WO2017045208A1

WO2017045208A1 - System and method of tagging object, tagging device and antenna for use in communication system

Info

Publication number: WO2017045208A1
Application number: PCT/CN2015/090046
Authority: WO
Inventors: Chilun MAK; Jingtian XI
Original assignee: Hong Kong R & D Centre for Logistics and Supply Chain Management Enabling Technologies Limited
Priority date: 2015-09-18
Filing date: 2015-09-18
Publication date: 2017-03-23

Abstract

A system and a method for an antenna for use in a communication system comprising: a radiator arranged to selectively coupled to a feeder, wherein the feeder is electrically connected to an electronic device arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator.

Description

A SYSTEM AND A METHOD OF TAGGING AN OBJECT, A TAGGING DEVICE AND AN ANTENNA FOR USE IN A COMMUNICATION SYSTEM

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present invention relates to a system and a method for tagging an object, a tagging device and an antenna for use in a communication system, although not exclusively, to an electronic tagging device having at least one detachable antenna forming a multi-layer structure for facilitating a plurality of read range operations.

BACKGROUND

Information may be stored in electronic devices and may be accessed by a suitable reader. For example, tagging information stored in RFID tags may be read by an RFID reader. The communication link between the tags and the reader relies on a wireless coupling, in which the tags and the reader may communicate with electromagnetic radiation or radio frequency signals.

RFID tags may be readable when it is placed within a reading range of the RFID reader. This may depend on several parameters in different systems, such as transmission power of RF signals, operation frequency, antenna designs, coupling efficiencies, obstacles between the tags and the readers, active or passive RFID technologies, etc. Tag antennas on RFID tags may also play an important role in the communication link between the RFID tags and the RFID readers.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

In accordance with a first aspect of the present invention, there is provided an antenna for use in a communication system comprising: a radiator arranged to selectively coupled to a feeder, wherein the feeder is electrically connected to an electronic device arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the feeder is a near-field radiator.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are positioned proximate to each other.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, further comprising an engagement mechanism arranged to removably secure the feeder and the electronic device when the feeder and the radiator are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is further arranged to physically separate from the feeder and the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is a dipole antenna.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the feeder is a small-loop antenna.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is fabricated on a first substrate.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the feeder and the electronic device are fabricated on a second substrate.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the first and/or the second substrate comprise a dielectric material.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, a multi-layer tag antenna is formed by a combination of the radiator and the feeder which are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the electronic device is arranged to tag an object.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is fixedly attached to the object.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the object is a vehicle.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the radiator is fixedly attached to a windshield of the vehicle.

In an embodiment of the first aspect, the electromagnetic radiation is a radio frequency signal.

In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, there is provided a tagging device comprising: a feeder electrically connected to an electronic device, wherein the feeder is further arranged to selectively couple to a radiator such that the electronic device is further arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are positioned proximate to each other.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, further comprising an engagement mechanism arranged to removably secure the feeder and the electronic device to the radiator when the feeder and the radiator are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is further arranged to physically separate from the feeder and the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is a dipole antenna.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the feeder is a small-loop antenna.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is fabricated on a first substrate.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the feeder and the electronic device are fabricated on a second substrate.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the first and/or the second substrate comprise a dielectric material.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, a multi-layer tag antenna is formed by a combination of the radiator and the feeder which are substantially aligned.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the electromagnetic radiation is a radio frequency signal.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, further comprising the radiator removable from the feeder and/or the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is fixedly attached to an object tagged by the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the object is a vehicle.

In an embodiment of the second aspect, the radiator is fixedly attached to a windshield of the vehicle.

In accordance with a third aspect of the present invention, there is provided a system for tagging an object comprising: an antenna in accordance with the first aspect, wherein the antenna is arranged to co-operate with one of a plurality of tagging devices each comprises the feeder and the electronic device electrically connected to the feeder.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, the plurality of tagging devices are RFID tags.

In an embodiment of the third aspect, further comprising a reader arranged to read tagging information stored in the one of the plurality of tagging devices positioned proximate to the antenna.

