An active RFID gateway

Abstract

The present invention discloses an active RFID gateway, comprising: a microprocessor connected to a host computer and used to implement data forwarding and protocol conversion between the host computer and a radio frequency interface; a radio frequency interface circuit electrically connected to the microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus and used to receive data from an RFID device and send the data to the RFID device; and an antenna electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit and used to improve communication distance and communication quality. The gateway described in the present invention can be flexibly configured to adapt to applications requiring different numbers and types of radio frequency interfaces without modifying the hardware circuit.

Description

Technical Field

[0001] The present invention relates to the technical field of active RFID gateways, and in particular to an active RFID gateway. Background Art

[0002] A gateway is a network interface device that supports conversion between different network protocols, enabling interconnection between networks with different protocols. A wireless gateway is a gateway device with an integrated wireless communication interface that enables network connections between wireless devices or between wireless devices and wired network devices.

[0003] RFID gateway is a type of wireless gateway. Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is a contactless automatic identification technology that transmits radio frequency modulated signals through a reader and writer, which are transmitted to the receiving target through wireless space to realize the interactive function of information, thereby obtaining the internal data of the target object and using the background processing system to process the returned information, and finally complete the automatic identification of the target object.

[0004] A basic RFID system consists of a reader / writer, a tag, and a backend processing system. Currently, RFID gateway devices typically use the ISO / IEC 18000 standard as the radio frequency interface specification. In 2012, China promulgated the active radio frequency identification air interface standard GB / T 28925. GB / T 28925 specifies the physical layer and data link layer specifications for radio frequency identification devices operating in the 2.45GHz microwave frequency band, and also defines specifications for the reader / writer and tag devices. This frequency band has strong diffraction resistance, ensuring good data transmission quality in complex environments with numerous obstructions. Furthermore, this frequency band is an open ISM band, requiring no licenses or fees for its use, reducing equipment costs and development complexity.

[0005] Currently, active RFID is mainly used for object identification. However, due to the long communication distance of active RFID, in some specific situations, active RFID can be used as a communication means to realize data forwarding. Therefore, an active RFID gateway is urgently needed to meet the above technical requirements. Summary of the Invention

[0006] In order to solve the above-mentioned problems regarding active RFID, the purpose of the present invention is to provide an active RFID gateway with an Ethernet interface and an RFID radio frequency interface, which can realize protocol conversion and data forwarding between a computer and other RFID devices that comply with the GB / T 28925 standard.

[0007] In order to achieve the above technical objectives, the present invention provides an active RFID gateway, comprising:

[0008] The microprocessor is connected to the host computer and is used to realize data forwarding and protocol conversion between the host computer and the radio frequency interface;

[0009] A radio frequency interface circuit is electrically connected to the microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, and is used to receive data from the RFID device and send data to the RFID device;

[0010] The antenna is electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit to improve the communication distance and communication quality.

[0011] Preferably, the RF interface circuit is composed of a RF processor, a memory electrically connected to the RF processor, a RF front end, and an antenna interface electrically connected to the RF front end, and the antenna interface is electrically connected to the antenna.

[0012] Preferably, the RF front end is composed of a reader mode RF interface and a tag mode RF interface, which is used to be electrically connected to the antenna through the antenna interface and electrically connected to the microprocessor through the serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus.

[0013] Preferably, the RF interface circuit is packaged in the form of a RF interface card and communicates with the microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, wherein the microprocessor is used to configure the working mode and working channel of the RF interface card.

[0014] Preferably, the radio frequency interface card includes several reader-writer mode radio frequency interfaces and tag-mode radio frequency interfaces, wherein the reader-writer mode radio frequency interfaces and the tag-mode radio frequency interfaces have the same number of external antennas connected via antenna interfaces.

[0015] Preferably, the active RFID gateway includes a reader mode function for obtaining the communication protocol of the RFID device through the microprocessor, controlling the reader mode radio frequency interface to obtain RFID device data according to the communication protocol, and converting the RFID device data into standard data before sending it to the host computer.

