Article: Antenna Design Considerations For RFID Applications

While the RFID concept has been around for decades, recent reductions in the size and cost of integrated circuits (ICs) have greatly expanded the range of feasible applications for this technology. Unlike ICs, however, antennas have not kept pace with Moore's law in terms of cost and size. As a result, antenna and sensor technology is a limiting factor for RFID today. The requirements of reader and tag antennas are not unlike those for many communication systems -- driven by applications and regulations. In this article, we discuss both factors and recommend some novel antenna options for RFID systems.