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| Pallet Identification |
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| Introduction |
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The objective of the Packaging Impact on RFID Project is to evaluate the impact of different materials and packaging designs on the performance of a passive RFID system. The ultimate goal in an RFID system is to maximize the communication link between the reader and the tags while at the same time, minimizing the effect of the local environment (materials, geometry, orientation, etc.). While reader-tag communication has improved significantly over the past five years, tags continue to be extremely sensitive to their surroundings. Microwave frequencies present unique problems in transmission, generation and circuit design that are not encountered at lower frequencies. This project studies electromagnetic penetration through materials and suggests possible means to improve this penetration through pallets given the fundamental electromagnetic challenges in reader-tag communication. |
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Given the constraints in RF propagation through materials, how can tag-reader communication be improved? Omnia Technologies is currently exploring a potential universal standard for pallet and case design. While the solution that is being developed may not be the absolute approach, it is one that should be considered. |
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The ideal properties of a general solution should be able to reduce or avoid reflection loss, be independent of the case dimensions and be independent of the material of the product. Omnia Technologies are considering conductive spacer layers as a potential solution to low readability and fundamental electromagnetic challenges in reader-tag communication. Studies are being conducted to investigate how spacing between layers in a pallet can be used to improve the penetration of the electromagnetic field into the pallet. |
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The results showed a periodic behavior of the guided wave along the conductive spacers. It was also found that the size of the gap greatly influences the penetration to the center of the pallet. With this improved identification, however, there is a tradeoff; with greater penetration into the pallet there is a slight loss of pallet space. Depending on the depth to the center of the pallet needed, the size of the gap can vary, i.e. the threshold gap is also dependent on the depth of the pallet. |
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