Technology

RFID system design is driven by trade-offs. While other RFID designs focus on large range and high data transfer speed, SPACECODE’s design team concentrates on delivering a fully reliable, complete automatic identification solution that works even in challenging environments. Those RFID systems that have been optimized for range and/or high speed typically fail to operate reliably in the vicinity of metal and wet and liquid products. There is also a severe reliability problem when RFID tags optimized for long range and/or high data transfer speeds are placed in close proximity to one another because the RFID tags start interfering with each other. The result is that the RFID systems no longer operate without line-of-sight and the RFID tags are reduced to costly electronic barcodes.

The SPACECODE LF RFID solution represents a true automatic identification technology:

−excellent performance near metal
−no read range degradation in the presence of liquid and organic products
−outstanding detection rates of RFID tags which touch or overlap
−reliable and simultaneous detection of large RFID tag populations in large volumes
−no line of sight required

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These key competitive advantages are achieved by using a unique combination of operation frequency, anti-collision algorithms, un-tuned tag antennas, and reader designs.

Magnetic induction operating frequencies
The inductively coupled magnetic fields used in the SPACECODE system to power the RFID tags are not deleteriously affected by liquids and dielectric materials with large loss tangent that absorb the transmitted energy at non magnetic frequencies.

Anti-collision algorithm
Almost all magnetic induction RFID systems are severely limited by the fact that readers cannot identify or communicate with large tag populations swiftly and reliably. SPACECODE was a true pioneer in the development of its tree search anti-collision algorithm which ensures that all tags in an interrogation volume are identified rapidly and orderly. With no data collisions on the return link due to the SPACECODE medium-access algorithm, no data packets are lost, and the limited bandwidth available is used efficiently. Since there is only constructive interference of the tag replies in the SPACECODE algorithm, weak tag replies are not missed even in the presence of noise. The result is that the SPACECODE LF approach combines the favorable propagation characteristics of magnetic induction with a powerful anti-collision algorithm that addresses the limitations commonly associated with other systems.

Non-resonant system
SPACECODE’s RFID systems comprise tags that are intentionally designed with non-resonant chips and antennas. This ensures that RFID tags which might touch or overlap do not interfere with each other. The use of un-tuned tags also eliminates the possibility that the RFID tags can be detuned by nearby metal parts. Metallic environments or products have only minimal influence on read range performance. The loss in read range due to not using a tuned tag is compensated by powerful reader devices that generate a strong magnetic field.

Reader and reader antenna designs
SPACECODE’s unique RFID reader designs generate strong magnetic fields that allow the reliable identification of large tag populations in large volumes (up to three cubic meters). The use of patented reader antenna designs guarantees orientation insensitivity. These reader designs are compliant with the most stringent emission levels worldwide.