Classifications

• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; 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
  • G06K7/10346—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 far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G06—COMPUTING OR CALCULATING; 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
  • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2405—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used
  • G08B13/2414—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags
  • G08B13/2417—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting characterised by the tag technology used using inductive tags having a radio frequency identification chip
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
  • G08B13/2468—Antenna in system and the related signal processing
  • G08B13/2471—Antenna signal processing by receiver or emitter
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
  • G08B13/2468—Antenna in system and the related signal processing
  • G08B13/2474—Antenna or antenna activator geometry, arrangement or layout
• • G—PHYSICS
  • G08—SIGNALLING
  • G08B—SIGNALLING OR CALLING SYSTEMS; ORDER TELEGRAPHS; ALARM SYSTEMS
  • G08B13/00—Burglar, theft or intruder alarms
  • G08B13/22—Electrical actuation
  • G08B13/24—Electrical actuation by interference with electromagnetic field distribution
  • G08B13/2402—Electronic Article Surveillance [EAS], i.e. systems using tags for detecting removal of a tagged item from a secure area, e.g. tags for detecting shoplifting
  • G08B13/2465—Aspects related to the EAS system, e.g. system components other than tags
  • G08B13/2468—Antenna in system and the related signal processing
  • G08B13/2477—Antenna or antenna activator circuit
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04B—TRANSMISSION
  • H04B10/00—Transmission systems employing electromagnetic waves other than radio-waves, e.g. infrared, visible or ultraviolet light, or employing corpuscular radiation, e.g. quantum communication
  • H04B10/25—Arrangements specific to fibre transmission
  • H04B10/2575—Radio-over-fibre, e.g. radio frequency signal modulated onto an optical carrier
  • H04B10/25752—Optical arrangements for wireless networks
  • H04B10/25758—Optical arrangements for wireless networks between a central unit and a single remote unit by means of an optical fibre

Definitions

• Radio frequency identification (RFID) systems are used to detect and prevent inventory shrinkage and to perform inventory management functions in a variety of retail establishments, apparel and mass merchandisers, supermarkets, libraries, video stores, and the like.
• RFID Radio frequency identification
• Such systems use an intelligent tag which is secured to or associated with an article (or its packaging) , typically an article which is readily accessible to potential customers or facility users.
• the process wherein intelligent tags are secured to or associated with an article (or its packaging) is often referred to as "tagging" the article.
• RFID systems are employed for detecting the presence (or the absence) of a unique intelligent tag and, thus, a protected article within a surveilled security area or detection zone, also referred to herein as an "interrogation zone.”
• the detection zone is located at or around an exit or entrance to the facility or a portion of the facility, at the point of sale, or proximate to a hand-held, portable interrogator.
• An intelligent tag which includes a self-contained, passive resonant circuit in the form of a small, generally planar printed circuit which resonates at a predetermined detection frequency within a detection frequency range.
• a transmitter which is also tuned to the detection frequency, transmits electromagnetic energy or an interrogation signal into the detection zone.
• a receiver tuned to the detection frequency detects amplitude disturbances on the electromagnetic field that are imparted by the intelligent tag.
• the intelligent tag When an article having an attached intelligent tag moves into or passes through the detection zone, the intelligent tag is exposed to the transmitted energy. That is, the intelligent tag is interrogated.
• the detection of such an output signal by the receiver indicates the presence of an article with an intelligent tag within the detection zone and the receiver activates an alarm to alert appropriate security or other personnel .
• the intelligent tags used with such systems are referred to as RF tags or RF intelligent tags .
• the RF tags associated with each article may be identical so that all articles having an intelligent tag, regardless of article size or value, return an identical signal to the receiver.
• the RF tags may be passive resonant intelligent tags which return unique identification codes.
• U.S. Patents Nos. 5,446,447 (Carney et al . ) , 5,430,441 (Bickley et al . ) , and 5,347,263 (Carroll et al . ) disclose three examples of such intelligent tags. These intelligent tags typically include an integrated circuit to generate a unique identification code.
• RFID tags provide additional information about the article detected in the zone of the interrogator. These intelligent tags typically respond to, and transmit signals, in the radio frequency range, and are known in the art as “radio frequency identification (RFID) tags or “intelligent tags.” RFID tags are used in RFID systems. intelligent tags may also resonate at non-RF frequency bands, and may be referred generically as “EAS markers . "
• Fig. 1 shows a conventional transceiver assembly
• the assembly includes a pair of spaced pedestal transceiver antennas 12 and 12 » which define a detection zone 14 therebetween.
