disadvantages, and application status. To the authors' knowledge, the study initially provides a systematic comprehensive review of a suite of RFID strain sensing technology that has been developed in recent years within the context of structural health monitoring.

Semi-Passive RFID Electronic Devices With On-Chip Sensor Fusion Capabilities for Motion Capture and Biomechanical Analysis

This paper presents the development and testing of a novel electronic device for Wireless Motion Capture (W-MoCap), a technology that allows the reconstruction of movements of objects and body parts with many potential applications in various contexts. The device integrates UHF RFID technology with sensors for low-power backscattering communication. It consists of a Battery Assisted Passive UHF RFID chip, an Inertial Measurement Unit, an ultra-low power microcontroller, and a custom-designed edge-fed body-tolerant antenna operating at 866 MHz. The proper matching between the RFID chip and antenna is ensured through a well-designed L-match unbalanced network, and the separation of RF and DC signals is achieved with a meandered microstrip quarter-wavelength transformer, choke inductor, and decoupling capacitor. The designed and realized RFID W-MoCap Sensor-Tag has been thoroughly evaluated in terms of current consumption, front-end sensitivity, and sensing accuracy. Finally, five prototypes have been applied to specific segments of a human subject and successfully tested in a practical scenario for real time reconstruction of human movements.

RFID Sensors for Monitoring Glazing Units Integrating Photovoltaic Modules

The paper focuses on the synthesis of semi-passive RFID transponders-sensors that are intended to integrate with active glazing units with built-in photovoltaic cells. The main purpose of the designed construction of the UHF RFID device is to provide diagnostic information in the monitoring system of a photovoltaic micro-power plant. Furthermore, the RFID sensor is aimed at being implemented at various stages of the product life cycle: production, distribution, storage, installation, common operation, service/maintenance and disposal. In the presented research work, particular attention is paid to several aspects of the RFID sensor synthesis: use of the energy, generated periodically in the PV cells, to power the monitoring device that has to act permanently; specification of the PV module parameters that have to be monitored in the diagnostic process; implementation of data acquisition and energy management models in an electrical circuit; wireless data transfer to the master unit (monitoring host), even in the absence of power supply (e.g., module damage, blackout), using a standardized communication protocol IEC 18000-63 used in the RFID technology; and the design of the antenna system taking into consideration limitations of electronic technology and the material properties of substrates and glasses used in PV modules and RFID sensors. Based on the results of the investigations, the modular structure of the RFID sensor demonstrator is proposed. Moreover, several diagnostic scenarios are analyzed in detail. On the basis of the provided considerations, it is shown that in order to find a malfunctioning component, it is enough to compare the voltages on the photovoltaic modules that are in the close vicinity.

Synthesis of Antennas for Active Glazing Unit with Photovoltaic Modules

The problem considered in the paper concerns the synthesis process of antennas for autonomous semi-passive RFID transponder/sensors dedicated to active glazing units. Glazing units are frequently used in modern multi-storey buildings to create amazing facades. When they are integrated with photovoltaic (PV) modules, active units are obtained. It is desirable, mainly for economic reasons and in order to ensure the high efficiency of a micro-photovoltaic power plant, that active glazing units are equipped with a system for monitoring their operating parameters. In connection with this, design problems occur that fall within the fields of sensor technology and radio communications. The main purpose of the presented study was to prepare appropriate input data for design tools used in the synthesis of antenna systems in the UHF band. Many important issues are considered including: proximity to structural elements of the building facade and PV cells, which disturbs the shape of the radiation pattern and affects the impedance parameters of the antenna system; the need to ensure easy integration of the RFID sensor and the specified object, without significant interference in the production of glazing units; appropriate shaping of the radiation pattern in order to enable reading and writing of the RFID tag from both inside and outside the building; impedance matching to the selected RFID chip in the broadest possible frequency range, etc.

Towards Magnetic Field Gradient-Based Imaging and Control of In-Body Devices.

This papers reports a magnetic field gradient-based imaging system for in-body devices which takes inspiration from the localization principles of magnetic resonance imaging. By applying three orthogonal magnetic field gradients, the location of a device inside the body can be determined by measuring the magnetic fields in the device and transmitting this information to an external reader. The proposed system consists of one pair of Helmholtz coils and two pairs of saddle coils and is capable of generating the three orthogonal gradient fields. To emulate an implantable device, a miniature sensor module was designed using off-the-shelf components and semi-passive UHF RFID. The proposed localization system produces magnetic field gradients up to 187.4 G/m while consuming 1 A and achieves an average localization error of 80 μm.

