Telecommunication Network Engineer: RFID Tag Antenna Design Report

This report details the design of an RFID tag antenna matched to a microchip, focusing on its application within a telecommunication network. The project involved analyzing the antenna's performance, calculating power transfer, and addressing challenges related to antenna size and interference. The student, a telecommunication network engineer, was responsible for various aspects of the project, including design, simulation, and testing. The report covers the project's background, objectives, the student's responsibilities, engineering knowledge applied, and the innovative aspects of the design. The student applied CAD techniques and simulation tools to optimize the antenna's performance and collaborated with a team to achieve the project's goals. The report also identifies issues such as metal structure limitations and provides solutions to improve the RFID system's reading distance. The design aims to promote advancements in RFID technology, particularly in reducing the cost and increasing the reliability of the antenna for wider applications. The project's success is measured by the effective design and analysis of the RFID tag antenna, its matching with the microchip and the improvement in system performance.

Competency Demonstration Report
Career Episode 1

CE 1.1 Project Information
Name of the project: Design of RFID Tag Antenna matched to Micro Chip
Location of the project: (Please fill)
Project Duration: (Please fill)
Organization: (Please fill)
Role and Designation during the time: Telecommunication Network Engineer
CE 1.2 Project Background
CE 1.2.1 Characteristics of the project
I had conducted the project on design of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) Antenna
which is a part of integrated RFID system matched to micro chip. I had developed the antenna to
gain theoretical importance and realistic value of RFID system. I had used of RFID technology
for conducting the project work which uses of radio waves to transmit information stored
concerning the identified commands. I had used the commands to identify the object via space
coupling or electromagnetic wave propagation. It is a fundamental device to transmit RF power
from radio transceiver to unlock space in form of the electromagnetic waves. I had analyzed that
antenna is a great part of RF system and therefore its performance affects the performance of
entire system. I had conducted this study as design of RFID tag antenna is key important and its
design is focused on frequency bands.

CE 1.2.2 Objectives developed for the project
Following are the objectives of the project study:
 To design of RFID tag antenna matched to micro chip
 To calculate the power received by the RFID tag and reader antenna
 To analyze the tag antenna based on various functions of RFID system
CE 1.2.3 My area of work
I had conducted study on the tag antenna based on various functions of RFID system. I
had analyzed that the tag antenna transmits wave carrying of information which are stored into
the tag, but it also requires catching wave from the reader to provide of energy for the tag
operations. I had attached the tag to identified objects, the tag size is small and also antenna’s
size becomes small. The tag antenna consists of omnidirectional radiation with impedance is not
50 ohm. I had determined that the antenna realizes conjugate match with the tag chip to provide
of maximum power towards the tag chip.
CE 1.2.4 Project Group
HeadoftheDepartmentProjectSupervisorProjectteammember1(Myrole)

Figure 1: People involved in the project
CE 1.2.5 My responsibilities throughout the project
As a telecommunication network engineer, I had taken responsibility to work on various
project roles like design, setting up and maintenance. I had maintained the stations of higher
power broadcast transmitter as well as associated systems. I had also involved into remote
control, adjustments of antenna as well as main transmission lines. I had designed and
implemented the solutions for antenna system to improve the performance of the communication
system. I had also performed simulation and testing using latest tools. I had communicated with
the hardware teams to provide design concepts of the tag antenna properly. Finally, I had
analyzed the design of the tag antenna with use of CAD techniques.
CE 1.3 Distinctive Activity
CE 1.3.1 Comprehending the theory of the project
Within the RFID system, energy necessary to transmit of tag operation comes from the
electromagnetic waves which are transmitted by means of the reader antenna. This system is
discussed to analyze the impact of the parameters of antenna on the system’s performance. In
order to double up the reading range, I had increased transmission power, gain of antenna,
sensitivity of receiver with 12dB. I had fixed the transmitted power, in addition to maximum
reading range of the system is inadequate by the antenna gain along with operating frequency.
The electromagnetic wave that is transmitted by reader antenna is radiated to tag throughout
space loss. It propagates reverse to the reader, carries information which are stored within the
tag. I had assumed that RF energy by the tag is re-radiated into the space. I had then calculated