• transmitter and receiver coils are placed in each of the antennas 12 and 12'.
• a transmitter coil is placed in the antenna 12 and a receiver coil is placed in the antenna 12 ' .
• the maximum size of the detection zone 14 depends largely upon the "read range” of the intelligent tags used in the RFID system.
• the "read range” is the range in which a passive resonant signal can be accurately detected and discriminated by the signal receiving apparatus .
• Passive resonant signals are relatively low power signals and must be discriminated within a relatively noisy environment .
• the RFID system itself is a significant source of noise.
• the spacing between the transceiver antennas 12 and 12 ' is in the range of from three to six feet depending upon the particular RFID system and the particular application in which the system is employed.
• the antennas be spaced from each other by at least the width of the entry/exit, which may be six feet or greater in some types of stores (e.g., home centers).
• antenna placement options are constrained in conventional RFID systems.
• One scheme for increasing the read range of an RFID system is described in copending U.S. Application No. 08/783,423, filed January 14, 1998, entitled “Multiple Loop Antenna.” However, this scheme addresses the antenna design, and does not address the problem of noise generated by the RFID system itself, and by other external noise sources .
• the present invention fulfills this need by providing methods and systems which significantly reduce background noise produced by external/environmental sources and internal RFID system components, thereby providing an
• the present invention provides a signal generator for use in an RFID system.
• the RFID system has a transmitter antenna assembly with a fundamental field frequency.
• the transmitter antenna assembly is driven by two input signals having a 180 degree phase difference.
• the signal generator includes an oscillator and a divide by n circuit, wherein n ⁇ 2 .
• the oscillator has an output frequency which is an integer multiple n of the fundamental field frequency.
• the divide by n circuit is connected at an input to the oscillator output .
• the divide by n circuit produces two output signals having a 180 degree phase difference and the same frequency. Both n-divided output signals are used to drive the transmitter antenna assembly.
• the resultant field signal produced by the loop antenna is a continuous wave signal .
• the divide by n circuit comprises one or more cascaded flip-flops. Both outputs of the final stage flip-flop are used to drive the transmitter antenna to produce the continuous wave signal.
• the present invention also provides an RFID system having a detection zone for detecting the presence of an article in the detection zone wherein the article is tagged with a resonant intelligent tag.
• the RFID system includes a receiver circuit, a tag response signal analyzing circuit, and an optical fiber interface connected therebetween.
• the receiver circuit outputs a demodulated analog tag response signal upon detection of the intelligent tag in the detection zone.
• the tag response signal analyzing circuit includes an input, and a digital signal processing circuit which processes the analog tag response signal and outputs therefrom intelligent tag data.
• the optical fiber interface is connected at one end to the output of the receiver circuit and is connected at the other end to the input of the tag response signal analyzing circuit for communicating the analog tag response signal from the receiver circuit to the tag response signal analyzing circuit.
• Fig. 1 is a perspective view of pedestal antennas of a conventional RFID system
• Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of selected components of an RFID system in accordance with the present invention
• Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B, taken together, is a combination detailed component level circuit diagram/schematic block diagram showing the individual components of the RFID system of Fig. 2, as well as additional components of an RFID system in accordance with the present invention
• Fig. 4 is a schematic block diagram of an intelligent tag suitable for use with the present invention.
• Figs. 5A-5E are tag response signals at different stages in the system of Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B;
• Fig. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram of a portion of Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B;
• Fig. 7 is a diagram of the outputs of a flip-flop in Fig . 6 ;
• Fig. 8 is a schematic block diagram of a conventional scheme for producing phase split signals to drive an RFID transmitter antenna;
• Fig. 9 is a schematic block diagram of a scheme for producing phase split signals to drive an RFID transmitter antenna in accordance with the present invention.
• the system architecture of the RFID system in the present invention includes a plurality of elements for reducing noise within the RFID system.
• the resultant RFID system has better detection capabilities, or equivalently, a greater read range for RFID tags .
• Key elements are summarized herein as follows: 1.
• the output frequency is passed through a frequency divider (a "divide by 2" circuit in this example) to obtain a reduced noise 13.56 MHz signal for driving the transmitter antenna.
