RFID Location Tracking With Beamforming Antenna Arrays
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Solution Overview
Problem
Traditional systems for determining real-time location information of wireless devices are complex, expensive, and power-intensive, necessitating a cost-effective alternative for locating objects.
Innovation Solution
A wireless communication system utilizing RFID devices and a mobile device with a reconfigurable antenna array and integrated circuit chip to detect and process RFID signals, enabling the determination of relative and absolute locations of RFID devices through beamforming and network communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Measurement precision
If traditional location systems (accelerometers, GPS) are used to determine real-time location information, then location accuracy is improved, but device complexity, cost, and power consumption increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent replaces mechanical location systems (accelerometers, GPS receivers) with an electromagnetic field-based RFID system. The RFID reader transmits electromagnetic signals that are reflected by RFID tags on objects, and the mobile device processes these electromagnetic reflections to determine location, eliminating the need for complex mechanical sensors in the tracked objects.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces RFID tags as intermediary elements between the mobile device and the objects to be tracked. Instead of the mobile device directly sensing objects, it detects electromagnetic reflections from RFID tags attached to objects, using the tags as mediators to enable indirect but accurate location determination.
2Measurement precision
If traditional location systems (accelerometers, GPS) are used to determine real-time location information, then location accuracy is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The RFID tags passively reflect electromagnetic signals from the RFID reader without requiring their own power source. The energy for location determination comes entirely from the RFID reader's transmitted signal, allowing the tags and attached objects to determine location without consuming additional power.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces active power-consuming location systems (GPS receivers, accelerometers requiring battery power) with a passive electromagnetic reflection system. The mobile device uses its existing antenna and processor to detect RFID tag reflections, leveraging already-powered components rather than adding new power-hungry subsystems.
3Measurement precision
If traditional location systems (accelerometers, GPS) are used to determine real-time location information, then location capability is improved, but cost increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent uses inexpensive RFID tags instead of expensive GPS receivers or accelerometer assemblies. RFID tags are mass-produced at very low cost and can be easily attached to objects, providing location capability without the high manufacturing costs associated with traditional electronic location systems.
Solution Approach 2:
The mobile device's existing antenna and processor are used for multiple purposes: standard communication functions and RFID tag signal detection for location determination. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate dedicated location hardware, reducing overall system cost.
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 an inexpensive and efficient method for determining the location of RFID devices, eliminating the need for complex and power-hungry location systems, while enabling precise tracking and inventory management.
Implementation Method 1
An RFID reader may transmit an encoded radio signal to interrogate the tag or passively receive a signal from the RFID tag
Implementation Method 2
A mobile device may include an antenna array that may be manipulated to determine the relative directions to a plurality of RFID devices
Data Source
AI summary
An apparatus is described. The apparatus includes an antenna array configured to detect one or more radio frequency signals from one or more radio emitters and an integrated circuit chip coupled to the array of antennas. The integrated circuit chip comprises a first plurality of processing elements configured to determine a location of the one or more emitters based on the one or more radio frequency signals and a second plurality of processing elements configured to process the location information for communication via a cellular network. The apparatus further includes an antenna coupled to the second plurality of processing elements and configured to communicate the processed location information via a cellular network.