Autonomous tuning method to improve radio frequency performance
First Claim
1. A method of improving performance of a reader in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
- a reader antenna assembly, of the reader, receiving an initial detection of a transponder;
the reader receiving initial information about the transponder;
based on the initial information, determining a best configuration for the reader antenna assembly while the transponder is at least first distance away from the reader;
based on the best configuration and while the transponder is at least the first distance away from the reader, setting one or more registers that change at least one parameter associated with operation of the reader antenna assembly, wherein the one or more registers are integral to a tuning circuit of the reader; and
after the transponder is less than the first distance away from the reader, switching at least one setting of the one or more registers.
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Accused Products
Abstract
Methods and systems are provided for an RFID system that can be tuned dynamically and/or in real-time during a coupling event between a reader and a transponder. The reader can comprise an antenna assembly, a signal driver, and a controller. The antenna assembly may include a tuning circuit and an antenna coupled to the tuning circuit. The tuning circuit can include registers that may be set to adjust one or more characteristics of the reader. A controller is coupled to the antenna assembly to determine characteristics of the received signal and to set hardware or firmware functions that improve the coupling of the reader and transponder and/or improve the reception of the signal(s) from the transponder.
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Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method of improving performance of a reader in a radio frequency identification (RFID) system, comprising:
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a reader antenna assembly, of the reader, receiving an initial detection of a transponder; the reader receiving initial information about the transponder; based on the initial information, determining a best configuration for the reader antenna assembly while the transponder is at least first distance away from the reader; based on the best configuration and while the transponder is at least the first distance away from the reader, setting one or more registers that change at least one parameter associated with operation of the reader antenna assembly, wherein the one or more registers are integral to a tuning circuit of the reader; and after the transponder is less than the first distance away from the reader, switching at least one setting of the one or more registers. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10)
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11. A receiver, comprising:
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a reader antenna assembly comprising; an antenna; a tuning circuit in communication with the antenna, the tuning circuit operable to change at least one parameter associated with operation of the reader antenna assembly, the tuning circuit comprising; one or more registers, when set, operable to change the at least one parameter; an exciter/reader circuit in communication with the reader antenna assembly, the exciter/reader circuit comprising; a transponder signal receiver circuit comprising; a monitor circuit operable to; receive the initial detection; receive initial information about the transponder; an adjuster operable to; based on the initial information, determine a best configuration for the reader antenna assembly while the transponder is at least a first distance away from the reader antenna assembly; a controller in communication with the reader antenna assembly and the exciter/reader circuit, the controller operable to; receive the best configuration for the reader antenna assembly while the transponder is at least the first distance away from the reader assembly; based on the best configuration, setting the one or more registers of the tuning circuit as long as the transponder is at least the first distance away; and after the transponder is less than the first distance away from the reader antenna assembly, switching at least one setting of the one or more registers of the tuning circuit. - View Dependent Claims (12, 13, 14, 15)
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16. A non-transitory computer readable medium including instructions stored in a memory and read by a processor of a reader, wherein the instructions cause the reader to execute a method comprising:
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receiving an initial detection of a transponder; receiving initial information about the transponder; based on the initial information, determining a best configuration for a reader antenna assembly while the transponder is at least a first distance away from the reader; based on the best configuration and while the transponder is at least the first distance away from the reader, setting one or more registers that change at least one parameter associated with operation of the reader antenna assembly, wherein the one or more registers are included in a tuning circuit of the reader; monitoring a signal associated with the transponder and determining that the transponder is less than the first distance away from the reader; based on the monitored signal, determining a second best configuration of the reader antenna assembly; based on the second best configuration, adjusting the one or more registers of the tuning circuit to change the at least one parameter associated with operation of the reader antenna assembly; and reading a credential provided by the transponder. - View Dependent Claims (17, 18, 19, 20)
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Specification