WO2012019239A1 - Simultaneous multi-frequency rfid communication system - Google Patents

Simultaneous multi-frequency rfid communication system Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2012019239A1
WO2012019239A1 PCT/AU2011/001029 AU2011001029W WO2012019239A1 WO 2012019239 A1 WO2012019239 A1 WO 2012019239A1 AU 2011001029 W AU2011001029 W AU 2011001029W WO 2012019239 A1 WO2012019239 A1 WO 2012019239A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
carrier frequency
reader
antenna
resonating circuit
rfid
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU2011/001029
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Jason Dean Hart
Sotoudeh Hamedi-Hagh
Sooseok Oh
Original Assignee
Jason Dean Hart
Sotoudeh Hamedi-Hagh
Sooseok Oh
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Jason Dean Hart, Sotoudeh Hamedi-Hagh, Sooseok Oh filed Critical Jason Dean Hart
Priority to AU2011288921A priority Critical patent/AU2011288921A1/en
Priority to GB1221510.9A priority patent/GB2495861A/en
Publication of WO2012019239A1 publication Critical patent/WO2012019239A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K7/00—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns
    • G06K7/10—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation
    • G06K7/10009—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves
    • G06K7/10316—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers
    • G06K7/10336—Methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns by electromagnetic radiation, e.g. optical sensing; by corpuscular radiation sensing by radiation using wavelengths larger than 0.1 mm, e.g. radio-waves or microwaves using at least one antenna particularly designed for interrogating the wireless record carriers the antenna being of the near field type, inductive coil
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
    • H04B5/70—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes
    • H04B5/77—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems specially adapted for specific purposes for interrogation
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/0723—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs
    • G06K19/0724—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs the arrangement being a circuit for communicating at a plurality of frequencies, e.g. for managing time multiplexed communication over at least two antennas of different types
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems
    • H01Q1/2216—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems used in interrogator/reader equipment
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q21/00—Antenna arrays or systems
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
    • H01Q7/06—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop with core of ferromagnetic material
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q7/00—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
    • H01Q7/06—Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop with core of ferromagnetic material
    • H01Q7/08—Ferrite rod or like elongated core
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04B—TRANSMISSION
    • H04B5/00—Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to RFID communication systems. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for simultaneous multi- frequency reading of RFID devices.
  • RFID tags are generally micro-electronic devices used for identification and tracking. RFID tags are traditionally passive or active devices, receiving suitable operating power when placed in an electromagnetic field generated by a RFID reader.
  • a low frequency band consisting of frequencies in the range of 100kHz - 150kHz (typically 125kHz) generally supports devices commonly known as proximity tags/cards, whereas a higher frequency of 13.56MHz generally supports smart card devices.
  • previous systems have focused on implementing conventional design by providing two antennas using continuous copper loops tuned to the two frequencies. By offsetting the position of the two antennas to influence effective flux, previous systems have been able to achieve antenna co-existence without significantly reducing quality of the signal or the effective range of the field.
  • the present invention advantageously provides an alternative to existing RFID systems.
  • the invention according to certain embodiments may advantageously be used to operate at dual frequencies in a micro-environment, without compromising the signal quality or the effective field strength.
  • an antenna array for a RFID reader including a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency.
  • the resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
  • an antenna array for a RFID reader including a reader loop antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a non-loop resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency.
  • the resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
  • a method of communicating relevant information from a first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or a second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency to a RFID reader.
  • the method includes the steps of placing the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency into an electromagnetic field generated by the reader; and reading relevant information from the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or relevant information from the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency received at the reader in response to the electromagnetic field.
  • the RFID reader includes a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency.
  • the resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
  • the high carrier frequency is nominally 13.56MHz, and the low carrier frequency is nominally 125kHz.
  • the array is embedded on a printed circuit board substrate.
  • the resonating circuit includes four ferrite inductors. Further, the ferrite inductors are placed in the corner of the resonating circuit when the resonating circuit is shaped to a rectangle or square configuration. Additionally, the reader antenna is positioned inside the resonating circuit.
  • Figure 1 is an overview of an antenna configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • Figure 2 is a graphical representation showing dual resonance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • the term “device” is to be given a broad meaning and generally refers to a RFID smartcard device operating at high frequency that may communicate with a number of systems.
  • the term “device” may also encompass lower operating frequency devices such as a proximity card.
