Synthesis of Antennas for Active Glazing Unit with Photovoltaic Modules

Abstract

The problem considered in the paper concerns the synthesis process of antennas for autonomous semi-passive RFID transponder/sensors dedicated to active glazing units. Glazing units are frequently used in modern multi-storey buildings to create amazing facades. When they are integrated with photovoltaic (PV) modules, active units are obtained. It is desirable, mainly for economic reasons and in order to ensure the high efficiency of a micro-photovoltaic power plant, that active glazing units are equipped with a system for monitoring their operating parameters. In connection with this, design problems occur that fall within the fields of sensor technology and radio communications. The main purpose of the presented study was to prepare appropriate input data for design tools used in the synthesis of antenna systems in the UHF band. Many important issues are considered including: proximity to structural elements of the building facade and PV cells, which disturbs the shape of the radiation pattern and affects the impedance parameters of the antenna system; the need to ensure easy integration of the RFID sensor and the specified object, without significant interference in the production of glazing units; appropriate shaping of the radiation pattern in order to enable reading and writing of the RFID tag from both inside and outside the building; impedance matching to the selected RFID chip in the broadest possible frequency range, etc.

RFID Sensors for Monitoring Glazing Units Integrating Photovoltaic Modules

“…The materials used to build the PV cells (both in Si-PV and DSSC modules) also exhibit a negative impact, but the cells usually do not cover the entire surface of the pane, so a separate place for fixing the RFID sensor can be found. The separation of 10 centimeters is enough to establish correct communication in the RFID system [3]. Possible localizations of the RFID sensors (marked as RFID in the green box) are shown in Figures 2 and 3.…”

“…Ultimately, all components may be easily integrated into a commercial product. The possibility of designing the RFID transponder (the RFID Part of the RFID sensor) dedicated to the glazing unit is considered in the publications [2,3]. The antenna system of the presented RFID sensor is developed to apply it with the AMS SL900A chip (AMS AG, Premstätten, Austria).…”

“…Based on the analysis of the modern PV module characteristics and taking into account the requirements for monitoring systems of the active glazing units and micro-power plants on building facades, the authors suggest basing the maintenance of the system on measuring only the output voltage. A malfunctioning PV module can be easily found by referring the measured values to the standard I-V curve when the appropriate The possibility of designing the RFID transponder (the RFID Part of the RFID sensor) dedicated to the glazing unit is considered in the publications [2,3]. The antenna system of the presented RFID sensor is developed to apply it with the AMS SL900A chip (AMS AG, Premstätten, Austria).…”

“…The most important part of RFID devices is the antenna system. It was designed according the rules elaborated in previous publications [3,29]. The 10 development sensor boards were tested under both laboratory and quasi-real conditions.…”

“…selection of the operation parameters of the PV modules that are important for the proper diagnostics of the electronically marked object; • implementation of the data acquisition and energy management model in an electronic control system; • wireless data transmission to the master unit (host), despite the absence of power supply (e.g., PV module fault, blackout), using a standardized communication protocol of the RFID technology; • design of the RF front-end of the RFID sensor, taking into account the technological requirements and dielectric parameters of the materials used (this problem was considered in [2,3]).…”