In accordance with a fourth aspect of the present invention, there is provided a method of tagging an object, comprising the steps of: attaching a radiator of a tagging device in accordance with the second aspect to the object； coupling a feeder of the tagging device to the radiator； and accessing tagging information stored in an electronic device of the tagging device with an electromagnetic radiation receivable by the electronic device through the feeder and the radiator.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, further comprising the step of operating an RFID reader so as to access the tagging information stored in the electronic device.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, further comprising the step of securing the feeder and the electronic device to the radiator via an engagement mechanism.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, the tagging device is an RFID tag.

In an embodiment of the fourth aspect, further comprising the step of preventing an access of the information stored in the electronic device of an another tagging device without the feeder coupled to the radiator.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Embodiments of the present invention will now be described, by way of example, with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

Figure 1A is a schematic diagram showing an antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention；

Figure 1B is a schematic diagram showing a tagging device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention；

Figure 2A is a schematic diagram showing a tagging device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the feeder is aligned with the radiator；

Figure 2B is a schematic diagram showing an enlarged portion of the aligned feeder and the radiator of the tagging device of Figure 2A；

Figure 3A is an illustration showing a top view and a side view of the tagging device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention；

Figure 3B is an illustration showing a top view and a side view of the tagging device in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention；

Figure 4A is a perspective view of the tagging device of Figure 2A with the antenna detached from the RFID tag；

Figure 4B is a perspective view of another side of the tagging device of Figure 4A；

Figure 4C is a perspective view of the tagging device of Figure 4A with a covered radiator；

Figure 5A is a perspective view of the tagging device of Figure 2A with the antenna attached to the RFID tag；

Figure 5B is a perspective view of another side of the tagging device of Figure 5A；

Figure 6A is an illustration showing an antenna in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention, wherein the antenna is attached to an object；

Figure 6B is an illustration showing a tagging device coupled to the antenna of Figure 6A；

Figure 7 is an illustration showing a tagging device coupled to the antenna of Figure 6A, wherein the object is a vehicle；

Figure 8 is a plot showing a measurement of a read range of the tagging device of Figure 5A；

Figure 9A is an illustration showing four different orientations of tagging device couplable to the antenna；

Figure 9B is a plot showing a measurement of a read range of the tagging device of Figure 5A with four different orientations as shown in Figure 9A；

Figure 10A is a plot showing an operating performance of the tagging device with different alignment distance between the feeder and the radiator of the tagging device of Figure 3A；

Figure 10B is a plot showing an operating performance of the tagging device with different alignment distance between the feeder and the radiator of the tagging device of Figure 3B；

Figure 11 is a plot showing a simulated result of an input impedance of the tagging device of Figure 2A；

Figure 12 is a plot showing a simulated result of a reflection coefficient of the tagging device of Figure 2A；

Figure 13 is a plot showing a simulated result of a power transfer coefficient of the tagging device of Figure 2A； and

Figure 14 is a schematic diagram showing a tagging device in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENT

With reference to Figures 1A to 1B, there is shown an embodiment of an antenna 102 for use in a communication system comprising: a radiator 104 arranged to selectively coupled to a feeder 106, wherein the feeder 106 is electrically connected to an electronic device 108 arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator 104.

In this embodiment, the antenna 102 is a component of a tagging device 100, such as an RFID tag for tagging an object. The electronic device 108 is another essential component of the tagging device 100, which may be an RFID chip or integrated circuit (IC) and may store tagging information for tagging the object. For example, the tagging information may consist of an alphanumeric string representing an identifier of an object, and the tagging information may be accessed by suitable reader such as an RFID reader. The RFID reader may transmit an electromagnetic radiation or a radio frequency (RF) signal to the electronic device 108 or the RFID chip such that the reader and the electronic device 108 may communicate.

The antenna 102 may be selectively coupled to the electronic device 108 or the RFID chip, such that the tagging device 100 (such as a passive RFID tag 100) may operate with the received electromagnetic radiation when the chip is coupled to the antenna 102. In other words, the passive RFID tag 100 is not readable by an RFID reader when the antenna 102 is not coupled to the RFID chip 108 since a communication link between the electronic device 108 and the reader may not be established.