the power received by the tag by power transmitted by the reader is be P reader
transmitted and gain
for the reader antenna is G reader. Power density at a distance R where the tag is placed as:
S1 = Greader P reader
transmitted
4 π R2
The power received by tag is estimated as: P tag
received= S1A tag
Where, A tag = G tag λ2 / 4π
Then, P tag
received= ( λ
4 πR ¿2 G reader G tag P reader
transmitted
Therefore, the power density of return wave from the tag at the position of reader is
calculated as:
S2 = Gtag P reader
received
4 π R2
RFID tag consists of an antenna, microchip as well as the tags that get all energy to
function from the electromagnetic radiation emitted by reader through use of rectifier, voltage
multiplier as well as modulator within the microchip. The tag is sending back the information to
reader by switch among two states such as one is matched to antenna as well as other is
mismatched.

Figure 2: Passive RFID system
CE 1.3.2 Engineering knowledge and skills applied in the project
I have experience to work with the transmission system, design of antenna and
placement of the antennas for gaining of performance. I have knowledge to understand hardware
design of antenna, its radiation and effect of the interference frequencies which prevent optimum
performance with equipments are developed. I have knowledge to do simulation of the project
results and use of CAD techniques to design the tag antenna using microchip.
CE 1.3.3 Accomplishment and task performed
I had showed evolvement of various tag antennas. From the below figure, it is seen that
Antenna B consists of less influence on performance as compared to Antenna A, where the
antennas are curved. I had also analyzed that antennas C as well as D are to be fed by inductively
coupled loop.

Figure 3: Evolvement of tag antennas

Figure 4: Geometry of meandered dipole antenna
In our application, I had used of 43-j800 ohm of impedance into UHF band tag chip and I
had connected the tag antenna with the chip that matched with the chip of tag. The tag antenna is
of small size and it is fabricated. I had designed a dipole antenna which is surrounded by
rectangular loop. I had analyzed that the tag antenna consists of higher absolute impedance and
high Q value is calculated and linked to the chip. I had ensured that there is proper transmission
of power. The gap among the feeding point is considered as 0.1mm with both widths of metallic
strip as well as horizontal part of rectangular loop as 1mm. While, width of vertical section is
2mm. I had estimated that the tag antenna has a thickness of around 0.018 mm.
CE 1.3.4 Identified issues and their solutions
1.3.4.1 Issues
While conducting work into this project, I had faced some of the issues related to large
metal structure of the tag antenna. It is caused as most of the RFID systems are used of electrical
dipole type’s antenna. Due to presence of large metal structure, the size of the antenna becomes

short and it reduces the radiation of the field strength. There is destructive interference into the
environment affects the performance of RFID, its accurateness and distance of the RFID
reading.
1.3.4.2 Solutions
The solution which is provided by this project study helps the RFID system to gain a
longer reading distance by making improvement into performance of the RFID tag antenna. It
provides with a solution to achieve needs of practical applications.
CE 1.3.5 Plan to produce creative and innovative work
I had conducted a development of RFID technology by doing practical applications to
impel advancement of antenna within the RFID system. Progress over the antenna will help to
promote spread of the RFID systems into daily life of people. The system requires of multi band
antennas for higher reliability. Design of the antenna as well as reduction of cost of the tag
antenna for larger applications is a significant consideration into design of the antenna. It will
promote development over the RFID technology. I had observed that use of RFID applications
for designing the antenna is an innovative project work.
CE 1.3.6 Collaborative work
I had prepared a project report on design of RFID tag antenna matched with the
microchip. With help of my team member, I had calculated the power received by the tag by
determining the power density of return wave from the tag at the position of reader. Within time,
I had prepared the project report and send it to the project supervisor for further review.