Inkjet-printed paper-based antennas and RFIDs

Article By:

Yang, Li Texas Instruments, Dallas, Texas.

Tentzeris, Manos M. School of Electrical and Computer Engineering, Georgia Electronic Design Center, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, Georgia.

Last reviewed:2011

DOI:https://doi.org/10.1036/1097-8542.YB110035

Radio-frequency identification (RFID) is gaining in popularity, especially as we head toward a world of ubiquitous computing and of everyday objects interconnected by wireless sensor networks (the Internet of Things). Automatic identification systems have become not only an important aspect of technology but also a part of daily life. We use RFID in cars, transportation systems, and access points, and for simple transactions; We also need RFID in our global supply chain and logistics systems, as well as in tracking and locating applications. Over the past few years, there has been an increasing focus on wearable electronics, including personal wireless body-area networks (WBANs) that provides medical, lifestyle, assisted-living, mobile-computing, and tracking functions for the user. Sensing and identification are the key functions of such conformal applications. RFID technology will play an important role in this technology, since most business and manufacturing identification needs have supported the development and adoption of smaller, cheaper, and longer-range RFID tags. Solutions compatible with RFID standards find quicker acceptance and see faster improvement. This article will identify the key technologies for realizing “green” paper-based antennas and RFIDs using inkjet-printing technologies.

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