PhD course by Agnese Mazzinghi & Angelo Freni

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a “wireless automatic identification and data capture (AIDC)” technology. The technology is considered the core of the so-called “Internet of Things”, which refers to
the “possibility of discovering information about a tagged object by browsing an Internet address or database entry that corresponds to a particular RFID.” The area of applications for radio frequency identification (RFID) is increasing rapidly. Applications include supply chain management, access control to buildings, public transport payment, automotive security, airport baggage, express parcel logistics, automated libraries, healthcare, livestock identification, and many more. The need for high volume, low cost, small size, and large data rate is increasing, while stringent regulations of transmit power and bandwidth have to be met.

Starting from the physical principles of RFID systems, a comprehensive overview of the various technologies, frequency ranges, and radio licensing regulations will be explored. Then, a detailed analysis of the near-field and far-field coupling between the reader and the tag, as well as the coding and modulation schemes, will be considered. The course includes a lab activity for the design, numerical analysis, optimization, manufacturing, and testing of an RFID UHF antenna tag.