RFID performance: 3D technology accelerates the development of RFID identifiers
The reaction time is crucial in the development and manufacture of RFID identifiers. Studying the RFID performance of the different prototypes in the real environment of the RFID system is a slow and expensive process. In addition, it also entails complex production jams in the different phases, such as the implementation of the RFID system, and the manufacture of radio frequency identifiers. Fortunately, today we have software that makes this part of the development more accurate and faster, optimizing the process and giving more effective results.
Steps of RFID identifier development
Whether because the market asks for it or because a customer contacts us directly to solve a need, the steps we follow to develop a new RFID identifier are:
- Knowing the characteristics of the environment and the material where the RFID system has to work.
- Define the characteristics that the RFID identifier must meet to suit the needs of the system. These characteristics are from size and materials to the chip type according to desired performance.
- Design phase and virtual testing. In this phase, the team of engineers draw and configure the initial RFID inlays. They then analyze performance with various simulation tools to choose the designs that work best.
- Production of RFID inlays prototypes that have worked best to test them in an ideal environment in the anechoic chamber.
- Small-scale manufacturing of RFID identifier that has demonstrated better performance and final testing in a real environment.
All the knowledge acquired with the experience in the development of RFID inlays is enriched with the work of partners who teach and complete our R&D&I teams. In the case of Trace-ID, partners such as Impinj, NXP, EM Electronics, SATO, Kyubi or Principia, among others, not only serve us the necessary products for our manufacture, but they also add value to our relationship with his specialized knowledge.
In the specific case of RFID product development, working with Principia has optimized the time and the effectiveness of our developments. Since they are consultants focused on applied mechanics and specialists in design and simulation software. Thanks to their services we have shortened the development time, while we have increased the accuracy of product testing.
Tools that improve time and accuracy in RFID performance testing
At Trace-ID, we have improved the speed of development by working with high-performance 3D EM analysis technology to design, analyze and optimize electromagnetic (EM) components and systems. Specifically the CST Studio. This software is used to simulate RF and microwave circuits and allows us to study the behaviour of the RFID identifier. That is, to see where it is in frequency and what the gains it can have and. With it, to modify it until obtaining some parameters that in the real environment can be translated into an optimal performance of the antenna.
In the words of our engineering designers of RFID products: “one of the advantages of CSTStudio, compared to other tools, is allowing to use 3D structures, therefore, it’s more accurate when it comes to wanting to simulate with several layers –the RFID inlay on different materials or environments. “
Specialized knowledge and resources
Creativity, teamwork, analysis, specialized knowledge, are indispensable skills to head to the success of a project. But there is no doubt that having the right resources is also decisive in reaching the goal on time and successfully.
