UHF RFID Tag Research Articles

Tomato Plant Residues, a Sustainable Fiber Source for Cardboard Packaging

Cardboard packaging is a good example of sustainable material use, yet even more sustainable solutions are available, such as replacing wood fibers with those from alternative sources like agricultural waste. In our research, we produced paperboard from fibers obtained from waste tomato stems using a pilot paper machine, and its basic, surface, and mechanical properties were then determined. Additionally, we produced corrugated cardboard from the tomato fiber-based paperboard and analyzed its performance under different environmental conditions. A comparative analysis was made with commercial corrugated cardboard to determine the differences in mechanical properties and the quality of the prints made using the flexographic printing technique. The results indicated that the properties of tomato fiber-based paperboard and corrugated cardboard are sufficient for many packaging applications. Analyses showed that the mechanical properties of both commercial and corrugated cardboard produced from tomato stems were affected by the environmental conditions, while the change in print quality was minor. Exposure to high humidity had a much greater effect than exposure to low temperature. High humidity lowered the tensile and bursting strength and resistance to compression, resulting in decreased strength and stiffness, while low temperature had a less severe effect. Nevertheless, corrugated cardboard made from tomato-based paperboard can be used for storage of fresh produce locally, as well as for transport packaging, provided the transport box is designed to address its poor stacking strength. The print quality of this cardboard is also suitable for transport packaging, and the readability of the UHF RFID tags remains satisfactory. The findings of this study have significant implications for the development of sustainable materials. The successful use of tomato stems, a waste product from agriculture, in the production of corrugated cardboard supports the circular economy by turning waste into a valuable resource.

Off-the-shelf UHF RFID-based sensors for corrosion characterization of coated steel

The application of the UHF RFID technique in non-destructive testing (NDT) and structural health monitoring (SHM) has gained increasing attention due to its wireless, battery-less, and cost-effective attributes. It offers a promising approach for SHM and the Internet of Things (IoTs). This paper reports commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) flexible UHF RFID tag-based sensors for corrosion characterization on coated mild steel. Two types of COTS flexible UHF RFID tags with different bends are fabricated as sensors. The received signal strength indicator (RSSI) measurement is implemented to characterize the corrosion. Three parts (T-match area, dipole arms, and dipole loadings) of the two tags are tested for sensing purposes, and comparison and discussion of sensitivity, read range, and results are provided. This study successfully validates the feasibility of the proposed tag-bent method for corrosion characterization undercoating. It can be concluded that the dipole arm part of the applied COTS tags is the most sensitive area.

Innovative Use of UHF-RFID Wireless Sensors for Monitoring Cultural Heritage Structures

This paper reports a novel investigation in applying commercial Ultra High-Frequency RFID tags (UHF-RFID tags), which are widely used in logistics as sensing elements in civil engineering structures, particularly for monitoring out-of-plane displacements of brick masonry walls. Both laboratory tests and in situ experimental tests assessed the feasibility of the proposed application. Laboratory tests showed a very satisfactory response while the in situ experiments showed a weaker response. Nevertheless, the potential reliability of the proposed technique can be stated. The authors traced back the causes of the performance decrease to environmental interference, mainly due to the extensive presence of a rigid steel frame surrounding the out-of-plane loaded panels. Measurements of displacements, in fact, are obtained indirectly from the phase of UHF-RFID signals that strongly suffer from multipath generated by metallic surfaces. Despite some limitations, the proposed measurement technique permits a reliable and sustainable approach to the monitoring of structures. The use of commercial UHF-RFID wireless tags, in fact, assures easy and fast installation operations and assures the possibility of placing a large number of sensors over the structure with very low maintenance costs with respect to the more traditional monitoring techniques. Moreover, using very thin and small commercial UHR-RFID tags on cultural heritage structures can represent an opportunity for sustainable long-time monitoring with reduced costs. Overall, the results of this study are sufficiently satisfactory to be considered as the opening of new possible scenarios in wireless structural monitoring in the civil engineering field. The authors propose as future work to use UHF-RFID tags for the real-time monitoring of an existing masonry facade that, not being characterized by the presence of a steel frame, can potentially assure an adequate response and properly transmit the electromagnetic signal.

