1. Field of the Invention
The present disclosure relates generally to the field of electrical communications and radio wave antennas as well as remotely monitoring identification devices using electromagnetic waves. More particularly, it relates to the field of radio frequency identification (RFID) devices, sometimes called tags, in which a tag is interrogated by a probing platform, sometimes called a reader. Even more particularly, it relates to the field of radio frequency identification tags that allows phase modulation or a variation thereof (e.g. phase shift keying) in addition to amplitude modulation for the tag-to-reader communication. Even more particularly, it relates the field of radio frequency identification systems employing advanced techniques such that undesired clutter from non-tag items can be mitigated using a compensation technique.
2. Description of the Related Art
Radio-frequency Identification Devices (RFID) are used in multiple asset tracking applications, e.g., automotive, airline baggage, consumer items, food items, garments, livestock etc. There are numerous medical and military applications too. Many RFID tags do not use a battery for power. These types of RFID tags predominantly use the principle of “passive backscatter” while employing a semiconductor chip that converts part of the received radio-frequency (RF) to DC power to energize the chip itself, as described in common literature such as K. Finkenzeller, RFID Handbook: Fundamentals and Applications in Contactless Smart Cards and Identification, 2nd ed. (San Francisco, Calif.: John Wiley & Sons, 2003). The RFID ecosystem operates in multiple bands, e.g., low frequency (LF), high frequency (HF), ultra high frequency (UHF) and microwaves and usually employs amplitude shift keying (ASK) (or variations thereof) on the backscatter from the tag to carry the information embedded in the tag to the reader. LF and HF systems commonly operate under near-field conditions and have a limited range of 1 meter or so, whereas UHF and microwave tags predominantly operate under far-field conditions and are usually capable of longer range and higher data rates, as described in Smail Tedjini et al., “Antennas for RFID Tags” (Grenoble, France: Joint sOc-EUSAI Conference, October 2005). The modulation and coding formats are defined by various standards such as EPCglobal Class 0, Class 1, Gen II, etc. for UHF tags.
A passive backscatter tag does not transmit its own signal to the reader but simply modulates the signal that its antenna backscatters by changing the impedance presented to the antenna. In this fashion, the tag need only provide a switching function operating at a modest rate comparable to the data rate of a few hundred kbps, as described in D. Dobkin et al, “A Radio-Oriented Introduction to Radio Frequency Identification,” High Frequency Electronics, June 2005. A typical UHF RFID tag uses a dipole antenna (or a variation thereof) and is switched between open circuit and a matched load. In other words, the data from tag to reader is sent by amplitude modulating the radar cross section (RCS) during the time interval that the tag receives a continuous wave (CW) signal from the reader.
The performance of the tag to reader link is limited due to the amplitude modulated nature of the signal. Amplitude modulated signals usually require higher signal to noise ratios than the phase modulated counterparts like phase-shift keying (PSK). A PSK system will therefore provide longer range and be more tolerant to multipath fades. Moreover, a multiple level PSK system can be used to speed up the anti-collision reading process by assigning unique phase states to different categories of tags. Also, a phase modulation based system ideally can scatter back all the energy captured by the tag from the reader, minus the amount converted to DC. Furthermore, it does not require a precise impedance matching as commonly required in ASK systems.
ASK based systems suffer major limitations in the presence of reflected and scattered clutter from non-tag items, as well as leakage of reader transmissions into the reader receiver.
Using coherent PSK detection at the reader, and adding a compensation scheme, it is possible to separate these impairments from the desired backscatter from the tag. However, conventional methods to create phase modulated backscatter increases the complexity of the chip inside the tag and thereby increase cost.
A major obstacle in successful deployment of RFID tags is the lack of ability of detecting multiple RFID tags accurately by an RFID reader in a cluster. For example, an RFID reader may be asked to read 100 items in a supermarket cart with all of the items having RFID tags. Existing RFID systems have poor accuracy in accurately detecting all such IDs in parallel due to clutter.
Thus, a better solution is needed to extend the range of RFID tags, make operation robust in multipath situations, mitigate the effect of clutter and speed up reading among a cluster.
Embodiments in accordance with the present disclosure relate to remote identification devices that illuminate a radio frequency identification (RFID) device (e.g., an RFID tag) with electromagnetic waves and coherently process the backscatter, the RFID devices according to various embodiments are capable of introducing amplitude and or phase modulation on the backscattered signal with an on/off (i.e. single pole single throw) switch, and an interrogator is equipped with a correction algorithm to mitigate the effect of clutter resulting from reflection/scattering from items containing electrical conductors (metal) or high dielectric constant such as water based liquids, as is common in a supermarket cart. Additional benefits are longer range, enhanced read speed in a cluster of devices (anti-collision reading) and enhanced throughput.
Passive backscatter RFID tags can receive a continuous wave (CW) signal from a reader or interrogator and convert a part of the wave into direct current (DC) used to power a chip inside the tag. The chip in the RFID tag decodes the information sent out by the reader and prepares a response. The response is a bit stream generated by impedance modulating the tag antenna.