• a frequency divider a "divide by 2" circuit in this example
• Fiber optics are used to communicate analog tag response signals from the output of the receiver circuit to the input of the tag response signal analyzing circuitry (which includes a digital signal processor (DSP) ) .
• DSP digital signal processor
• the system architecture is thus physically separated into analog and digital sections.
• the fiber optics creates electrical isolation between the two sections, breaking ground loops, stopping internal switching noise from the DSP from entering the sensitive front end detector (i.e., the receiver circuitry), and preventing common mode signals from interfering with the desired RFID tag signal.
• Filtering is provided on the DC power lines which prevents extraneous signals, either internal or external, from interfering with desired tag signals.
• the filtering is targeted toward high and low frequency interference, which may be common mode or differential.
• Each of these elements significantly reduces noise, and may be used individually, or in combination, in the RFID system. A detailed explanation of each of the elements is provided below.
• Fig. 2 is a schematic block diagram of selected portions of an RFID system 16 depicted to selectively highlight the three above-identified elements of the present invention.
• Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B taken together, provide a combination expanded, component level circuit diagram/schematic block diagram of one preferred embodiment of the RFID system 16 having the selected portions shown in Fig. 2, as well as additional portions.
• the circuit components of Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B are described in conjunction with the elements of Fig. 2.
• the system 16 includes a transceiver module 18 (Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4), a tag response signal analyzing module 20 (Fig. 3B) and an optical interface in the form of an optical fiber interface 22 (Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B) .
• the transceiver module 18 includes a conventional receiver circuit 24 having an AM receiver.
• the receiver circuit 24 demodulates the data from the intelligent tag 28 (Fig. 4) . Amplitude perturbations on the RF carrier are detected, amplified and limited by coupling energy directly from the receiver antenna.
• the receiver circuit 24 outputs a demodulated tag response signal upon detecting an article 26 tagged with an intelligent tag 28 in a detection zone 30.
• the transceiver module 18 is connected to a conventional transmitter/receiver antenna assembly 32 which includes a transmitter loop antenna 34 for creating a detection zone and a receiver loop antenna 36 for picking up response signals transmitted from one or more intelligent tags 28.
• the antennas 34 and 36 may be separated, or may be colocated (i.e., both arranged on the same physical antenna).
• the transceiver module 18 is placed in close proximity to the driven antenna element (s) .
• the antenna assembly 32 may be arranged as shown in Fig. 1 or in any other conventional manner.
• the transmitter loop antenna 36 has a predetermined fundamental field frequency. In the example described herein, the frequency is 13.56 MHz. However, the scope of the invention includes any frequency which is suitable for detecting resonant intelligent tags.
• the tag response signal analyzing module 20 may be located in close proximity to the antenna assembly 32 and transceiver module 18, or it may be located remotely with respect to the antenna assembly 32 and transceiver module 18.
• the tag response signal analyzing module 20 includes an optical input, an A/D converter 65, and a conventional digital signal processing circuit (hereafter, digital signal processor 38 or DSP 38) which processes the digitized and quantized analog tag response signal and outputs intelligent tag data therefrom.
• the DSP 38 is preferably housed in a shielded box.
• One important element of the present invention is the optical fiber interface 22 which is used in place of a conventional hardwired interface.
• the interface 22 includes an optical transmitter 40, an optical receiver 42 and a fiber optic cable or optical fiber 44 connected at one end to the optical transmitter 40 and connected at the other end to the optical receiver 42.
• the optical transmitter 40 and optical receiver 42 may be physically mounted on respective boards associated with the transceiver module 18 and tag response signal analyzing module 20 as shown in Figs. 2, 3A- 1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B, or they may be external to the boards associated with the transceiver module 18 and tag response signal analyzing module 20 (not shown) .
• the optical fiber 44 may be any suitable length for connecting the respective boards, and may have one or more repeaters or optical amplifiers connected along its path, if necessary to maintain signal strength.
• the optical fiber 44 significantly reduces noise in the tag response signal by providing electrical isolation and breaking ground loops associated with hardwired connections, stopping internal switching noise from the DSP 38 from entering the receiver circuit 24, and preventing common mode signals from interfering with the desired tag response signal.
• the preferred resonant intelligent tag for use with the present invention is a conventional RFID tag.
• Fig. 4 shows general details of a sample RFID tag
• the intelligent tag 28 includes a passive resonant radio frequency (RF) circuit 50 for detecting when the tag 28 is within a zone monitored by a reader or interrogator, as is well known in the art.
