Performance evaluation of a UHF passive RFID tag embedded in a carbon fibre-reinforced polymer

Abstract

Data collection during the production process plays a key role in the management and control of goods within the company. In this work, the main focus is on the possibility of embedding radio frequency identification (RFID) technology in carbon-fibre reinforced polymer (CFRP) components to evaluate the readability of commercial Ultra High Frequency system by varying their covers, which is also partly in CFRPS. The samples produced and the tags used derived on previous studies, in which configurations with the tag housed inside were established and studied. Two RFID tags were studied that could withstand the harsh environmental conditions, i.e., high temperatures and pressure. This work was not carried out in an ideal environment to assess the theoretical capabilities of RFID sensors, but to understand and evaluate the readability limits of commercial RFID tags embedded in CFRPs. Therefore, an experimental campaign was undertaken to assess the downstream readability of the curing process of tags in laminated mock-ups. It was observed that the curing process had minimal effect on the readability of the tags. Free-space tests were carried out in proximity of metallic elements to determine the change of the reading distance obtained during the test, keeping the fixed antenna used constant.