Methods of operation of an RFID tag assembly for use in a timed event

A radio frequency identification (RFID) assembly configured to have a radio frequency energy and a wavelength of a predetermined operating frequency in the UHF band, the RFID assembly comprising:

• an RFID tag having a mounting substrate with an exposed first planar surface and an opposing second planar surface, at least one of which is adapted for selective attachment to a surface of a carrier,
• the RFID tag having a passive RFID semiconductor chip configured to have a predetermined operating frequency with an antenna interface,
• a conductor mounted on the second planar surface and electrically coupled to the antenna interface of the RFID semiconductor chip, and
• an antenna electrically coupled to the conductor and having a two-sided planar antenna with a first side configured for orienting away from an operating surface of a body and a second side opposing the first side configured for orienting towards the operating surface of the body;
• and
• a spacer comprising an electrically non-conducting foam material that is configured for non-absorbing of a substantial amount of energy at the predetermined operating frequency,
• wherein the spacer is attached to the at least one of the first and second planar surfaces of the mounting substrate,
• wherein the spacer is configured to be positioned for placement between the operating surface of the body and the RFID tag, and
• wherein the spacer is configured for positioning at a minimum spaced apart distance from the operating surface of the body during operation of the RFID tag,
• wherein the spacer comprises a non-conducting material that is configured for non-absorbing of a substantial amount of radio frequency energy at the predetermined operating frequency transmitted by a remotely positioned antenna of a base station radio transceiver,
• wherein the RFID tag is configured to receive at the first side of the two-sided planar antenna a first portion of the radio frequency energy as direct energy as transmitted from the antenna of the base station radio transceiver,
• wherein the RFID tag is configured to receive at the second side of the two-sided planar antenna a second portion of the radio frequency energy as indirect energy as transmitted from the antenna of the base station radio transceiver responsive to the absorbing of the substantial amount of radio frequency energy by the body,
• the second portion configured to receive the radio frequency energy at the predetermined operating frequency,
• wherein the RFID semiconductor chip is configured to process the received first and second portions of the radio frequency energy,
• wherein the RFID semiconductor chip is configured to generate a reply radio frequency energy at a predetermined reply operating frequency in response to the receiving and processing the first and second received radio frequency energy portions, and
• wherein the RFID semiconductor chip is configured to radiate the generated reply radio frequency energy from at least one of the first side and the second side of the two-sided planar antenna.