A 24 GHz RFID system-on-a-chip with on-chip antenna, compatible to ISO 18000-6C / EPC C1G2

Abstract

A 24 GHz RFID System-on-a-Chip (SoC) with On-Chip Antenna (OCA) is presented. Using the SHF band for RFID applications gives the opportunity of integrating such an OCA, which reduces the costs (no bonding necessary etc.) and the overall size of the tags. The presented tag is ISO 18000-6C / EPC C1G2 compatible, including all data rates and multi tag capability. To keep the costs low, a standard CMOS technology is used. With a transmit power of 20 dBm and the tag placed in front of an open-ended waveguide, it harvests enough energy to communicate with a reader, which is currently under development using inexpensive standard components.