Design of Dual-Band UHF RFID Tag Antenna Using Even and Odd Modes of Asymmetric Split Ring for Anti-Metal Applications

Design of Dual-Band UHF RFID Tag Antenna Using Even and Odd Modes of Asymmetric Split Ring for Anti-Metal Applications

A Low-profile UHF RFID Tag Antenna Loaded with Rectangular Loop for Double-sided Anti-metal Applications

A Low-profile UHF RFID Tag Antenna Loaded with Rectangular Loop for Double-sided Anti-metal Applications

Wideband Long Range Compact Serrated Triangular Patch-Based UHF RFID Tag for Metallic Base Environment

Wideband Long Range Compact Serrated Triangular Patch-Based UHF RFID Tag for Metallic Base Environment

Passive UHF-RFID Tag With Printed Security Features for Authentication and Tamper Resistance

Passive UHF-RFID Tag With Printed Security Features for Authentication and Tamper Resistance

Design and analysis of flexible embroidered UHF-RFID tag on facemask for IoT applications using characteristics mode analysis

This work presents an ultra-high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tag embroidered on a face mask for Internet of Things (IoT) devices. The tag is designed and optimized to operate within the entire US RFID band of 902–928 MHz using characteristic mode analysis (CMA). A Mickey Mouse (MM) shaped radiation element is analyzed by testing three resonating modes at frequency of 900 MHz. Additionally, two dipoles are introduced to achieve the optimal conjugate match with a passive RFID chip (Alien Higgs H3), which exhibits an impedance of 27-200j at the desired frequency. A simulation of the voxel head model has also been carried out to verify the specific absorption rate (SAR), which provides SAR <1.43 W/kg. The proposed tag is embroidered on a cotton fabric facemask with a dielectric constant of 1.143 using conductive thread with a resistance of 28 O/ft. This tag features a good impedance match in US RFID band along with gain of 2.06 dB and a 37% reduction in size as compared to the previous version. Furthermore, it provides a read range of 3 m for an off-body scenario and 2.5 m for an on-body scenario. The proposed wearable facemask tag has potential applications for various real-life applications.

Bedload tracing with RFID tags in gravel‐bed rivers: Review and meta‐analysis after 20 years of field and laboratory experiments

AbstractSoon after their first deployment in rivers in the early 2000s, RFID tags rapidly became the reference technology for bedload tracing in rivers. We can estimate from the literature that during the last 20 years, more than 30,000 RFID tracers have been injected in gravel‐bed rivers all around the world to study bedload transport. Many field experiments have been reported in a great diversity of fluvial environments, complemented by many laboratory experiments and methodological developments. This paper proposes a review of these works, notably based on the compilation of more than 350 RFID surveys, complemented by 97 magnetic surveys, for a total of 125 study sites. The meta‐analysis of this database shows that RFID tracers have improved our understanding of sediment transport in fluvial environments with rapid bedload dispersion. It is also shown that central positions of tracer plumes are moving faster over time than tracer leading fronts, as attested by a general relation between maximum and mean distances of transport. The most recent methodological developments based on the use of active UHF RFID tags show that it is now possible to conduct efficient bedload tracing experiments not only in small streams, but also in large gravel‐bed rivers or very active braided channels. Other addressed topics include RFID deployment and survey in river channels, controlling factors of tracer mobility (flow conditions, grain‐size and shape, channel morphology), bedload monitoring approaches using RFID tracers, and applications of RFID tracers for evaluating human effects on bedload transport. Key challenges of bedload tracing with RFID tags are also proposed.

Design and application of a UHF RFID tag for monitoring pollution in high voltage towers

Pollution diagnosis is difficult and costly for power grid operators. For the purpose of have an effective, low-cost and user-friendly pollution diagnosis, a Radio Frequency Identification prototype is proposed - an RFID tag for identifying and monitoring pollution in high voltage towers. For that, the following steps were performed: dielectric characterization of artificial pollution; project via simulation of RFID tags for application in metallic towers; manufacture, validation and testing of tags; sensitivity analysis of tag reach; and computational algorithm for signal treatment and subsequent identification. Pollution identification was based on variations of the Received Signal Intensity Indicator (RSSI) by the reader as a function of the amount of pollution deposited. The validation and testing of the tags were carried out in an external environment with an emulation of a de-energized high voltage tower. For all levels of deposited pollution analyzed, the average maximum reach of the signal reading, in an external environment, was 18 m. The RSSI data, obtained by reading the RFID tag, were processed and analyzed to identify the pollution deposited on the high voltage transmission towers. The results demonstrated the potential of the tags for identification and monitoring pollution levels in high voltage metal towers.

Improved Stable Read Range of the RFID Tag Using Slot Apertures and Capacitive Gaps for Outdoor Localization Applications.

