Integrated RFID Reader Wireless Transceiver Shared Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID readers are costly and not integrated into wireless communication devices, limiting the deployment of RFID systems due to high component costs and the need for separate devices for RFID data communication.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication device is designed to incorporate a low-cost RFID reader, allowing for simultaneous operation in both transceiver and RFID modes using shared components and antenna architecture, enabling the integration of RFID functionality into existing communication devices without increasing costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID readers are implemented as separate discrete components, then RFID functionality can be achieved, but the cost increases significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines RFID reader functionality with wireless communication device functionality into a single integrated unit. The RFID reader circuitry is merged with the wireless communication transceiver, allowing both functions to share common components such as the antenna, RF front-end, and baseband processing, thereby reducing overall system cost while maintaining reliable RFID operation
Solution Approach 2:
The wireless communication device is designed to perform multiple functions: it serves as both a wireless communication transceiver and an RFID reader. The same antenna and RF circuitry are used for both wireless data communication and RFID tag interrogation, making the device universal and eliminating the need for separate dedicated RFID reader hardware
2Ease of operation
If separate devices are used for RFID data communication, then RFID data can be transmitted, but the device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the RFID data communication function with the wireless communication device into a single integrated system. The RFID reader circuitry shares the same antenna, RF transceiver, and baseband processing resources as the wireless communication function, eliminating the need for separate RFID communication devices and reducing overall system complexity
3Ease of manufacture
If shared components are used for transceiver and RFID operations, then cost is reduced, but interference between functions may occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs time-division multiplexing where the shared antenna and RF circuitry are alternately allocated between transceiver operations and RFID operations. The system switches between modes periodically, allowing the same hardware resources to serve both functions at different time intervals, thereby reducing cost while minimizing signal interference through temporal separation
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces a control mechanism that acts as an intermediary to manage the shared antenna and RF circuitry. This control system coordinates between transceiver and RFID operations, switching the antenna connection and managing signal paths to prevent interference while enabling cost-effective shared hardware architecture
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 integration reduces the cost of RFID technology and allows for seamless communication of RFID data over wireless networks, enhancing the functionality of devices like cellular telephones and personal digital assistants while maintaining normal transceiver operations.
Implementation Method 1
Communication between the reader and the remote tag is enabled by radio frequency (RF) signals. In general, to access the identification data stored on an RFID tag, the RFID reader generates a modulated RF interrogation signal designed to evoke a modulated RF response from a tag.
Implementation Method 2
The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings.
Implementation Method 3
In far-field applications, the RFID reader generates and transmits an RF signal via an antenna to all tags within range of the antenna.
Data Source
AI summary
An integrated RFID reader and wireless communication device is realized by a radio frequency (RF) front end operable, in a first mode, to generate a radio frequency identification system (RFID) outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive an RFID inbound RF signal responsive to the RFID outbound RF signal and to convert the RFID inbound RF signal to an RFID near baseband signal, and operable in a second mode, to generate a transceiver outbound radio frequency (RF) signal, to receive a transceiver inbound RF signal and to convert the transceiver inbound RF signal to a transceiver near baseband signal. The integrated device further includes a digitization module operable, in the first mode, to convert the RFID near baseband signal to an RFID digital baseband signal, and operable, in a second mode, to convert the transceiver near baseband signal to a transceiver digital baseband signal, and a baseband processing module operably coupled, in the first mode, to convert the RFID digital baseband signal into inbound RFID digital data, and operably coupled, in the second mode, to convert the transceiver digital baseband signal into inbound transceiver digital data.