Pipelined Queued Access Commands for RFID Tag Write Bottlenecks
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID systems face performance bottlenecks when writing data to large populations of tags due to the time-consuming process of waiting for status responses after each write command, particularly in Gen-2 standard implementations, which limits overall write access time.
Innovation Solution
Implementing pipelined processing of access commands that allow tags to perform write operations without immediately transmitting status information, using queued access commands that prevent further transactions until a status request is received, enabling parallel processing and reducing the time spent waiting for responses.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If the interrogator waits for a response to each Write command before transmitting the next command, then status information can be accurately obtained, but the overall write access time becomes excessively long when writing to large tag populations
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a queued write command mechanism where the interrogator transmits multiple write commands to tags in advance without waiting for individual responses. Tags process these commands from a queue and perform write operations ahead of time, allowing the interrogator to continue transmitting commands rather than being blocked by response wait times. This preliminary action of queuing commands resolves the contradiction by enabling accurate status tracking while dramatically reducing overall write access time for large tag populations.
2Manufacturing precision
If the interrogator transmits continuous wave signals during the write process, then tags can perform store operations, but the interrogator cannot transmit other commands during this period
Solution Approach 1:
The patent enables continuous useful action by allowing the interrogator to transmit additional queued write commands to other tags during the continuous wave signal period when tags are performing store operations. Instead of idle waiting time, the system maintains continuous productivity by pipelining multiple write operations across different tags simultaneously, thus resolving the contradiction between ensuring complete write operations and maintaining high command transmission throughput.
3Reliability
If tags immediately transmit status information after write operations, then the interrogator can verify write success, but the time required for each write cycle increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements preliminary action by having tags perform write operations and prepare status information in advance during the continuous wave signal period, before the interrogator needs to verify results. Tags process multiple queued commands ahead of time and have status information ready when requested, allowing verification to occur without extending the overall write cycle time. This resolves the contradiction between ensuring reliable write verification and minimizing write cycle duration.
Data Source
AI summary
A method for pipelined processing of access commands to a population of radio frequency identification (RFID) tags is provided. The method includes transmitting a first queued access command to a first tag in the population of RFID tags, transmitting a second queued access command to a second tag in the population of RFID tags, and transmitting a status request command to the first tag. The queued access command causes the first tag to perform an operation and upon completion of the operation, to suspend transaction processing. The second queued access command is transmitted while the first tag is performing the command operation. The status request command causes the first tag to resume normal processing.