RFID Servant Sensors Evolve to Smart Dust

Sensor computing is maturing to the point that the concept of smart dust may be realized. ...

... "Its power, he explains, can come from either a radio-frequency reader, as in RFID, or the ambient radio power from television, FM radio and WiFi networks. " ...

Via New York Times: Smart Dust

Impinj RFID Reader Evolution

Powermat RFID Adapter

Powermat uses RFID technology to identify charging needs of devices. ...

... "For starters, each Powermat charging adapter contains an RFID chip to communicate with the Powermat how to deliver the exact power requirements of the device it is connected to. " ...

Via Gadling: Powermat wireless charger review

The Powermat RFID handshake.

Australia RFID Trials

Australia RFID pilots continue at higher power levels, while the current rules are at lower target levels. ...

... "Technology standards group GS1 Australia says it has been granted an extension to its scientific licence allowing the use of radio frequency devices with up to 4 Watt of power. The Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) has allowed trials of the ultra high frequency (UHF) RFID tags, despite a current ruling which limits RFID power to 1 Watt. " ...

Via Queensland Business Review: World-standard RFID

RFID Test Measurement

New test method enables rapid testing of multiple RFID tags, so that new antenna designs can be evaluated and commercialized. Research was conducted at Georgia Institute of Technology. ...

... "Each antenna signal can then be separated from the others, allowing his team to simultaneously measure the signals from multiple tags. Their experiments have shown they can measure the power strength and phase of up to 256 antennas in the field of view ... " ...

Via Science Daily: RFID Testbed Measures Multiple Tags

Georgia Tech Research Institute, RFID: "Dr. Joseph Dalton heads GTI's RFID program. "

RFID Reader Chip with Low Power Consumption

Advanced ID Asia incorporates austriamicrosystems' AS3990 UHF RFID Reader Chip into their PR110 handheld reader. ...

... "austriamicrosystems' AS3990 is a single chip, Gen 2 UHF Reader IC. Ideally targeted for power/cost-sensitive applications, the AS3990 sports the industry's lowest power consumption and lowest cost bill of materials (BOM). It includes a Gen 2 protocol engine for fast time to market, and is available with an integrated power amplifier to further reduce the BOM. The AS3990's unique programmable features enable a single device that is world-wide shippable. Its simplicity is emphasized with only 32 registers to enable full RF, filtering, and protocol control, while maintaining ease in implementation. " ...

Via austriamicrosystems: New AS3990 UHF RFID & Gen2 Reader Enabling Customer to Achieve Faster Time to Market

Solar RFID Reader Powers Asset Tracking System

Savi Technology deploys solar-powered Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) readers and signposts that lower energy usage and costs and enable real-time asset tracking. In many cases, Army bases may be in remote locations with limited power. Solar energy is being used more frequently in remote RFID networks. ...

... "Solar energy provides an energy efficient and environmentally friendly power source for users' RFID hardware, and also eliminates the need to install electrical infrastructure in remote areas where there is no fixed reader infrastructure. Savi engineers mounted solar panels and RFID signposts on poles located at a major U.S. Army supply facility in Kuwait. The solar-powered signposts activate RFID tags attached to vehicles or pieces of equipment. The tags then report the assets' positions to nearby RFID readers, which relay the information to Savi Site Manager software that automatically updates the assets' latest location. These tools enable the facility to track more than 25,000 tags per day. " ...

Via Savi Technology: RFID Asset Tracking Uses Solar Power