Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna is disclosed. The RFID antenna may include: a substrate; a radiator disposed on the substrate, the radiator comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that perpendicularly intersect a straight edge of the radiator, the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor being symmetrical to each other with respect to a central point of the radiator; a loop disposed on the substrate; and a stub disposed on the substrate between the loop and the central point of the radiator.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable radio front-end are provided. One system includes a device having an antenna, a first front-end communication section configured to communicate using a first communication method and a second front-end communication section configured to communicate using a second communication method, wherein the first and second communication methods are different communication methods. The device further includes a switch having an input configured to receive a control signal via a communication line to select the first front-end communication section or the second front-end communication section and a controller configured to control a state of the switch. The switch is configured to be switched between states when the controller receives the control signal, thereby allowing communication using the first communication method or the second communication method via the antenna.

Abstract: A RFID reader RFID reader may include an antenna that outputs signals and receive signals reflected from an object moving relative to the antenna, and circuitry configured to receive the reflected signals from the antenna. The reflected signals may determine that the motion has occurred relative to the antenna or be cancelled using a signal generated based on the reflected signals.

Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) transponder may include a substrate and a device. The substrate may be in communication with a controller and an antenna, and the antenna is arranged to receive radio frequency signals. A first side surface of the substrate may include a capacitor. The device may be detachably coupled with the substrate via a conductive member positioned between the structure and the capacitor of the substrate, and the conductive member may be within a desired proximity of the capacitor. The structure may be attached to an attachment surface so that an attachment strength between the structure and the attachment surface may be greater than a force required to decouple the structure from the substrate. When the structure is decoupled from the substrate, the conductive member separates from the capacitor, disabling the transponder.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna is disclosed. The RFID antenna may include: a substrate; a radiator disposed on the substrate, the radiator comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that perpendicularly intersect a straight edge of the radiator, the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor being symmetrical to each other with respect to a central point of the radiator; a loop disposed on the substrate; and a stub disposed on the substrate between the loop and the central point of the radiator.

Abstract: A passive, self-steering antenna device is provided along with methods pertaining to operations and controls of the antenna device. The antenna device can include a main antenna for receiving an unmodulated wireless signal, a power harvester configured to obtain power from the unmodulated wireless signal, a main circuit disposed in a central region of the antenna device, and a plurality of peripheral distributed antenna elements configured to modify the radiation pattern of the antenna device. The antenna device can be configured to operate automatically device without needing control information in response to receiving a message from another antenna. Related methods include operations and controls for such an antenna device including automatically performing actions to enhance communications with another antenna device by selecting and activating a subset of the peripheral antenna elements to create a radiation pattern.

Abstract: A radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag with improved sensitivity includes an antenna that receives a radio-frequency (RF) signal and wireless power from an RFID reader. The RFID tag further includes a circuit that varies a reflection coefficient of the antenna to transmit a reflected signal to the reader, the reflected signal having periods of high reflectance when a relatively high amount of the RF signal is reflected, and low reflectance periods when a relatively low amount of the RF signal is reflected. The reflectance of the antenna is sufficiently low during the high reflectance periods to enable wireless power reception during the high reflectance periods.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a distributed antenna network are provided. One system includes a plurality of antenna modules coupled via a communication line, with each antenna module configured to be switched between a through state and a connected state using radio-frequency identification (RFID) control signals. The system further includes a plurality of antennas, with each antenna connected to a corresponding antenna module. A controller is coupled to the communication line and configured to transmit RFID control signals to the plurality of antenna modules to selectively activate one of the antenna modules by switching the antenna module to the connected state to thereby activate an antenna connected to the antenna module in the connected state.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes a plurality of emitters that each emit a wireless signal and are placed at known locations relative to a plurality of storage areas in a warehouse, including a first storage area for storage of a specified item. The system further includes a mobile device that travels with a material handler. The mobile device: receives a first wireless signal from a first emitter that is one of the plurality of emitters; calculates a first distance between the material handler and the first emitter based on the first wireless signal; determines that the material handler is located at a stocking location for the first storage area based on the first distance and the known location of the first emitter; and sends a notification indicating that the material handler is at the stocking location for the first storage area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for antenna pattern measurement are provided. One system includes a plurality of wireless sensors arranged in an array, wherein the wireless sensors are configured to be powered by radio-frequency (RF) signals at different power levels. The system also may include a controller configured to wirelessly transmit the RF signals at different power levels and measure responses from the wireless sensors at the different power levels. The system may further include a processor configured to calculate a radiation pattern of an antenna under test using the measured responses.