Factors Affecting the Synthesis of Autonomous Sensors with RFID Interface.

A general view on the problem of designing atypical battery-free, autonomous semi-passive RFID transponders-sensors (autonomous sensors with RFID interfaces) is presented in this review. Although RFID devices can be created in any of the electronic technologies, the design stage must be repeated each time when the manufacturing processes are changed, and their specific conditions have to be taken into consideration when modeling new solutions. Aspects related to the factors affecting the synthesis of semi-passive RFID transponder components on the basis of which the idea of the autonomous RFID sensor was developed are reflected in the paper. Besides their general characteristics, the operation conditions of modern RFID systems and achievements in autonomous RFID sensor technology are revealed in subsequent sections—they include such issues as technological aspects of the synthesis process, designing antennas for RFID transponders, determining RFID chip and antenna parameters, creating the interrogation zone IZ, etc. It should be pointed that the universal construction of an autonomous RFID sensor, which could be use in any application of the automatic object identification system, cannot be developed according to the current state of the art. Moreover, a trial and error method is the most commonly used in the today’s process of designing new solutions, and the basic parameters are estimated on the basis of the tests and the research team experience. Therefore, it is necessary to look for new inventions and methods in order to improve implementations of RFID systems.

RFID Backscattering in Long-Range Scenarios

This paper presents a 5.8-GHz RFID tag that, by exploiting the quantum tunneling effect, significantly increases the range of backscatter radio links. We present an electronically simple Tunneling RFID Tag characterized by return gains as high as 35 dB with link sensitivity as low as −81 dBm. Without relevant increase in power consumption, the tunneling tag enables a host of new wireless sensors and Internet of Things applications that require both the long range of conventional wireless links and the low power consumption of semi-passive RFID devices. Selected measurements demonstrate a reader-to-tag separation distance 10 times higher than the maximum range of ideal semi-passive tags. Moreover, the collected experimental results allowed to outline a mathematical model demonstrating how the long-range RFID tag prototype can achieve distances unusual for this technology.

Development board of the autonomous semi-passive RFID transponder

AbstractThe idea of multiband development board designed to support and advance the technique of battery-less autonomous semi-passive RFID transponders is presented in the paper. The extra function of harvesting energy from the electromagnetic field of different radio communications systems, the ultra efficient power conditioner and the energy storage block are applied in the proposed construction. The facility of utilizing gathered energy is provided to support designers in developing applications of automatic object identification. Since the evaluation board is to work without a galvanic cell, the particular emphasis is put on the mechanisms that improve energy efficient operation of the whole electronic circuit. The construction principles and operation modes (charging, cold start, sleep with charging, sleep, measurement and cut-off) of the storage unit are described in depth in the paper. The preproduction batch of the demonstrators has been manufactured on automated assembly line at ELMAK Ltd. Company, according to the elaborated model. It confirms that the author’s demonstrator of the battery-less autonomous semi-passive transponder can be reproduced on an industrial scale. On the basis of the preproduction series, the performance parameters of the final product have been estimated. The presented study should significantly contribute to the RFID technique therefore the authors set up the evaluation process of marketing research and product commercialization.

Fast diagnosis of type 1 neurofibromatosis

This chapter presents the implementation of some wireless sensors with the semi-passive time-coded UWB RFID systems presented in Chapter 4. Four implementations are presented:–a temperature sensor using the analog semi-passive UWB RFID system, using a PIN diode at the end of the transmission line, and powered by solar energy;–a nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas sensor using carbon nanotubes (CNTs). It is integrated on the analog semi-passive UWB RFID system, with the backscatterer based on the RF switch;–a multi-sensor tag using the microcontroller-based semi-passive UWB RFID system, intended for smart city applications, and capable of measuring;-temperature,-humidity,-acceleration,-barometric pressure;–a second nitrogen dioxide (NO2) gas sensor, connected to the microcontroller-based semi-passive UWB RFID system, which digitizes the CNT resistance.

Research on and design of key circuits in RFID tag chip for container management

This paper introduces the design of semi-passive RFID tag chip capable of monitoring container safety. A system framework complying with requirements by ISO/IEC 18000-6C is firstly presented, and then differences from the key units of common passive chip, such as switch-state monitoring circuit, power management unit and anti-shake design in baseband processor, are elaborated. The main function of such a chip is to record the container opening frequency during transportation. Finally, the realizations of each unit’s function are simulated.

