Flexible evaluation of RFID system parameters using rapid prototyping

Abstract

Today's RFID systems are dependent on a wide range of different parameters, that influence the overall performance. Such system parameters can for example be the selected data rate, encoding scheme, modulation setting, transmit power or different hardware configurations, like one or two antenna scenarios. Furthermore, it is often desired to optimise several performance goals, like read-out range, read-out quality, throughput, etc., which are often contradicting each other. In order to achieve a desired performance of an RFID system, it is essential to understand the influences of the individual parameters of interest and their interconnection. Due to the multitude, wide range and interdependencies of influencing factors, this however is a complex task. Simulations offer insights in these relations but rely on the correct modeling of the dependencies of- and between the parameters. With our established prototyping system for RFID, we are able to flexibly and accurately explore the influence and interconnection of such parameters in a wide range on a basis of real-time measurements. Results on the evaluation of read-out quality depending on the transmit power and the data rate are presented.