Cristian Herrojo

Multistate Multiresonator Spectral Signature Barcodes Implemented by Means of S-Shaped Split Ring Resonators (S-SRRs)

Spectral signature barcodes functional at the

Application of Split Ring Resonator (SRR) Loaded Transmission Lines to the Design of Angular Displacement and Velocity Sensors for Space Applications

S

Near-field chipless RFID encoders with sequential bit reading and high data capacity

frequency band are presented in this paper. The barcodes are implemented by loading a coplanar waveguide transmission line by means of multiple S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs), each one tuned to a different frequency. The main particularity of this paper is the fact that more than two logic states (i.e., three or four, depending on the implementation) are assigned to each resonant element. By this means, the total number of bits of the barcode (for a given number of resonators) is increased, as compared with previous approaches based on two logic states per resonator. This multistate functionality is achieved by rotating the S-SRRs. Such rotation modulates the line-to-resonator coupling intensity, and consequently the notch depth at the S-SRR fundamental resonance. Therefore, by considering three or four fixed rotation angles (or orientations) between the line axis and the S-SRR (for the tri- and four-state multiresonator barcodes, respectively), intermediate levels between the maximum and minimum attenuation are achieved. This multistate strategy only exploits a single frequency per resonant element (the fundamental one). Therefore, the data capacity per bandwidth are improved as compared with two-state-based barcodes or to multistate barcodes that use two frequencies per resonant element. As illustrative examples, two different four-state multiresonator barcodes with eight S-SRRs (providing

Near-Field Chipless-RFID System With High Data Capacity for Security and Authentication Applications

4^{8}= 65.536

Microwave Encoders for Chipless RFID and Angular Velocity Sensors Based on S-Shaped Split Ring Resonators

different codes, or 16 bits) and with nine S-SRRs (equivalent to 18 bits), occupying a spectral bandwidth of 1 GHz and less than 6.75 and 8.2 cm2, respectively, are designed, fabricated, and characterized.

Near-Field Chipless Radio-Frequency Identification (RFID) Sensing and Identification System with Switching Reading

The accurate measurement of the angular displacement and velocity of reaction wheels is necessary for attitude (orientation) control in space vehicles (satellites). In this paper, microwave, contactless, and low-cost (as compared to optical encoders) sensors useful for that purpose are analyzed in detail. The sensor consists of a rotor and a stator. The rotor is a disk (or a circular crown) of dielectric material, where one or several arrays of equidistant single-loop split ring resonators (SRRs) are etched along its edge, forming circular chains of hundreds of SRRs. The stator is a coplanar waveguide (CPW) also loaded with pairs of single-loop SRRs (etched in the back substrate side), with the centers located in the slot region. The sensing principle is based on the amplitude modulation of a harmonic (single-tone continuous wave) feeding signal, achieved when the chains of the rotor are displaced over the SRR pairs of the stator. Both sensor elements (rotor and stator) must be parallel oriented, with the SRR pairs of the CPW in close proximity to the SRR chains of the rotor (and rotated 180°), in order to favor their coupling. By this means, the transmission coefficient of the CPW is varied by the circular motion of the rotor, and significant amplitude modulation of the feeding signal is achieved. From the envelope function, the angular velocity can be accurately determined. With the proposed sensors, instantaneous and practically unlimited rotation speeds can be measured.

Application of metamaterial concepts to chipless-RFID

This paper presents a novel and unconventional approach for the implementation of chipless RFID systems with high data capacity, suitable for authentication and security applications. Contrarily to previous time-domain or frequency-domain chipless RFID tags, where encoding is achieved either by generating defects (reflectors) in a transmission line (producing echoes in an input pulsed signal), or by etching multiple resonators (each tuned to a different frequency) in a dielectric substrate (providing a unique spectral signature), respectively, the chipless tags proposed in this paper consist of a set of identical resonators conveniently aligned and etched (or printed) on a dielectric layer (e.g., liquid crystal polymer, paper, etc). The resonators are located at predefined equidistant positions in such a way that the presence or absence of resonators in such positions corresponds to the ‘1’ or ‘0’ logic states, respectively. The reader is simply a coplanar waveguide (CPW) transmission line fed by a harmonic signal tuned to the frequency of the resonant elements. In a reading operation, the tag must be mechanically guided and transversally displaced over the CPW, so that the resonant elements modulate the amplitude of the feeding harmonic signal (through electromagnetic coupling) as they cross the axis of the CPW transmission line. This sequential bit reading alleviates the spectral bandwidth limitations of previous multi-resonator chipless RFID tags since the resonators are all identical in the proposed encoders. Therefore, the data capacity (number of bits) can be substantially enhanced since it is only limited by the area occupied by the resonant elements. The necessary close proximity between the tag and the reader is not an issue in certain applications such as authentication and security (e.g., secure paper), where the reading distances can be sacrificed in favor of a high number of bits. The design of 10-bit encoders based on this approach, and implemented by means of S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) etched on a flexible microwave substrate, is reported. The area of the encoders is as small as 1.35 cm2. The number of bits can be significantly increased by simply adding further S-SRRs to the codes. Thus, high data capacity can be achieved without penalizing the complexity of the reader.