With reference to Figures 2A, 2B and 3A, there is shown an embodiment of a tagging device 100 with the detachable antenna 102 as described above. As the antenna 102 is separable from the electronic device 108 or the RFID chip, these two components are separately fabricated. Preferably, the antenna 102 and the RFID chip are fabricated on different substrates. For example, the antenna 102 may be fabricated on a first substrate 110 and the RFID chip may be fabricated on a second substrate 112 separated from the first substrate 110 and the antenna 102. On the second substrate 112, an intermediate antenna component may also be fabricated thereon, and the intermediate antenna component may connect to the electronic device 108.

In one example embodiment, the antenna 102 may comprise a radiator 104 fabricated on the first substrate 110, and the intermediate antenna component is a feeder 106 fabricated on the second substrate 112. The feeder may be considered as a near read-range radiator. The radiator 104 may selectively couple to the feeder 106 such that the RFID chip may receive and operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator 104 via the feeder 106 (electromagnetically) coupled to the radiator 104 when the radiator 104 and the feeder 106 are positioned proximate to each other. Preferably, the first and/or the second substrates comprise a dielectric material such as a paper, polymer, glass or any material with a suitable dielectric constant according to different performance requirements.

The coupling between the radiator 104 and the feeder 106 is established by placing the feeder 106 proximate to the radiator 104, and the coupling strength is enhanced when the radiator 104 and the feeder 106 is substantially aligned as shown in Figures 2A, 2B and 3A. For example, the feeder 106 and the radiator 104 are substantially aligned when the feeder 106 is positioned at a predefined alignment area and the distances D_x and D_y between the feeder 106 and the radiator 104 are within a predetermined range, such that the tagging device 100 is configured to operate as a long read-range tag.

In an alternative embodiment, referring to Figure 3B, the shapes and dimensions of the tag chip 108, the feeder 106 and the radiator 104 may be differently defined. In this example, the feeder 106 is connected to the tag chip 108 to form a substantially oval-shaped closed loop, and the radiator 104 includes a coupling section in a substantially centre portion of the radiator which matches with the shape of the feeder 106. Optionally, the alignment area may also be defined as within the alignment distances D_x and/or D_y which are similar to those defined in the previous embodiment.

Preferably, the radiator 104 is arranged to be not (fully) functional when the radiator is uncoupled to the feeder 106. In other words, the radiator 104 is only functional when it is properly coupled and aligned with the feeder 106 so as to become functional and hence the radiator may then be operable to receive an electromagnetic signal from a reader such as an RFID reader.

In such configuration, the combination of the radiator 104 and the feeder 106 form a multi-layer tag antenna, which allows the electronic device 108 connected to the multi-layer tag antenna to wirelessly communicate with a reader via an electromagnetic radiation such as an RF signal. In this example embodiment, the multi-layer tag antenna comprises a dipole antenna as the radiator 104 on the first substrate 110 and a small-loop antenna as the feeder 106 which is electrically connected to the RFID chip 108 on the second substrate 112. Preferably, the radiator 104 and the feeder 106 are made of an electrical conductive material such as copper or any other metal which is suitable for antenna applications.

The feeder 106 and the radiator 104 may not necessary to be perfectly aligned to establish the coupling. For example, the feeder 106 may be offset in the x-, y-and/or z-direction, which may cause a slightly drift in resonance frequency, but the tagging device 100 may still operate at an operating frequency when the misalignment is within a predetermined tolerance.

To prevent the access of tagging information stored in the electronic device 108 (such as by an RFID reader) , the radiator 104 may be physically separated from the feeder 106 and the electronic device 108, as separately shown in the standalone structures in Figures 1A and 1B. This effectively removes the coupling of the electronic device 108 from the antenna 102 and thus the essential communication link is terminated, and the electronic device 108 may not operate with an electromagnetic radiation or an RF signal without the antenna 102 or the radiator 104.

With reference to Figures 4 to 5, there is shown an embodiment of a tagging device 100 comprising a feeder 106 electrically connected to an electronic device 108, wherein the feeder 106 is further arranged to selectively couple to a radiator 104 such that the electronic device 108 is further arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator 104.