This paper proposes a small-size UHF RFID tag antenna, which was designed to function in the frequency interval of 860-960 MHz, with a large-read range of up to 17 m. In this work, the effects of capacitive slots and gaps on the impedance matching between conventional industrial chips and a designed RFID antenna was investigated. Simulated and measured results provided a clear indication that these two techniques can efficiently improve the return loss parameter and the antenna impedance matching behavior at the UHF band. Three-dimensional electromagnetic (EM) simulations results further proved that a better impedance matching between an industrial chip and a proposed RFID antenna occurs at 870 MHz, where the estimated input antenna impedance was about Za = 16 + j184 (Ω), and the calculated read range reached a value of up to 17 m with a measured return loss value of -14 dB. The proposed RFID antenna can almost maintain the same read range value over a 180 degree angle variations on the horizontal plane owing to its omnidirectional radiation pattern. The fabrication and test stages of the antenna prototype were scheduled to validate the simulated characteristics. Experimental results confirmed the performances of our proposed RFID tag antenna and proved its potential ability for localization applications. EM simulations have been performed using the well-known commercial EM software simulator CST MWS.

A Compact UHF-RFID Tag Antenna With Embedded AMC for Metallic Objects

In this letter, a UHF-RFID tag antenna with a size of 40 × 40 × 3.2 mm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">3</sup> is proposed for metallic objects. It is composed of a modified folded dipolar antenna (MFDA) and an embedded 2 × 2 artificial magnetic conductor (AMC) array with shorting vias. Multiple slots are etched on the MFDA and AMC to increase the current path, where the slots on the MFDA is vertical to that on the AMC so that the currents on the MFDA and AMC do not affect each other. Thus, the slots can be adjusted independently without affecting the resonant feature of the MFDA. Equivalent circuit models are also presented to understand the impedance characteristics. A prototype mounted on a 20 × 20 cm <sup xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink">2</sup> metal plate has been manufactured and measured. It is demonstrated that the proposed tag antenna shows a 3.9 dB gain enhancement comparing with the MFDA without AMC and a maximum gain of −1 dBi at 919 MHz. Moreover, a maximum reading distance of about 14.2 m can be obtained.

QUALITY EVALUATION OF UHF RFID ANTENNAS AND PASSIVE TAGS ON PAPER SUBSTRATES

The effect of antenna design modification, paper substrates and relative electrical permittivity of background materials on the reflection coefficient of UHF RFID antennas was studied. Simulation software was used to modify the design and calculate the reflection coefficient of the antennas. By modifying the coupling of the dipole with the induction loop of the antennas, areduction of the simulated reflection coefficient was achieved compared to thecommercial antenna. The positive effect of antenna modification was also confirmed by measuring thereflection coefficient of antennas printed on paper by thermal transfer printing, placed on extruded polystyrene and particle board. The reflection coefficient of the modified antennas was lower when placed on extruded polystyrene, whose relative electrical permittivity was lower than particle board. After installing the memory chip to the antennas printed on paper and paperboard, the identification, reading and recording range of passive UHF RFID tags were measured after they were placed on thicker paperboard, extruded polystyrene and particle board. The positive effect of antenna modification on improving the communication quality of passive UHF RFID tags placed on background materials with a relative electrical permittivity of 2.4 to 6.7 wasconfirmed.

Non-invasive Frozen Meat Monitoring System Using UHF RFID Tag Antenna-Based Sensing and RSSI

The conditions of frozen meat products must be closely monitored in cold chain logistics (CCL) to maintain their quality and safety. Sensing and monitoring meat products are currently invasive, costly, and lacking tracing capabilities. Therefore, developing a wireless, passive, and cost-effective sensing system capable of tracking and monitoring remains challenging. This work investigates the UHF RFID system performing antenna-based sensing for monitoring frozen meat using the received signal strength indicator (RSSI) data. A commercial off-the-shelf (COTS) UHF RFID reader is programmed through a single-board computer to acquire the RSSI data throughout the RFID 902-926 MHz band. In the experiments, RSSI data from an RFID inlay tag affixed to a defrosted frozen meat sample is acquired for approximately 20 minutes. Then, the RSSI data is recorded periodically during the changes in the sample condition. The experimental results signify that the RSSI data have monotonic relationships with the temperature and hardness of the meat sample. The three-degree polynomial regression models are constructed to show the non-linear relationships between the RSSI and the frozen meat condition. During defrosting, the RSSI lowers as the meat temperature rises and the hardness reduces. Therefore, antenna-based sensing employing the RFID RSSI data can detect changes in frozen meat temperature and hardness, allowing conditional fluctuations in the CCL to be monitored. This work paves the way for low-cost IoT-based sensing systems for improving food safety in cold chain applications.

