Split Ring Resonator (SRR) Array Based UHF RFID Tags

In this chapter, the design and development of SRR array based UHF RFID tags
are presented. The design and development of different printed tags, whose arms are
designed and developed, using SRR structures, are presented. A detailed study of the
array based RFID tags are performed by evaluating the simulated values of input
impedance, S11 and the measured values of the read ranges. SRR array based tags
exhibit excellent read range over the European UHF RFID band of 865-868MHz
and tags exhibit excellent read range over the entire UHF RFID band of 860-960
MHz, which makes its use globally.

5.1 Split Ring Resonator (SRR) arrays in UHF RFID tags

The main challenges in the modern UHF RFID tag designs are to develop
a miniaturized RFID tag antenna with appreciably good performance
characteristics [1]. There are a lot of research are going in these areas for this
purpose [2]. SRR based designs have attracted much attention in miniaturized
antenna design. But the properties of these structures are not much exploited in

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UHF RFID tag design. A single SRR is considered as metamaterial resonator

particle consisting of two concentric rings separated by a gap, both having splits at
opposite sides. When magnetic field H is perpendicular to the plane of rings,
magnetic dipoles are generated in the rings, leading to polarization which results
in metamaterial properties. Metamaterial properties of SRRs are used in designing
antennas [3, 4, 5]. UHF RFID dipole tags based on SRR structures are described
in the fourth chapter. When it is desired to study SRR array the first requirement
is the optimum spacing between elements of array. It is observed that the number
of SRRs has a great effect on the system performance. The performance of an
array also depends on the number of rings, pattern of arrangement and orientation
of the rings with respect to the transmission line. RFID tags design based on SRR
arrays is a new approach. The possibilities of using SRR arrays for the design of
UHF RFID tags are investigated and the results are presented in this chapter. Two
major sections of the two different split ring resonators based UHF RFID Tags are
incorporated in this section.

The following two types of tags are investigated

1) Rectangular SRR array based UHF RFID Tag

2) Triangular SRR array based UHF RFID Tag
5.1.1 Rectangular SRR array based UHF RFID Tag

5.1.1.1 Geometry

The configuration of the rectangular SRR array based RFID tag

working in the UHF band is presented in Fig 5.1. The model consists of three
rectangular SRR structures which are connected with each other to form a
series SRR array. The main attraction of this series SRR array based structure
is, that it doesn’t have any additional impedance matching network like T-
matching, inductive loop and short circuited strip.

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Fig 5.1 Configuration of the rectangular SRR array based UHF RFID Tag

The RFID chip, Alien Higgs-3 with an impedance of 27-j211Ω at 866

MHz and a threshold power of −18 dBm (16 µW) working in the UHF band is
used in this design. The RFID chip is connected to the terminals of the central
SRR structure. Meandering geometries are usually used in the design of tag
antennas for making the reactance of the antenna inductive. The SRRs are
connected in series to form a printed dipole shown in the above figure which
produces the similar effect of a meander line for producing inductive input
impedance required for conjugate impedance matching with the chip. The
antenna array is analyzed in detail in terms of input impedance, S 11 and
radiation pattern. The measured read range variations of the array based UHF
RFID tags are taken to evaluate the performance of the fabricated tags.

5.1.1.2 Simulation and Optimization

The SRR array based UHF RFID tag antenna designed and simulated
using the CST Microwave Studio suite simulation software. The length, width,
gap between the rings and gap in the rings of the SRRs are parameterized for
miniaturization and impedance matching. The rectangular SRR based dipole
structure have a total length of L =65mm and width W=20mm. The design
presented in this section is much smaller in size than the meandered designs and

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there is no additional impedance matching network that is required for

impedance matching. The optimized parameter values of the rectangular SRRs
array based RFID tag are given in table 5.1. This optimized parameter values are
incorporated in to the design to get the rectangular SRR arrays based UHF RFID
Tag.

Table 5.1 Parametric values of the Rectangular SRR arrays based UHF RFID Tag
L L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7 L8
65mm 22mm 18mm 8.25mm 9mm 10mm 12mm 8.9mm 10mm
W W1 W2 G1 G2 G3 G4 G5 G6
20mm 1.42mm 2mm 4mm 1.5mm 2mm 1mm 1mm 1.1mm

The simulated real and imaginary part results of the input impedance
along with that of the RFID chip of the tag antenna with frequency is shown in
figure 5.2. From the graph that it is evident that real part of the antenna
impedance at 866 MHz is 27 ohms and imaginary part of the antenna
impedance at 866 MHz is 217 ohms which are close to the conjugate
impedance of the RFID chip at 866 MHz.

