Multiplexing Radio Frequency Signals
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) multiplexer comprising:
- a host coupling module configured to receive and transmit RF signals through a wired connection;
a plurality of antennas configured to wirelessly transmit RF signals and receive RF signals from RFID tags; and
a processing module configured to selectively switch between the plurality of antennas for communication with the RFID tags using the host coupling module and backscatter at least a portion of the received RF signals through the wired connection to communicate information independent of an internal power supply.
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Accused Products
Abstract
The present disclosure is directed to a system and method for multiplexing radio frequency signals. In some implementations, a system includes a host coupling module, a plurality of antennas, and a processing module. The host coupling module is configured to receive and transmit RF signals through a wired connection. The plurality of antennas are configured to wirelessly transmit RF signals and receive RF signals from RFID tags. The processing module is configured to selectively switch between the plurality of antennas for communication with the RFID tags using the host coupling module and backscatter at least a portion of the received RF signals through the wired connection to communicate information independent of an internal power supply.
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Citations
21 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) multiplexer comprising:
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a host coupling module configured to receive and transmit RF signals through a wired connection; a plurality of antennas configured to wirelessly transmit RF signals and receive RF signals from RFID tags; and a processing module configured to selectively switch between the plurality of antennas for communication with the RFID tags using the host coupling module and backscatter at least a portion of the received RF signals through the wired connection to communicate information independent of an internal power supply. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A radio frequency identification (RFID) multiplexer, comprising:
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a port configured to receive RF signals from an RFID host; a plurality of antennas configured to transmit at least a portion of the received RF signals, at least one of the transmitter modules coupled to the host coupling module; a communication module configured to demodulate at least a portion of the received RF signals to baseband frequency signals and to convert at least a portion of the received RF signals to power signals; and a control module configured to receive power based, at least in part, on the power signals and to selectively switch connections between the port and the plurality of antennas based at least in part on the baseband frequency signals. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18)
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19. A method of controlling an RFID multiplexer, comprising:
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receiving RF signals through a single wired connection; selectively switching connections between the single wired connection and a plurality of antennas based, at least in part, on the received RF signals; transmitting at least a portion of the received RF signals to at least one of the plurality of antennas for wirelessly transmitting the at least a portion to an associated interrogation zone; and backscattering at least a portion of the received RF signals in response to at least identifying requests for information. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21)
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Specification