United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of Nasa

Other

The United States of America As Represented by the Administrator of the

Patrick W Fink

Phong H Ngo

Gregory Y Lin

Timothy F Kennedy

Andrew W Chu

Diane L Byerly

G Dickey Arndt

James R Carl

Greg Y Lin

Justin A Dobbins

George W Raffoul

Antonio Pacifico

N Reginald Beer

Phillip D Henry

Raymond S Wagner

Dewey T Brown

David Scott Hafermalz

Lazaro D Rodriguez

Robert C Scully

Haley C Boose

David S Hafermalz

Billy G Smith

Dickey Arndt

Robert C Trevino

Chad Zalkin

Lucas S Kinion

James D Siekierski

Si Hui Yang

Ray Seegmiller

A method includes acquiring one or more samples using a sensor of an RFID tag. The method also includes storing the one or more samples in a memory of the RFID tag. The method also includes determining a priority level for each of the one or more samples in the memory. Each of the one or more samples is either a high priority sample with the high priority level or a low priority sample with the low priority level. The method also includes switching the RFID tag from a range standard mode to a range extension mode in response to determining that the one or more samples stored in the memory includes the high priority sample with the high priority level. The method also includes transferring custody of the high priority sample with the high priority level to the RFID reader while the range extension mode is activated.

Range extension and priority handling for wearable, ubiquitous RFID tag

A radio-frequency identification (RFID)-based method and apparatus, per an implementation, comprises a first electrically-conductive loop and a first RFID integrated circuit (IC) assembly, a second electrically-conductive loop and a second RFID IC assembly, and a resonant antenna. When the first assembly, the second assembly, and the resonant antenna are brought within proximity of one another, such as when a connection is made among associated objects, a general symmetry is exhibited between a configuration of the first electrically-conductive loop and first RFID IC assembly relative to the resonant antenna, and a configuration of the second electrically-conductive loop and second RFID IC assembly relative to the resonant antenna. A generally corresponding RF signal phase and RF signal strength emanate from the first electrically-conductive loop and first RFID IC assembly and from the second electrically-conductive loop and second RFID IC assembly when interrogated by an RFID reader due to the general symmetry.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID)-enabled connections and localization—assembly and method

A radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna assembly, per an implementation, includes a number of multiplexer modules coupled with one another. Radio frequency (RF) signals are received from an RFID reader. One or more of the multiplexer modules has a switch with multiple output ports. An antenna connects with one of the output ports and, per an implementation, an encoder connects with another of the output ports. The multiplexer module(s) may also have a first rectifier for rapid self-powering capabilities, and a second rectifier for more robust self-powering capabilities.

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) antenna assembly and multiplexer module

A method for streaming sensor data from a set of radio-frequency identification (RFID) tags includes determining an initial communication approach to be performed with respect to each RFID tag. The method also includes managing access to the RFID tag by refining the initial communication approach based on records of successes and failures of the initial communication approach. A radio-frequency identification (RFID) system is also disclosed, the system comprising one or more processors and a memory system comprising one or more non-transitory computer-readable media storing instructions that, when executed by at least one of the one or more processors, causes the system to perform operations for streaming sensor data from one or more RFID tags to one or more RFID readers.

Internal radio-frequency instrumentation system and method

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one patch antenna; and at least one feed line configured for feeding the signal to the corresponding at least one patch antenna. In another exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one transmission line; and a diplexer coupling the RFID interrogator and the transmission lines and configured for distributing the RFID signal to each of the antennas or transmission lines, respectively, depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal generated. The antennas or transmission lines are configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal distributed thereto.

Frequency multiplexed radio frequency identification

A system includes a plurality of radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags including a first RFID tag. The first RFID tag is configured to perform RFID tag operations that include acquiring one or more samples using a sensor of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include writing the one or more samples in a memory of the first RFID tag. The RFID tag operations also include transferring custody of the one or more samples to a first RFID reader on request. The system also includes a plurality of RFID readers including the first RFID reader. The first RFID reader is configured to perform RFID reader operations including reading an identifier from each of the plurality of RFID tags in view of the first RFID reader during an inventory management mode.

System and method for wearable, ubiquitous RFID-enabled sensing

A method for decontaminating a tube includes positioning an antenna at least partially within the tube. The tube is positioned at least partially within a living body. The method also includes decontaminating the tube by causing the antenna to emit electromagnetic waves having a frequency from about 10 GHz to about 100 GHz for a time duration that is less than or equal to 60 seconds. The electromagnetic waves cause a temperature of the living body proximate to the tube to increase from about 0.1&#xb0; C. to about 3&#xb0; C. so as to not substantially damage the living body.

