Apoorva Thesis

Design and Equivalent Circuit Modeling of Miniature Slotted RFID
Tag Antennas for Metallic Applications
By
Apoorva Sharma
200932002
Communications Research Center

International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad
June 2011
Design and Equivalent Circuit Model of Miniature Slotted RFID
Tag Antenna for Metallic Applications
A Thesis Submitted
In Partial Fulfillment of the Requirements
For the degree of
Master of Science (by Research)
By
Apoorva Sharma
200932002
apoorva.sharma@research.iiit.ac.in
International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad

Gachibowli, Hyderabad, A.P., INDIA - 500032
June, 2011
Copyright © 2011 Apoorva Sharma
All Rights Reserved
Certificate
International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad
It is certified that the work contained in this thesis, titled “Design and Equivalent Circuit Model of
RFID Tag Antenna for Metallic Objects” by Apoorva Sharma has been carried out under our
supervision and it is fully adequate in scope and quality as a dissertation for the degree of Master
of Science
Date Dr.Syed Azeemuddin

International Institute of Information Technlogy,
Hyderabad
Date Dr. A.R.Harish

Department of Electrical Engineering
Indian Institute of Technology Kanpur
Dedicated to my Parents
Table of Contents:
Contents
List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………….. i
List of Tables………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………… ii
Acknowledgement………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………. iii
Abstract………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………………..ix
Chapter 1 ............................................................................................................................................ 1
Introduction ........................................................................................................................................ 1
1.1 Motivation .......................................................................................................................... 1
1.2 Objectives of the Study ....................................................................................................... 4
1.3 Overview of RFID System .................................................................................................... 5
1.4 Advantages of RFID ............................................................................................................. 8
1.5 Organization of Thesis ........................................................................................................ 8
1.6 Key Contributions: .............................................................................................................. 9
Chapter 2 .......................................................................................................................................... 10
Slotted RFID Tag Antenna Design and Analysis ................................................................................ 10
2.1 Structural Design of Slotted RFID Tag Antenna .......................................................................... 11
2.2. Effect of Via, Slots and Floating Plate on tag Antenna .............................................................. 12
2.2.1. Role of Via ..................................................................................................................... 12
2.2.2. Role of Slots .................................................................................................................. 17
2.2.3.1 Analysis of Unslotted Antenna Design...................................................................... 18
2.2.3.2 Analysis of Slotted antenna Design .......................................................................... 22
2.2.3. Role of floating plate..................................................................................................... 27
2.3 Different Designs with Floating Plate, Conducting Vias and Slots .............................................. 27
2.3.1. Design 1: Slotted RFID Tag Antenna with One Floating Plate....................................... 28
2.3.1.1 Resistance vs. Reactance Plot for Unslotted Antenna and Slotted Antenna ........... 28
2.3.2. Design 2: Slots on Floating Plate ................................................................................... 30
2.4 Effect of floating plate on Slotted Antenna ................................................................................ 31
2.5 Effect on Gain due to Floating Plates ......................................................................................... 33
2.6 Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ........................................................................................... 35
2.7 Analysis of Study ......................................................................................................................... 38
Chapter 3 .......................................................................................................................................... 40
3. Simulation and Fabrication Results .......................................................................................... 40
3.1 Slotted RFID tag Antenna............................................................................................................ 40
3.1.1 Reflection Coefficient Plot for two tag ICs .................................................................... 42
3.1.2 Interference Effect due to Metallic sheet ..................................................................... 43
3.1.3 Fabrication results ........................................................................................................ 45
3.2 Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ........................................................................................... 45
3.2.1 Simulation Results: .............................................................................................................. 46
3.2.2 Fabrication Results........................................................................................................ 47
3.3 Comparision between different antennas .................................................................................. 49
CHAPTER 4 ........................................................................................................................................ 52
4. Equivalent Circuit Model .......................................................................................................... 52
4.1 Circuit Model of Unslotted Antenna..................................................................................... 52
4.2 Circuit model of slotted RFID Antenna ............................................................................. 56
4.3 Regression Technique ....................................................................................................... 56
4.4 Modified Inductance Equation ......................................................................................... 57
4.4 Modified Capacitance Value ................................................................................................... 60
4.5 Circuit Values of RFID tag antenna ................................................................................... 61
4.6 Findings ............................................................................................................................. 65
Chapter 5........................................................................................................................................... 66
Conclusion......................................................................................................................................... 66
Related Publications: ........................................................................................................................ 68
References ........................................................................................................................................ 69
List of Figures
Figure 1. 1 RFID System ...................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 1. 2 RFID Tag Picture Showing its Components ....................................................................... 6
Figure 1. 3 RFID Tree ........................................................................................................................... 6
Figure 2. 1 Antenna Characteristics .................................................................................................. 10

