Abstract: The invention relates to a system and method for testing radio-frequency tags (18). The system comprises a reading zone (17) for a radio-frequency tag and at least two electrodes (11A,11B) for capacitively coupling to the tag placed in the reading zone. According to the invention, the system further comprises a communication terminal (14) connected to each of the at least two electrodes for feeding signals to the electrodes and for reading tag response signals from the electrodes, and a hybrid coupler (13) for causing a phase difference between the excitation signals fed to the at least two electrodes from the communication terminal and for combining the response signals from the at least two electrodes at the communication terminal (14). The invention allows for efficient coupling to tags in near field and relieves the tag positioning requirements during testing.

Abstract: The invention relates to a device for analysing radio-frequency systems. Such a device comprises means for detecting radio-frequency electromagnetic signals, and means for determining at least one analog property of the radio-frequency signal received form the reader. According to the invention, the device further comprises means for producing an electromagnetic excitation signal in order to excite the radio-frequency tag, and means for determining at least one analog property of the return signal received from the radio-frequency tag. The device permits the effective analysis of RFID systems, for example, in system-installation and error-searching situations.

Abstract: The method relates to a method of characterizing a radio link. In the method, a radio frequency interrogator and a first radio frequency transponder, the response of which in an essentially anechoic chamber is known, are utilized. According to the invention, the response of the first radio frequency transponder is measured in a target environment in the chosen interrogator-transponder geometry and the responses of the radio frequency transponder in the target environment and in an essentially anechoic chamber are compared for characterizing the actual radio link. The invention provides information on multi-path propagation of radio waves characteristic to the target environment, which can be further taken into account in, for example, RFID system design.

Abstract: The method relates to a method of characterizing a radio link. In the method, a radio frequency interrogator and a first radio frequency transponder, the response of which in an essentially anechoic chamber is known, are utilized. According to the invention, the response of the first radio frequency transponder is measured in a target environment in the chosen interrogator-transponder geometry and the responses of the radio frequency transponder in the target environment and in an essentially anechoic chamber are compared for characterizing the actual radio link. The invention provides information on multi-path propagation of radio waves characteristic to the target environment, which can be further taken into account in, for example, RFID system design.