WO2006116012A2 - Lecteur rfid et emetteur-recepteur rf combines - Google Patents

Lecteur rfid et emetteur-recepteur rf combines Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2006116012A2
WO2006116012A2 PCT/US2006/014973 US2006014973W WO2006116012A2 WO 2006116012 A2 WO2006116012 A2 WO 2006116012A2 US 2006014973 W US2006014973 W US 2006014973W WO 2006116012 A2 WO2006116012 A2 WO 2006116012A2
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
transceiver
antenna
signals
rfid
remote
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2006/014973
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2006116012A3 (fr
Inventor
Sean T. Loving
Original Assignee
Skyetek, Inc.
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
Priority claimed from US11/301,396 external-priority patent/US20060238302A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/301,587 external-priority patent/US20060238304A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/301,770 external-priority patent/US20060238305A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/301,423 external-priority patent/US20060238303A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/328,209 external-priority patent/US20060253415A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/387,422 external-priority patent/US20070046431A1/en
Priority claimed from US11/387,421 external-priority patent/US7659819B2/en
Application filed by Skyetek, Inc. filed Critical Skyetek, Inc.
Priority to EP06750888A priority Critical patent/EP1872597A2/fr
Publication of WO2006116012A2 publication Critical patent/WO2006116012A2/fr
Publication of WO2006116012A3 publication Critical patent/WO2006116012A3/fr

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
    • G06K7/0008—General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Definitions