  • other RFID devices that contain a contactless microprocessor such as 'smart' mobile communication devices, portable radio devices, passports, driver's licences, credit and debit cards (including, but not limited to, EMV authentication standards), MIFARE cards and DESFire devices, governmental or financial institution issued identification cards (such as Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards) may be substituted/interchanged for/with a smartcard in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.
  • PAV Personal Identity Verification
  • contactless is to be given a broad meaning and relates to an environment where a device may communicate with a reader without physical contact between the device and the associated reader. It will be appreciated however, that such an environment may include a very small amount of physical contact, such as a brief touch of the device onto the reader, as is commonly known as a 'touch and authenticate' operation.
  • the contactless environment of the present invention relates generally to ISO 14443, ISO 15693 and NFC (Near Field Communication). It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other relevant standards could be adopted, as appropriate.
  • RFID devices are generally passive or active devices.
  • the present invention is generally referenced with passive RFID devices.
  • an active RFID device may be incorporated using the inventive concept.
  • RFID devices generally include an integrated circuit used to store and process information, as well as an antenna tuned to a suitable frequency to receive and transmit relevant information.
  • a RFID reader generally includes a signal generator controlled by a microprocessor or signal processor to transmit a radio frequency signal into the immediate vicinity.
  • the signal is tuned to a suitable operating frequency and is transmitted via at least one antenna coupled to the reader.
  • the operating frequencies of the antennas described in the present invention consist of a low frequency band including frequencies in the range of 100kHz - 150kHz (typically 125kHz), as well as a higher frequency of 13.56MHz. However, additional frequencies may also be incorporated as required or deemed appropriate.
  • a RFID system operates when a suitable RFID device is placed in the vicinity or range of a reader. Once detected, the reader sends an excitation signal at the relevant frequency, providing suitable power to activate and interrogate the device. The device is activated and interrogated using electromagnetic inductive coupling via the electromagnetic field generated by the signal generator of the reader.
  • Multiple antennas may be employed in the reader to operate at various frequencies. For example, in order for a reader to activate and interrogate proximity cards (generally operating at 125kHz), as well as smart cards (generally operating at 13.56MHz), two antennas tuned to these respective frequencies may be used.
  • antenna arrays consideration must be given to the arrangement of antenna arrays. Firstly, placing two (or more) antennas on a printed circuit board or other suitable support requires space in the reader housing. In the interest of minimising the size of the reader housing, the inclusion of an antenna array must be carefully considered.
  • antennas placed in close arrangement can cause interference and diminish the quality and range of the signal received from the RFID device. It is this particular concern that the present invention ameliorates, allowing smaller antenna configurations without signal quality loss.
  • FIG. 1 there is shown a preferred configuration of an antenna array in accordance with the present invention.
  • the configuration includes a high frequency reader antenna, in addition to a low frequency resonator circuit.
  • the high frequency, multi-layer reader antenna is positioned on a printed circuit board substrate. It contains appropriate windings and spacing to support operation at 13.56MHz. In this instance the antenna has a rectangular spiral shape. However, it will be appreciated that the high frequency antenna may be of any suitable winding shape.
  • the low frequency, non-loop resonating circuit preferably surrounds the high frequency antenna as shown in Figure 1. That is, the high frequency reader antenna is positioned inside the resonating circuit.
  • an antenna with 1mH - 10mH inductance and a quality factor higher than 30 is preferably required.
  • the design of an antenna operating at low frequency (such as 125kHz) requires numerous copper wire turns/windings to create the desired inductance.
  • the windings occupy a relatively large area on a printed circuit board.
  • the physical antenna size may be reduced by placing a ferrite core in its centre.
  • a ferrite core enables a low impedance path for electromagnetic waves. Additionally, the ferrite core increases the field density and thereby increases the inductance. Despite these advantages, placing a ferrite core inside an antenna designed over a printed circuit board (to control size) can be costly.
  • a distributed resonating antenna is provided with multiple ferrite inductors and placed at the edge of a printed circuit board of the reader's antenna configuration to facilitate operating at the lower frequencies, such as at 125kHz.
  • the ferrite inductors are connected using copper wire embedded in the printed circuit board's substrate enabling a large inductance from only a single-turn antenna structure.
  • the field power provided by this distributed resonating antenna configuration can vary from 1mW to 10mW and is reliant on the power available to the reader as well as the area of the single turn antenna structure, which can be minimised to such configurations of a small USB device (1cm by 1cm) or even smaller.
  • Figure 2 shows a frequency transfer function of the reader antenna and the resonating circuit of the present invention, where the separation of the preferred operating frequencies (125kHz and 13.56MHz) spans two decades.
  • the signal level of the reader antenna and the resonating circuit is preferably more than 70dB attenuated on the other, resulting in negligible signal interference between these two components of the reader.
  • the resonator configuration of the present invention may be substituted for conventional RFID antennas, achieving dual frequency operation in a micro-environment.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Microelectronics & Electronic Packaging (AREA)
  • Computer Hardware Design (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Toxicology (AREA)
  • Electromagnetism (AREA)
  • General Health & Medical Sciences (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)

