SYSTEM, APPARATUS, AND METHOD FOR ORIENTATION INDEPENDENT RFID TAG DETECTION

摘要

A system for facilitating communication between an RFID reader and an RFlD tag in a manner that is independent or substantially independent of RFID tag orientation within a spatial detection volume includes a primary antenna and at least one secondary antenna spatially disposed relative to each other such that electromagnetic coupling between the antennas occurs by way of mutual inductance. The primary and secondary antennas can be loop antennas that are disposed perpendicular to each other. The RFID reader drives the primary antenna by way of electrical coupling to a feed point. Each secondary antenna can lack a direct electrical coupling or connection to the RFID reader. The primary antenna generates a primary radiation pattern. Each secondary antenna generates a secondary radiation pattern as a result of inductive coupling to the primary radiation pattern's magnetic field. The relative spatial arrangement of the primary and secondary antennas results in the generation of an augmented radiation pattern that defines an augmented detection volume. The augmented radiation pattern provides sufficient magnetic field intensity and directional variation to enable reliable coupling to an RFID tag antenna in a manner that is independent of RFID tag antenna spatial orientation.