Fig.5.2 Simulated variations of the resistance and reactance with frequency for the SRR
array based tag antenna and the RFID chip

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The simulated variations of S11 with frequency for the designed RFID
tag antenna, when a complex load of impedance 27-j211Ω is attached to the
terminals of the tag antenna is shown in Fig 5.3 The plot evidently explains the
reason for enhanced bandwidth, since the -3dB bandwidth begins at 756 MHz
and it extends upto 875MHz.

Fig.5.3 Simulated variations of the S11 of the RFID tag antenna with frequency

Fig. 5.4 Simulated radiation pattern of the antenna at 866MHz with an impedance
equivalent to the chip impedance attached to its terminals

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Fig 5.4 shows the simulated radiation pattern of the tag antenna at 866
MHz, which shows a gain of 1.82 dBi when an impedance of 27-j211Ω is
applied at the antenna terminals. The radiation pattern has resemblence to that of
a dipole radiator. The proposed UHF RFID model is fabricated on an FR-4
substrate of thickness 1.6 mm and dielectric constant εr=4.4. The functioning of
the constructed tag antenna is to be verified experimentally for validating the
simulated response. The photograph of the fabricated rectangular SRR array
based model given in Fig 5.5

Fig 5.5 Photograph of the proposed SRR array based UHF RFID tag

5.1.1.3 Read range Measurements

The read range measurement of the SRR array based RFID tag is
shown in Fig 5.6. It shows that the variations of the measured read range of the
tag with frequency, from which it is clear that the read range is 4.5m at 866
MHz and falls off to 2.8 m at 930 MHz. It is evident from the figure that the
proposed tag exhibits appreciable read range in the entire UHF RFID band,
which makes it use globally.

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 Split Ring Resonator (SRR) Array Based UHF RFID Tags

Fig 5.6 Measured variations of read range with frequency

The measured read range of the tag in the UHF RFID band for
elevation and azimuth angular angle is illustrated in Fig 5.7. Its shows that the
read range remains constant with a value of 4.5 m at elevation angular range
from -700to + 700. The read range drops on either side beyond elevation angle
of 700 with a minimum value of 4 m. In the azimuth angular range, read range
remains constant with a value of 4.5 m from -600to + 600 and drops on either
side beyond azimuth angle of 600.

Fig 5.7 Measured read range in meters of the proposed tag in the XY and YZ plane
at 866 MH

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The computed and measured read range along with the tag and reader
parameters are given in Table 5.2. The computed read range for the forward
link and backward link is 11.98 m and 14.03 m respectively. The measured
read range of the designed UHF RFID tag is 4.5 m. The difference between
the computed and measured read range may be due to fabrication errors,
multipath loss and chip intolerance in practical conditions.

Table 5.2 Computed and Measured read range along with the tag and reader
parameters
Frequency MHz 866
PR-tx(dBm) 30
PT-th (dBm) -18
PR-th (dBm) -80
GR (dBic) 9
GT (dBi) 1.82
(dB) -3
(dB) -3.1
σ (dBsm) (computed using simulation) -36.98
Read range Forward Link
11.98m
(computed using (3.4))
Read range Backward Link
14.01m
(computed using (3.9))
Theoretical read range
11.98m
(Minimum of forward & backward link)
Measured Read Range 4.5m

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5.1.2 Triangular SRR Array based UHF RFID Tag

5.1.2.1 Geometry

The configuration of the printed Triangular SRR based UHF RFID

dipole tag with a T-matching circuit is shown in figure 5.8. The RFID tag
consists of a T- matched dipole antenna orthogonally loaded with triangular
SRR arrays. A T-matching circuit of length L1, L2 and width W1 is attached
to the dipole arms. The RFID chip is placed at the center of the T-matched
circuit. The triangular SRR structures are so selective; it miniaturizes the size
of the tag in to 38.58 x 38.58 mm.

Fig. 5.8 Geometric Structure of the Triangular SRR Arrays based UHF RFID tags

The designed tag antenna consists of a dipole with orthogonally loaded

triangular SRR arrays. Each SRRs section contains two triangular rings separated
by a gap and each ring has split into the opposite sides. The orthogonally
connected triangular SRRs produce an inductive and capacitive loading in the

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structure. The inductive loading produced by the length of the triangular rings and
capacitive loading produced by the gap between the rings and gap on the rings.
The inductance of the orthogonally loaded SRRs in the arms of the dipole is much
greater than the conventional meander line sections used in the tag antenna
design. This makes the SRRs particularly useful for designing compact UHF
RFID antennas. The impedance of the chip (Alien Higgs-3) used to attach the
antenna is of 27-j211Ω at 866 MHz and threshold of -18 dBm.