  • RFID stands for Radio-Frequency IDentification.
  • An RFID transponder or 'tag', serves a similar purpose as a bar code or a magnetic strip on the back of a credit card; it provides an identifier for a particular object, although, unlike a barcode or magnetic strip, some tags support being written to.
  • An RFID system carries data in these tags, and retrieves data from the tags wirelessly. Data within a tag may provide identification for an item in manufacture, goods in transit, a location, the identity of a vehicle, an animal, or an individual. By including additional data, the ability is provided for supporting applications through item-specific information or instructions available upon reading the tag.
  • a basic RFID system includes a reader or 'interrogator' and a transponder (RFID tag) electronically programmed with unique identifying information. Both the transceiver and transponder have antennas, which respectively emit and receive radio signals to activate the tag, read data from the tag, and write data to it.
  • An antenna is a feature that is present in both readers and tags, and is essential for the communication between the two.
  • An RFID system requires, in addition to tags, a mechanism for reading or interrogating the tags and usually requires some means of communicating RFID data to a host device, e.g., a computer or information management system.
  • the antenna is packaged with the transceiver and decoder to become a reader (an 'interrogator'), which can be configured either as a handheld or a fixed-mount device.
  • the reader emits radio waves in ranges of anywhere from one inch to 100 feet or more, depending upon its power output and the radio frequency used.
  • an RFID tag passes through the electromagnetic zone (its 'field') created by the reader, it detects the reader's activation signal upon which it conveys its stored information data.
  • the reader decodes the data encoded in the tag's integrated circuit and the decoded data is often passed to a device (e.g., a computer) for processing.
  • TRANSmitter/resPONDER indicates the function of an RFID tag.
  • a tag responds to a transmitted or communicated request for the data it carries, the communication between the reader and the tag being wireless across the space between the two.
  • the essential components that form an RFID system are one or more tags and a reader or interrogator.
  • the basic components of a transponder are, generally speaking, fabricated as low power integrated circuit suitable for interfacing to an external coil, or utilizing 'coil-on-chip' technology, for data transfer and power generation, where the coil acts as a tag antenna matched to the frequency supported.
  • RFID tags require power, even though the power levels required for operation are invariably very small (microwatts to milliwatts).
  • RFID tags are categorized as active, passive, or semi-active/semi- passive, the designation being determined by the manner in which a particular device derives its power.
  • Active RFID tags are powered by an internal battery and are typically read/write devices.
  • Passive tags operate without an internal battery source, deriving the power to operate from the field generated by the reader. Passive tags are consequently much lighter than active tags, less expensive, and offer a virtually unlimited operational lifetime. However, a passive tag must be powered without interruption during communication with the reader. Passive tags offer advantages in terms of cost and longevity, as they have an almost infinite lifetime and are generally less expensive than active tags.
  • FIG. 1 is a diagram of a prior art RFID reader 100.
  • reader 100 includes two radio modules, where one radio module 110 provides communication with RFID tags (transponders) 105 and a second radio module 120 provides RF backhaul communication with a transceiver 104.
  • Both radio modules 110 / 120 are connected to a (reader- enabled) device processor 101 , which is coupled with device hardware 110/120/102.
  • the radio modules 110 / 120 are essentially redundant, in that each module includes an identical or similar radio transceiver 114 / 124, as well as a radio processor 112 / 122.
  • each radio module 110 / 120 requires a separate antenna 131 / 132.
  • RFID radio module 110 is shown utilizing a circulator 138 (which can, alternatively, be a directional coupler or a diode detector circuit) to selectively direct the received signal to the receiver 118, allowing the transmitted signal from transmitter 116 to pass through to antenna 131 , while blocking the received signal from the output of transmitter 116, and while blocking the transmit signal from the input of the receiver 118.
  • Backhaul RF radio module 120 is shown utilizing a transmit/receive (T/R) switch 139 to direct the received signal either to the receiver 138, or to output the transmitted signal from transmitter 136 to antenna 132.
  • Radio module 120 could alternatively employ a circulator (or equivalent device) 138.
  • an RFID reader's radio transmitter is required to be turned on while the receiver is receiving.
  • Previously existing RFID readers have accommodated this requirement by the use of directional couplers or the like.
  • these previous RFID readers nevertheless employ redundant circuitry, including redundant radio modules, one module for communication with RFID tags and another module for communication with a host computer or server, via a backhaul RF transceiver.
  • RFID readers typically uses its own radio processor. Furthermore, each of these radio modules employs a separate antenna, thus necessitating the use of at least two antennas for communication with both a tag and a backhaul transceiver. Elimination of these redundant components is thus desirable, to minimize power consumption, and to reduce the number of components and circuit size, thereby also reducing the cost of the reader.
  • a system and method are disclosed for providing the capability for an RFID reader to communicate with RFID tags and with a remote RF transceiver.
  • a single transceiver is employed for communicating with both the RFID tags and with the remote RF transceiver.
  • a single antenna is coupled to the transceiver. In a first mode, the transceiver communicates with the RFID tags via the antenna, on a first frequency. In a second mode, the transceiver communicates with the remote RF transceiver via the same antenna, on the same frequency or on a second frequency.
  • Figure 1 is a diagram of a prior art RFID reader, showing the use of two radios to provide corresponding RF and RFID communication;
  • Figure 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present combined RFID reader and RF transceiver, showing high-level architecture of the system;
  • Figure 3 is a diagram of system components in one embodiment of the present system, in which RFID + RF backhaul radio processor code is located in the device processor;
  • Figure 4 is a diagram of system components in one embodiment of the present system, in which RFID + RF backhaul radio processor code is located in a combined RFID + RF backhaul radio module;
  • Figure 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary set of steps performed in RF backhaul transmission and receiving, in one embodiment of the present system;
  • Figure 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary set of steps performed in RFID transmission and receiving, in one embodiment of the present system.
  • FIG. 2 is a diagram of an exemplary embodiment of the present combined RFID reader and RF transceiver 200, showing high-level architecture of the system.
