Abstract: Porting configurations for high density multiplexing of RFID readers are disclosed herein. An example RFID reader includes a housing, a printed circuit board (PCB) disposed within the housing, an internal multiplexer disposed within the housing, and electrically connected to the PCB; and a plurality of connectors disposed in a porting area of the housing, each of the plurality of connectors comprising a plurality of antenna ports, wherein each antenna port is communicatively coupled to the PCB via the internal multiplexer and is connectable with a respective RFID antenna.

Abstract: Techniques for dynamic polarization selection by antenna bandwidth are disclosed herein. An example device includes a first antenna configured to transmit signals within a first bandwidth range, a second antenna configured to transmit signals within a second bandwidth range that is different from the first bandwidth range, one or more processors, and one or more memories communicatively coupled to the first antenna, the second antenna, and the one or more processors. The memories store instructions that, when executed by the one or more processors, cause the device to: transmit, by the first antenna, a first signal at a first frequency included within the first bandwidth range, determine that a second signal is to be transmitted at a second frequency that is different than the first frequency, determine that the second frequency is included within the second bandwidth range, and transmit the second signal using the second antenna.

Abstract: Systems and methods for selectively limiting read zones are disclosed herein. An example method includes synchronizing signal transmissions from a first antenna associated with a first reader and a second antenna associated with a second reader to generate (i) a first read zone corresponding to the first antenna, (ii) a second read zone corresponding to the second antenna, and (iii) a null zone between the first read zone and the second read zone that prevents the first reader and the second reader from reading tags located in the null zone. The example method further includes linking (i) the first reader with a tag located in the first read zone or (ii) the second reader with a tag located in the second read zone based on an energy ratio of a first signal transmitted by the first antenna to a second signal transmitted by the second antenna.

Abstract: Techniques for echo cancellation in an RFID reader include incorporating an auxiliary error power amplifier (auxiliary PA) into the RFID reader, and dynamically adjusting a bias setting of the auxiliary PA based on a power level of a reflection of a signal transmitted by the RFID reader (“echo signal”) as measured at the RFID reader. When the measured echo signal power level is high, techniques herein set the auxiliary PA bias setting to a higher level to allow the auxiliary PA to account for the stronger echo signal. Inversely, when the measured echo signal power is low, techniques herein set the auxiliary PA bias setting to a lower level to reduce power consumption while the enabling the RFID reader to cancel echo phenomena and reliably detect signal responses from RFID tags in an environment.

Abstract: Techniques for improving energy efficiency of a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader are described herein. A power control algorithm controlling a power amplifier of the RFID reader adjusts a bias setting of the power amplifier at different time periods during operation of the RFID reader. Particularly, in aspects, the power control algorithm biases the power amplifier at a first bias setting during a first time period when the RFID reader transmits a modulated continuous waveform conveying information to RFID tags in an environment, and biases the power amplifier at a second, different bias setting during a second time period when the RFID reader transmits an unmodulated continuous waveform. By adjusting to the second bias setting, the power control algorithm improves energy/power efficiency of the RFID reader during the second time period, thereby extending the single-charge lifetime of the RFID reader when implemented as a battery powered unit.

Abstract: Techniques for ultra-high resolution reflective vector synthesis in RFID systems include a transceiver configured to transmit an initial signal, one or more memories, one or more processors, and a cancellation signal synthesizer comprising a variable impedance device. The cancellation signal synthesizer receives a power amplifier output sample associated with the initial signal, splits the power amplifier output sample into a first signal directed along a first pathway and a second signal directed along a second pathway, and delays the first signal to cause the first signal to be out of phase with the second signal. The one or more processors execute instructions stored in the one or more memories to cause the RFID systems to determine at least one signal characteristic of a cancellation signal based on the first signal and the second signal and cause the cancellation signal synthesizer to generate the cancellation signal to cancel a reflected signal.

Abstract: Systems and methods to co-locate RFID readers with in-band sensor networks, such as LoRa sensor networks, are disclosed herein. An example arrangement is a co-located device that includes a dual-mode transceiver configured to communicate with targets operating in a first protocol (e.g., RFID) and other targets operating in a second protocol (e.g., LoRa). The example arrangement includes a dual-mode controller that operates the dual-mode transceiver to communicate via the first protocol during a first time period while disabling communication via the second protocol and to communicate via the second protocol in a second time period while disabling communication via the first protocol.

Abstract: Techniques for improving energy efficiency of a Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) reader are described herein. A power control algorithm controlling a power amplifier of the RFID reader adjusts a bias setting of the power amplifier at different time periods during operation of the RFID reader. Particularly, in aspects, the power control algorithm biases the power amplifier at a first bias setting during a first time period when the RFID reader transmits a modulated continuous waveform conveying information to RFID tags in an environment, and biases the power amplifier at a second, different bias setting during a second time period when the RFID reader transmits an unmodulated continuous waveform. By adjusting to the second bias setting, the power control algorithm improves energy/power efficiency of the RFID reader during the second time period, thereby extending the single-charge lifetime of the RFID reader when implemented as a battery powered unit.

