MULTI-ANTENNA SIGNALING SCHEME FOR LOW-POWERED OR PASSIVE RADIO COMMUNICATIONS
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification tag, comprising:
- a retrodirective array phase modulator configured for quadrature phase shift keying comprising;
a retrodirective antenna array comprising at least one antenna pair; and
a staggered pattern charge collector for harvesting energy from an incident electromagnetic wave, comprising;
an array of patch antennas; and
a plurality of charge pumps in electrical communication with each of the array of patch antennas, wherein the plurality of charge pumps are configured to collect a charge; and
a memory for storing data.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-antenna signaling scheme, system and method for passive or low-powered RF devices, such as a radio frequency identification tag, are herein described. In one embodiment, the presently disclosed subject matter discloses a Retrodirective Array Phase Modulator which is configured to allow RFID tags to return higher-powered signals with higher data rates back to an RFID interrogator or reader unit. In some configurations, pattern strobing is used which is an array-based transmission technique for stepping or sweeping an RF waveform through space so that passive radio devices may more efficiently harvest energy without increasing transmit power. In some configurations, the presently disclosed subject matter may also use a Staggered Pattern Charge Collector to boost the collection of microwave power.
32 Citations
23 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification tag, comprising:
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a retrodirective array phase modulator configured for quadrature phase shift keying comprising; a retrodirective antenna array comprising at least one antenna pair; and a staggered pattern charge collector for harvesting energy from an incident electromagnetic wave, comprising; an array of patch antennas; and a plurality of charge pumps in electrical communication with each of the array of patch antennas, wherein the plurality of charge pumps are configured to collect a charge; and a memory for storing data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for multi-antenna signaling, comprising:
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receiving an incident electromagnetic wave comprising an interrogation signal; changing the phase length of a transmission line between at least one antenna pair of a retrodirective array; spatially strobing the main pattern lobe of one of the antennas of the retrodirective array; harvesting energy from the incident electromagnetic wave by engaging a plurality of charge pumps with an array of patch antennas. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18)
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19. A multi-channel signaling system, comprising:
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a retrodirective array phase modulator configured for quadrature phase shift keying, comprising; a retrodirective antenna array comprising at least one antenna pair, wherein the antenna array of the retrodirective array phase modulator is spatially strobed by sweeping, rotating or stepping the main pattern lobe; and at least one microcontroller for controlling a plurality of switches that change a phase length of a transmission line between the at least one antenna pair; a staggered pattern charge collector for harvesting energy from an incident electromagnetic wave, wherein the staggered pattern charge collector comprises; a plurality of arrays comprising a plurality of patch antennas; and a plurality of charge pumps, wherein at least one of the plurality of charge pumps are in electrical communication with at least one of the plurality of arrays, wherein the plurality of charge pumps are configured to collect a charge; a memory for storing data; and a data switch configured to switch between a matched load that substantially eliminates the reradiation of at least a portion of the energy of the incident electromagnetic wave to an electrical short load that causes the reradiation of at least a portion of the energy of the incident electromagnetic wave. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23)
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Specification