Abstract

An antenna array for a RFID reader is provided that includes a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency, and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency. The resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.

Description

SIMULTANEOUS MULTI-FREQUENCY RFID COMMUNICATION SYSTEM
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to RFID communication systems. More particularly, the present invention provides a system and method for simultaneous multi- frequency reading of RFID devices.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ART
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tags are generally micro-electronic devices used for identification and tracking. RFID tags are traditionally passive or active devices, receiving suitable operating power when placed in an electromagnetic field generated by a RFID reader.
As RFID technology has developed, two primary frequency bands have emerged for use in the industry. A low frequency band consisting of frequencies in the range of 100kHz - 150kHz (typically 125kHz) generally supports devices commonly known as proximity tags/cards, whereas a higher frequency of 13.56MHz generally supports smart card devices.
Current RFID readers are generally designed for specific operation at one of the above noted frequencies. However, the advantage of providing dual frequency systems, allowing operation in both the higher and lower frequencies, has been realised.
In this regard, previous systems have focused on implementing conventional design by providing two antennas using continuous copper loops tuned to the two frequencies. By offsetting the position of the two antennas to influence effective flux, previous systems have been able to achieve antenna co-existence without significantly reducing quality of the signal or the effective range of the field.
However, as the desire increases for readers to become smaller to suit modern computer applications, the effectiveness, and therefore range, of the reader's antennas are significantly reduced with standard configurations. Further, the ability to physically offset antennas to influence flux is retarded in such small configurations, making prior systems relatively ineffective.
For example, the antenna array system described in U.S. Patent 7,439,862 (assigned to Assa Abloy AB) utilises overlapping and opposing magnetic flux arrangements. By the Patentee's own admission, this configuration limits the size of the reader antenna housing to be comparable to area of a standard proximity card.
The present invention advantageously provides an alternative to existing RFID systems. The invention according to certain embodiments may advantageously be used to operate at dual frequencies in a micro-environment, without compromising the signal quality or the effective field strength.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
According to a first aspect of the invention, there is provided an antenna array for a RFID reader, including a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency. The resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
According to a further aspect of the invention, there is provided an antenna array for a RFID reader, including a reader loop antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a non-loop resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency. The resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
In accordance with yet a further aspect of the invention, there is provided a method of communicating relevant information from a first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or a second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency, to a RFID reader. The method includes the steps of placing the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency into an electromagnetic field generated by the reader; and reading relevant information from the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or relevant information from the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency received at the reader in response to the electromagnetic field. The RFID reader includes a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency. The resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
In accordance with a further aspect of the present invention, the high carrier frequency is nominally 13.56MHz, and the low carrier frequency is nominally 125kHz. Further, the array is embedded on a printed circuit board substrate.
In accordance with another aspect of the present invention, the resonating circuit includes four ferrite inductors. Further, the ferrite inductors are placed in the corner of the resonating circuit when the resonating circuit is shaped to a rectangle or square configuration. Additionally, the reader antenna is positioned inside the resonating circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
The invention will now be described in a non-limiting manner with respect to a preferred embodiment in which:-
Figure 1 is an overview of an antenna configuration according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention; and
Figure 2 is a graphical representation showing dual resonance in accordance with a preferred embodiment of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
In the following discussion and in the claims, the terms "including" and "includes" are used, and are to be read, in an open-ended fashion, and should be interpreted to mean "including, but not limited to . . . ".
Additionally, in the following discussion and in the claims, the term "device" is to be given a broad meaning and generally refers to a RFID smartcard device operating at high frequency that may communicate with a number of systems. The term "device" may also encompass lower operating frequency devices such as a proximity card. Further, it is to be understood that other RFID devices that contain a contactless microprocessor such as 'smart' mobile communication devices, portable radio devices, passports, driver's licences, credit and debit cards (including, but not limited to, EMV authentication standards), MIFARE cards and DESFire devices, governmental or financial institution issued identification cards (such as Personal Identity Verification (PIV) cards) may be substituted/interchanged for/with a smartcard in accordance with preferred embodiments of the present invention.
