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: A method for testing remote transponders. In the method, a radio-frequency transponder is excited by sending an excitation command having a minimum threshold transmission power with the aid of a first electromagnetic field and the response of the radio-frequency transponder to the excitation command is measured with the aid of a second electromagnetic field in order to test if a corresponding received power threshold is exceeded. One of the fields is a radiating field and the other of the fields is a reactive field. The need to test transponders separately from other transponders and the need to inactivate or screen other transponders in the vicinity of the transponder being measured is eliminated.

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 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 invention relates to a method and system for testing remote transponders. In the method, a radio-frequency transponder is excited with the aid of a first electromagnetic field and the response of the radio-frequency transponder is measured with the aid of a second electromagnetic field. According to the invention, one of said fields is a radiating field and the other of said fields is a reactive field. The invention eliminates the need to test transponders separately from other transponders and the need to inactivate or screen other transponders in the vicinity of the transponder being measured.

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.