Identyfikacja możliwości podniesienia konkurencyjności polskich przedsiębiorstw w kontekście wykorzystania autonomicznego półpasywnego identyfikatora RFID

The aim of this dissertation is to indicate the possibility of increasing the competitiveness of Polish enterprises through utilising a technological innovation, which is an autonomous semi-passive RFID identifier. A laboratory model and a prototype of such undertaking are being developed by a team of scientists from the Rzeszow University of Technology, and the project is funded by a grant from the National Centre for Research and Development. The outcome of the scientists’ efforts will undergo the commercialisation process soon. The possibilities of increasing the competitiveness of enterprises by introducing an autonomous semi-passive RFID identifier have been determined on the basis of the results of the research which encompassed a sample of above 200 Polish managers. The results revealed that almost half of the respondents did not know whether business entities in their environment (competitors, suppliers, recipients of products) use any RFID system. According to managers, the most positive effect of introducing the autonomous semi-passive RFID identifier-based system for enterprises would be a time-saving approach while dealing with many processes. Other substantial benefits would be: increasing the efficiency of quantity and quality control, saving massive amounts of data on an RFID identifier many times, improving the flow of diversified goods, making the stocktaking process simpler, avoiding the waste of own resources, enhancing customer satisfaction, improving the process of sales, reducing fraudulent practices by employees, increasing the safety of goods in supply chains, facilitating the settlement of accounts with suppliers and recipients. The aforementioned consequences of introducing the technological innovation under consideration, which are most often indicated by managers, should contribute to an increase in the competitiveness of Polish enterprises on the international markets.

Antenna Design for Semi-Passive UHF RFID Transponder with Energy Harvester

A novel microstrip antenna which is dedicated to UHF semi-passive RFID transponders with an energy harvester is presented in this paper. The antenna structure designed and simulated by using Mentor Graphics Hyper- Lynx 3D EM software is described in details. The modeling and simulation results along with comparison with experi- mental data are analyzed and concluded. The main goal of the project is the need to eliminate a traditional battery form the transponder structure. The energy harvesting block, which is used instead, converts ambient energy (electromagnetic energy of typical radio communication system) into electrical power for internal circuitry. The additional function (gathering extra energy) of the trans- ponder antenna causes the necessity to create new designs in this scope.

A High Sensitivity Analog Front-end Circuit for Semi-Passive HF RFID Tag Applied to Implantable Devices

A high sensitivity analog front-end is presented for semi-passive HF RFID tag for implantable devices. The design is compatible with the ISO/IEC 14443 Type-A. A rectifier with high power conversion efficiency is presented to provide stable rectified voltage. Novel tag system architecture with wake-up circuit is proposed to improve the sensitivity. Other Key circuits are studied and designed to make the system work effectively. Simulation results show that the AFE has realized much longer recognition distance than passive tags. Its sensitivity is $-$ 5.7 dBm and can work properly when the magnetic field is 0.3A/m. The AFE was fabricated with HHNEC 0.13 $\mu{\rm m}$ 1P4M CMOS technology with an area of $416 \mu{\rm m}\times 472 \mu{\rm m}$ . The AFE is also measured with FPGA based digital baseband. Measurement results show that the proposed AFE can support the 100% ASK demodulation and a modulation depth of 16.4%. The AFE can also accommodate a data rates from 106 Kbps to 848 Kbps are supported. Its power consumption is as low as 129.6 $\mu{\rm W}$ . This chip meets the demands of a semi-passive HF RFID tag and has great potential for implantable devices.

Refrigerated fruit storage monitoring combining two different wireless sensing technologies: RFID and WSN.

Every day, millions of tons of temperature-sensitive goods are produced, transported, stored or distributed worldwide, thus making their temperature and humidity control essential. Quality control and monitoring of goods during the cold chain is an increasing concern for producers, suppliers, logistic decision makers and consumers. In this paper we present the results of a combination of RFID and WSN devices in a set of studies performed in three commercial wholesale chambers of 1848 m3 with different set points and products. Up to 90 semi-passive RFID temperature loggers were installed simultaneously together with seven motes, during one week in each chamber. 3D temperature mapping charts were obtained and also the psychrometric data model from ASABE was implemented for the calculation of enthalpy changes and the absolute water content of air. Thus thank to the feedback of data, between RFID and WSN it is possible to estimate energy consumption in the cold room, water loss from the products and detect any condensation over the stored commodities.

