RFID READER ANTENNAS

By Chris Cheung
and
Robert Kwong

EE296W FALL 2007

Professor Morelos-Zaragoza
 EE296W: RFID Reader Antennas

z Antenna history &

terminology
z RFID reader antenna
parameters & principles
z Multi-array antenna
design examples

2
 Antenna History
z 1873: Maxwell Equations
z 1885: Edison first to
patent antenna system;
sold to Marconi.
z 1888: Hertz used antenna
to validate Maxwell
Equations
z 1901: Marconi first to
develop long distance
antenna to transmit from
England to Newfoundland.
3 Picture courtesy of US patent 465971.
 Standing Wave

Antenna Terminology

+ LρM
LM
Vf
f
ff
f
ff
ff
ff
ff 1f
f
ff
f
ff
f
ff
ff
f
ff
f
ff
f
f
VSWR = =
max
z Voltage standing wave V min 1 @LρM
LM

ratio (VSWR) ρ is the reflection coefficient

ff @ ff
z Bandwidth Factor (BWF) BWF =
f
ff
f
f
Hff
f
ff
f
ff
f
ff
f
f f
ff
Lf
f
ff `
in 100%
a
fo
z Antenna pattern fH and fL are the high and low frequencies
z Elevation & Azimuth fo is the resonant frequency

f
f
fP
f
f
ff
ff
f
ff
ff
f
fff
f
ff
f
f
Antenna Gain (in dBi) D θ,φ =
b c
z max
P rad A avg
z Directivity & Efficiency Pmax is max power in desired direction

Prad.avg is the average power of antenna

4
Antenna Gain G = efficiency eff x D directivity
 Antenna Polarization Types

Linear Circular Elliptical

5
 RFID Antenna Configurations

z Mono-static – Utilizing
one antenna for both
transmit & receive;
requires element such
as circulator for full-
duplex operation
z Bi-Static – Separate
antennas for transmit
and receive.

6
 Near Field/Far Field Antennas
v
w
ww
w
w
w
ww
w
w
w
ww
w
w R is farthest edge of
z Near Field Antenna – u 3
uD
f
f
ff
f
ff
f Near Field
Magnetic coupling R = 0.62 t
dominates within λ D is the largest
antenna dimension
wavelength λ of
Type Pros Cons
operating frequency
z Far Field Antenna – Near Water & Limited
Capacitive coupling Field Metal Range
dominates beyond few resistance
wavelengths. Far Longer Prone to
Field Range Water &
Metal
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 Reader Antenna Pattern parameters
z Antenna Gain – Typically 6 to
12 dBi; higher value narrows
pattern more
z 3dB Beamwidth – angular
measure of half power.
Example: 90°
z Front/Back Ratio – ratio of main
frontal lobe to back lobe in dB.
Example: F/B Ratio=18dB
z Can also use multi-antenna
array for beamforming
(constructive & destructive
interference to shape antenna
pattern)
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 RFID Reader Sensitivity:
Mono-static Case
z Affected by 2 different
transmit leakages into receive
path
z Tx Leakage 1: Leak through
circulator; isolation of 20 to
40dB.
z Feed-forward method applied
to circulator design can add Example: 30dBm transmit with 6dBi
extra 30dB isolation. Antenna (EIRP 4W NA) with poor
z Tx Leakage 2: Transmit matching, circulator of 20dB isolation
reflection from antenna due to may have receive sensitivity of only –
high VSWR or poor matching. 30dBm or worst.

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 RFID Reader Sensitivity:
Bi-static Case
z Internal isolation of RF
receive and transmit
tracks.
z External separation of
antennas to avoid
antenna pattern overlap
z Best way is to stagger so
transmit antenna further
out than receive
antenna.

K. Penttilä, L. Sydänheimo, M. Kivikoski, “Implementation of Tx/Rx isolation in an RFID reader,” Int. J. Radio
10 Frequency Identification Technology and Applications, Vol 1, 2006, pg 12
 Overall Interrogation Zone

11 J. Yu,“UHF RFID Reader Front-End”, KAIST RF System Solution Lab, August 2007
 RFID Reader Antenna Datasheet
Example: Intermec IA36A

12
 RFID Antenna Design: Multi-Array
Antennas beamforming.

13 Z. Liu, “A 3 Patch Near Field Antenna for Conveyor Bottom Read in RFID Sortation Application”, IEEE, 2006, pg 1-4.
 RFID Antenna Design: 3D Location
Detection

14 M. Kim, T. Takeuchi, N. Chong, “A 3-axis Orthogonal Antenna for Indoor Localization”, pg. 2-3.
 RFID READER ANTENNAS
Conclusion
z Near Field Antennas attractive for very short
interrogation range and resistance against water or
metal interference
z Radiated power and proper Tx/Rx isolation for high
reader sensitivity are keys for extended RFID reader
read range
z Antenna Gain, 3dB Beamwidth, F/B ratio gives insight
on antenna radiation pattern shaping
z Multi-Antenna configuration can be used for
beamforming or diversity or location detection.

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