Capacitively Driven RFID Tag Controller for Low Power Asset Tracking
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional active radio frequency identification (RFID) tags face limitations due to restricted radio frequency transmissions and limited, expensive power sources, making them inefficient for asset tracking across jurisdictions and prone to power wastage between manufacturing and use.
Innovation Solution
An asset tracking system incorporating a tag controller with capacitively driven communication circuitry, allowing for bidirectional communication, reduced power consumption, and customizable transmission schedules, enabling tags to transmit data at specific times or locations without periodic cycles, and using a wide area RF reader or antenna for correlation with events, locations, or sensor data.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Productivity
If active radio frequency identification tags are used for asset tracking, then transmission capability is improved, but power consumption increases and power sources become expensive to replace
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag operates in periodic cycles, alternating between active transmission states and low-power sleep states. The tag transmits location and status information at scheduled intervals rather than continuously, significantly reducing power consumption while maintaining effective tracking capability.
Solution Approach 2:
The system uses passive power transfer where the RFID tag harvests energy from electromagnetic fields generated by readers or base stations. This eliminates the need for replaceable battery power sources in the tag, reducing both power consumption and operational cost.
2Productivity
If radio frequency transmissions are used for tracking, then communication capability is improved, but regulatory restrictions and limitations increase
Solution Approach 1:
The system dynamically adjusts transmission parameters including frequency, power level, and transmission schedule based on local regulatory requirements and environmental conditions. This allows the RFID system to adapt to different jurisdictional restrictions while maintaining effective communication.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag and reader system can change operational parameters such as transmission frequency and power levels to comply with varying regulatory requirements in different locations, enabling flexible deployment across multiple jurisdictions.
3Productivity
If periodic transmission signals are used by RFID tags, then transmission function is improved, but power wastage increases between manufacture and use
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tag transitions to a low-power sleep mode between transmission cycles, minimizing power wastage during idle periods. The periodic transmission schedule ensures the tag remains functional when needed while conserving energy during non-operational intervals.
Solution Approach 2:
The system pre-configures transmission schedules and power management parameters during manufacturing, allowing the tag to operate efficiently from deployment without requiring immediate power replacement or reconfiguration.
4Ease of manufacture
If conventional RFID tags are manufactured in one country and transported to another, then manufacturing efficiency is improved, but regulatory restrictions on radio frequency transmissions increase
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID system is designed with universal functionality to operate across multiple jurisdictions with different regulatory requirements. The tag and reader system can adapt to various regulatory environments through configurable transmission parameters, enabling global deployment of manufactured tags.
Solution Approach 2:
The system dynamically adjusts its operational characteristics to comply with local regulations in different countries, allowing tags manufactured in one location to be deployed globally without requiring modification for each jurisdiction.
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution provides low-cost, efficient, and flexible asset tracking with reduced power consumption, enabling precise control over RFID tag transmissions, compliance with regulatory restrictions, and effective use in various applications like inventory management and security systems.
Implementation Method 1
The tag controller can include a drive circuitry connected to the tag controller processor and a voltage pad (e.g., two or more voltage pads) coupled to the drive circuitry. In addition, the tag controller can include a radio frequency receiver. In an example, a tag controller processor and drive circuitry of the controller can manipulate charge on the voltage pads that capacitively changes the charge associated with a capacitively driven communication circuitry of the tag
Implementation Method 2
The active radio frequency identification systems generally include radio frequency identification tags that periodically transmit radio frequency signals
Data Source
AI summary
A tag includes a processor, a radio frequency transmitter coupled to the processor, and a capacitively driven communication circuitry coupled to the processor. The processor is to energize the capacitively driven communication circuitry to receive a serial set of binary bits via the capacitively driven communication circuitry.