Abstract: A method for reconfiguring an RFID tag or RFID reader is disclosed. The method may include receiving a wireless signal from an RFID reader; processing, by an RFID circuit, the wireless signal received from the antenna; determining if a first sensor or switch that is connected to the RFID circuit is engaged or activated; outputting a first signal to the RFID circuit when the first sensor or switch is engaged or activated; and changing by the RFID circuit, at least one operating parameter of the RFID tag when the RFID circuit receives the first signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a reconfigurable antenna are provided. One system includes a device having a plurality of antenna elements configured to read a radio-frequency identification (RFID) tag and a switch having an input configured to receive a control signal from an RFID reader via a communication line to select one antenna of the plurality of antenna elements. The device further include a controller configured to control a state of the switch, wherein the switch is configured to be switched between states when the controller receives the RFID control signal comprising an address unique to the switch, thereby allowing the RFID reader to send an interrogation signal to and receive a response from the RFID tag in response to receiving the RFID control signal.

Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.

Abstract: A RFID reader RFID reader may include an antenna that outputs signals and receive signals reflected from an object moving relative to the antenna, and circuitry configured to receive the reflected signals from the antenna. The reflected signals may determine that the motion has occurred relative to the antenna or be cancelled using a signal generated based on the reflected signals.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a distributed antenna network are provided. One system includes a plurality of antenna modules coupled via a communication line, with each antenna module configured to be switched between a through state and a connected state using radio-frequency identification (RFID) control signals. The system further includes a plurality of antennas, with each antenna connected to a corresponding antenna module. A controller is coupled to the communication line and configured to transmit RFID control signals to the plurality of antenna modules to selectively activate one of the antenna modules by switching the antenna module to the connected state to thereby activate an antenna connected to the antenna module in the connected state.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) antenna is disclosed. The RFID antenna may include: a substrate; a radiator disposed on the substrate, the radiator comprising a first electrical conductor and a second electrical conductor that perpendicularly intersect a straight edge of the radiator, the first electrical conductor and the second electrical conductor being symmetrical to each other with respect to a central point of the radiator; a loop disposed on the substrate; and a stub disposed on the substrate between the loop and the central point of the radiator.

Abstract: A trickle-charged RFID device includes a main antenna receiving wireless interrogator signals from one or more RFID readers, a power harvester connected with the main antenna to obtain power from the wireless interrogator signals, and an intermediate storage device connected to the power harvester to collect trickle flows of unused power harvested from wireless interrogator signals received by the RFID device that lack an inquiry for the device. The RFID device further includes a primary storage device, into which the intermediate storage device discharges its collection of trickle flows of unused power when the collection reaches a predetermined threshold level, which recharges power lost from the main storage device. The intermediate storage device can include one or more capacitors including super-capacitors, and the main storage device can include a rechargeable battery, such that the effective life of the main storage device is extended from the collected trickle flows.

Abstract: An inventory tracking system includes a plurality of emitters that each emit a wireless signal and are placed at known locations relative to a plurality of storage areas in a warehouse, including a first storage area for storage of a specified item. The system further includes a mobile device that travels with a material handler. The mobile device: receives a first wireless signal from a first emitter that is one of the plurality of emitters; calculates a first distance between the material handler and the first emitter based on the first wireless signal; determines that the material handler is located at a stocking location for the first storage area based on the first distance and the known location of the first emitter; and sends a notification indicating that the material handler is at the stocking location for the first storage area.

Abstract: Systems and methods for a distributed antenna network are provided. One system includes a plurality of antenna modules coupled via a communication line, with each antenna module configured to be switched between a through state and a connected state using radio-frequency identification (RFID) control signals. The system further includes a plurality of antennas, with each antenna connected to a corresponding antenna module. A controller is coupled to the communication line and configured to transmit RFID control signals to the plurality of antenna modules to selectively activate one of the antenna modules by switching the antenna module to the connected state to thereby activate an antenna connected to the antenna module in the connected state.