Multi-distributed wireless sensors for monitoring a long distance transport in a reefer container

The study of the temperature gradients in cold stores and containers is a critical issue in the food industry for the quality assurance of products during transport and for minimising losses. This work presents an analysis of the temperatures during the refrigerated transport of 4,320 kg of blueberries in a reefer (set point temperature at −1°C) on a container ship from Montevideo (Uruguay) to Verona (Italy). The monitoring was performed by using semi-passive RFID loggers (TurboTag cards). The objective was to carry out a multi-distributed supervision using low-cost, wireless and autonomous sensors for the characterisation of the distribution and spatial gradients of temperatures during a long distance transport. Data analysis shows spatial (phase space) and temporal sequencing diagrams and reveals a significant heterogeneity of temperature at different locations in the container, which highlights the ineffectiveness of a temperature control system based on a single sensor, as is usually done.

Aktywne, pasywne i półpasywne systemy RFID

Aktywne, pasywne i półpasywne systemy RFID

Determination of Passive and Semi-Passive Chip Parameters Required for Synthesis of Interrogation Zone in UHF RFID Systems

In this paper, authors disclose the methodology of interrogation zone synthesis that comprehensively covers all aspects connected with determination of RFID device parameters. The effective methods of involved parameter determination for passive and semi-passive UHF RFID chips are presented. The elaborated measuring procedures have been verified experimentally and are discussed in details. The special untypical laboratory stand has been prepared for carrying out the research tasks. Furthermore, the importance of the parameters for the interrogation zone synthesis is described methodically. In addition, the special software tools that allow researchers to effectively conduct investigations on protocol parameter modifications both in new-developed as well as approved standards (e.g. ISO/IEC 18000-6c) have been designed. These facilities can significantly support many theoretical and simulation works that are developed and described in the branch literature and can improve the reliability and efficiency of designed RFID applications. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.5755/j01.eee.20.9.5007

Times Semi-Passive RFID Tags with Double Loop Antennas Arranged as a Shifted Gate Stability Optimization

In this article, Very Crucial subject discussed in Semi-Passive RFID TAGs system stability. Semi-Passive TAGs with double loop antennas arranged as a shifted gate system stability optimization under delayed electromagnetic interferences. The double loop antenna is employed due to the fact that this antenna consists of two parallel loops; i.e., primary and secondary loops. We define Vi1(t) and Vi2(t) as the voltages in time on double loop antennas. Vi1(t) is the voltage in time on the primary loop and Vi2(t) is the voltage in time on the secondary loop. The index (i) stand for the first gate (i=1) and second gate (i=2). Due to electromagnetic interferences there are different in time delays respect to gate antenna's first and second loop voltages and voltages derivatives. The delayed voltages are Vi1(t-τ1) and Vi2(t-τ2) respectively (τ1≠ τ2) and delayed voltages derivatives are dVi1(t-Δ1)/dt, dVi2(t-Δ2)/dt respectively.

The Phase Space as a New Representation of the Dynamical Behaviour of Temperature and Enthalpy in a Reefer monitored with a Multidistributed Sensors Network

The study of temperature gradients in cold stores and containers is a critical issue in the food industry for the quality assurance of products during transport, as well as for minimizing losses. The objective of this work is to develop a new methodology of data analysis based on phase space graphs of temperature and enthalpy, collected by means of multidistributed, low cost and autonomous wireless sensors and loggers. A transoceanic refrigerated transport of lemons in a reefer container ship from Montevideo (Uruguay) to Cartagena (Spain) was monitored with a network of 39 semi-passive TurboTag RFID loggers and 13 i-button loggers. Transport included intermodal transit from transoceanic to short shipping vessels and a truck trip. Data analysis is carried out using qualitative phase diagrams computed on the basis of Takens–Ruelle reconstruction of attractors. Fruit stress is quantified in terms of the phase diagram area which characterizes the cyclic behaviour of temperature. Areas within the enthalpy phase diagram computed for the short sea shipping transport were 5 times higher than those computed for the long sea shipping, with coefficients of variation above 100 % for both periods. This new methodology for data analysis highlights the significant heterogeneity of thermohygrometric conditions at different locations in the container.