[0016] Preferably, the active RFID gateway includes a tag mode function, which is used to obtain file data from the host computer through the microprocessor and store it in the memory to form a standard data format read by the RFID device. The RFID device obtains file data with a standard data format through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0017] Preferably, the active RFID gateway is used to obtain the first RFID device data of the first RFID device according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface and perform standard data conversion. The upper computer generates the second RFID device data for controlling the second RFID device based on the first RFID device data after the standard data conversion, and transmits the second RFID device data to the second RFID device through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0018] Preferably, the active RFID gateway is further configured to obtain the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data respectively according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface;

[0019] By acquiring a first relationship between the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data, the host computer generates third RFID device data, and transmits the third RFID device data to the first RFID device and the second RFID device through a tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0020] The present invention discloses the following technical effects:

[0021] The gateway of the present invention can be flexibly configured to adapt to applications requiring different numbers and types of radio frequency interfaces without changing the hardware circuit. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

[0022] In order to more clearly illustrate the embodiments of the present invention or the technical solutions in the prior art, the following briefly introduces the drawings required for use in the embodiments. Obviously, the drawings described below are only some embodiments of the present invention. For ordinary technicians in this field, other drawings can be obtained based on these drawings without paying any creative work.

[0023] Figure 1 It is a structural diagram of the active RFID gateway described in the present invention;

[0024] Figure 2 It is a schematic diagram of the radio frequency interface circuit structure of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION

[0025] In order to make the purpose, technical solutions and advantages of the embodiments of the present application clearer, the technical solutions in the embodiments of the present application will be clearly and completely described below in conjunction with the drawings in the embodiments of the present application. Obviously, the described embodiments are only part of the embodiments of the present application, rather than all of the embodiments. The components of the embodiments of the present application generally described and shown in the drawings here can be arranged and designed in various different configurations. Therefore, the following detailed description of the embodiments of the present application provided in the drawings is not intended to limit the scope of the application for protection, but merely represents selected embodiments of the present application. Based on the embodiments of the present application, all other embodiments obtained by those skilled in the art without making creative work are within the scope of protection of this application.

[0026] like Figure 1-2 As shown, the present invention provides an active RFID gateway, comprising:

[0027] The microprocessor is connected to the host computer and is used to realize data forwarding and protocol conversion between the host computer and the radio frequency interface;

[0028] A radio frequency interface circuit is electrically connected to the microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, and is used to receive data from the RFID device and send data to the RFID device;

[0029] The antenna is electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit to improve the communication distance and communication quality.

[0030] Further preferably, the RF interface circuit mentioned in the present invention is composed of a RF processor, a memory electrically connected to the RF processor, a RF front end, and an antenna interface electrically connected to the RF front end, and the antenna interface is electrically connected to the antenna.

[0031] Further preferably, the RF front end mentioned in the present invention is composed of a reader mode RF interface and a tag mode RF interface, which is used to be electrically connected to the antenna through the antenna interface and electrically connected to the microprocessor through the serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus.

[0032] Further preferably, the RF interface circuit mentioned in the present invention is packaged in the form of a RF interface card and communicates with a microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, wherein the microprocessor is used to configure the working mode and working channel of the RF interface card.

[0033] Further preferably, the radio frequency interface card mentioned in the present invention includes several reader mode radio frequency interfaces and tag mode radio frequency interfaces, wherein the reader mode radio frequency interface and the tag mode radio frequency interface have the same number of external antennas connected through the antenna interface.

[0034] Further preferably, the active RFID gateway mentioned in the present invention includes a reader / writer mode function, which is used to obtain the communication protocol of the RFID device through the microprocessor, and control the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface to obtain RFID device data according to the communication protocol, and convert the RFID device data into standard data before sending it to the host computer.