The term "contactless", as used in the following discussion and in the claims, is to be given a broad meaning and relates to an environment where a device may communicate with a reader without physical contact between the device and the associated reader. It will be appreciated however, that such an environment may include a very small amount of physical contact, such as a brief touch of the device onto the reader, as is commonly known as a 'touch and authenticate' operation. The contactless environment of the present invention relates generally to ISO 14443, ISO 15693 and NFC (Near Field Communication). It will be appreciated by those of skill in the art that other relevant standards could be adopted, as appropriate.
Traditional RFID systems involve a RFID device and a suitable RFID reader. RFID devices are generally passive or active devices. The present invention is generally referenced with passive RFID devices. However, it will be appreciated that an active RFID device may be incorporated using the inventive concept.
RFID devices generally include an integrated circuit used to store and process information, as well as an antenna tuned to a suitable frequency to receive and transmit relevant information.
A RFID reader generally includes a signal generator controlled by a microprocessor or signal processor to transmit a radio frequency signal into the immediate vicinity. The signal is tuned to a suitable operating frequency and is transmitted via at least one antenna coupled to the reader.
It is to be appreciated that the operating frequencies of the antennas described in the present invention consist of a low frequency band including frequencies in the range of 100kHz - 150kHz (typically 125kHz), as well as a higher frequency of 13.56MHz. However, additional frequencies may also be incorporated as required or deemed appropriate.
A RFID system operates when a suitable RFID device is placed in the vicinity or range of a reader. Once detected, the reader sends an excitation signal at the relevant frequency, providing suitable power to activate and interrogate the device. The device is activated and interrogated using electromagnetic inductive coupling via the electromagnetic field generated by the signal generator of the reader.
Multiple antennas, known as an array, may be employed in the reader to operate at various frequencies. For example, in order for a reader to activate and interrogate proximity cards (generally operating at 125kHz), as well as smart cards (generally operating at 13.56MHz), two antennas tuned to these respective frequencies may be used.
However, consideration must be given to the arrangement of antenna arrays. Firstly, placing two (or more) antennas on a printed circuit board or other suitable support requires space in the reader housing. In the interest of minimising the size of the reader housing, the inclusion of an antenna array must be carefully considered.
Additionally, antennas placed in close arrangement can cause interference and diminish the quality and range of the signal received from the RFID device. It is this particular concern that the present invention ameliorates, allowing smaller antenna configurations without signal quality loss.
Turning now to Figure 1 , there is shown a preferred configuration of an antenna array in accordance with the present invention. The configuration includes a high frequency reader antenna, in addition to a low frequency resonator circuit. The high frequency, multi-layer reader antenna is positioned on a printed circuit board substrate. It contains appropriate windings and spacing to support operation at 13.56MHz. In this instance the antenna has a rectangular spiral shape. However, it will be appreciated that the high frequency antenna may be of any suitable winding shape.
The low frequency, non-loop resonating circuit preferably surrounds the high frequency antenna as shown in Figure 1. That is, the high frequency reader antenna is positioned inside the resonating circuit.
In order to create a suitable magnetic coupling for low frequency operation, an antenna with 1mH - 10mH inductance and a quality factor higher than 30 is preferably required. As will be appreciated, the design of an antenna operating at low frequency (such as 125kHz) requires numerous copper wire turns/windings to create the desired inductance. However, the windings occupy a relatively large area on a printed circuit board.
The physical antenna size may be reduced by placing a ferrite core in its centre. A ferrite core enables a low impedance path for electromagnetic waves. Additionally, the ferrite core increases the field density and thereby increases the inductance. Despite these advantages, placing a ferrite core inside an antenna designed over a printed circuit board (to control size) can be costly.
In a particularly preferred embodiment of the present invention, a distributed resonating antenna is provided with multiple ferrite inductors and placed at the edge of a printed circuit board of the reader's antenna configuration to facilitate operating at the lower frequencies, such as at 125kHz. The ferrite inductors are connected using copper wire embedded in the printed circuit board's substrate enabling a large inductance from only a single-turn antenna structure. The field power provided by this distributed resonating antenna configuration can vary from 1mW to 10mW and is reliant on the power available to the reader as well as the area of the single turn antenna structure, which can be minimised to such configurations of a small USB device (1cm by 1cm) or even smaller.
Figure 2 shows a frequency transfer function of the reader antenna and the resonating circuit of the present invention, where the separation of the preferred operating frequencies (125kHz and 13.56MHz) spans two decades.
The signal level of the reader antenna and the resonating circuit is preferably more than 70dB attenuated on the other, resulting in negligible signal interference between these two components of the reader.
It will be appreciated that the resonator configuration of the present invention may be substituted for conventional RFID antennas, achieving dual frequency operation in a micro-environment.
It is to be understood that the above embodiments have been provided only by way of exemplification of this invention, and that further modifications and improvements thereto, as would be apparent to persons skilled in the relevant art, are deemed to fall within the broad scope and ambit of the current invention described and claimed herein. ·