One embodiment relates to a method of impedance modulation of a passive backscatter radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The method includes receiving a wireless input signal into an antenna of an RFID tag, the antenna having a characteristic impedance and being operatively connected to a switch, switching the switch between a first circuit having a first impedance and a second circuit having a second impedance such that an output signal from the antenna is modulated both in a predetermined amplitude and a predetermined phase, the modulation in both the predetermined amplitude and the predetermined phase corresponding to a device signature of the RFID tag, and emitting the output signal from the RFID tag.
Another embodiment relates to a machine-implemented method of discerning a radio frequency identification (RFID) tag among non-RFID tag clutter. The method includes receiving a wireless signal into a reader antenna, the wireless signal including an emitted signal from an RFID tag and complex clutter, estimating an amplitude and phase of the signal in two or more distinct states, estimating an amplitude and phase of the complex clutter, and subtracting the complex clutter from the received signal.
Yet another embodiment relates to a passive backscatter radio frequency identification (RFID) tag. The tag includes a patch element, a switch connected to the patch element, and at least one circuit, each of the at least one circuit having a distinct predetermined impedance. The switch is adapted to switch an electrical connection between the patch element and the at least one circuit such that the RFID tag emits a predetermined pattern of signals when illuminated by an RFID interrogator, the pattern of signals corresponding to a device signature of the RFID tag.
The foregoing has outlined, in general, the physical aspects of the invention and is to serve as an aid to better understanding the more complete detailed description that is to follow. In reference to such, there is to be a clear understanding that the present invention is not limited to the method or detail of construction, fabrication, material, or application of use described and illustrated herein. Any other variation of fabrication, use, or application should be considered apparent as an alternative embodiment of the present invention.
The following drawings further describe by illustration the advantages and objects of the present invention.
The figures will now be used to illustrate different embodiments in accordance with the invention. The figures are specific examples of embodiments and should not be interpreted as limiting embodiments, but rather exemplary forms and procedures.
The present disclosure describes a novel technique and apparatus for modulating a backscattered signal from a radio frequency identification (RFID) device or tag. This technique does not require changes to the chip architecture inside an RFID tag. Generally, the only changes that are needed are within the tag antenna and associated circuitry. Because the tag antenna and associated circuitry can be fabricated using the same process as a typical tag antenna (e.g. single step printing) there is almost no additional cost to the tag.
This novel technique modulates the phase of a backscattered signal in addition to the amplitude. In one embodiment, this is implemented through connecting the antenna to relatively low cost and simple circuits that are external to the antenna through a switch. In another embodiment, low cost and simple circuits are integrated within the antenna.
To achieve control over both amplitude and phase modulation of the backscattered signal, a special category of antennas that scatters back a negligible quantity of signal energy when terminated by its characteristic impedance is used. These types of antennas almost invariably include at least one parasitic element in addition to the main element and may be termed “non-minimum scatter antennas” (see Mukherjee, S., “Antennas for Chipless Tags Based On Remote Measurement of Complex Impedance,” Proceedings of the 38th European Microwave Conference (Amsterdam, 2008)). The residual scattered power, under matched condition is due to structural scattering. By proper design, the structural scattering can be minimized.
One type of non-minimum scatter antenna is a “non-dipole antenna” because a dipole antenna is generally not suitable as a non-minimum scatter antenna. A non-dipole antenna generally can create a backscatter even when terminated by an external, lossless network, such as an open circuit or a short circuit.
The magnitude and phase of the scattered signal can be controlled by the mismatch between the antenna characteristic impedance and a passive external termination. Therefore, by proper selection of two (or more) passive networks connected through a switch to the antenna, amplitude and phase modulation of the backscatter is achieved.
If the external termination is (ideally) lossless, only the phase of the scattered signal is modulated. In this special case, a phase-shift keyed (PSK) system would be implemented. If the external network also includes a dissipative or resistive part in addition to a reactive part, both amplitude and phase modulations (e.g. quadrature amplitude modulation (QAM)) are achieved.
A received signal at a reader undergoes signal processing with an algorithm that uses the amplitude and phase information from the tag to mitigate the effect of clutter, usually coming from reflection scattering from metallic objects, water based liquids and leakage from the reader's transmit antenna.