• RF radio frequency
• One well-known type of circuit 50 has a coil antenna 52 and a capacitor 54 which together form a resonant circuit with a predetermined (operational) resonant frequency (i.e., the selected radio frequency).
• Power for the intelligent tag 28 is derived from the antenna 52 in a conventional manner.
• the intelligent tag 28 includes an integrated circuit (IC) 56 for providing "intelligence" to the intelligent tag 28.
• the IC 56 is connected to the circuit 50.
• the IC 56 includes a programmable memory 58, as described below, for storing bits of identification or other data.
• the IC 56 outputs a data stream comprising stored data when sufficient power is applied thereto.
• the data stream creates a series of data pulses by switching an extra capacitor (not shown) across the coil antenna 52 for the duration of the data pulses. This changes the resonant frequency of the RF circuit 50, detuning it from the operational frequency.
• the RF circuit 50 instead of the RF circuit 50 returning a simple response signal at a single operational resonant frequency, it returns a modulated signal containing a packet of preprogrammed information from the memory 58.
• the packet of information (data pulses) is received and processed by interrogator receiving circuitry and is decoded (if necessary) to provide identification and/or other information about the tagged article.
• Other methods of using the data in the IC memory 58 to output identification data from the intelligent tag 28 are within the scope of the invention.
• the IC 56 is preferably also a passive device and is powered in the same manner as the RF circuit 50 (i.e., by using energy received at the antenna 52 from the interrogator transmitter signal) .
• the intelligent tag 28 is thus a so-called RFID tag.
• Other types of RFID tags may be used with the present invention. Examples of other RFID tags which have circuitry suitable for use as part of the circuitry of the intelligent tag 28 are shown in U.S.
• Patents Nos. 5,446,447 (Carney et al . ) , 5,430,441 (Bickley et al . ) , and 5,347,263 (Carroll et al . ) .
• Figs. 5A-5E show sample tag response signals originating from the intelligent tag 28 at the different stages of the circuit elements of Figs. 2, 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B.
• Fig. 5A shows a portion of the unprocessed demodulated analog tag response signal at the output of the receiver circuit 24, labeled in Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and Fig. 5A as signal 60.
• a typical analog tag response signal may have 154 bits and a peak voltage level in the range of about 50 millivolts.
• the signal is "analog" because it has a continuously variable voltage level and noise, compared to a digital signal which has clearly defined discrete values (e.g., 1, 2, 3,...) which are ultimately expressed in groups of bits, and are represented by high and low logic levels.
• Fig. 5B shows a portion of the tag response signal as it appears in the optical fiber 44 and after being processed by the optical transmitter 40.
• the tag response signal at this stage is labeled in Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B, and in Fig. 5B as signal 62.
• the signal 62 has the same waveform as the signal 60, but the amplitude represents light intensity, not voltage.
• Fig. 5C shows a portion of the tag response signal as it appears at the output of the optical receiver 42 and before being input into the tag response signal analyzing module 20.
• the tag response signal at this stage is labeled in Fig. 3B and Fig. 5C as signal 64.
• the signal 64 has the same waveform as the signal 62, but the amplitude now represents an analog electrical voltage.
• the signal 64 is thus identical to the signal 60, assuming ideally operating conversion circuitry and a lossless optical fiber 44.
• the analog electrical voltage is quantized in an A/D converter 65 shown in Fig. 3B which converts the analog voltage to digital data for processing by the DSP 38.
• the signal at the output of the A/D converter 65 is a sequence of 10 bit words, represented in Fig. 5D as discrete, quantized values of the signal 64 which are input into the DSP 38.
• Fig. 5E shows a portion of the intelligent tag data 66 output from the DSP 38.
• This data provides the identification information of the intelligent tag 28 (e.g., RFID tag data in the case wherein the intelligent tag 28 is an RFID tag) .
• the tag output signal is labeled in Fig. 3B and Fig. 5E as signal 66.
• Figs. 5D and 5E do not represent the signals shown in Figs. 5A-5C at the same respective points in time, nor are the time periods in Figs. 5D and 5E correlated with each other or with the time periods of Figs. 5A-5C.