5.1.2.2 Simulation and Optimization

The tag antenna structure consists of two pair of Triangular SRRs

orthogonally loaded to the arms of the dipole and a T-matching circuit. Currently,
various types of RFID chips of different vendors are available in the market, So it
is critical to design an antenna that matches the tag chips with different input
impedances. Tuning on the design parameters provides size miniaturization and
proper impedance matching with the tag chip and the antenna. To get optimized
parameters for a specific design, properly tune the antenna parameters along with
a T-matching circuit. For achieving easy impedance matching, a T-matching
circuit of length L1=14 mm, L2=6 mm and W1 =1 mm is attached to the dipole
arms. Several parameters such as the slit gap (G3, G4) of the triangular SRRs and
the gap between the split rings (G2) are the important parameters which can
effectively tune the properties of the tag. All the RFID tag antenna and their
optimized parameters are labeled in figure 5.8 are listed in Table 5.2. Optimized
parameters have a significant effect on the performance and size of the antenna.
The length of the dipole in the design is smaller than the conventional dipole and
overall size of the tag antenna is reduced.

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 Split Ring Resonator (SRR) Array Based UHF RFID Tags

Table 5.3 Parametric values of the Triangular SRR Array based UHF RFID tag
L1 L2 L3 L4 L5 L6 L7
14mm 6mm 8.13 mm 8.25 mm 10.75mm 7.63mm 12.4mm
W W1 W2 W3 W4 G1= G3 G2
38.58mm 1mm 1.5mm 1.13mm 1.48mm 1mm 1.83mm

The input impedance of the proposed antenna must be the conjugate

impedance of the RFID chip (27+j211Ω) for maximum power transfer
between the antenna and the chip and maximize the effective read range. The
parameter variations of the antenna structure and its effects are studied through
the simulated results.

Fig. 5.9 Simulated variations of the resistance and reactance with frequency for the
Triangular SRR based tag antenna and the RFID chip
The variations of simulated input impedance characteristics of the
intended tag antenna with frequency are depicted along with that of the RFID
chip in figure 5.9. It is explainable from the graph that simulated input
impedance of the proposed antenna at 866 MHz is having a real-part of 27 Ω
and an imaginary part of 235 Ω. The simulated impedance values of the
proposed antenna are at close conjugate matching to the chip impedance of 27-

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j211 Ω. These results indicate that the designed antenna has a good impedance
matching with the microchip which is essential for a good design.

Fig. 5.10 Simulated variations of the S11 with frequency for the proposed tag
antenna

Fig 5.10 is the simulated S11 variation with frequency for the RFID tag
antenna when a complex load of impedance 27-j211Ω is attached to the terminals
of the antenna. From the plot it can be seen that -3dB return loss bandwidth starts
from 854 MHz and extends beyond 926 MHz. Fig 5.11 shows the simulated
radiation pattern of the tag antenna at 866 MHz, which shows a gain of 1.81 dBi
when an impedance of 27-j211Ω is applied at the antenna terminals.

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Fig. 5.11 Simulated radiation pattern of the Triangular SRR Array based UHF RFID
tag antenna at 866MHz
A small RFID tag conjugately matched its impedance with RFID chip
is usually desirable for a printed RFID tag on a single surface. The designed
compact broadband tag antenna is built on a single side square FR4 substrate
with a relative permittivity ε r = 4.3 and a loss tangent of 0.002, and a thickness
of 1.6 mm. The photograph of the fabricated Triangular SRR array based tag is
shown in Fig 5.12. The size of the prototype is 38.58x38.58x1.6mm and each
element in the model printed on the single conducting plane.

Fig 5.12 Photograph of the proposed Triangular SRR array based UHF RFID tag

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5.1.2.3 RFID Tag Measurements

The read range of the designed RFID tag is measured using the RFID
tag measurement facilities described in chapter 3. The measured read range
with frequency along the bore-sight for the proposed RFID tag operating in the
UHF band is shown in figure 5.13. From the results, it can be seen that the
proposed tag operates in the European UHF RFID band (865-867 MHz) and
has a measured maximum read range of 9.6 m. In the North American (902-
928 MHz) and Chinese (920.5-924.5 MHz) UHF RFID bands, the read range
gets slightly decreased but exhibits appreciably good read ranges. However
good range read is obtained in almost over the entire UHF RFID band for the
proposed RFID tag. The proposed tag is suitable for global deployment even
though the read range is small at higher frequencies of the band.

