Active RFID Tag Signal Filtering and Power Management

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing active RFID tags face issues with electromagnetic pollution, signal congestion, limited flexibility, and high power consumption due to their reliance on periodic ID transmission and low sensitivity in low-frequency detection, which limits their adaptability and reliability, especially in industrial environments with strong interference and fast-moving targets.

Innovation Solution

The implementation of a bidirectional communication system using a coordinator to transmit instruction signals on a first channel, allowing the active RFID tag to filter invalid signals using both hardware and software filters, reducing power consumption and increasing adaptability by switching between dormant and active states efficiently.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Speed

If the active RFID tag periodically transmits its ID using internal clock, then long-distance identification is achieved, but electromagnetic pollution and signal congestion increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveidentification distanceVSAvoidelectromagnetic pollution
Core Design Contradiction:
SpeedVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies periodic action by implementing an interception state where the RFID tag periodically wakes up to receive instructions from the coordinator, rather than continuously transmitting ID. The tag enters dormant state between interception periods, significantly reducing electromagnetic emissions while maintaining identification capability through on-demand activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #19Periodic action

2Use of energy by moving object

If the active RFID tag uses low-frequency detection circuit to wake up, then power consumption is reduced, but detection sensitivity is very low and wakeup distance is limited

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower consumptionVSAvoiddetection sensitivity
Core Design Contradiction:
Use of energy by moving objectVSMeasurement precision

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces an intermediary low-frequency instruction signal transmitted by the coordinator that serves as a wake-up trigger. This intermediary signal enables the RFID tag to transition from dormant to active state without requiring the tag's own high-power transmitter to be continuously on, thus reducing power consumption while enabling remote activation.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Adaptability or versatility

If the active RFID tag performs software identification for multiple received signals, then bidirectional communication is achieved, but electric power consumption increases significantly

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication flexibilityVSAvoidelectric power consumption
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSUse of energy by moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies preliminary action by implementing a hard filter module that performs initial signal validation before software processing. The hard filter checks basic signal characteristics and validity criteria in hardware, eliminating obviously invalid signals before they reach the software identification layer, thus reducing the computational burden and power consumption of software processing.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

4Device complexity

If the active RFID tag works in narrowband single frequency mode, then device complexity is reduced, but reliability and stability are severely affected by external interference

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem complexityVSAvoidsystem stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies dynamics by implementing channel switching capability that allows the RFID tag to dynamically change operating frequencies between different channels. The tag can switch from a first channel to a second channel based on interference conditions, enabling adaptive response to external interference while maintaining relatively simple narrowband hardware architecture.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Data Source

PatentEP2509032B1Application system and method thereof
Publication Date: 2016.03.30 WESTVALLEY DIGITAL TECH
  • EP2509032B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2509032B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2509032B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present invention provides a kind of multi-function active electronic tag, application system and method thereof. The system includes a control processor, a coordinator, an active electronic tag, used for receiving instruction signals during the time of listening state, and a reader/writer, wherein the active electronic tag includes: a soft-filtering module, used for judging whether the address code of the signals, received by the active electronic tag through the first channel, is right or not; and a hard-filtering module, used for filtering the signals on the hardware side to remove invalid signals before performing the soft-filtering on the signals. The present invention enables the low power consumption of the active electronic tag, the bidirectional communication working as required, and the long distance transmission of information, thereby the standard communication process of the active electronic tag is optimized and the useful life of the tag is extended. Furthermore, a kind of active electronic tag with the actions of multiple fixed modes, application system and method thereof are provided, thus the communication efficiency of the wireless communication system is improved, and the probability of signal collision and mutual interference is effectively reduced.