[0035] Further preferably, the active RFID gateway mentioned in the present invention includes a tag mode function, which is used to obtain file data from the host computer through a microprocessor and store it in a memory to form a standard data format read by the RFID device. The RFID device obtains file data with a standard data format through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0036] Further preferably, the active RFID gateway mentioned in the present invention is used to obtain the first RFID device data of the first RFID device according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface, and perform standard data conversion. The upper computer generates the second RFID device data for controlling the second RFID device based on the first RFID device data after the standard data conversion, and transmits the second RFID device data to the second RFID device through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0037] Further preferably, the active RFID gateway mentioned in the present invention is further configured to respectively obtain the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface;

[0038] By acquiring a first relationship between the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data, the host computer generates third RFID device data, and transmits the third RFID device data to the first RFID device and the second RFID device through a tag mode radio frequency interface.

[0039] Example 1: Figure 1 The figure shows a schematic diagram of the active RFID gateway architecture mentioned in the present invention, wherein the active RFID gateway is composed of a microprocessor, a radio frequency interface circuit, an antenna and other parts.

[0040] The gateway described in the present invention includes a microprocessor, a radio frequency interface circuit, an antenna and other components. The microprocessor implements data forwarding and protocol conversion between the computer and the radio frequency interface, and receives RFID device data through the radio frequency interface or sends data to the RFID device.

[0041] The gateway can be connected to a computer via Ethernet, and the gateway's working parameters can be configured through the computer, such as the number of RF interfaces, the working mode of each RF interface, the channel and other parameters. The computer can read the internal data of other RFID tag devices through the gateway's reader mode RF interface, and can also write data to the tag mode RF interface, and other RFID reader devices can read this data.

[0042] The RFID gateway receives data or instructions from the computer through the network port. If it receives a configuration parameter instruction from the computer, it communicates with the RF interface card through the bus interface and writes the configuration parameters to the RF interface card. The RF interface card switches to the corresponding configuration parameter operation. If it receives data from the computer, it sends the data to the designated tag mode RF interface through the interface. The RF interface stores the data in the internal storage circuit and waits for other RFID readers to read the data. If the gateway receives an instruction from the host computer to read data from the RF interface, it sends the instruction to the designated reader mode RF interface through the bus interface. The RF interface reads data from other RFID devices and temporarily stores the data in the internal storage circuit. After the microprocessor reads the data from the storage circuit, it transmits it back to the host computer via Ethernet.

[0043] After the RF interface in reader / writer mode receives the computer's instruction to read data from other RFID tag devices, it reads the data in the corresponding RFID tag device through the air interface. The instruction and data format for communication between the RF interface and the RFID tag device complies with the provisions of GB / T 28925.

[0044] The RF interface in tag mode can receive file data sent by the computer and store the data in the internal storage circuit. The file storage method should comply with the provisions of the tag internal file structure in GB / T 28925. Other RFID reader devices that comply with GB / T28925 can read this data. The instructions and data formats for communication between the RF interface and the RFID reader device comply with the provisions of GB / T 28925.

[0045] The RF interface circuit described in the present invention includes a reader mode RF interface and a tag mode RF interface. Since the main parameters of the RF interfaces in the reader mode and tag mode specified in GB / T 28925 are basically the same, including parameters such as operating frequency, channel division, power spectrum density, and modulation mode, the RF interface in the reader mode and the RF interface in the tag mode can adopt a completely identical circuit design. The RF interface circuit is packaged in the form of an interface card. Only a number of interface card slots are reserved on the gateway mainboard. A certain number of RF interface cards are inserted according to actual needs. The RF interface card communicates with the microprocessor through a bus interface such as a serial port / USB / SPI. The operating mode, operating channel, and other parameters of the RF interface card are configured by the microprocessor through the bus interface. This makes the gateway configuration more flexible and can adapt to applications requiring different numbers and types of RF interfaces without changing the hardware circuit.