Fig 5.13 Measured variation of read range with frequency of the Triangular SRR
arrays loaded tag
Variations of the read range with different elevation and azimuth angles
are measured and the variations are presented in figure 5.14. It is evident from
the figure, the measured read range of the compact broadband RFID tag

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remains constant in the elevation angular range from - 20o to + 20o and
beyond 20o the read range falls off on either one side of azimuth angular
ranges. The maximum read range is 9.6 m in the azimuth angular range from -
200 to +200 and beyond 200 the read range in the azimuth angular range falls
off on either side of azimuth angular range. The overall read range pattern of
the design is narrow in shape but its having equal patterns in azimuth and
elevation angle. However the proposed tag functioning in complete UHF
RFID band and shows good read range features above the elevation and
azimuth angular ranges.

Fig 5.14 Measured read range in meters of the proposed tag in the XZ and XY
plane at 866 MHz

The computed and measured read range along with the tag and reader
parameters are given in Table 5.2. The computed read range for the forward
link and backward link is 11.96 m and 19.37 m respectively. The measured
read range of the designed UHF RFID tag is 9.6 m. The difference between

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the computed and measured read range may be due to fabrication errors,
multipath loss and chip intolerance in practical conditions.

Table 5.4 Computed and Measured read range along with the tag and reader
parameters

Frequency MHz 866

PR-tx(dBm) 30
PT-th (dBm) -18
PR-th (dBm) -80
GR (dBic) 9
GT (dBi) 1.82
(dB) -3
(dB) -3.1
σ (dBsm) (computed using simulation) -36.98
Read range Forward Link
11.96m
(computed using (3.4))
Read range Backward Link
19.37m
(computed using (3.9))
Theoretical read range
11.96 m
(Minimum of forward & backward link)
Measured Read Range 9.6 m

5.2 Comparison of the developed SRR array based UHF RFID

Tag’s with the commercially available Tags

The measured results of the designed array based RFID tags are
described in the above sections. The performance of the designed models with
the commercially available tags will help to understand the performance of the

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tags. The table 5.5 shows the comparison of the read range and size of the
developed RFID Tags with the commercially available tags. Here we can see
that the developed SRR array based UHF RFID tags have miniaturized size
and good read range compared with the commercially available RFID tags. so
the developed tags can be use globally for commercial applications in the
UHF band.

Table 5.5 Comparison of the read range and size of the developed RFID tags with
the commercially available tags
Tag Read Range (m) Size (mm)

Alien 9640 Squiggle Inlay

6.1 90 X13

Smar-trac

3.5 72 X 16

Rectangular SRR array based UHF RFID tag

4.5 65 X 20

Triangular SRR Array based UHF RFID Tag

9.6 38.58 X 38.58

5.3 Effects of metallic surfaces on the read range of SRR

array based UHF RFID tags

The variation in read range of the developed SRR array based UHF
RFID tags when attached to metallic plate are studied. All developed SRR

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array based UHF RFID tags are attached to metallic plates and read range
variations are noted for different UHF RFID frequencies. All the tags have
good results in free space, but when it is attached to metal plates the read
range becomes almost zero. So it is concluded that all these tags are incapable
of working on metallic objects.

5.4 Summary

Two types of SRR array based UHF RFID printed dipole tags namely
Rectangular SRR Array based UHF RFID Tag and Triangular SRR Array
based UHF RFID Tag are presented in this chapter. The array models in the
two cases are designed and developed. The rectangular SRR array based
models have appreciable read range over wide angular ranges with broadband
characteristics. The designed Triangular SRR array based UHF RFID tags
have appreciable read range in the entire UHF RFID bands. The main
advantage of the triangular array based RFID tag is its read range is enhanced
and having equal coverage in both azimuth and elevation angular ranges.

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References

[1] K. Finkenzeller, RFID Handbook: Fundamentals and Applications in

Contactless Smart Cards, Radio Frequency Identification and near-
Field Communication. 2010.

[2] K. B. Alici and E. Ozbay, “Electrically small split ring resonator

antennas,” in Journal of Applied Physics, 2007.

[3] B. D. Braaten et al., “Compact metamaterial-based UHF RFID

antennas: Deformed omega and split-ring resonator structures,” Appl.
Comput. Electromagn. Soc. J., 2010.

[4] J. P. Chen and P. Hsu, “A compact strip dipole coupled split-ring

resonator antenna for RFID tags,” IEEE Trans. Antennas Propag.,
2013.

[5] A. Ferchichi and G. Ali, “A discution of a SRR parasitic antenna for

an RFID TAG antenna by using Lumped elements,” in Proceedings
of 6th European Conference on Antennas and Propagation, EuCAP
2012, 2012.

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