RFID Tag Data Retention in Extreme Environments
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Solution Overview
Problem
RFID sensors become dysfunctional in extreme environments, such as elevated temperatures, preventing them from receiving, storing, or transmitting data, which hinders record-keeping and data retrieval for objects exposed to these conditions.
Innovation Solution
An RFID apparatus with nonvolatile memory and a sensor linked to an interrogator system that collects data in an inoperable environment and transfers it to the RFID tag when it becomes operable, ensuring data storage and retrieval without external records or lookup tables.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If RFID tags are used to track objects in extreme environments, then object tracking capability is improved, but the RFID tags become dysfunctional and cannot store or transmit data when exposed to extreme temperatures
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary actions by having the interrogator collect and store environmental parameter data (temperature, time, etc.) while the RFID tag is inoperable in extreme conditions. When the tag becomes operable again, the pre-collected data is transferred to the tag's memory, ensuring continuous tracking capability without data loss during extreme environments.
Solution Approach 2:
The interrogator system acts as an intermediary between the extreme environment and the RFID tag. It collects data during extreme conditions when the tag cannot function, and serves as a temporary storage medium, then transfers this data to the tag when conditions improve, effectively mediating the data transmission gap caused by extreme temperatures.
2Loss of information
If RFID tags store data directly during extreme environment exposure, then real-time data recording is improved, but data loss occurs because the tags are inoperable in extreme conditions
Solution Approach 1:
The system performs preliminary data collection by the interrogator before the tag can store data. Environmental parameters are captured and stored in the interrogator's memory during extreme conditions, then preliminarily prepared for transfer to the tag once it becomes operable, preventing any information loss during the extreme environment exposure period.
3Loss of information
If external records or lookup tables are used to track objects from extreme environments, then data retrieval is improved, but system complexity increases due to external record-keeping requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts the data storage function from external record-keeping systems and integrates it directly into the RFID tag itself. By transferring the collected environmental parameter data from the interrogator to the tag's onboard memory, the system eliminates the need for external lookup tables or separate record-keeping databases, simplifying the overall system architecture.
Solution Approach 2:
The RFID tag performs self-service by storing its own operational and environmental data in its internal non-volatile memory. The tag becomes a self-contained data repository that carries all necessary information about its exposure history, eliminating dependency on external recording systems and enabling autonomous data retrieval.
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 reliable data recording and retrieval of extreme environmental conditions directly from the RFID tag, even after the object has left the extreme environment, eliminating the need for external records and ensuring accurate tracking of objects like medical tools subjected to sterilization processes.
Implementation Method 1
the RFID tag 100 harvests electromagnetic waves, or radio energy 108, provided by a reader 110
Data Source
AI summary
A method for using an RFID tag to retain information of an environment, such as high temperature, that is beyond the operable limits of the RFID tag. The method generally comprises providing an RFID tag that has nonvolatile RFID memory that can communicate with an RFID interrogator system. Exposing the RFID tag to a first environment (such as a high temperature) that renders the RFID tag inoperable. Collecting a first sensor value of the first environment and storing the first sensor value in nonvolatile memory accessible by the RFID interrogation system. Later, exposing the RFID tag and the sensor to a second environment that renders the RFID tag operable (such as room temperature). Wirelessly transmitting the first sensor value to the RFID tag via the RFID interrogator system while the first sensor is in the second environment, and storing the first sensor value in the nonvolatile RFID memory while the RFID tag is in the second environment.