[0046] The RF interface circuit described in this invention consists of an RF processor, an RF front-end chip, a memory circuit, and an antenna interface. The RF processor's RF parameters conform to the requirements of GB / T 28925, and its data format, state transition method, and other configurations specified in GB / T 28925 can be implemented through programming. A reference RF processor model is TI's CC25xx series RF processor. The RF front-end chip implements functions such as output power amplification and input signal amplification, improving receiver sensitivity and transmit power. The memory chip is used to temporarily store configuration information, transfer files, and other data. Each RF interface card has an IPX or SMA antenna interface, and antenna installation can be selected based on communication distance and quality requirements.

[0047] Although the embodiments of the present invention have been shown and described above, it will be understood that the above embodiments are illustrative and are not to be construed as limitations on the present invention. A person skilled in the art may change, modify, replace and modify the above embodiments within the scope of the present invention.

[0048] It will be understood by those skilled in the art that embodiments of the present invention may be provided as methods, systems, or computer program products. Thus, the present invention may take the form of an entirely hardware embodiment, an entirely software embodiment, or an embodiment combining software and hardware. Furthermore, the present invention may take the form of a computer program product implemented on one or more computer-usable storage media (including but not limited to magnetic disk storage, CD-ROM, optical storage, etc.) containing computer-usable program code.

[0049] Furthermore, the terms "first" and "second" are used for descriptive purposes only and should not be construed as indicating or implying relative importance or implicitly specifying the number of the technical features being referred to. Thus, a feature defined as "first" or "second" may explicitly or implicitly include at least one such feature. In the description of the present invention, "plurality" means at least two, such as two, three, etc., unless otherwise specifically defined.

Claims

1. An active RFID gateway, characterized in that: include: A microprocessor connected to a host computer and configured to implement data forwarding and protocol conversion between the host computer and the radio frequency interface; A radio frequency interface circuit, electrically connected to the microprocessor via a serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, for receiving data from an RFID device and sending data to the RFID device; an antenna electrically connected to the radio frequency interface circuit to improve communication distance and communication quality; The RF interface circuit is composed of a RF processor, a memory electrically connected to the RF processor, a RF front end, and an antenna interface electrically connected to the RF front end, wherein the antenna interface is electrically connected to the antenna; The RF front end is composed of a reader mode RF interface and a tag mode RF interface, which is used to electrically connect to the antenna through the antenna interface and to electrically connect to the microprocessor through the serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus; The radio frequency interface circuit is used to be packaged in the form of a radio frequency interface card and communicate with the microprocessor via the serial port / USB / SPI / I2C bus, wherein the microprocessor is used to configure the working mode and working channel of the radio frequency interface card; The radio frequency interface card includes a plurality of the reader / writer mode radio frequency interfaces and the tag mode radio frequency interfaces, wherein the number of the reader / writer mode radio frequency interfaces and the tag mode radio frequency interfaces connected to the antenna interface is the same as the number of the external antennas; The active RFID gateway includes a reader / writer mode function for obtaining the communication protocol of the RFID device through the microprocessor, controlling the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface to obtain RFID device data according to the communication protocol, and converting the RFID device data into standard data before sending it to the host computer; The active RFID gateway includes the tag mode function, which is used to obtain the file data of the host computer through the microprocessor and store it in the memory to form a standard data format read by the RFID device. The RFID device obtains the file data in the standard data format through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

2. The active RFID gateway according to claim 1, characterized in that: The active RFID gateway is used to obtain the first RFID device data of the first RFID device according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface and perform standard data conversion. The host computer generates the second RFID device data for controlling the second RFID device based on the first RFID device data after the standard data conversion, and transmits the second RFID device data to the second RFID device through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

3. The active RFID gateway according to claim 2, characterized in that: The active RFID gateway is further configured to obtain the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data respectively according to the reader / writer mode radio frequency interface; By acquiring a first relationship between the first RFID device data and the second RFID device data, the host computer generates third RFID device data, and transmits the third RFID device data to the first RFID device and the second RFID device through the tag mode radio frequency interface.

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