• Figs. 5D and 5E are provided to illustrate the digital characteristics of a tag response signal, compared to the analog nature of the signal in Figs. 5A-5C.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,288,980 (Patel et al . ) discloses that the communication link between an electronic data processor and a pass/not pass logic circuit may be a fiber optic cable.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,440,300 (Spillman, Jr.) discloses a multiple embedded structure network wherein several smart structures embedded within panels are powered and interrogated by a network of conformal powering and data reception interrogation interface units which are connected by and serve as nodes along a common power/data bus cable .
• the cable may be a fiber optic cable.
• U.S. Patent No. 5,353,011 (Wheeler et al .
• Figs. 2, 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3, 3A-4 and 3B also show the second highlighted noise-reducing element of the present invention, namely a low noise signal generator 68 for driving the transmitter of the antenna assembly 32 at its fundamental field frequency.
• the signal generator includes an oscillator 70 having an output frequency which is an integer multiple n of the fundamental field frequency, and a frequency divider 72 (hereafter, "divide by n circuit 72") connected to the oscillator output, wherein n ⁇ 2.
• the output of the signal generator 68 is used to drive the transmitter of the antenna assembly 32 with the n-divided oscillator frequency.
• the output of the signal generator 68 is connected to a resonant circuit driver or power driver circuit 86, which, in turn, drives the transmitter antenna 34.
• a resonant circuit driver or power driver circuit 86 is a type of Class E amplifier disclosed in U.S. Patent Application No. 08/911,843, filed August 15, 1997, entitled "Drive Circuit For Reactive Loads, " which is incorporated herein by reference .
• One embodiment of such a power driver circuit 86 is shown in Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4.
• the scope of the invention includes any suitable switched amplifier which accepts a digital input, including conventional Class C, D or E amplifiers.
• the oscillator 70 may be mounted to the transceiver module 18 as shown in Figs.
• the oscillator 70 may be external to the transceiver module 18 (not shown) .
• the oscillator output may be received by fiber optic circuitry 76. If so, the transceiver module 18 uses circuitry 77 to sense a "drop out," or an absence of the external oscillator, to synchronize to neighboring transceiver modules 18, either in phase by using jumper J5, or 180 degrees out of phase by using jumper J4.
• Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4 shows a preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein the divide by n circuit 72 is implemented with one or more cascaded toggle flip-flops.
• n 2
• the field frequency is 13.56 MHz in the illustrated example.
• an oscillator 70 is chosen which has an output frequency of 27.12 MHz.
• n is preferably an even number. In this manner, multiple flip-flops may be cascaded to create divide by 4 , 6, 8, etc... circuits.
• the flip-flop output signals are obtained from the Q and Q outputs of the final stage flip-flop.
• n is an odd number
• the circuit implementation is more complicated.
• One odd number implementation uses a counter and decoder to decode counter outputs.
• the scope of the invention includes values of n . 2.
• a practical range of values for n is 16 ⁇ n ⁇ 2 .
• the theory behind the noise reducing function of the signal generator 68 is that a frequency divider attenuates noise power in the drive signal but does not attenuate the signal power of the drive signal.
• n the amplitude of the phase noise sidebands at any given frequency offset are divided in half, whereas the amplitude of the signal portion is not divided.
• the noise in the drive signal at a particular frequency offset is ⁇ DS
• the resultant noise in the drive signal after being fed through the divide by 2 circuit is ⁇ DS at the same frequency offset.
• the low noise oscillator scheme described above significantly reduces noise in the RF field, thereby allowing the read range to be increased by a significant percentage compared to prior art RFID systems which do not use any such scheme. For example, a 10-20% improvement in detectability may be achieved using this scheme.
• Figs. 2 and 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4 also show the third highlighted noise-reducing element of the present invention, namely the use of filtering on the DC power lines.
• the tag response signal analyzing module 20 provides isolated DC power to the transceiver module 18, which, in turn, uses the DC power to synthesize and drive RF currents in the transmitter antenna 34 at the fundamental field frequency.
• the DC power lines for the transceiver module 18 contain high and low frequency common mode filters 75 and 78, and high and low frequency differential mode suppression filters 80.
• Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4 also shows voltage regulators 82 and 84 for powering the circuits of the RFID system 16.
• Fig. 6 is a simplified circuit diagram which highlights portions of the preferred embodiment of the present invention wherein one or more toggle flip-flops 72 (one flip-flop in the illustrated divide by 2 embodiment) provide the dual function of (1) frequency dividing, and (2) providing non-phase inverted and phase inverted output signals to drive a transmitter.