Figure 2. 2 Layers of Antenna ........................................................................................................... 12
Figure 2. 3 Position in Antenna ......................................................................................................... 12
Figure 2. 4 a) Design with No Via b) Design with Two Vias ...................... 13
Figure 2. 5 a) Radiation Pattern for Case 1 (antenna without via) b) Radiation Pattern for case 2
(antenna with via) ............................................................................................................................. 14
Figure 2. 6 Current Distribution on Coplanar Patches ...................................................................... 15
Figure 2. 7 Current Distribution on Ground Plane ............................................................................ 15
Figure 2. 8 Current Distribution on Coplanar Patches ...................................................................... 16
Figure 2. 9 Current Distribution on Ground Plane ............................................................................ 16
Figure 2. 10 Current Density Representations ................................................................................. 18
Figure 2. 11 Unslotted Antenna Design ............................................................................................ 19
Figure 2. 12 Radiation Pattern of Unslotted Antenna ...................................................................... 21
Figure 2. 13 Reflection Coefficient Plot ............................................................................................ 22
Figure 2. 14 Slotted Antenna Design ................................................................................................ 23
Figure 2. 15 Radiation Pattern of Slotted Antenna .......................................................................... 25
Figure 2. 16 Reflection Coefficient Plot ............................................................................................ 26
Figure 2. 17 R-X plot Unslotted Antenna with One Floating plate ................................................... 29
Figure 2. 18 R-X Plot of Slotted Antenna with One Floating plate ................................................... 30
Figure 2. 19 Four Slots on floating Plate- RX plot ............................................................................. 31
Figure 2. 20 Designs upto 5 Floating Plates ...................................................................................... 32
Figure 2. 21 Comparison Plot between Frequency and Reflection Coefficient ................................ 33
Figure 2. 22 Gain Patterns ................................................................................................................ 34
Figure 2. 23 Objectives ..................................................................................................................... 35
Figure 2. 24 Modified Slotted Antenna ............................................................................................ 36
Figure 2. 25 R- X Plot of Modified RFID Tag Antenna ....................................................................... 37
Figure 3. 1 Design of Miniature Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ............................................................. 42

Figure 3. 2 Reflection Coefficient of Miniature Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ..................................... 43
Figure 3. 3 Interference Effect ......................................................................................................... 44
Figure 3. 4 Fabricated Antenna........................................................................................................ 45
Figure 3. 5 Radiation Pattern of Modified RFID Tag Antenna ......................................................... 47
Figure 3. 6 Radiation Pattern of Modified RFID Tag Antenna ......................................................... 47
Figure 3. 7 Fabricated Antenna........................................................................................................ 48
Figure 3. 8 Experiment setup in Anechonic Chamber ..................................................................... 49
Figure 4. 1 RFID tag antenna............................................................................................................. 53

Figure 4. 2 RLC circuit ....................................................................................................................... 54
Figure 4. 3 Equivalent Circuit ............................................................................................................ 56
Figure 4. 6 Unslotted RFID Tag Antenna ........................................................................................... 63
Figure 4. 7 Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ............................................................................................... 64
List of Tables:
Table 1.1 Comparisons between Active, Semi-Active and Passive Tags ............................................ 7
Table 2. 1 Design Parameters ........................................................................................................... 13

