RFID Antenna Design Analysis

Radio Frequency Identification or RFID systems are rapidly gaining acceptance in a wide variety of applications including inventory tracking. The electromagnetic environment in which these systems must operate in can be extremely challenging. An in-depth understanding of various RF system issues including the RFID antenna design and the electromagnetic environment is crucial to overall system performance. An analysis using a numerical electromagnetic code was conducted to ascertain the antenna performance of a client-designed 915 MHz RFID reader antenna. The results of the analysis indicated sub-optimum performance with respect to gain-bandwidth product and cross-polarization rejection performance. The sources of these issues were isolated, a literature search of the state-of-the-art in RFID reader antennas was conducted, and a new design was proposed to meet system specifications. The client gave approval to proceed with the design for an RFID reader antenna array and the consultant designed the antenna to meet client electrical performance and high volume manufacturing specifications. The design was simulated using a numerical electromagnetic code, the client had the design manufactured, and the consultant measured antenna performance that indicated that the design met the required specifications.

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