Highly Integrable Paper-Based Harmonic Transponder for Low-Power and Long-Range IoT Applications

Abstract

Abstract-In this letter, the design and performance analysis of a harmonic planar transponder on paper, which conjugates compactness and scalability, are presented. The tag, targeted for a fundamental frequency of 1.2 GHz, is based on a frequency doubler with a single lumped component (a low-barrier Schottky diode) and a system of nested tapered annular slot antennas. Both antennas, orthogonally placed, feature a maximum gain around 3 dBi. The frequency doubler is optimized for power levels in the order of −13 dBm, where it achieves a conversion loss of 15.7 dB. A complete prototype has been tested in a wireless indoor experiment, demonstrating a coverage of at least 4 m, insensitive to tag-toreader rotations (transmitter effective isotropic radiated power 16 dBm).

Innovative RFID Sensors for Internet of Things Applications

“…where P f 0 avs is the available source power at f 0 , and P 2 f 0 load is the output harmonic power delivered to the load. To extend the read-out distance of the system, the frequency doubler is generally designed to have a low C l for low available input power (P f 0 avs < −20 dBm) [45], [46]. In the schematic in Fig.…”

“…11 [45]. The transponder is dual-layer, it is targeted for a fundamental frequency f 0 = 1.2 GHz, and it is manufactured on a paper substrate by a technology we called "copper adhesive laminate" (parameters of the equivalent composite substrate, including both paper and the glue layers interposed between each copper layer and paper: dielectric constant: r = 2.55, loss tangent: tan δ = 0.05, substrate thickness: h = 0.3 mm, trace conductivity: σ cu = 5.810 7 S/m), described in detail in [44].…”

“…In "meas 1," the tag is oriented with its f 0 antenna in horizontal polarization, whereas in "meas 2," the tag is rotated 90 • (f 0 antenna in vertical polarization). From[45].…”

A Zero-Power Ubiquitous Wireless Liquid-Level Sensor Based on Microfluidic-Integrated Microstrip Antenna

“…1) [18], [19]. Thanks to the frequency orthogonality between the launched and backscattered signals, the harmonic sensor system can remarkably suppress electromagnetic interferences, such as crosstalk and clutter [20], [21]. According to this principle, Huang et al have demonstrated a passive harmonic sensor for liquid sensing in healthcare applications.…”

The Harmonic Tunneling Tag: a Dual-Band Approach to Backscattering Communications

“…reader sends a signal at the fundamental frequency f 0 to interrogate a tag that reflects and modulates a higher harmonic (e.g. : 2f 0 ) detectable by the reader [1]. The transponder, therefore, requires a dual-band antenna and a non-linear device, such as a diode.…”