Abstract: Techniques for echo cancellation in an RFID reader include incorporating an auxiliary error power amplifier (auxiliary PA) into the RFID reader, and dynamically adjusting a bias setting of the auxiliary PA based on a power level of a reflection of a signal transmitted by the RFID reader (“echo signal”) as measured at the RFID reader. When the measured echo signal power level is high, techniques herein set the auxiliary PA bias setting to a higher level to allow the auxiliary PA to account for the stronger echo signal. Inversely, when the measured echo signal power is low, techniques herein set the auxiliary PA bias setting to a lower level to reduce power consumption while the enabling the RFID reader to cancel echo phenomena and reliably detect signal responses from RFID tags in an environment.

Abstract: A barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a housing with a window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the housing of the barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shelf having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge, a display screen, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuit and the display screen. The controller monitors the period of a waveform of a charging voltage of a storage capacitor of the solar cell circuit, displays an image on the display screen in response to a change in the waveform timing. A system includes a plurality of shelves each having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge of each of the plurality of shelves, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuits. The controller monitors the frequency at which a power transfer of each solar cell circuit occurs, and signals a device in response to a change in the frequency at which the power transfer occurs.

Abstract: A system includes: an edge computing device disposed in an indoor facility having at least one light source; an energy storage subsystem configured to generate electrical power from light emitted by the at least one light source, and to supply the electrical power to the edge computing device, the energy storage subsystem including: a collector; an auxiliary energy storage device configured to receive energy collected by the collector, the auxiliary energy storage device having a first storage capacity; a main energy storage device having a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity; a controller configured to supply energy from the main energy storage device to the edge computing device; and a selector configured to selectively discharge energy from the auxiliary energy storage device to the main energy storage device.

Abstract: A system includes: an edge computing device disposed in an indoor facility having at least one light source; an energy storage subsystem configured to generate electrical power from light emitted by the at least one light source, and to supply the electrical power to the edge computing device, the energy storage subsystem including: a collector; an auxiliary energy storage device configured to receive energy collected by the collector, the auxiliary energy storage device having a first storage capacity; a main energy storage device having a second storage capacity greater than the first storage capacity; a controller configured to supply energy from the main energy storage device to the edge computing device; and a selector configured to selectively discharge energy from the auxiliary energy storage device to the main energy storage device.

Abstract: A barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a housing with a window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the housing of the barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing comprising a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower portion extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the tower portion of the bioptic barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: Systems and methods to co-locate RFID readers with in-band sensor networks, such as LoRa sensor networks, are disclosed herein. An example arrangement is a co-located device that includes a dual-mode transceiver configured to communicate with targets operating in a first protocol (e.g., RFID) and other targets operating in a second protocol (e.g., LoRa). The example arrangement includes a dual-mode controller that operates the dual-mode transceiver to communicate via the first protocol during a first time period while disabling communication via the second protocol and to communicate via the second protocol in a second time period while disabling communication via the first protocol.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing with a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A radio-frequency identification radio is positioned within the lower housing and is communicatively coupled to a feed patch positioned within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, the platter such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled to the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification reader antenna.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing with a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A radio-frequency identification radio is positioned within the lower housing and is communicatively coupled to a feed patch positioned within the lower housing and proximate, but spaced apart from, the platter such that the feed patch is capacitively coupled to the platter and configured to energize the platter such that the platter is operative as a radio-frequency identification reader antenna.

Abstract: A bioptic barcode reader configured to be supported by a workstation and having a lower housing comprising a platter having a generally horizontal window and a tower portion extending generally perpendicular to the lower housing and having a generally vertical window. A multi-axis radio-frequency identification antenna assembly is positioned within the tower portion of the bioptic barcode reader and includes first, second, and third antennas. The first antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a first direction, the second antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a second direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction, and the third antenna is configured to emit a radiation pattern oriented in a third direction, substantially orthogonal to the first direction and the second direction.

Abstract: An apparatus includes a shelf having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge, a display screen, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuit and the display screen. The controller monitors the period of a waveform of a charging voltage of a storage capacitor of the solar cell circuit, displays an image on the display screen in response to a change in the waveform timing. A system includes a plurality of shelves each having a front edge, a solar cell circuit disposed at the front edge of each of the plurality of shelves, and a controller operatively coupled to the solar cell circuits. The controller monitors the frequency at which a power transfer of each solar cell circuit occurs, and signals a device in response to a change in the frequency at which the power transfer occurs.