3D tag with improved read range for UHF RFID applications using Additive Manufacturing

Abstract

In this paper a 3D tag antenna geometry is proposed for UHF RFID systems. Two antennas were built over different dielectric materials with similar properties using both Direct Digital Manufacturing and traditional photolithography and copper etching. The impedance matching between the antenna arms and the passive RFID integrated circuit was accomplished with the H-slot matching technique with a simulated 10 dB return loss bandwidth that allows the tag to operate in the American and European ISM RFID bands of 902-928 MHz and 864-868 MHz, respectively. The antennas were compared to commercially available tags in size, weight and read distance, showing a read range improvement of 136% (for a threshold power of 30 dBm) with respect to the best tag tested. A reduction in length of 78 % with respect to a planar 2D model was also achieved. The radiation patterns were measured, showing an omni directional beam pattern.

3D Printed RFID Tag Antenna Miniaturized Through Volumetric Folding and Slow-Wave Structures

“…In order to estimate the true potential of this ultra-small antenna and the read range that it could exhibit, we corrected for the impedance mismatch effect. We utilize (13) where is the measured read range, is the simulated reflection coefficient, and is the reflection coefficient calculated from the impedance measurements. This calculation is done for the values at 866.9 MHz.…”

“…3D printing is relatively new for the realization of RFID tags, hence, only a handful of papers have been reported in literature [8][9][10][11][12][13]. Table I summarizes the state-of-the-art 3D printed RFID tags in the literature.…”

Interconnections for Additively Manufactured Hybridized Printed Electronics in Harsh Environments

“…Therefore, 3D printed electronics offer customizable electronic components in 3D space with reduced lead time and inventory in a less expensive-especially for low production runs-yet more streamlined manufacturing process [15][16][17]. To date, 3D printed electronics have been demonstrated in various forms including antennas, embedded electronics, smart devices, structural/health monitors, electronic textiles, and other passive electronic elements including RFID tags, coplanar waveguides, and capacitors [4,[18][19][20][21][22][23][24][25][26][27][28][29][30][31].…”