Course detail

RF Engineering and Identification

FEKT-GRFIAcad. year: 2019/2020

Radio frequency identification is a technology, which has recently experienced a rapid growth. The course will focus on linking of knowledge of radio systems and communication and on developing relationships for the RFID use case. Students will find themselves confronted with the topics of RF hardware design, digital signal processing and efficient and secure wireless communication. Knowledge gained in the course will help students in seeking for opportunities in the industrial sector.

Language of instruction

English

Number of ECTS credits

4

Mode of study

Not applicable.

Learning outcomes of the course unit

Students passing the course will be able to: (1) explain fundamental operating principles of passive, semi-passive and active RFID, (2) describe the operation of a transponder in an electromagnetic field, (3) describe the architecture of Electronic Data Carriers, Transponder with Memory Function and Microprocessors-based RFID, (4) describe the architecture of an analog frontend of reader and tag and the architecture of the control unit, (5) discuss the properties of the RFID technology in individual frequency bands, (6) design algorithms for digital signal processing (signal shaping, filtering, spectral analysis) in the module of an RFID reader modulator and demodulator, (7) apply the radar equation for signal propagation in real-world scenarios.

Prerequisites

The subject knowledge on the Master´s degree level is required.

Co-requisites

Not applicable.

Planned learning activities and teaching methods

Teaching methods depend on the type of course unit as specified in the article 7 of BUT Rules for Studies and Examinations. Techning methods include lectures, computer laboratories and practical laboratories. Course is taking advantage of e-learning (Moodle) system.

Assesment methods and criteria linked to learning outcomes

Requirements for completion of a course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and they are updated every year. Laboratory mesurements are evaluated with 36 points; final written exam with 64 points. Maximum is 100 points.

Course curriculum

Lectures:
1. Fundamental principles of operation, 1-bit transponder, full-duplex and half-duplex procedures, sequential procedures.
2. Inductive coupling, electromagnetic coupling with backscatter, close coupling, electrical coupling, data transfer between a tag and a reader.
3. Physical Principles of RFID Systems, Magnetic Field, transponder operation in magnetic field, transponder-reader system, magnetic materials.
4. Electromagnetic waves, polarization, principle of microwave transponder in electric field, SAW-transponder.
5. Frequency Ranges and Radio Licensing Regulations, coding and modulation, data integrity and security.
6. Standardization, radio interface, protocol structure, coding, anti-collision algorithms.
7. Antennas from the perspective of tag and reader.
8. The Architecture of Electronic Data Carriers, Transponder with Memory Function, Microprocessors-based RFID.
9. Architecture of an analog frontend, control unit, algorithms for performance optimization.
10. Sources of noise and methods of its minimization, sensitivity, monostatic and bi-static system, direct coupling of transmitter and receiver.
11. Measurement of systems parameters, performance, conformance, LLRP protocol.
12. RFID in Wireless Sensor Networks, UWB, Ranging, Practical aspects of RFID systems, application, manufacturing, and internet of things.
13. Dynamic positioning for automotive applications based on UWB technologies.

Laboratory exercises:
1. Design of UHF EPC Class 1 Gen 2 reader functions using SW-defined radio.
2. Measurement of signals in the UHF band using the designed demodulator, spectral analysis.
3. Design of HF reader functions using SW-defined radio.
4. Measurement of parameters in HF band, sideband analysis, bits identification and protocol flow.
5. Analysis of functions of a commercial reader, tracking of the processes of modulation and demodulation, symbol shaping.

Work placements

Not applicable.

Aims

The aim of the course is to make students familiar with the use of RF technologies in the radio frequency identification and to strengthen relationships in RF hardware design, digital signal processing and efficient and secure wireless communication.

Specification of controlled education, way of implementation and compensation for absences

The content and forms of instructions in the evaluated course are specified by a regulation issued by the lecturer responsible for the course and they are updated for every academic year. Labs are compulsory.

Recommended optional programme components

Not applicable.

Prerequisites and corequisites

Not applicable.

Basic literature

DOBKIN, D.M. The RF in RFID: Passive UHF RFID in Practice, Newnes, 2008. (EN)

Recommended reading

Not applicable.

Classification of course in study plans

  • Programme TECO-G Master's

    branch G-TEC , 2. year of study, winter semester, compulsory

Type of course unit

 

Lecture

26 hours, optionally

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Fundamental principles of operation, 1-bit transponder, full-duplex and half-duplex procedures, sequential procedures.
2. Inductive coupling, electromagnetic coupling with backscatter, close coupling, electrical coupling, data transfer between a tag and a reader.
3. Physical Principles of RFID Systems, Magnetic Field, transponder operation in magnetic field, transponder-reader system, magnetic materials.
4. Electromagnetic waves, polarization, principle of microwave transponder in electric field, SAW-transponder.
5. Frequency Ranges and Radio Licensing Regulations, coding and modulation, data integrity and security.
6. Standardization, radio interface, protocol structure, coding, anti-collision algorithms.
7. Antennas from the perspective of tag and reader.
8. The Architecture of Electronic Data Carriers, Transponder with Memory Function, Microprocessors-based RFID.
9. Architecture of an analog frontend, control unit, algorithms for performance optimization.
10. Sources of noise and methods of its minimization, sensitivity, monostatic and bi-static system, direct coupling of transmitter and receiver.
11. Measurement of systems parameters, performance, conformance, LLRP protocol.
12. RFID in Wireless Sensor Networks, UWB, Ranging, Practical aspects of RFID systems, application, manufacturing, and internet of things.
13. Dynamic positioning for automotive applications based on UWB technologies.

Laboratory exercise

13 hours, compulsory

Teacher / Lecturer

Syllabus

1. Design of UHF EPC Class 1 Gen 2 reader functions using SW-defined radio.
2. Measurement of signals in the UHF band using the designed demodulator, spectral analysis.
3. Design of HF reader functions using SW-defined radio.
4. Measurement of parameters in HF band, sideband analysis, bits identification and protocol flow.
5. Analysis of functions of a commercial reader, tracking of the processes of modulation and demodulation, symbol shaping.