Systems and method for decontaminating a tube

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one single feed patch antenna; and at least one single feed line configured for feeding the signal to the corresponding at least one single feed patch antenna. The single feed patch antenna is configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal such that the electromagnetic wave exhibits (1) a polarization tilt angle that varies depending on the channel frequency of the signal, (2) a substantially linear polarization at all channel frequencies of the signal within the given operational bandwidth, and (3) a range of polarization tilt angles across the given operational bandwidth that spans at least 70 degrees within a single quadrant. A method for frequency multiplexing includes similar components.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for frequency multiplexing includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; at least one antenna or transmission line; and a diplexer coupling the RFID interrogator and the antennas or transmission lines and configured for distributing the RFID signal to each of the antennas or transmission lines, respectively, depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal generated. The antennas or transmission lines are configured to transmit an electromagnetic wave in response to and at the channel frequency of the RFID signal distributed thereto. Other embodiments include RFID systems and methods including a frequency selective surface and both similar and different components and aspects for frequency multiplexing.

A passive beamforming rectenna includes a plurality of antennas, a plurality of terminal port rectifying circuits, and a beamforming network. The beamforming network includes (a) a plurality of antenna ports connecting to the plurality of antennas, and (b) a plurality of terminal ports connecting to the plurality of terminal port rectifying circuits. The beamforming network further includes a microwave lens or any of a variety of other structures. The beamforming rectenna is characterized by a plurality of radiation distribution patterns. Electromagnetic power is received through the plurality of antennas. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic power, in substantial portion, to a subset of the plurality of terminal ports associated with particular radiation distribution patterns whose amplitudes, in the direction from which the electromagnetic power was received, are large relative to the amplitudes, in the same direction, of other radiation distribution patterns associated with other terminal ports.

Beamforming rectennas, systems and methods for wireless power transfer

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for frequency multiplexing includes, in one exemplary embodiment, and RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time; a first narrow band antenna, characterized by a first passband, the first passband corresponding to a first range of frequencies; a second narrow band antenna, characterized by a second passband, the second passband corresponding to a second range of frequencies, wherein the second range of frequencies differs from the first range of frequencies, whereby the second passband differs from the first passband; and first and second feed lines configured for feeding the RFID signal to each of the first and second narrow band antennas, respectively. Other embodiments include systems and methods including similar and different RFID components and aspects for frequency multiplexing.

A system and sensor provides for radio frequency identification (RFID)-enabled information collection. The system includes a ring-shaped element and an antenna. The ring-shaped element includes a conductive ring and an RFID integrated circuit. The antenna is spaced apart from the ring-shaped element and defines an electrically-conductive path commensurate in size and shape to at least a portion of the conductive ring. In an alternate embodiment, the sensor system further comprises a reference ring-shaped element in a fixed relationship with respect to the antenna, with the reference ring-shaped element defining another series circuit to include an electrically-conductive reference ring and a reference RFID integrated circuit. The system may include an interrogator for energizing the ring-shaped element and receiving a data transmission from the RFID integrated circuit that has been energized for further processing by a processor.

System and sensor for RFID-enabled information collection

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system for frequency multiplexing includes, in an exemplary embodiment, an RFID interrogator configured for generating an RFID signal, wherein a channel frequency of the RFID signal changes over time within an operating bandwidth; and one or more electromagnetic transmissive elements each extending between a first end thereof and a second end thereof, each of the electromagnetic transmissive elements electrically coupled with the RFID interrogator at the first end thereof, each of the electromagnetic transmissive elements comprising a frequency dependent load at the second end thereof and configured for transmitting the RFID signal from the RFID interrogator to the frequency dependent load, wherein the frequency dependent load presents different electromagnetic characteristics to the RFID signal transmitted to the frequency dependent load depending on the channel frequency of the RFID signal. Other embodiments include a method for frequency multiplexing including similar components.

A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes an RFID interrogator and an RFID tag having a plurality of information sources and a beamforming network. The tag receives electromagnetic radiation from the interrogator. The beamforming network directs the received electromagnetic radiation to a subset of the plurality of information sources. The RFID tag transmits a response to the received electromagnetic radiation, based on the subset of the plurality of information sources to which the received electromagnetic radiation was directed. Method and other embodiments are also disclosed.

Systems and methods for beam forming RFID tags

An angular position sensing system includes a first support with ring-shaped elements disposed thereon and spaced apart from one another in a curvilinear arrangement. Each ring-shaped element includes an electrically-conductive ring and an RFID integrated circuit electrically coupled to its electrically-conductive ring. A second support has an antenna coupled thereto that defines an electrically-conductive path commensurate in size and shape to at least a portion of the electrically-conductive ring. An interrogator transmits a signal to the antenna wherein electric current is generated along the antenna's electrically-conductive path and electromagnetic energy emanates from the antenna. Any ring-shaped element and its RFID integrated circuit energized by the electromagnetic energy generates in response a data transmission for receipt by the interrogator. A processor coupled to the interrogator derives information related to an angular position of one of the first support and second support using the data transmission.

Growing community of inventors

Missouri City, TX, United States of America

Patrick W Fink