In this embodiment, the feeder 106 and the electronic device 108 (such as an RFID chip) are fabricated on a second substrate 112. The combination of the feeder 106 and the electronic device 108 may be further concealed or packaged as an RFID card 402 which may be easily carried by a user. The antenna 102 comprises the radiator 104 fabricated on a first substrate 110, and the antenna 102 may further comprise engagement mechanism arranged to removably secure the RFID card 402 having the feeder 106 and the electronic device 108, such that the antenna 102 may be used as an RFID card holder 404 for holding the RFID card 402. For example, the engagement mechanism includes an RFID card fixing structures 406 which allows the RFID card 402 to be slide into the predefined compartment 408 provided on the RFID card holder 404. Optionally, the engagement mechanism may also include structures such as notches, detent, grooves and/or tongue (not shown) provided on either one or both of the RFID card 402 and the RFID card holder 404 to removably secure the RFID card 402 when the feeder 106 and the radiator 104 are substantially aligned, such that the communication link depending on the aligned radiator 104 and the feeder 106 may be guaranteed when the RFID card 402 and the RFID card holder 404 are combined or placed proximate to each other.

Referring to the example embodiment as shown in Figure 4C, the radiator 104 of the RFID card holder 404 is substantially covered or concealed so as to protect the radiator 104 from being damaged or scratched when the RFID card 402 slides into compartment 408 or removed from the compartment 408. This may also protect the radiator 104 from being degraded by different corrosion sources.

With reference to Figures 6 and 7, the electronic device 108 or the RFID chip is arranged to tag an object 600 such as a vehicle. In this example, the radiator 104 or the entire RFID card holder 404 may be fixedly attached to the object 600, such as at a windshield 602 of a vehicle 600. By inserting the RFID card 402 having the feeder 106 and the RFID chip 108 into the RFID card holder 404, the feeder 106 and the radiator 104 is substantially aligned. Optionally, the RFID card 402 may be secured to the RFID card holder 404 via an engagement mechanism. An RFID reader may be used to read the tagging information associated with the tagged object 600 stored in the RFID chip 108 of the complete RFID tag 100.

For example, the tagging device 100 may be used in a system such as a parking system. One or more RFID readers may be installed at the gate of the entrances and/or the exits of a car park. A plurality of tagging devices 100 each includes an antenna 102/RFID card holder 404 and an RFID card 402. Each RFID card 402 is embedded with a feeder 106 and a RFID chip 108 storing unique tagging information associated with the vehicle 600 (or the user) registered are issued to users of the car park. The user may fixedly attach the RFID card holder 404 on a windshield 602 of the vehicle 600 using suitable attachment means 604. The RFID card holder 404/antenna 102 is arranged to co-operate with a RFID tag 402 placed proximately. When the vehicle enters the car park, the user may place his RFID card 402 in the RFID card holder 404 such that the RFID chip 108 may be readable by the RFID reader at the gate.

In another example, the vehicle may also carry a passenger which is another user of the car park, and the passenger carries another RFID card issued by the car park. When the vehicle approaches the gate or the operating range of the RFID reader and/or the RFID tag, the RFID reader may only access the tagging information stored in the RFID chip 108 in the RFID card 402 properly placed proximate to the RFID card holder 404. The RFID card of the passenger is not readable by the RFID reader as the feeder 106 of the passenger’s RFID card is not coupled to the radiator 104.

Alternatively, the passenger may be granted with higher priority in using the car park, and place the passenger’s RFID card to the RFID card holder 404 attached to the windshield of the vehicle. In this example, the RFID reader at the gate may only access the tagging information stored in the passenger’s RFID chip 108 but not the driver’s RFID card 402 since the driver’s RFID card 402 is not coupled to the radiator 104/antenna 102.

These embodiments are advantages in that the detachable antenna enables tagging information may be accurately access by a RFID reader which may operate in a long range. By selectively removing the RFID chip from the tag antenna, the tagging device is selectively disabled. This effectively avoids any false-positive and/or true negative of the RFID reading scenarios.

