Abanob Abdelnour

Passive Harmonic RFID System for Buried Assets Localization

A passive harmonic tag for buried assets localization is presented for utility localization. The tag design is based on a dual-polarized patch antenna at Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band. One of its feeders is connected to a frequency doubler based on a Schottky diode that generates the second harmonic, which is transmitted using a linear-polarized patch tuned at this frequency. The power received at the other feeder of the dual-polarized antenna is harvested by an RF to DC converter based on a five-stage voltage multiplier whose energy is used to bias a low-power quartz oscillator that modulates the output of the doubler. The different parts of the system are presented, and the theoretical read range is estimated as a function of the soil composition and the water content. A low-cost reader based on a software defined radio is also presented. Finally, experiments with a prototype of the tag are performed for different soil conditions.

On the transformation of symbols and figures to RFID tags

This article discusses the possibility of making unconventional antenna designs for RFID tags based on artistic figures and symbols. Some classical techniques of impedance matching are used in order to match these structures to commercial RFID chips without modifying a lot the shape of the structure. These tags were simulated on HFSS and their read ranges were measured and compared to a conventional antenna design.

Development of passive UHF RFID tag on flexible foil for sport balls pressure monitoring

In this paper, an integrated solution based on passive UHF RFID tag sensor is proposed to measure the pressure on different types of sports balls. A comparison of two commercial piezzoresistive sensors based on different technologies is performed for this type of pressure measurement application. Several external sensor interface chip configurations (SFE) have been tested and adapted to the resistance variation range that presents each type of sensor. In both function modes: passive or semi-passive, a smart RFID tag concept is fully validated through measurements on different types of sport balls and the results are compared with data from Electronic Ball Pressure Gauge CJ-01 model.

Non-destructive dielectric characterization method for food products

This paper presents a non-destructive dielectric characterization method for heterogeneous dielectric samples such as food products. The principle is based on the measurement of the reflection coefficient of a center-fed dipole antenna in a good contact with the sample surface. The samples dielectric constant is directly related to the dipole resonance frequency. Dielectric constant measurements obtained with the dipole antenna are in good agreement with the ones obtained by electromagnetic simulation software (HFSS) and a commercially available coaxial-line probe.

Passive RFID-enabled proximity sensor

This paper presents a passive proximity sensor using UHF radio-frequency identification (RFID) technology. The sensing operation allows detecting and counting goods or persons with no RFID tags attached. The system comprises a customized double-antenna sensor tag and a commercial reader. The design is performed at two layers. In the physical layer, a distribution network prioritizes power towards one antenna to detect presence, while allows the other antenna communicating with the reader. In the communication layer, the RFID chip (EM4325) is programmed to set an alarm when triggered by an RF event, and hence changing the tag identifier. Design directives are given and experimental sensing tests consisting of an access gate demonstrates the proposal.