Microwave readable dielectric barcode

A barcode interrogation system comprising:

• a dielectric barcode formed from a plurality of dielectric bars arranged on or within a substrate, wherein the dielectric bars are arranged in a spatial manner to encode information;
• a signal transmitter connected to a first antenna so as to radiate an interrogation signal on the dielectric barcode;
• a signal receiver connected to an antenna so as to receive a return signal from the dielectric barcode;
• and
• a processor connected to the receive signal and operable to extract the encoded information.

A method of interrogating a barcode comprising the steps of:

• providing a dielectric barcode formed from a plurality of dielectric bars arranged in a spatial manner so as to encode information;
• providing a signal generation and reception system capable of transmitting an interrogation signal and receiving a return signal;
• transmitting an interrogation signal;
• receiving a return signal from the dielectric barcode;
• and
• processing the return signal to extract the encoded information.