Antenna Considerations for Low Frequency RFID Applications

Bob Scher, CEO

Dynasys Technologies, Inc.

Introduction
One of the most critical elements of any RFID installation is the performance characteristic of its
antenna system. The antenna is the main component for transferring energy from the transmitter to
the passive RFID tags, receiving the transponder's replying signal and avoiding in-band interference
from electrical noise and other nearby RFID components. Long wave radio transmitters and nearby
PC monitors are common sources for disturbances.

Dynasys supplies "Off-The-Shelf" antenna components that can offer sufficient performance for most
applications. Custom antenna design may be required to optimize performance where the radio field
must cover large areas or be focused into a local area. The application may also require a special
shaped antenna that needs to be built around, or into, an existing space. Special field patterns may
also be desired to avoid nearby sources of electrical noise.

Antenna Performance
The reading range of an antenna is dependent on many variables. These include the quality of the
earth ground connection, the antenna size, the tag size, the tag's orientation with respect to the
transmitting antenna, the antenna location with respect to other materials and the ambient electrical
and magnetic noise within the band of interest.

Low Frequency Transmission

TIRFID low frequency tags operate on a carrier frequency of 134.2 kHz. The "uplink" from the RFM
Reader (Radio Frequency Module) to the RFID Tag Transponder is a Frequency Shift Keyed (FSK)
transmission with a bandwidth of 25 kHz. The "downlink" from the RFID Tag Transponder to the RFM
is an Amplitude Shift Keyed (ASK) transmission replying with identification and stored data
information.

Classical radio transmission is comprised of a combination of an electrostatic field and a magnetic

field component. These fields are depicted as orthogonal vectors that propagate a transverse electro-
magnetic (TEM) disturbance that can be received at a distance from the source. Although Low
Frequency RFID Tags are generating TEM waves their magnetic component becomes most the
significant source of energy transfer for the link of the near field.

As the energy is coupled from the RFM to the antenna, magnetic flux waves extend into the space
surrounding the coils. Similar to a transformer coupling energy from its primary winding to its
secondary winding, the expanding field from the transmitter antenna coils can induce a voltage in a
second coil in its proximity, such as an antenna coil within an RFID tag present in the field. The
induced voltage in the tag's coil is utilized to charge a capacitor. Acting as a temporary battery, the
capacitor then powers a chip that provides the data and intelligent protocol for transponding back to
the RFM.
The ratio of turns between the RFM antenna coil and the RFID transponder coil determines the
maximum voltage that can be induced by this transformer action. By increasing the turns ratio of the
antennas it may increase the induced voltage linking in one direction but decreases the induced
voltage linking in the opposite direction. Just adding more turns to the RFM antenna does not
increase performance. In fact it may decrease the performance.

Bigger is not Always Better

Reading performance does not necessarily increase when using a larger antenna. Although larger
loops tend to yield wider coverage areas for the transponder tags, received noise from the
environment may result in obtaining a worse "Signal-To-Noise Ratio" at the receiver. A careful
balance must be attained between the coverage area required and the reliability of the reception. A 6
dB difference between signal and noise levels must be maintained.

Antenna Types
Antennas come in all shapes and sizes - "one size does not fit all!". When selecting the antenna type
which will optimize your performance take into account size, shape, proximity to other materials, field
pattern, cost and perhaps a number of other concerns. Also, consider utilizing a multiple array of
smaller antennas that may operate better than one larger antenna.

Loop Antennas
Small RFM antennas have less area than large antennas to transmit and capture energy. By
increasing the number of windings of the smaller antenna more energy can be captured. However, as
mentioned previously, the induced voltage at the RFID transponder is somewhat dependent on the
turns ratio between transmitter and tag coils. More turns on the transmitter coil induces a stepped
down voltage at the tag. Also, as the distance between the coils increase, less lines of flux are
available to cut through each other. The loss of voltage due to the step-down ratio and loss of field
lines can be offset by increasing the "permeability" of the core of the couplings.

Also, the number of turns of the loop is determined by the overall size of the antenna and how tightly
the wires are packaged together. The optimum number of turns for maximum range is also affected
by the close proximity of metal. Metals having different magnetic permeability will exhibit different
achievable ranges.

