Systems and methods of beamforming in radio frequency identification applications
First Claim
1. A system for radio frequency identification of a tag in an interrogation zone comprising:
- a plurality of beamforming nodes each configured to generate radio frequency identification signals in a first frequency band;
a calibration node disposed in the interrogation zone configured to measure a signal strength of the radio frequency identification data; and
a reader node configured to receive the signal strength data and to adjust the radio frequency identification signals generated by the beamforming nodes based upon the signal strength data.
5 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and methods for beamforming in radio frequency identification (RFID) applications are disclosed. A beamforming system uses a distributed architecture and techniques for antenna beamforming using a feedback control loop to direct radio frequency (RF) energy onto a specific region, referred to as an interrogation zone, which includes a calibration node where one or more RFID tags may be located. The distributed architecture of the beamforming system is resistant to fading and shadowing effects, providing accurate RFID reader operation even in environments with multi-path reflections or environmental changes, such as people moving around or changes in the location of equipment.
-
Citations
25 Claims
-
1. A system for radio frequency identification of a tag in an interrogation zone comprising:
-
a plurality of beamforming nodes each configured to generate radio frequency identification signals in a first frequency band; a calibration node disposed in the interrogation zone configured to measure a signal strength of the radio frequency identification data; and a reader node configured to receive the signal strength data and to adjust the radio frequency identification signals generated by the beamforming nodes based upon the signal strength data. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
-
-
15. A method comprising:
-
generating radio frequency identification signals in a first frequency band with a plurality of beamforming nodes; measuring the signal strength of the radio frequency identification signals in an interrogation zone with a calibration node disposed in the interrogation zone; transmitting a signal strength data in a second frequency band with the calibration node; and adjusting the radio frequency identification signals at a reader node based on the signal strength. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
-
-
23. A method comprising:
-
sending a command and data to a plurality of beamforming nodes; transmitting a radio frequency identification signal using the plurality of beamforming nodes; receiving the radio frequency identification signal; measuring the signal strength of the radio frequency identification signal in an interrogation zone; adjusting the command and the data based on the signal strength; and sending the adjusted command and the adjusted data to the plurality of beamforming nodes. - View Dependent Claims (24, 25)
-
Specification