RFID transponder using ambient radiation
First Claim
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1. A transponder apparatus operating from ambient radiation comprising:
- a rectifier to at least partially rectify said ambient radiation, said rectifier comprising a network of a plurality of shunt diodes and a plurality of series diodes;
an energy storage element storing at least some energy of said rectified ambient radiation;
a switch controlling output of at least some energy of said energy storage element; and
an oscillator generating a signal for transmission.
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Abstract
A tag operates in an environment where transmitted interrogators are not possible or desired. High-efficiency diode rectifiers and low-power oscillators are used in combination with an energy storage element and hysteretic switch. The combination of multi-diode rectifier, low power tunnel diode oscillator, energy storage element and hysteretic switch allow for nanowatt levels of received RF power to be stored to produce micro-watts of RF transmit power. The device trickle charges off of ambient RF radiation until enough energy is stored for transmission.
37 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A transponder apparatus operating from ambient radiation comprising:
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a rectifier to at least partially rectify said ambient radiation, said rectifier comprising a network of a plurality of shunt diodes and a plurality of series diodes; an energy storage element storing at least some energy of said rectified ambient radiation; a switch controlling output of at least some energy of said energy storage element; and an oscillator generating a signal for transmission. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method for transponding using ambient radiation comprising:
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receiving said ambient radiation; rectifying energy from said ambient radiation, said rectifying comprising rectification by a network of a plurality of shunt diodes and a plurality of series diodes; storing said rectified energy from said received ambient radiation; switching power of said stored rectified energy; modulating said power; and transmitting said modulated power. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A Radio Frequency IDentification (RFID) tag sensor system operating from ambient radiation comprising:
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a rectifier to at least partially rectify said ambient radiation, wherein said rectifier comprises a network of a plurality of shunt diodes and a plurality of series diodes comprising sixteen Schottky diodes; an energy storage element storing at least some energy of said rectified ambient radiation, wherein said energy storage element comprises a low current charging path comprising a battery whereby a low duty cycle mode of operation is provided; a switch controlling output of at least some energy of said energy storage element, wherein said switch is an active hysteretic switch; and an oscillator generating a signal for transmission, wherein said oscillator comprises an inductor, a Micro-Electro-Mechanical Systems (MEMS) capacitive sensor, and a tunnel diode.
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Specification