Stick Antennas
Ferrite rods are used to increase magnetic flux density without appreciable energy losses at the
transmission frequency. The concentrated flux lines at the ends of the ferrite rod focus the field
pattern. This effect tends to increase the transmission distance while in this main lobe of the beam.
The field outside of this main lobe decays rapidly with distance.

Ferrite rods are utilized in both RFM antennas and within transponder tags. Examples can be seen in
our P-7558 "Stick Antenna" and can also be seen in the glass tube RFID transponder series, P-7521,
P-7518, etc. and our long range "Cylindrical TRP" transponder, P-7531.

Resonance
In order to transfer maximum energy from the RFM to its antenna system the antenna circuit (tank)
should be tuned to resonate at the carrier frequency of 134.2 kHz. At resonance the capacitance of
the circuit is balanced out by the inductance of the antenna coil. Antennas having a nominal
inductance of 27 µH is ideal for standard low frequency RFMs. On-board variable tuning components
should properly resonate antennas having from 25.5µH to 28.5µH.

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Quality Factor – “Q”
dimensionless figure of merit called the "Quality Factor", or simply "Q" represents the relationship
between effective impedance caused by the inductance of the coil at the frequency of transmission
and the resistance of the antenna wire. The lower the resistance of the conductor - the higher goes
the Q.

A high Q antenna not only transfers maximum energy at resonance, it also has a narrow bandpass
limiting out-of-band interference. Keeping the resistance of the coil approximately 0.3 Ohm will yield a
Q typically near 100; offering increased performance and maximum immunity to noise.

Proximity with Metals

Altered performance of the RFID system can be expected when metals are in close proximity of the
radiation field. Proximity to metals effectively lowers the antenna's inductance. Lower inductance
causes an increase in resonant frequency and also a reduction in "Q". Designers may consider
starting with a higher-than-needed "Q" "in the lab" to start with, expecting it to be lowered when it is
installed in its intended location. External capacitance may be required to tune the modified antenna
system back to resonance. These types of situations can be experienced around conveyor belt
structures and also embedding antenna loops on concrete driveways where metal re-bar absorbs
some of the radiated energy.

Skin Effect
"Skin Effect" is the tendency of alternating currents to exist in the area of a conductor approaching the
surface, rather than in the entire cross-sectional area of the conductor. At radio frequencies the
moving charges in the conductor cause a self-induced magnetic field which in itself generates a
counter voltage. This self-inductance is greatest at the center of the conductor and thus limits the
current in that area. Electrical currents move toward the outer surface of the conductor where the
counter EMF is minimum.

To limit losses due to skin effect the conductors chosen should have a maximum surface area for its
volume. Multi-stranded, insulated, fine wire has more surface area than does a single solid wire of the
same overall gage.

Antenna Arrays
Multiple antennas may be desired to cover a larger area or to alter the polarization characteristics.
Multiple loops may simply be directly connected together or "multiplexed" through intelligent antenna
switches and matching networks to alter the tag detection patterns.

An analogy can be realized by connecting audio speakers to a stereo amplifier. Caution must be
taken when attaching "+" and "-" leads to be sure the sound produced by each speaker is "in-phase"
with each other.

If parallel antenna loops are connected "in-phase" a strong field is produced between them. This field
is ideal for operating tags that are oriented parallel to the loops. If they are connected "out-of-phase",
also referred to as "anti-phase", the field is rotated and is ideal for a tag oriented at right angles to the
loops. Anti-phase connection is used where noise reduction by phase cancellation is required.

Consideration must be given to the effective inductance of two individual loops connected in parallel.
Note: Two 54 µH loops connected in parallel will have a combined inductance of 27µH.

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Summary
RFID antenna design is a complex issue. Whenever possible, try to utilize standard antenna products
that have a predictable design characteristic. The environment that the proposed antenna will occupy
should be looked at for sources of electrical noise, proximity to nearby materials, especially liquids
and metals.

Dynasys has a number of proven antenna products for sale. Whether you chose a stick antenna, gate
loop antenna or multiple element array, we recommend seeking expert advice which will probably
save you from reinventing the RFID wheel. In any case, we are here for you when you need
assistance.

This article may not be reprinted or distributed without prior written authorization from the author

Copyright  2004, Dynasys Technologies, Inc.

Dynasys Technologies, Inc. www.dyna-sys.com

800 Belleair Rd. www.rfidusa.com
Clearwater, FL 33756 (727) 443-6600
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