Non Linear Modulation of UHF Tag

This paper presents a new modulation and detection scheme for UHF RFID tags. This detection method is not based on the load switching modulation classically used by the tag to communicate with the reader. The principle relies on the generation of a modulated signal by the reader combined with the non-linearity present in any RFID chip (or other non-linear devices). Under specific conditions, we show that the backscattered signal by the tag due to the non-linearity can produce new frequency components located around the carrier frequency used by the reader. These new components can be easily separated from the leakage and the response of the environment in the frequency domain. Moreover this detection can be done at a power which is significantly lower than the sensitivity of the chip. Thus, the associated detection range can be higher than the classical read range of the tag. In measurements, this detection range can be higher than 20 m for a fully passive tag and represents an enhancement of 30% compared to the classical read range.

UHF RFID Tags Zoning Using Harmonic Signals and Machine Learning

UHF RFID Tags Zoning Using Harmonic Signals and Machine Learning

Using commercial UHF-RFID wireless tags to detect structural damage

The use of commercial UHF-RFID tags for civil engineering purposes has been investigated, specifically for the monitoring of out-of-plane displacements of brick walls, representing an application novelty since commercial tags are usually used in logistics and other purposes. The feasibility of the application of this technique was assessed by laboratory and in situ experimental campaign. The response of the Tags in laboratory environment demonstrated to be satisfactory, proving that the application of these wireless RFID tags is feasible, potentially very reliable. In situ experiment showed a weaker response of the Tags due to environmental interference caused by the high presence of metal which negatively affected the transmission of the electromagnetic signal, and consequently the indirect measurements of displacements. Despite some limits, the application is promising and opens new scenarios for the design of new wireless tags suitable to meet the required needs.

UHF-RFID Read Range Characterization Method Using Power Activation Profiles

This paper presents a detailed characterization of passive UHF-RFID tags using measured power activation profiles. Factors such as chip sensitivity, antenna dimension, and conjugate impedance matching are taken into account. Results are presented in a proposed chart relating the square root of the modulation factor to the mean power transmission coefficient, providing a fine-grained comparison of tag performance. The free space read range of tags is then investigated as a function of mean transmission coefficient, modulation factor, chip and reader sensitivity. The approach is illustrated and validated through a measurement campaign on a set of 9 commercial tags. The proposed characterization procedure enables an accurate assessment of tag performance.

Complementarily Coupled C-Shaped Microstrip Patches With Wide-Range Frequency Tuning Capability for Metal-Applicable UHF RFID Tag Design

A single-layer patch antenna, which is constructed using two complementarily placed C-shaped patches, has been proposed for designing a metal-mountable tag with a wide range of frequency tuning capability. The two patches are closely coupled for generating sufficient antenna reactance, which is in turn employed as a tuning mechanism. With only the employment of this tuning mechanism, the tag’s resonant frequency can be successfully tuned over a broad range covering 920 MHz–1.18 GHz without using any other external lumped components, shorting stubs, or vias. Good read performance is sustainable as the tuning can be performed without changing the antenna structure much. A transmission line model has also been constructed for the design and characterization processes. The proposed tag is compact ( <inline-formula xmlns:mml="http://www.w3.org/1998/Math/MathML" xmlns:xlink="http://www.w3.org/1999/xlink"> <tex-math notation="LaTeX">$0.154\lambda \times 0.154\lambda \times 0.010\lambda$ </tex-math></inline-formula> ), and it can be read from ~9 m with 3.28 W effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP).

Compact UHF RFID balun‐like integrated tag antenna for long range detection of water bottles

AbstractA compact, flexible, long‐range, and impedance transformer balun‐like integrated UHF RFID tag antenna is proposed for the detection of water bottles. To alleviate the performance of a tag antenna in close proximity to a high dielectric material such as water, the radiating element of the tag antenna uses folded, unbalanced strips made of balun‐like arms wrapped around the tag's body. As a result, a wide bandwidth with reasonably good radiation resistance is achieved. The tag's body comprises dual loops for the impedance matching to the tag chip. This leads to a long read range of 13.33 m; &gt;5.83 m compared to other state‐of‐the‐art designs. The proposed tag antenna conforms to a small footprint by wrapping the balun‐like arms around the tag's body, which results in a compact form. The tag is fabricated, and the results reasonably agree with simulations.