Measurement system, measurement method and new use of antenna
First Claim
1. A measuring system for detecting radio-frequency tags operating at a predefined wavelength, the system comprising a reading device and an antenna, which is connected to the reading device for connecting to one or more radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tags moving in a direction towards said antenna,wherein the antenna has a microstrip configuration and a length which is equal to or longer than a multiple of said predefined wavelength of the one or more RFID tags in order to form a leaky waveguide and an elongated detection zone,said leaky waveguide having the microstrip configuration acting as both a transmission and a reception antenna and being connected to the reading device in order to produce a radio-frequency excitation signal and in order to receive from said one or more RFID tags crossing said elongated detection zone, a return signal powered by the radio-frequency excitation signal, andwherein the antenna comprises:
- a long conductor configured like a wire,an elongated ground plane in the vicinity of the long conductor and essentially parallel to the long conductor in order to form said elongated detection zone, andwherein the long conductor is connected at one end to the elongated ground plane.
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Abstract
The invention relates to a measuring system for detecting radio-frequency tags, a measuring method, and a new use for a leaky waveguide. The measuring system comprises a reading device and an antenna, which is connected to reading device for connecting to the tags. According to the invention, the antenna is a microstrip-type leaky waveguide having a length which is several times the operating wavelength of the tags. The invention permits reliable and precise RFID detection, for example, for a results service for sports events.
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Citations
42 Claims
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1. A measuring system for detecting radio-frequency tags operating at a predefined wavelength, the system comprising a reading device and an antenna, which is connected to the reading device for connecting to one or more radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tags moving in a direction towards said antenna,
wherein the antenna has a microstrip configuration and a length which is equal to or longer than a multiple of said predefined wavelength of the one or more RFID tags in order to form a leaky waveguide and an elongated detection zone, said leaky waveguide having the microstrip configuration acting as both a transmission and a reception antenna and being connected to the reading device in order to produce a radio-frequency excitation signal and in order to receive from said one or more RFID tags crossing said elongated detection zone, a return signal powered by the radio-frequency excitation signal, and wherein the antenna comprises: -
a long conductor configured like a wire, an elongated ground plane in the vicinity of the long conductor and essentially parallel to the long conductor in order to form said elongated detection zone, and wherein the long conductor is connected at one end to the elongated ground plane. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A measuring system for detecting radio-frequency tags operating at a predefined wavelength, the system comprising a reading device and an antenna, which is connected to the reading device for connecting to one or more radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tags moving in a direction towards said antenna,
wherein the antenna has a microstrip configuration and a length which is equal to or longer than a multiple of said predefined wavelength of the one or more RFID tags in order to form a leaky waveguide and an elongated detection zone, said leaky waveguide having the microstrip configuration acting as both a transmission and a reception antenna and being connected to the reading device in order to produce a radio-frequency excitation signal and in order to receive from said one or more RFID tags crossing said elongated detection zone, a return signal powered by the radio-frequency excitation signal, wherein the leaky waveguide comprises at least two one-way long conductors configured like wires in the vicinity of an elongated ground plane, and essentially parallel to the elongated ground plane, in order to form said elongated detection zone, wherein the at least two one way conductors are electrically connected to the elongated ground plane at one end, and wherein said leaky waveguide further comprises a signalling point, the signalling point located at a point which permits a quarter-wave phase difference in the at least two one way conductors.
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27. A method for detecting a radio-frequency (RFID) tag operating at a predefined wavelength, comprising:
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radiating power from an antenna in an elongated detection zone sufficient to exceed a threshold value of at least one RFID tag crossing said elongated detection zone, thereby producing a radio-frequency excitation signal, and receiving a return signal powered by the radio-frequency excitation signal from said at least one RFID tag, wherein said at least one radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tag is moving in a direction towards the antenna connected to a reading device, wherein the antenna has a microstrip configuration and has a length which is equal to or longer than a multiple of said predefined wavelength of the at least one RFID tag, forming a leaky waveguide and said elongated detection zone, wherein the antenna comprises; a long conductor configured like a wire, an elongated ground plane in the vicinity of the long conductor and essentially parallel to the long conductor in order to form said elongated detection zone, and wherein the long conductor is connected at one end to the elongated ground plane. - View Dependent Claims (28, 29, 30, 31, 32, 33, 34)
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35. A method for detecting a radio-frequency tag operating at a predefined wavelength, comprising,
radiating power from an antenna with an elongated detection zone sufficient to exceed a threshold value of at least one RFID tag crossing said elongated detection zone, thereby producing a radio-frequency excitation signal, and receiving a return signal powered by the radio-frequency excitation signal from said at least one RFID tag, wherein said at least one radio-frequency identifier (RFID) tag is moving in a direction towards the antenna, wherein the antenna is connected to a reading device, wherein the antenna has a microstrip configuration and has a length which is equal to or longer than a multiple of said predefined wavelength of the at least one RFID tag, forming a leaky waveguide and said elongated detection zone, wherein the leaky waveguide comprises at least two long one-way conductors configured like wires in the vicinity of an elongated ground plane, and essentially parallel to the elongated ground plane, in order to form said elongated detection zone, wherein the at least two one way conductors are electrically connected to the elongated ground plane at one end, and wherein said leaky waveguide further comprises a signalling point, the signalling point located at a point which permits a quarter-wave phase difference in the at least two one way conductors.
Specification