Title:  Long-Range Phase-Based Location Tracking in RFID Systems Using Tunneling Tags

Committee: 

Dr. Durgin, Advisor      

Dr. Taylor, Chair

Dr. Y. Zhang

Abstract:

The objective of the proposed research is demonstrating the ability to extend the localization range of low-powered RFID tags to distances usually not achievable with conventional RFID technology. The increasing number of heterogeneous connected devices requires the integration of past and current cellular and WiFi standards to provide ubiquitous connectivity for users and sensors. Low-powered backscattering communications (i.e. RFIDs) will be fundamental in lowering the power demand of billions of wireless devices. The ranging technique is performed through the Frequency Domain Phase Difference Of Arrival (FD-PDOA) method on a 5.8 GHz Tunneling Tag, both in multipath-rich indoor and outdoor environments. A low-power and compact RFID reader design with an EIRP of 29 dBm, a biasing power for the Tunneling Tag of only 21.32 uW (at 80 mV), and a tag antenna gain of 1 dBi suggest the potential of power-stingy Tunneling tags to be used in low-powered RFID localization applications for very long-range scenarios. Two-dimensional and non-line-of-sight measurement campaigns will be performed to demonstrate the performance of the proposed system at a broad range of distance.