Systems and methods for synchronizing a plurality of RFID interrogators in a theatre of operation
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation system, comprising:
- multiple RFID interrogators, wherein each of the multiple RFID interrogators is configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from at least one of (i) one or more surrounding RFID tags and (ii) one or more RFID interrogators of the multiple RFID interrogators, and wherein at least one of the multiple RFID interrogators is configured to;
transmit a signal during a first frame; and
after a period of time, determine whether to adjust a timing of a start of a second frame in synchronization with a start of a frame of the another RFID interrogator of the multiple RFID interrogators based in part on receiving a signal indicative of an interference with the another RFID interrogator and an expectation of a response to the transmitted signal.
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Accused Products
Abstract
RFID tags are used for many purpose including tracking. RFID interrogators are used to retrieve information from tags. In many applications, a plurality of RFID interrogators are required. Synchronization between interrogators in the same theater of operation is critical to ensure that their broadcasts do not interfere with each other. In fixed RFID interrogator applications, RFID interrogators can be wired together allowing a channel to synchronize the transmissions of the RFID interrogators. Methods described herein can ensure that synchronization is maintained in the event of the failure of a synchronizing master. Furthermore, additional methods for synchronizing RFID interrogators in wireless applications are described allowing synchronization in the absence of wired connections between interrogators.
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Citations
14 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) interrogation system, comprising:
multiple RFID interrogators, wherein each of the multiple RFID interrogators is configured to transmit signals to and receive signals from at least one of (i) one or more surrounding RFID tags and (ii) one or more RFID interrogators of the multiple RFID interrogators, and wherein at least one of the multiple RFID interrogators is configured to; transmit a signal during a first frame; and after a period of time, determine whether to adjust a timing of a start of a second frame in synchronization with a start of a frame of the another RFID interrogator of the multiple RFID interrogators based in part on receiving a signal indicative of an interference with the another RFID interrogator and an expectation of a response to the transmitted signal. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
Specification