Spectral signature barcodes based on S-shaped Split Ring Resonators (S-SRRs)

A high data capacity chipless radio frequency identification (chipless-RFID) system, useful for security and authentication applications, is presented in this paper. Reading is based on the near-field coupling between the tag, a chain of identical split-ring resonators (SRRs) printed on a (typically flexible) dielectric substrate (e.g., liquid crystal polymer, plastic, and paper), and the reader. Encoding is achieved by the presence or absence of SRRs at predefined (equidistant) positions in the chain, and tag identification (ID) is based on sequential bit reading. Namely, the tag must be longitudinally displaced, at short distance, over the reader, a microstrip line loaded with an SRR and fed by a harmonic signal. By this means, the harmonic signal is amplitude modulated, and the (ID) code is contained in the envelope function, which can be obtained by means of an envelope detector. With this system, tag reading requires proximity with the reader, but this is not an issue in many applications within the domain of security and authentication (e.g., secure paper for corporate documents and certificates). Several circularly shaped 40-bit encoders (implemented in a commercial microwave substrate), and the corresponding reader, are designed and fabricated as proof-of-concept demonstrators. Strategies for programming the tags and a first proof-of-concept chipless-RFID tag fabricated on plastic substrate through inkjet printing are included in this paper.

Spectral signature barcodes implemented by multi-state multi-resonator circuits for chipless RFID tags

In this paper, it is demonstrated that a chain of S-shaped split ring resonators (S-SRRs) etched on a dielectric substrate can modulate the amplitude of a carrier signal injected to a transmission line (a coplanar waveguide (CPW). To this end, the S-SRR chain must be transversally displaced above the CPW, in close proximity to it. By this means, the transmission coefficient of the line is modulated by the time-varying electromagnetic (inductive) coupling between the line and the S-SRRs of the chain, related to their relative motion. Based on this principle, two different applications can be envisaged: 1) angular velocity sensors and 2) near-field chipless radiofrequency identification (chipless-RFID) tags. In the former application, the S-SRR chain is circularly shaped and the S-SRRs are distributed uniformly along the perimeter of the rotor, at equidistant positions. By this means, the amplitude-modulated signal generated by rotor motion exhibits envelope peaks, whose distance is related to the angular velocity of the rotor. In the use of S-SRRs as microwave encoders for chipless RFID tags, not all the S-SRRs of the chain are present. Their presence or absence at the predefined (equidistant) positions is related to the logic state “1” or “0.” Tag reading is sequential, and it is achieved through tag motion (at constant velocity) above the reader, a CPW transmission line fed by a carrier signal. The ID code is contained in the envelope function of the resulting amplitude modulated signal, which can be obtained by means of an envelope detector. With the proposed approach, a high number of pulses in angular velocity sensors can be achieved (with direct impact on angle resolution and sensitivity to changes in instantaneous rotation speed). Moreover, chipless-RFID tags with unprecedented number of bits can be obtained. The proposed angular velocity sensors can be useful in space environments, whereas the chipless-RFID systems based on the proposed tags are useful in applications where reading range can be sacrificed in favor of high data capacity (large number of bits), e.g., security and authentication.

Near-field chipless-RFID tags with sequential bit reading implemented in plastic substrates

A chipless radio-frequency identification (chipless-RFID) and sensing system, where tags are read by proximity (near-field) through a switch, is presented. The tags consist of a set of identical resonant elements (split-ring resonators or SRRs), printed or etched at predefined and equidistant positions, forming a linear chain, each SRR providing a bit of information. The logic state (‘1’ or ‘0’) associated with each resonator depends on whether it is present or not in the predefined position. The reader is an array of power splitters used to feed a set of SRR-loaded transmission lines (in equal number to the number of resonant elements, or bits, of the tag). The feeding (interrogation) signal is a harmonic (single-tone) signal tuned to a frequency in the vicinity of the fundamental resonance of the SRRs. The set of SRR-loaded lines must be designed so that the corresponding SRRs are in perfect alignment with the SRRs of the tag, provided the tag is positioned on top of the reader. Thus, in a reading operation, as long as the tag is very close to the reader, the SRRs of the tag modify (decrease) the transmission coefficient of the corresponding reader line (through electromagnetic coupling between both SRRs), and the amplitude of the output signal is severely reduced. Therefore, the identification (ID) code of the tag is contained in the amplitudes of the output signals of the SRR-loaded lines, which can be inferred sequentially by means of a switching system. Unlike previous chipless-RFID systems based on near-field and sequential bit reading, the tags in the proposed system can be merely positioned on top of the reader, conveniently aligned, without the need to mechanically place them across the reader. Since tag reading is only possible if the tag is very close to the reader, this system can be also used as a proximity sensor with applications such as target identification. The proposed chipless-RFID and sensing approach is validated by reading a designed 4-bit tag. For identification purposes, this system is of special interest in applications where a low number of bits suffice, and tag reading by proximity is acceptable (or even convenient). Applications mostly related to secure paper, particularly involving a limited number of items (e.g., exams, ballots, etc.), in order to provide authenticity and avoid counterfeiting, are envisaged. As a proximity sensor, the system may be of use in detecting and distinguishing different targets in applications such as smart packaging.