The detachable mechanism also allows different RFID tags to couple with a same tag antenna. As discussed above, passengers of a vehicle may also be authenticated to enjoy the special privileges granted when the vehicle with the passenger’s RFID tag place in the tag holder attached to the vehicle.

In addition, the detachable antenna is reusable and only the RFID chip and the feeder are replaced or disposed when necessary. The detachable antenna also enhances the reading range and performance of the RFID chip.

With reference to Figure 8, the tagging device may be readable by an RFID reader at a distance of up to 11 m at a frequency of about 930 MHz to 950 MHz. Additionally, the tagging device may be readable by the RFID reader at a distance of around 7 m at a wide range of frequency of about 830 MHz to 1000 MHz with a windshield of a vehicle in between.

It is also tested that the orientation of the RFID card does not contribute to any substantial effects of the reading performance. With reference to Figure 9B, the reading range is measured to be about 11 m at or near the working frequency of 920 MHz when the RFID card is placed in the RFID holder in different orientations as shown in Figure 9A.

The misalignment effect is also negligible. As shown in Figures 10A and 10B, the tagging devices performs similarly when the feeder and the radiator are aligned with different distances D_y as defined in Figures 3A and 3B respectively. This confirms that even when the card and the holder are not perfectly aligned, the tagging device may still operate when the card and the holder are substantially placed proximately.

It is also proved that the tagging device has remarkable performances with reference to Figures 11 to 13, which illustrate the input impedance of the tagging device, the reflection coefficient and the power transfer coefficient (PTC) respectively.

With reference to Figure 14, there is provide an alternative embodiment of a tagging device 1400 comprising a feeder 1406 electrically connected to an electronic device 1408, wherein the feeder 1406 is further arranged to selectively couple to at least one radiator 1404 such that the electronic device 1408 is further arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the at least one radiator 1404.

In this embodiment, a plurality of radiators (1404A, 1404B and 1404C) may be coupled to a tag 1402 comprising the feeder 1406 (or a near-range radiator) and the tag chip 1408 similar to the previous embodiments. This may facilitate the tagging device 1400 to operate with different operation/reading range. For example, the tag 1402 comprising the feeder 1406 and the tag chip 1408 may operate in a near range (such as within several centimetres) , the tag 1402 may be coupled to a short range radiator 1404A such that the tag 1402 may operate in a short range (such as from several centimetres to several meters) , the tag 1402 may be coupled to a medium range radiator 1404B such that the tag 1402 may operate in a medium range (such as from several meters to 10 meters) , or the tag 1402 may be coupled to a long range radiator 1404C such that the tag 1402 may operate in a long range (such as further than 10 meters) . Alternatively or optionally, the tag 1402 may couple to two or more of these different range radiators such that the tag device 1402 may operate in two or more of the abovementioned reading range.

Similarly, one or all of the

radiators

1404A, 1404B and 1404C are arranged to be not (fully) functional when the radiator is uncoupled to the feeder 1406. In other words, one or more of these radiators are only functional when it is properly coupled and aligned with the feeder 1406 so as to become functional and hence the radiator may then be operable to receive an electromagnetic signal from a reader such as an RFID reader.

Advantageously, this embodiment will enable user to carry a single tag (RFID card) for use in different scenarios. For example, the user may tap his tag on a reader at an entrance to certain premises. He may combine the tag to a tag holder comprising a medium range radiator such that the tag may be read by an overhead RFID reader mounted at an entrance to an exhibition to record his attendance to a system associated with the overhead RFID reader. He may also place his tag to a tag holder comprising a long range radiator fixed to a windshield of his car such that the tag may be read by a long range RFID reader installed at an entrance of a car park and he may enter or leave a car park without have to manually tap his tag to a near range reader.

It will be appreciated by persons skilled in the art that numerous variations and/or modifications may be made to the invention as shown in the specific embodiments without departing from the spirit or scope of the invention as broadly described. The present embodiments are, therefore, to be considered in all respects as illustrative and not restrictive.

Any reference to prior art contained herein is not to be taken as an admission that the information is common general knowledge, unless otherwise indicated.

