Chemical sensors based on chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) architectures

Abstract

A method and structure for a radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor that may be used to monitor various environmental conditions. The environmental condition measured depends on a sensor material used in the RFID sensor. The sensor material is selected based on a flux in electrical conductivity relative to its saturation of the environmental condition being monitored. The sensor material is placed between adjacent electrically conductive structures of the RFID sensor. Upon a change in the environmental condition being measure, the electrical conductivity of the sensor material changes, thereby increasing or decreasing an amplitude of a response by the RFID sensor to an interrogation by an RFID reader.

Description

TECHNICAL FIELD[0001]The present teachings relate generally to chipless radio frequency identification (RFID) tags and, more particularly, to a chemical sensor based on chipless RFID architectures.BACKGROUND[0002]Radio frequency identification (RFID) technology has become increasingly commonplace for use in inventory tracking, loss prevention, and other uses. An RFID system may include a transponder or tag that is placed on an object and an interrogator or reader that wirelessly receives information transmitted by the tag. RFID tags may be broadly classified as active tags that include a local power source such as a battery, or passive tags that are activated by electromagnetic waves generated by the reader that induce a current in an antenna within the tag.[0003]RFID tags can include an electronic circuit that may be in the form of an chip or integrated circuit (IC). The chip may store data that is communicated to the reader. In contrast, a chipless RFID tag has neither an integrat...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

The patent text describes a new RFID device that can sense its environment and change its electrical conductivity accordingly. This allows the device to output different responses depending on the environmental condition it is exposed to. The device uses a multiresonator and a sensor material that changes its conductivity when exposed to environmental conditions such as temperature or humidity. The RFID system that includes this device can detect changes in the environment and use this information to control the device's operation. For example, the RFID device can detect changes in temperature and adjust the device's operation accordingly to prevent overheating. The technical effect of this patent is to provide a more versatile and responsive RFID device that can adapt to its external environment.

Problems solved by technology

In contrast, a chipless RFID tag has neither an integrated circuit nor discrete active electronic components, and may be printed directly onto a substrate resulting in a lower cost than a chipped RFID tag.

For unique identification of a particular tag from a set of tags, each transponder must be made to include a unique multiresonator design, which is an expensive process.

These sensors can include a substantial number of electronic components that may require manual assembly, and are there for costly.

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