There are several advantages to this technique. A PSK signal will operate with substantially lower received power than amplitude shift keying (ASK) and therefore increase the range of operation of the reader and tag. The system can be more frugal in utilizing the captured radio frequency (RF) power at the tag. Except for the power converted to direct current (DC), generally all power is scattered back to the reader. This is unlike RFID dipole antennas in which half the power is dissipated in the antenna during the ‘mark’ mode (no power scattered back during ‘space’ at all). Because the RFID device using PSK is more frugal with the power, this can allow operation with less power transmitted from the reader. This can reduce interference, help to comply with local regulatory standards, etc. Critical impedance matching between the tag antenna and the chip is not required since the antenna is operating almost always in mismatched condition for a PSK operation. Tags almost always operate in the presence of clutter coming from reflection/scattering from non-tag items and leakage from the transmit antenna of the reader. It is possible to mitigate the effect of this clutter by use of a compensation scheme described. It is possible to speed up an anti-collision read mechanism by creating several categories of tags and each category imbibed with unique phase states. Also, the tag to reader data rate can be increased through the use of an m-QAM system
Though Phase Shift Keying (PSK) is mentioned in the EPCglobal Gen II standard for Tag to Reader communication (see EPC Radio-Frequency Identity Protocols Class-1 Generation-2 UHF RFID Protocol for Communications at 860 MHz-960 MHz, version 1.1.0 (EPCglobal Inc., Dec. 17, 2005), section 6.3.1.3.1 on p. 27), usually various forms of Amplitude Shift Keying (ASK) are used due to simplicity of implementation. Amplitude shift keying of the backscatter is implemented by alternately terminating the tag antenna with its characteristic impedance and opening it. In other words, the radar cross section (RCS) of the tag undergoes amplitude modulation.
Several issues are evident from this disclosure:
In the exemplary embodiment, a wireless signal (not shown) is received into antenna 302. Because switch 306 is connected to passive network 303, incident wave 307 travels from antenna 302 to passive network 303. Incident wave 307 is modified by passive network 303 to create a reflected wave 309. Reflected wave 309 travels back through switch 306 and is radiated by antenna 302.
Passive network 303 modifies incident wave 307 by its impedance or impedance mismatch between passive network 303 and antenna 302, such that reflected wave 309 can be represented by A1ejφ1, where A1 is the relative amplitude of backscatter and φ1 is the relative phase.
In the special case of Ai=1, the corresponding i'th passive network is lossless. If Ai is essentially equal to 1, then the corresponding passive network is substantially lossless. “Substantially lossless” can include amplitude coefficients within 1%, 5%, 10%, or greater of 1.
Other embodiments can have the ‘reflected’ or modified wave travel through a separate path than that from which it came. The separate path can lead to another antenna, such that the receive antenna is separate from the transmit/emit antenna.
While the wireless signal is received into antenna 302, switch 306 can be switched between passive networks or circuits 303, 304, . . . , 305 such that reflected waves or output signals from each network temporally combine to form an output signal along the common (i.e. left terminal in switch 306), and an output signal from antenna is thus modulated in predetermined amplitude and predetermined phase. The predetermined amplitude/phase modulation corresponds to an identifier, serial number, or other device signature of RFID tag 300. The output signal is emitted from RFID tag 300 through antenna 302.
Switch 306 can be made from transistors, PIN diodes, micromechanical or other switches as known in the art. Solid state switches can be made from silicon, gallium arsenide, or other semiconductor materials.
While an electromagnetic wave is received into patch element 502, on/off switch 507 is operated to modulate the output signal. The phase of the radar cross section of patch antenna 502, rather than its amplitude, is changed by the switching process. This predetermined modulation corresponds to the identifier of the RFID tag.
The following signals can be defined at the reader's receiver as follows (phase shift keyed signal):
s·e
j0=signal from the tag alone—low state (e.g. phasor 701); (Eqn. 1)
s·e
jψ=signal from the tag alone—high state (e.g. phasor 702); and (Eqn. 2)
m·e
jμ=signal from impairments (reflection/scattering from non-tag objects and transmitter leakage) alone (e.g. phasor 703), (Eqn. 3)
where ψ is the phase shift between the low and high states of the tag signal.
The estimates of signal at the reader in low and high states of the tag are:
E[L]=E[s·e
j0
+m·e
jμ] (e.g. phasor 705—low level signal); and (Eqn. 4a)
E[H]=E[s·e
jψ
+m·e
jμ] (e.g. phase 706—high level signal). (Eqn. 4b)
Then, E[s]·(1−ejψ)=E[L]−E[H], such that:
E[s]=|(E[L]−E[H])/(1−ejψ)| (Eqn. 5a)
and
E[m·e
jμ]=½[E[L]+E[H]−E[s]·(1+ejψ)] (Eqn. 5b)
Therefore, it is possible to calculate E[m·ejμ] from above equations. Afterward, the corrected signal is obtained by subtracting E[m·ejμ] from the received signal.
In the foregoing specification, the invention is described with reference to specific embodiments thereof, but those skilled in the art will recognize that the invention is not limited thereto. Various features and aspects of the above-described invention may be used individually or jointly. Further, the invention can be utilized in any number of environments and applications beyond those described herein without departing from the broader spirit and scope of the specification. The specification and drawings are, accordingly, to be regarded as illustrative rather than restrictive.
This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/131,765, filed Jun. 11, 2008, hereby incorporated by reference in its entirety for all purposes.
Number | Date | Country | |
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61131765 | Jun 2008 | US |