US 8,558,672 B2 · Method and system for miniature passive RFID tags and readers

Abstract

This invention makes possible small size, long range, reliable, low-power, low-cost RFIDs fulfilling the needs of the industry and the roadmap set for RFID, as by Walmart and the DoD. Tag energization and data communication take place by independent means. The invention employs low-power communication means, such as ultra wideband (UWB), for transfer of data between Tag and Reader, and relatively high power narrowband means to remotely energize the Tag. Said means of powering and communication mechanisms, further, are independent of the underlying process, or technology, of implementation of the Microchip on the Tag, as well as from the transceiver technology aboard the Reader. As such, they provide an ideal method and system by which to power and communicate with RFIDs, through cycles of evolution and changes in physical implementation technology.

Claims37

Dependent claims

An asymmetric bandwidth communication system comprising:

a. a powered interrogator/reader downlink transmitting in a non-TDCIR signal;
b. a transponder or tag receiving said non-TDCIR signal to at least partially or wholly power said tag;
c. said non-TDCIR downlink transmission from said interrogator/reader interrogating and instructing said transponder to broadcast data;
d. said transponder uplink communicating with said interrogator/reader using time domain carrierless impulse radio (TDCIR) having ultra wide band width frequency spectrum of a short time duration pulse;
and
e. said powered interrogator/reader receiving the TDCIR ultra wide band short time duration pulse uplink communication;
whereby data is communicated from said transponder or tag to said interrogator/reader using very little transponder power and an uncomplicated low cost transponder design that lends itself to manufacturability with greater ease and cost-effectiveness.

4 more elements

An asymmetric bandwidth communication system comprising:

a. a powered interrogator/reader capable of receiving and decoding TDCIR signals;
b. a transponder or tag capable of generating and transmitting data via TDCIR signals which transponder or tag is powered by battery, solar cell augmented with capacitor of sufficient capacitance to last expected dark periods, or long-life capacitor or is equipped with other on-board source of power;
c. said non-TDCIR downlink transmission from said interrogator/reader interrogating and instructing said transponder to broadcast data;
d. said transponder communicating uplink using time domain carrierless impulse radio (TDCIR) having ultra wide band width frequency spectrum and a short time duration pulse;
e. said powered interrogator/reader receiving and decoding the TDCIR ultra wide band short time duration pulse uplink communication from said transponder;
f. and wherein said transponder or tag may in addition communicate to said interrogator/reader using conventional (non-TDCIR) RF transmissions.
whereby data is communicated from said transponder or tag to said interrogator/reader using very little transponder power and an uncomplicated low cost transponder design that lends itself to manufacturability with greater ease and cost-effectiveness.

4 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Method and system for miniature passive RFID tags and readers

Life of this patent

Method and system for miniature passive RFID tags and readers

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims37