Methods and apparatus for analyzing signal conditions affecting operation of an RFID communication device
First Claim
1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
- a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal to an RFID device at a relatively high carrier frequency range of 900 MHz or above;
a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals present in an environment in which the reader is operating, including a return signal from an RFID device being read by the RFID reader; and
a processor operative to collect signal data providing information relating to the signals received by the receiver, the processor being operative to identify signal data representing the return signal from the RFID device and process the data to identify the RFID device, the processor being further operative to collect signal data representing the return signal and other signal data providing information relating to additional signals and electromagnetic phenomena present in the environment experienced by the reader, the data being collected including data relating to signals and electromagnetic phenomena interfering with the carrier signal and data relating to signals and electromagnetic phenomena interfering with the return signal, the processor being further operative to perform both baseband and spectrum analysis on the collected signal data in order to show characteristics of signals present in the environment experienced by the reader and tending to interfere with reading of RFID devices by the RFID reader.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Systems and techniques for generating data showing a signal environment experienced by a radio frequency identification (RFID) communication device. A transceiver within the communication device sweeps through a frequency range of interest in order to receive signals within the frequency range. Depending on the nature of the signals of interest, the signals detected may be reflected signals generated in response to a carrier signal produced by the communication device, or active signals produced by active sources. Baseband analysis is performed in order to detect and identify reflective signals, and spectrum analysis is performed in order to detect and identify active signal sources.
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Citations
22 Claims
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1. A radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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a transmitter for transmitting a carrier signal to an RFID device at a relatively high carrier frequency range of 900 MHz or above; a receiver for receiving electromagnetic signals present in an environment in which the reader is operating, including a return signal from an RFID device being read by the RFID reader; and a processor operative to collect signal data providing information relating to the signals received by the receiver, the processor being operative to identify signal data representing the return signal from the RFID device and process the data to identify the RFID device, the processor being further operative to collect signal data representing the return signal and other signal data providing information relating to additional signals and electromagnetic phenomena present in the environment experienced by the reader, the data being collected including data relating to signals and electromagnetic phenomena interfering with the carrier signal and data relating to signals and electromagnetic phenomena interfering with the return signal, the processor being further operative to perform both baseband and spectrum analysis on the collected signal data in order to show characteristics of signals present in the environment experienced by the reader and tending to interfere with reading of RFID devices by the RFID reader. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11)
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12. A server for receiving information from a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader, comprising:
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an interface for receiving signal data relating to radio frequency signals in a relatively high carrier frequency range of 900 mHz or above and present in an environment in which the reader is operating where the signal data comprises return signal data from an RFID device being read by the reader and other signal data related to additional signals not returned from an RFID device being read by the reader and electromagnetic phenomena not related to the RFID device being read by the reader but present in the environment experienced by the reader and tending to interfere with a carrier signal transmitted by the reader and return signals from RFID devices being read by the reader; and a processor for performing of baseband and spectrum analysis on the signal data so as to provide information showing a signal environment experienced by the reader including sources of interference and the nature of the interference produced by the sources. - View Dependent Claims (13, 14, 15)
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16. A method of signal analysis, comprising the steps of:
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receiving signals experienced by a radio frequency identification (RFID) reader having a relatively high carrier frequency range of 900 mHz or above; processing the signals to detect and identify return signals produced in response to an interrogation by the RFID reader and signals and electromagnetic phenomena tending to interfere with transmission of carrier signals by the RFID reader and reception and processing of the return signals; and further processing the signals and electronic phenomena to generate signal data related thereto and to analyze the signal data using baseband and spectrum analysis to provide signal information showing the signal environment experienced by the reader including sources of interference and the nature of the interference produced by the sources. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20, 21, 22)
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Specification