Claims

An antenna for use in a communication system comprising: a radiator arranged to selectively coupled to a feeder, wherein the feeder is electrically connected to an electronic device arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator.
An antenna in accordance with claim 1, wherein the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are positioned proximate to each other.
An antenna in accordance with claims 1 or 2, wherein the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are substantially aligned.
An antenna in accordance with claim 3, further comprising an engagement mechanism arranged to removably secure the feeder and the electronic device when the feeder and the radiator are substantially aligned.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the radiator is further arranged to physically separate from the feeder and the electronic device.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein the radiator is a dipole antenna.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein the feeder is a small-loop antenna.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the radiator is fabricated on a first substrate.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 8, wherein the feeder and the electronic device are fabricated on a second substrate.
An antenna in accordance with claim 9, wherein the first and/or the second substrate comprise a dielectric material.
An antenna in accordance with claims 3 or 4, wherein a multi-layer tag antenna is formed by a combination of the radiator and the feeder which are substantially aligned.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 11, wherein the electronic device is arranged to tag an object.
An antenna in accordance with claim 12, wherein the radiator is fixedly attached to the object.
An antenna in accordance with claims 12 or 13, wherein the object is a vehicle.
An antenna in accordance with claim 14, wherein the radiator is fixedly attached to a windshield of the vehicle.
An antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 15, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is a radio frequency signal.
A tagging device comprising: a feeder electrically connected to an electronic device, wherein the feeder is further arranged to selectively couple to a radiator such that the electronic device is further arranged to operate with an electromagnetic radiation received by the radiator.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 17, wherein the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are positioned proximate to each other.
A tagging device in accordance with claims 17 or 18, wherein the radiator is arranged to couple to the feeder when the radiator and the feeder are substantially aligned.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 19, further comprising an engagement mechanism arranged to removably secure the feeder and the electronic device to the radiator when the feeder and the radiator are substantially aligned.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 20, wherein the radiator is further arranged to physically separate from the feeder and the electronic device.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the radiator is a dipole antenna.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 22, wherein the feeder is a small-loop antenna.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 23, wherein the radiator is fabricated on a first substrate.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 24, wherein the feeder and the electronic device are fabricated on a second substrate.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 25, wherein the first and/or the second substrate comprise a dielectric material.
A tagging device in accordance with claims 20 or 21, wherein a multi-layer tag antenna is formed by a combination of the radiator and the feeder which are substantially aligned.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 27, wherein the electromagnetic radiation is a radio frequency signal.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 28, further comprising the radiator removable from the feeder and/or the electronic device.
A tagging device in accordance with any one of claims 17 to 29, wherein the radiator is fixedly attached to an object tagged by the electronic device.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 30, wherein the object is a vehicle.
A tagging device in accordance with claim 31, wherein the radiator is fixedly attached to a windshield of the vehicle.
A system for tagging an object comprising: an antenna in accordance with any one of claims 1 to 16, wherein the antenna is arranged to co-operate with one of a plurality of tagging devices each comprises the feeder and the electronic device electrically connected to the feeder.
A system in accordance with claim 33, wherein the plurality of tagging devices are RFID tags.
A system in accordance with claims 33 or 34, further comprising a reader arranged to read tagging information stored in the one of the plurality of tagging devices positioned proximate to the antenna.
A method of tagging an object, comprising the steps of:

-attaching a radiator of a tagging device in accordance with any one of the claims 16 to 29 to the object；

-coupling a feeder of the tagging device to the radiator； and

-accessing tagging information stored in an electronic device of the tagging device with an electromagnetic radiation receivable by the electronic device through the feeder and the radiator.
A method of tagging an object in accordance with claim 36, further comprising the step of operating an RFID reader so as to access the tagging information stored in the electronic device.
A method of tagging an object in accordance with claims 36 or 37, further comprising the step of securing the feeder and the electronic device to the radiator via an engagement mechanism.
A method of tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 36 to 38, wherein the tagging device is an RFID tag.
A method of tagging an object in accordance with any one of claims 36 to 39, further comprising the step of preventing an access of the information stored in the electronic device of an another tagging device without the feeder coupled to the radiator.