• the circuitry of Fig. 6 is shown in detail in Figs. 3A-1, 3A-2, 3A-3 and 3A-4. )
• the output of the divide by 2 circuit is the Q and Q outputs of the flip-flop 72.
• the two outputs have a 180 degree phase difference, and the same frequency, as illustrated in Fig. 7.
• the Q output is labeled as having a 0 degree phase, and may be referred to as the "non-phase inverted output”
• the Q output is labeled as having a 180 degree phase, and may be referred to as the "phase inverted output.”
• the resultant output thus has a push-pull characteristic.
• the antenna 34 produces a continuous wave signal.
• a continuous wave signal provides better time opportunities for tag detection compared to a pulsed or burst wave scheme for a transmitter antenna, such as disclosed in Fig. 2 of U.S. Patent No.
• a transformer For example, see Fig. 6 of U.S. Patent No. 4,274,089 (Giles) operating in the continuous wave mode.
• a transformer is an analog device and generates significant noise, thereby defeating the goal of reducing system noise.
• the present invention maintains the drive signal in digital form as close as possible to the final stage and uses a digital device (flip-flop) to generate the phase split signals, thereby reducing the opportunities for noise to be generated in the system.
• Figs. 8 and 9 illustrate how the present invention uses digital signals as close as possible to the final stage to reduce noise in the drive signal circuitry.
• FIG. 8 is a conventional scheme 90 for driving an RFID transmitter antenna to produce a continuous wave signal.
• an analog device 92 such as a transformer, produces the phase split signals.
• the analog output of the transformer is amplified by a resonant circuit driver 94 which accepts an analog input, and the output of the driver is sent to the transmitter antenna 34.
• Fig. 9 shows the scheme 96 in accordance with the present invention.
• a digital device namely one or more flip-flops 72, produces the phase split signals.
• the digital output of the flip-flop (s) 72 is input to a switched amplifier 96, which may be any suitable Class C, D or E amplifier capable of accepting a digital input.
• a switched amplifier 96 which may be any suitable Class C, D or E amplifier capable of accepting a digital input.
• a switched amplifier 96 which may be any suitable Class C, D or E amplifier capable of accepting a digital input.
• a switched amplifier 96 which may be any suitable Class C, D or E amplifier capable of accepting a digital
• a less preferred embodiment of the RFID system 16 which is within the scope of the present invention uses only one output or one phase of the flip-flop 72. This scheme is provides only one-half of the signal voltage for a given input voltage compared to the preferred two phase scheme, but still provides the desired signal noise reduction and the continuous wave.
• the RFID system 16 uses an amplitude-modulated response signal.
• modulation schemes are within the scope of the invention, such as frequency modulation, pulse modulation, and phase modulation.
• optical interface disclosed herein is an optical fiber interface.
• other optical or light interface schemes may be used which permit light transmission and receiving of the analog tag response signal over a defined distance.
• the noise reduction schemes may be used in RFID systems that employ other types of resonant intelligent tag.
• the noise reduction schemes described above improve tag detection and allow for a significantly increased read range.
• the present invention thus addresses a long-felt, and heretofore, unmet need in the industry for an RFID system with such improved capabilities.

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• 1999
  • 1999-07-13 CA CA002624853A patent/CA2624853A1/en not_active Abandoned
  • 1999-07-13 ES ES99935548T patent/ES2233058T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-13 CN CNB998089621A patent/CN1135509C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-07-13 AT AT99935548T patent/ATE281671T1/de not_active IP Right Cessation
  • 1999-07-13 CN CNB031408206A patent/CN1238732C/zh not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-07-13 ES ES03020341T patent/ES2262929T3/es not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-13 WO PCT/US1999/015884 patent/WO2000005692A1/en not_active Ceased
  • 1999-07-13 AU AU51007/99A patent/AU753617B2/en not_active Ceased
  • 1999-07-13 DE DE69921658T patent/DE69921658T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-13 JP JP2000561598A patent/JP4445672B2/ja not_active Expired - Fee Related
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  • 1999-07-13 KR KR1020017000434A patent/KR100660409B1/ko not_active Expired - Fee Related
  • 1999-07-13 EP EP99935548A patent/EP1099200B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-13 DE DE69930975T patent/DE69930975T2/de not_active Expired - Lifetime
  • 1999-07-13 EP EP03020341A patent/EP1376445B1/en not_active Expired - Lifetime

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