The time has come to replace the barcode in many applications. When it is desirable to "read" a barcode at a distance, or to store information in a barcode, the conventional barcode must take a back seat to the new concept of RF Identification, commonly referred to as RF Id. This system consists of a very small passive transponder that can be programmed or “read” at a distance between the transponder and a relatively large antenna wired to an electronic system that is capable of the appropriate modulation and is in turn connected to a computer to allow a person to command and interpret the activity.

During the development of this concept EH Antenna systems was asked by LAB ID of Bologna, Italy to develop an antenna to enhance the performance of this system. Prior to this, the “standard” antenna used to communicate with the miniature transponders was a loop antenna. The range was very small but pushed the limit as indicated by theory. The result of the development activity was the conversion of a loop antenna to an EH Antenna by adding a phase delay network. That is described in a document in the library entitled “EH Antenna Definition”.  This had several desirable effects. The range was significantly extended, the antenna pattern was reversed to cause the maximum field to be orthogonal to the loop, and the local radiation allowed the transponder to be read regardless of the relative plane of the transponder.

For more information please read the RF Identification document in the library.

The time has come to replace the barcode in many applications. When it is desirable to "read" a barcode at a distance, or to store information in an identification tag, the barcode must take a back seat to the new concept of RF Identification, commonly referred to as RF Id.

The new identification tag is actually a small loop antenna with the connecting ends of the antenna terminated in a very small chip. The antennas are available in various sizes, with the smaller ones typically being about ¾ x 1-½ inches. The small black square is a chip that includes a capacitor to resonate the antenna, provides a transmit and receive function, and has a 64 bit memory. All of that is crammed into a chip that is less than 1/32-inch square.

The tag is actually a full transponder, with the internal circuitry powered by the RF signal from an associated "reader". With the ability to interface the reader to a standard computer, and the ability to read or program the transponder from a distance, the applications for such a device are limited only by imagination.