RFID IC Self-Check Identifier Integrity
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Solution Overview
Problem
RFID tags often suffer from data corruption due to manufacturing flaws, radiation exposure, or other factors, leading to incorrect identifiers and potential operational failures.
Innovation Solution
An RFID tag integrated circuit (IC) that stores an identifier and a check code, allowing it to self-check for data integrity by comparing the identifier with the check code. If the identifier is corrupted, the IC can terminate operation, indicate an error, or reconstruct the correct identifier.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags store identifiers without verification mechanisms, then device complexity is reduced, but data reliability deteriorates due to manufacturing flaws and radiation exposure causing corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies preliminary action by pre-calculating and storing a check code (checksum) in the RFID tag memory during manufacturing, before the tag is deployed. This check code is derived from the identifier data using a predetermined algorithm. When the tag operates, the reader can verify data integrity by recalculating the check code from the received identifier and comparing it with the stored check code, thus detecting corruption without adding complex verification hardware to the tag itself.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses an intermediary approach by introducing a check code as a mediator between the identifier data and the verification process. The check code acts as a separate data element that carries verification information without being part of the original identifier. This allows the tag to maintain its simple structure while enabling reliability verification through the intermediary check code that bridges the gap between stored data and integrity verification.
2Reliability
If RFID tags include self-check capabilities, then operational reliability is improved, but manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The check code is calculated and embedded in the tag memory during the manufacturing process using a simple predetermined algorithm. This preliminary calculation is performed once during production rather than requiring complex real-time verification hardware, making the manufacturing process only marginally more complex while providing continuous operational reliability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the parameter of data representation by adding a derived check code parameter alongside the original identifier. This parameter change allows the same physical tag structure to provide both simple storage and self-verification capabilities, as the check code is merely an additional data field that can be stored using the same memory technology without requiring different manufacturing processes.
3Loss of information
If corrupted identifiers are not detected, then processing speed is maintained, but loss of information occurs due to undetected data corruption
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies partial action by performing verification only on the check code portion of the data rather than reprocessing the entire identifier. The reader quickly recalculates the check code from the received identifier and compares it with the stored check code, providing corruption detection with minimal additional processing time. This partial verification approach detects information loss without requiring excessive processing of the complete data set.
Data Source
AI summary
A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag IC stores an identifier and a check code. The IC determines whether the stored identifier is corrupted by comparing it to the check code. If the stored identifier does not correspond to the check code then the IC may terminate operation or indicate an error. The IC may also reconstruct the correct identifier from the check code.