Hybrid Time-Frequency Modulation Scheme for Chipless Wireless Identification and Sensing

This paper presents a novel hybrid time-frequency modulation scheme for the integration of chipless wireless identification and sensors. Combining the wide bandwidth of time-domain reflectometric RFID tags and the narrowband response of high-Q resonator-based sensors, the integration of identification and sensing within the same tag and bandwidth becomes possible. Theoretical considerations as well as design procedures and measurements on two prototypes are shown, demonstrating the feasibility of the concept for chipless wireless sensing and identification.

I. Introduction

Over the last years, concepts such as smart environments and industry 4.0 have gathered increasing attention [1]. The availability of sensors and communication protocols suitable for a constantly growing range of applications permits the design of machines which adapt to environmental changes and provide rich information about their state [2], [3]. Such sensors must often be placed at isolated places or must be flexibly moved, therefore needing a wireless link to a reader.