RFID transponder having active backscatter amplifier for re-transmitting a received signal

An RFID transponder, comprising:

• an antenna;
• an amplifier operatively coupled to said antenna and adapted to amplify a signal impinging upon said antenna and reflect said amplified signal back to said antenna;
• a memory containing stored data;
• and
• means for selectively modulating said amplified signal with:
• said stored data.

An RFID transponder, comprising:

• an antenna;
• an amplifier operatively coupled to said antenna and adapted to amplify a signal impinging upon said antenna and reflect said amplified signal back to said antenna;
• a memory containing stored data;
• and
• means for selectively modulating said amplified signal with said stored data, wherein said amplifier further comprises a field effect transistor having a feedback loop provided between the source and gate terminals thereof.

A method for communicating an RF signal transmitted by a base station within a wireless network, comprising:

• disposing a reflecting node in proximity to said base station such that said RF signal will impinge thereon;
• selectively modulating data onto said RF signal, said data being stored in a memory of said reflecting node;
• amplifying said selectively modulated RF signal;
• and
• reradiating said amplified and selectively modulated RF signal from said reflecting node;
• wherein said reflecting node further comprises an antenna adapted to permit said RF signal to impinge thereon, an amplifier operatively coupled to said antenna and adapted to amplify said RF signal and reflect said amplified signal back to said antenna, and means for selectively modulating said amplified signal with said stored data.

A method for communicating an RF signal transmitted by a base station within a wireless network, comprising:

• disposing a reflecting node in proximity to said base station such that said RF signal will impinge thereon;
• selectively modulating data onto said RF signal, said data being stored in a memory of said reflecting node;
• amplifying said selectively modulated RF signal;
• reradiating said amplified and selectively modulated RF signal from said reflecting node;
• and
• down-converting said RF signal to an intermediate frequency signal.