Radio Frequency Identification Read Antenna

• US 20100109840A1
• Filed: 10/31/2008
• Published: 05/06/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 10/31/2008
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Robert Schilling
• Original Assignee: Robert Schilling
• Inventors: Schilling, Robert
• Application Number:
  US12/262,740
• Publication Number:
  US 20100109840A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 340/10.100
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/10346 the antenna being of the far field type, e.g. HF types or dipoles
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/2208 associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems methods or arrangements for sensing record carriers, e.g. for reading patterns G06K7/00; record carrier for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings G06K19/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/40 Radiating elements coated with or embedded in protective material
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/50 Structural association of antennas with earthing switches, lead-in devices or lightning protectors
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 13/10 Resonant slot antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/0485 Dielectric resonator antennas

Abstract

A radio frequency identification (RFID) read antenna is provided. The RFID antenna includes an aperture board having at least one opening and a dielectric patch element spaced a distance from the aperture. The RFID antenna further includes a quadrature coupler connected to the aperture board and configured to excite the dielectric patch element to generate RFID signals.

Claims

1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna comprising:

an aperture board having at least one opening;

a dielectric patch element spaced a distance from the aperture; and

a quadrature coupler connected to the aperture board and configured to excite the dielectric patch element to generate RFID signals.

2. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aperture board comprise two slots.

3. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 2 wherein the two slots are oriented 90 degrees with respect to each other.

4. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 wherein the aperture board comprise four slots.

5. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 wherein the quadrature coupler is configured to excite the dielectric patch element to generate RFID signals over a frequency range between about 865 MHz and about 956 MHz.

6. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 5 wherein the quadrature coupler is configured to excite the dielectric patch element to generate RFID signals having an axial ratio of about two decibels or less.

7. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 5 wherein the quadrature coupler comprises a power divider having an equal power split and a phase difference of ninety degrees.

8. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 5 wherein the quadrature coupler is configured to excite the dielectric patch element to generate RFID signals circularly polarized over the frequency range between about 865 MHz and about 956 MHz.

9. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 wherein the dielectric patch element comprises symmetrical elements.

10. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 wherein the dielectric patch element comprises an air dielectric patch.

11. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a radome and wherein the dielectric patch element is on an outside of the radome.

12. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 11 further comprising a metal patch element on an outer surface of the radome forming the dielectric patch element.

13. An RFID antenna in accordance with claim 12 wherein the metal patch element is one of embossed and debossed with a logo.

14. An REID antenna in accordance with claim 1 further comprising a bracket spacing the dielectric patch element from the aperture board.

15. A radio frequency (RFID) reader comprising:

a transceiver configured to generate RFID signals over a UHF RFID frequency range from about 865 MHz to about 956 MHz, the generated RFID signals having an axial ratio of no more than about two decibels; and

an antenna connected to the transceiver and having an aperture coupled patch element.

16. An RFID reader in accordance with claim 15 wherein the aperture coupled patch element comprises a dual aperture coupled dielectric patch element.

17. An RFID reader in accordance with claim 15 further comprising an aperture board comprising orthogonal slots and spaced a distance from the aperture coupled patch element.

18. An RFID reader in accordance with claim 15 wherein the antenna comprises a radome and the aperture coupled patch element is on an outside surface of the radome.

19. An REID reader in accordance with claim 15 further comprising an aperture board and wherein the aperture coupled patch element is spaced a predetermined distance from the aperture board.

20. A method of transmitting RFID signals, the method comprising:

generating an RFID signal in a frequency range of about 865 MHz to about 956 MHz; and

transmitting the RFID signal using an aperture coupled patch element.