  • the present embodiment comprises a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio transceiver module 202, which is connected to a device processor 201 , which typically performs functions specific to the task or application for which the device was designed.
  • Combined RFID + RF radio module 202 uses a single antenna 203 to send signals to, and receive signals from RFID tags 105, as well as for communication with remote RF transceiver 104.
  • Remote transceiver 104 is typically coupled to a host computer or server (not shown), and is used to exchange data between one or more RFID tags and the host computer/ server (i.e., backhaul communication).
  • remote transceiver 104 may be a mobile device such as a wireless sensor network device (i.e., a mote).
  • an IEEE 802.15.4 compliant ('ZigBee') radio operating at approximately 900MHz is used by the present system to achieve standard ZigBee communication to a host and/or passive UHF RFID communication with EPC (Electronic Product Code) transponders (RFID tags).
  • EPC Electronic Product Code
  • the present system may employ RF frequencies other than 900MHz, as well as communication protocols other than IEEE 802.15.4.
  • Figure 3 is a diagram showing system components in one embodiment 300 of the present system. As shown in Figure 3, in combined RFID reader and RF transceiver 300, combined RFID and RF backhaul radio processor executable code 303 is located in the device processor 201.
  • Combined RFID and RF backhaul radio module 202 includes a combined transceiver 304, comprising a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio transmitter 305, and a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio receiver 306.
  • communication between the RFID portion of the combined RFID / RF backhaul module 202 / 402 in systems 200 / 300 / 400 and RFID tags 105 takes place at approximately 900 MHz, and communication between modules 202 / 402 and RF transceiver 104 in systems 200 / 300 / 400 occurs at an offset of approximately 2 MHz, e.g., at approximately 902 or 898 MHz.
  • Radio transmitter 305 and radio receiver 306 are connected to switching device 307, which is connected to combined RF backhaul / RFID antenna 203, and controlled by device processor 201.
  • switching device 307 includes a double pole, single throw transmit/receive (T/R 1 ) switch 309 and a circulator 308.
  • Circulator 308 is a signal directing (and isolating) device having a junction of three ports in which the ports can be accessed in such an order that when a signal is fed into any port it is transferred to the next port.
  • switch 309 is set to the closed ('C) position, and circulator 308 allows the signal from the output OP of transmitter 305 to flow to antenna 203, while allowing the signal from the antenna to flow through switch 309 to the input IP of receiver 306, while effectively blocking the signal from the antenna from reaching the transmitter output and effectively blocking the output signal from the transmitter 305 from reaching the receiver 306 input.
  • circulator 308 may, alternatively, be provided by other signal directing devices including a directional coupler, a diode detector, a mixer, or the like.
  • FIG. 4 is a diagram showing system components in one embodiment 400 of the present system.
  • combined RFID reader and RF transceiver 400 includes a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio module 402, including a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio processor 401 and associated executable code 403.
  • Radio processor 401 is connected to device processor 201 and to combined transceiver 304, which includes a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio transmitter 305, and a combined RFID and RF backhaul radio receiver 306 as in transceiver 304 described with respect to Figure 3.
  • Radio processor 401 is controlled by device processor 201 , and in turn, controls combined transceiver 304.
  • radio transmitter 305 and radio receiver 306 are connected to switching device 307, which is connected to RFID/RF backhaul antenna 203 and controlled by device processor 201 , or alternatively, by radio processor 401.
  • the operation of switching device 307 is described in detail below with respect to Figure 5 and Figure 6.
  • the configuration of the components (e.g., signal directing/isolating device 308 and switch 309) shown in switching device 307 is one of a number of possible component configurations that may be employed to allow the shared use of combined RFID / RF radio backhaul module 202 / 402 with a single antenna 203.
  • Switching device 307 may alternatively include a directional coupler, a diode detector circuit, a mixer, or the like, to provide the functionality of circulator 308.
  • switch 309 may be eliminated in switching device 307, in which case input IP of receiver 306 is connected directly to port 333 of device 308, to provide full-duplex operation for RF backhaul mode.
  • FIG. 5 is a flowchart showing an exemplary set of steps performed in RF backhaul communication between systems 200 / 300 / 400 and transceiver 104 (shown in Figure 2), in one embodiment of the present system.
  • RF backhaul transmission can be divided into two phases or modes, an RF transmission mode 501 , and an RF receiving mode 511. Operation of the present system is best understood by viewing Figures 3 and 4 in conjunction with Figure 5.
  • Figure 5 As shown in Figure 5, in RF backhaul transmission mode
  • T/R switch 309 opens the direct connection from antenna 203 to radio receiver input IP, as indicated by the switch connection to position "O". This allows the RF backhaul transmit signal to flow through circulator 308 out to antenna 203 and to RF transceiver 104 (shown in Figure 2), at Step 510.
  • FIG. 6 is a flowchart showing an exemplary set of steps performed in RFID communication between systems 200 / 300 / 400 and RFID tag 105, in one embodiment of the present system.
  • RFID communication can be divided into two phases or modes, an RFID transmission mode 601 , and an RFID receiving mode 611. Operation of the present system is best understood by viewing Figures 3 and 4 in conjunction with Figure 6.
  • step 605 initially, RFID receiver 306 and RFID transmitter 305 are turned on and switch 309 is set to the open (O') position.
  • the transmitter 305 modulates the continuous wave (CW) transmit signal (this is the tag command signal).
  • device processor software code 303 in device processor 201 in system 300
  • radio processor 401 code 403 in combined RFID / RF backhaul radio processor 401 in system 400
  • sends control signals to device hardware 102 shown in Figure 2 to modulate the CW to send a command to the tag.
  • the CW transmit signal from transmitter 305 flows through circulator 308 and out through antenna 203.
  • the T/R switch remains open and circulator 308 blocks the large transmitted signal and passes the signal received from the RFID tag to the input IP of receiver 306.
  • the RFID receiver 306 receives the modulated continuous wave (CW) RF signal from RFID tag 105.
  • transmitter 305 remains broadcasting the CW signal to keep the tag energized, as indicated in block 615.
  • RFID tag 105 sends its data to the reader 200 / 300 / 400 by load modulating the backscattered CW wave that is being transmitted by RFID tag 105.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Artificial Intelligence (AREA)
  • Computer Vision & Pattern Recognition (AREA)
  • Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • General Physics & Mathematics (AREA)
  • Theoretical Computer Science (AREA)
  • Near-Field Transmission Systems (AREA)
  • Stored Programmes (AREA)
  • Radar Systems Or Details Thereof (AREA)
  • Transceivers (AREA)