Claims

The Claims Defining the Invention are as Follows:
1. An antenna array for a RFID reader, including:
a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency, wherein the resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
2. The antenna array of claim 1 , wherein the high carrier frequency is nominally 13.56MHz, and the low carrier frequency is nominally 125kHz.
3. The antenna array of claim 1 or claim 2, wherein the array is embedded on a printed circuit board substrate.
4. The antenna array of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the resonating circuit includes four ferrite inductors.
5. The antenna array of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the reader antenna is positioned inside the resonating circuit.
6. The antenna array of any one of the preceding claims, wherein the ferrite inductors are placed in the corner of the resonating circuit when the resonating circuit is shaped to a rectangle or square configuration.
7. An antenna array for a RFID reader, including:
a reader loop antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a non-loop resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency, wherein the non-loop resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
8. A method of communicating relevant information from a first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or a second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency, to a RFID reader, including the steps of:
placing the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency into an electromagnetic field generated by the reader; and
reading relevant information from the first RFID device operating at a high carrier frequency and/or relevant information from the second RFID device operating at a low carrier frequency received at the reader in response to the electromagnetic field;
wherein the reader includes:
a reader antenna tuned to operate at a high carrier frequency; and a resonating circuit tuned to operate at a low carrier frequency, wherein the resonating circuit includes at least two ferrite inductors.
PCT/AU2011/001029 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Simultaneous multi-frequency rfid communication system WO2012019239A1 (en)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU2011288921A AU2011288921A1 (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Simultaneous multi-frequency RFID communication system
GB1221510.9A GB2495861A (en) 2010-08-13 2011-08-12 Simultaneous multi-frequency rfid communication system

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US37373910P 2010-08-13 2010-08-13
US61/373,739 2010-08-13

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US10438032B1 (en) 2017-11-28 2019-10-08 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Data-securing chip card construction
US10657535B1 (en) 2017-12-05 2020-05-19 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Secure card not present transactions using chip-enabled cards
US10726219B1 (en) 2017-11-28 2020-07-28 Wells Fargo Bank, N.A. Data-securing chip card construction

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