Abstract: A RFID system, according to one embodiment, includes: a plurality of radiating elements, a transmission line, and power dividers coupling the plurality of radiating elements to the transmission line. The power dividers are coupled along the transmission line, and are configured such that they provide an equal distribution of power between each of the plurality of radiating elements. Moreover, an input impedance of each of the power dividers is about equal to an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: A logic inverter with over-current protection, according to one embodiment, includes: a transistor, an input signal line coupled to a gate terminal of the transistor or a base region of the transistor, an output signal line coupled to a drain terminal of the transistor or a collector region of the transistor, a power supply line coupled to the drain terminal of the transistor or a collector region of the transistor, a pull up resistor between a power supply and one of: the drain terminal of the transistor and the collector region of the transistor, and a feedback resistor between ground and one of: a source terminal of the transistor and an emitter region of the transistor. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A RFID system, according to one embodiment, includes: a plurality of radiating elements, a transmission line, and power dividers coupling the plurality of radiating elements to the transmission line. The power dividers are coupled along the transmission line, and are configured such that they provide an equal distribution of power between each of the plurality of radiating elements. Moreover, an input impedance of each of the power dividers is about equal to an impedance of the transmission line.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment includes a chain of radiating elements; a transmission line; and power dividers coupled along the transmission line, the power dividers coupling the transmission line to each of the radiating elements, the power dividers being configured such that each radiating element receives about a same amount of power from the transmission line.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a radiating element lying primarily along a plane, a conductive loop lying along a plane oriented about perpendicular to the plane of the radiating element, and an integrated circuit coupled to the conductive loop.

Abstract: A logic inverter with over-current protection, according to one embodiment, includes: a transistor, an input signal line coupled to a gate terminal of the transistor or a base region of the transistor, an output signal line coupled to a drain terminal of the transistor or a collector region of the transistor, a power supply line coupled to the drain terminal of the transistor or a collector region of the transistor, a pull up resistor between a power supply and one of: the drain terminal of the transistor and the collector region of the transistor, and a feedback resistor between ground and one of: a source terminal of the transistor and an emitter region of the transistor. Other systems, methods, and computer program products are described in additional embodiments.

Abstract: A logic inverter with over-current protection according to one embodiment includes a transistor, an input signal line coupled to a gate terminal or base region of the transistor, an output signal line coupled to a drain terminal or collector region of the transistor, a power supply line coupled to the drain terminal or collector region of the transistor, and a feedback resistor between a source terminal or emitter region of the transistor and ground.

Abstract: A logic inverter with over-current protection according to one embodiment includes a transistor, an input signal line coupled to a gate terminal or base region of the transistor, an output signal line coupled to a drain terminal or collector region of the transistor, a power supply line coupled to the drain terminal or collector region of the transistor, and a feedback resistor between a source terminal or emitter region of the transistor and ground.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) system according to one embodiment includes a chain of radiating elements; a transmission line; and power dividers coupled along the transmission line, the power dividers coupling the transmission line to each of the radiating elements, the power dividers being configured such that each radiating element receives about a same amount of power from the transmission line.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag according to one embodiment includes a radiating element lying primarily along a plane, a conductive loop lying along a plane oriented about perpendicular to the plane of the radiating element, and an integrated circuit coupled to the conductive loop.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10° and about 80° from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements, and a cavity positioned between the side radiating elements defined by at least one non-radio frequency-transparent sidewall. In another embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements each lying along a unique side plane and having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10° and about 80° from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements, and a cavity being positioned between the side radiating elements defined by at least one non-radio frequency-transparent sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall has sides each lying along a plane about parallel to the unique side plane.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10 and about 80 degrees from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements. In another embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements each lying along a unique side plane and having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10 and about 80 degrees from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements and a plurality of top radiating elements each electrically coupled to an associated one of the side radiating elements and lying along a top plane. Of course, many other systems and antennas according to other embodiments are included in the invention.

Abstract: A method for amplitude modulating a carrier signal according to one embodiment includes splitting the carrier signal into first and second paths; phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path; phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path; combining the phase modulated carrier signal on the first path with the phase modulated carrier signal on the second path for generating an amplitude modulated output signal; and wherein a first feedback loop couples the amplitude modulated output signal to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path but not to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path, the first feedback loop being for reducing a residual phase variation of the amplitude modulated output signal. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10° and about 80° from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements, and a cavity positioned between the side radiating elements defined by at least one non-radio frequency-transparent sidewall. In another embodiment, a system comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements each lying along a unique side plane and having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10° and about 80° from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements, and a cavity being positioned between the side radiating elements defined by at least one non-radio frequency-transparent sidewall, wherein the at least one sidewall has sides each lying along a plane about parallel to the unique side plane.

Abstract: According to one embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10 and about 80 degrees from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements. In another embodiment, an antenna comprises a plurality of elongated side radiating elements each lying along a unique side plane and having longitudinal axes oriented at angles of between about 10 and about 80 degrees from a line perpendicular to an imaginary base plane extending across ends of the side radiating elements and a plurality of top radiating elements each electrically coupled to an associated one of the side radiating elements and lying along a top plane. Of course, many other systems and antennas according to other embodiments are included in the invention.

Abstract: A method for amplitude modulating a carrier signal according to one embodiment includes splitting the carrier signal into first and second paths; phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path; phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path; combining the phase modulated carrier signal on the first path with the phase modulated carrier signal on the second path for generating an amplitude modulated output signal; and wherein a first feedback loop couples the amplitude modulated output signal to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path but not to circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path, the first feedback loop being for reducing a residual phase variation of the amplitude modulated output signal. Additional systems and methods are also presented.

Abstract: A circuit for amplitude modulating a carrier signal includes a carrier signal input, circuitry for splitting the carrier signal into first and second paths, circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the first path, circuitry for phase modulating the carrier signal on the second path, and circuitry for combining the phase modulated carrier signal on the first path with the phase modulated carrier signal on the second path for generating an amplitude modulated output signal. Feedback loops virtually eliminate residual phase shift and make the amplitude modulated output signal linearly proportional to the baseband signal.

Abstract: A circular polarized antenna having an electrically conductive element having a generally annular outer portion and first and second inner members coupled to the outer portion. A ground shield is spaced from the element, the ground shield providing an effective ground plane. A dielectric material is positioned between the element and at least a portion of the ground shield.

Abstract: An RFID transponder programming device uses a strip transmission line to generate a constrained electromagnetic field for programming RFID transponders is featured. The programmer minimizes electromagnetic fields outside of the programming device, and keeps other blank transponders from being wrongly programmed or erased. The transmission line may either be terminated or unterminated. The characteristic impedance of the strip transmission line may be 50 ohms or any other impedance. Since the strip transmission line is terminated in its own characteristic impedance, the programmer is inherently wideband and able to work with frequencies from 433 MHz to 869 MHz, 902 to 928 MHz, and 2400 to 2485 MHz, all in the same unit.

Abstract: A circular polarized antenna having an electrically conductive element having a generally annular outer portion and first and second inner members coupled to the outer portion. A ground shield is spaced from the element, the ground shield providing an effective ground plane. A dielectric material is positioned between the element and at least a portion of the ground shield.