Abstract

L'invention concerne un lecteur RFID permettant de communiquer avec une étiquette RFID et avec un émetteur-récepteur RF à distance. Un émetteur-récepteur unique est utilisé pour communiquer avec des étiquettes RFID et avec un émetteur-récepteur RF à distance. Une antenne unique est couplée à l'émetteur-récepteur. Dans un premier mode, l'émetteur-récepteur communique avec les étiquettes RFID par le biais de l'antenne, sur une première fréquence. Dans un second mode, l'émetteur-récepteur communique avec l'émetteur-récepteur RF à distance par le biais de la même antenne, sur la première fréquence ou sur une seconde fréquence.
PCT/US2006/014973 2005-04-21 2006-04-21 Lecteur rfid et emetteur-recepteur rf combines WO2006116012A2 (fr)

Priority Applications (1)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
EP06750888A EP1872597A2 (fr) 2005-04-21 2006-04-21 Lecteur rfid et emetteur-recepteur rf combines

Applications Claiming Priority (18)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US67369205P 2005-04-21 2005-04-21
US60/673,692 2005-04-21
US71295705P 2005-08-31 2005-08-31
US60/712,957 2005-08-31
US11/301,396 US20060238302A1 (en) 2005-04-21 2005-12-13 System and method for configuring an RFID reader
US11/301,587 US20060238304A1 (en) 2005-04-21 2005-12-13 System and method for adapting an FRID tag reader to its environment
US11/301,396 2005-12-13
US11/301,770 2005-12-13
US11/301,770 US20060238305A1 (en) 2005-04-21 2005-12-13 Configurable RFID reader
US11/301,423 US20060238303A1 (en) 2005-04-21 2005-12-13 Adaptable RFID reader
US11/301,587 2005-12-13
US11/301,423 2005-12-13
US11/328,209 2006-01-09
US11/328,209 US20060253415A1 (en) 2005-04-21 2006-01-09 Data-defined communication device
US11/387,422 2006-03-23
US11/387,421 2006-03-23
US11/387,422 US20070046431A1 (en) 2005-08-31 2006-03-23 System and method for combining RFID tag memory
US11/387,421 US7659819B2 (en) 2005-04-21 2006-03-23 RFID reader operating system and associated architecture

Publications (2)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2006116012A2 true WO2006116012A2 (fr) 2006-11-02
WO2006116012A3 WO2006116012A3 (fr) 2009-04-30

Family

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Family Applications (2)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/015094 WO2006116086A2 (fr) 2005-04-21 2006-04-21 Systeme de fonctionnement d'un lecteur rfid et structure associee
PCT/US2006/014973 WO2006116012A2 (fr) 2005-04-21 2006-04-21 Lecteur rfid et emetteur-recepteur rf combines

Family Applications Before (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2006/015094 WO2006116086A2 (fr) 2005-04-21 2006-04-21 Systeme de fonctionnement d'un lecteur rfid et structure associee

Country Status (2)

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EP (2) EP1872598A4 (fr)
WO (2) WO2006116086A2 (fr)

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012069733A1 (fr) * 2010-11-22 2012-05-31 Inside Secure Lecteur d'étiquette uhf intégré dans un dispositif de radiocommunication

Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6078251A (en) * 1996-03-27 2000-06-20 Intermec Ip Corporation Integrated multi-meter and wireless communication link
US6420961B1 (en) * 1998-05-14 2002-07-16 Micron Technology, Inc. Wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator
US20040069852A1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2004-04-15 Nokia Corporation Bluetooth RF based RF-tag read/write station

Family Cites Families (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO1999057649A2 (fr) * 1998-05-04 1999-11-11 Intermec Ip Corporation Dispositif de collecte automatique de donnees comportant une fonction de communication par reseau

Patent Citations (3)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
US6078251A (en) * 1996-03-27 2000-06-20 Intermec Ip Corporation Integrated multi-meter and wireless communication link
US6420961B1 (en) * 1998-05-14 2002-07-16 Micron Technology, Inc. Wireless communication systems, interfacing devices, communication methods, methods of interfacing with an interrogator, and methods of operating an interrogator
US20040069852A1 (en) * 2002-06-26 2004-04-15 Nokia Corporation Bluetooth RF based RF-tag read/write station

Cited By (1)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2012069733A1 (fr) * 2010-11-22 2012-05-31 Inside Secure Lecteur d'étiquette uhf intégré dans un dispositif de radiocommunication

Also Published As

Publication number Publication date
EP1872598A4 (fr) 2009-09-09
EP1872598A2 (fr) 2008-01-02
EP1872597A2 (fr) 2008-01-02
WO2006116086A3 (fr) 2008-11-20
WO2006116012A3 (fr) 2009-04-30
WO2006116086A2 (fr) 2006-11-02

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