RFID Transponder Emulator for Medical Device Testing

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Solution Overview

Problem

The complexity and cost associated with testing and deploying RFID systems due to the variety of RFID transponders and interrogators necessitate a solution for emulating multiple RFID transponders with a single emulator.

Innovation Solution

An RFID transponder emulator system that includes an antenna, analog front end, processor, and memory, capable of emulating multiple RFID transponders by storing and processing data related to unique identifiers, digital signatures, authentication features, and other data, allowing it to mimic the behavior of various RFID transponders and communicate with RFID interrogation devices.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If multiple RFID transponders are used for testing different medical devices, then testing coverage and authenticity are improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting authenticityVSAvoidnumber of transponders

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The RFID transponder emulator is designed to emulate multiple different RFID transponder types and protocols through software configuration, allowing a single physical device to replace multiple specialized transponders. The emulator can be programmed to mimic various transponder behaviors, authentication mechanisms, and data structures, providing universal testing capability across different medical device scenarios.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The emulator creates virtual copies of actual RFID transponders by replicating their communication protocols, data structures, and authentication mechanisms. These software-based copies allow testing of device authentication and RFID integration without requiring physical transponders, reducing hardware complexity while maintaining testing fidelity.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

2Productivity

If multiple RFID transponders are used for comprehensive testing, then testing completeness is improved, but cost and ease of operation worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvetesting completenessVSAvoidtesting setup complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSEase of operation

Solution Approach 1:

A single emulator device provides comprehensive testing capability by supporting multiple RFID protocols and transponder types through software configuration. This eliminates the need to procure, manage, and swap multiple physical transponder devices, significantly simplifying operational procedures while maintaining complete testing coverage.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

The functionality of multiple specialized RFID transponders is merged into a single emulator device. The emulator consolidates various transponder protocols, authentication methods, and data structures into one programmable platform, reducing the number of physical devices needed and simplifying testing setup and operation.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #5Merging (Combining)

3Device complexity

If a single RFID transponder emulator is used to emulate multiple transponders, then cost and device complexity are reduced, but emulation accuracy and reliability may worsen

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvenumber of devicesVSAvoidemulation accuracy

Core Design Contradiction:

Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The emulator achieves high emulation accuracy by creating detailed software replicas of target RFID transponders, including their communication protocols, authentication mechanisms, and data structures. This software-based copying approach allows precise replication of transponder behavior without the variability and failure modes of physical hardware.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #26Copying

Solution Approach 2:

The emulator uses configurable software parameters to adjust emulation behavior to match specific transponder types and scenarios. By dynamically changing emulation parameters such as protocol version, authentication credentials, and data structures, the system maintains high accuracy across different testing scenarios while using a single physical device.

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

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

Enables efficient development, testing, evaluation, and validation of RFID systems by allowing a single RFID transponder emulator to emulate multiple RFID transponders, reducing costs and simplifying the testing process, and can function in place of non-functional RFID transponders in medical devices.

Implementation Method 1

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is a wireless, non-contact use of radio-frequency electromagnetic fields to transfer data

Methodology Applied

Scientific EffectElectromagnetic fields: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP2993610B1Systems and methods for emulating RFID transponders of a plurality of medical devices

Publication Date: 2021.05.19 COVIDIEN LP

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AI summary

A radio frequency identification (RFID) network is presented including a plurality of medical devices each including an RFID transponder and a single RFID transponder emulator configured to emulate functionality of each of the RFID transponders of the plurality of medical devices. The RFID network further includes a plurality of RFID interrogation devices configured to operatively communicate with the single RFID transponder emulator. The single RFID transponder emulator is used for development, testing, evaluation, and validation of each of the plurality of RFID interrogation devices.