RFID Tag Location Using Multi-Antenna Power-Level Search
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RFID systems struggle to accurately identify and locate RFID tags in environments with metallic surfaces and high noise levels, leading to inefficient asset tracking and reduced productivity due to manual intervention.
Innovation Solution
A method involving a computer-implemented system that activates multiple antennas at varying power levels and frequency channels, calculates confidence scores based on tag reads, and triangulates the RFID tag location using a binomial search operation to improve accuracy and reduce manual searching.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If multiple antennas are activated simultaneously at high power levels to improve tag identification accuracy, then the reliability of RFID tag location determination is improved, but the energy consumption and system complexity increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna system into multiple individual antennas that can be activated independently at different power levels. Instead of activating all antennas simultaneously, the system divides the search process into sequential steps where antennas are activated in groups or individually, allowing for more manageable system complexity while maintaining location determination accuracy through the binomial search pattern.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements dynamic power level adjustment where antennas are activated at varying power levels (e.g., high, medium, low) rather than uniformly. This dynamic approach allows the system to adapt the power levels based on the search progression and environmental conditions, improving reliability while managing energy consumption and system complexity through flexible control.
2Ease of operation
If manual intervention is used to search for RFID tags in noisy environments, then the ease of operation is improved, but the productivity and time efficiency deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements a self-service automated search system that performs RFID tag location determination without requiring manual intervention. The system automatically activates antennas in a binomial search pattern, processes signals, and determines tag locations using confidence scores, thereby eliminating the need for manual searching while improving productivity and time efficiency in asset tracking operations.
3Reliability
If antennas are activated at high power levels to overcome metallic surface interference, then the reliability of tag detection is improved, but the loss of energy increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent employs dynamic power level adjustment where antennas are activated at different power levels depending on the search stage and environmental conditions. The system can start at lower power levels and increase power only when necessary to penetrate metallic surfaces or overcome interference, thereby maintaining detection reliability through metallic surfaces while minimizing overall energy consumption compared to continuous high-power operation.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements periodic activation of antennas in a binomial search pattern, where power levels are adjusted periodically during the search process. This periodic action allows the system to concentrate energy at high power levels only when and where needed (e.g., when detecting tags behind metallic surfaces), rather than maintaining high power continuously, thus reducing overall energy loss while maintaining detection reliability.
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
Enhances the accuracy of RFID tag identification and location determination, reducing the time spent searching for assets and increasing worker productivity by automating the process.
Implementation Method 1
an antenna configuration including multiple RFID antennas that may be installed at various locations. In some examples, these antennas may be communicatively coupled to one or more RFID readers and can be used to communicate RF interrogation signals received from the readers to the RFID tags
Data Source
AI summary
Various embodiments of the present disclosure identify radio frequency identification tag(s) and/or location(s) thereof. Embodiments may perform such identification utilizing any number of antennas configured at various power levels and/or frequency channels, such as by incrementing and/or decrementing the power level of each antenna and measuring a number of tag reads at interval for each antenna. Confidence scores for each antenna may be generated and compared. Some example embodiments initiate an interrogation command associated with a RFID tag, cause activation of a plurality of antennas at a plurality of transmit power levels, identify a count of tag reads associated with each antenna, and determine a tag location associated with the RFID tag based on the count of tag reads for each antenna.