Table 2. 2 Unslottted Antenna Design Parameters .......................................................................... 20
Table 2. 3 Design Parameters of Slotted Antenna ............................................................................ 23
Table 2. 4 Comparison Table ............................................................................................................ 26
Table 2. 5 No. of Floating Plates, Resonant Frequency and Bandwidth ........................................... 32
Table 2. 6 Gain Table ........................................................................................................................ 34
Table 3. 1 Design Parameters of Slotted Antenna with One Floating Plate ..................................... 41
Table 3. 2 Experimental Results........................................................................................................ 44
Table 3. 3 Design Parameters of Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ............................................. 46
Table 3. 4 Read Range of Modified Slotted Antenna ....................................................................... 48
Table 4. 1 Range Of Parameters Taken for Regression Analysis ...................................................... 57

Table 4. 2 Unslotted RFID Tag Antenna (55 x 18 x 3.2 mm3) .......................................................... 63
Table 4. 3 Slotted RFID Tag Antenna (49.4 X 18 X 3.2 mm3) ........................................................... 64
Acknowledgement
The present thesis is the result of a collective effort of many people involved at
different stages. I was inspired by their kind cooperation and support. I would like to
express my gratitude to all of them.
First and foremost I take this opportunity to express my sincere gratitude to my guide
Dr. Syed Azeemuddin whose able guidance helped me in completing my thesis. I am
indebted to him for providing the supportive climate to allow me to carry out the
research work effectively. His scholarly advice helped me at each and every stage of
the thesis. This works owe a lot to him.
I also acknowledge my gratitude to my co-guide Dr. A. R. Harish for channeling my

ideas towards my objectives and sharing his valuable comments and suggestions,
allowing me to work in IITK RF and microwave lab. He demonstrated amazing
commitment and inspired me throughout in framing, compilation and presentation of
contents.
I am grateful to Mr. Ankesh Garg and Mr. Raghvendra who provided me useful
suggestions from time to time. I would like to thank Sri. S.K.Kohli for helping me in
fabrication of antennas.
I thank Prof. Rajiv Sangal, Director, IIITH, and all the members of CRC IIITH and
Department of Electrical Engineering IITK for their direct and indirect contribution
towards providing an atmosphere which helped in promoting my personal and
professional growth. I owe my special thanks to my seniors Mr. Sai Sandeep, Mr.
Sandeep Kausik who has consistently supported me at different stages. I am deeply
thankful to my friends Mr. Varun Chawla, Ms. Goral Maheshwari, Mr. Aditya
Gautam for their support and for making my stay wonderful.
I feel deep sense of gratitude to my parents, without whose emotional and social
support it might have been difficult to finish this study.
Apoorva Sharma
Abstract
Designing Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag antenna for metallic objects is a
challenging task. The reason is that the antenna parameters like gain and radiation pattern
are highly affected by metallic surface. This thesis presents two different designs of
miniature RFID tag antenna for metallic objects. They can be used for different tag
Integrated Circuits (ICs) having different input impedances simply by varying slot length
and keeping other dimensions intact. The proposed antennas are designed specifically to
eliminate interference effect caused due to metallic objects. By eliminating this limitation
the tag proves to be a uniquely good solution that enables the use of UHF RFID efficiently
for metallic applications like aerospace or automobile industry. In this thesis firstly a
slotted RFID tag antenna is designed whose size is 33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2 mm, and
secondly a modified slotted RFID tag antenna is designed whose size is 64 mm x 24 mm x
1.6 mm.
The proposed slotted RFID tag antenna design contains three metallic layers. Top layer
consists of two metallic rectangular patches which are electrically connected to the ground
plane through copper vias. Multiple slots are created on metallic patches and a non-
connected metallic plate is placed between the ground and the patches. The antenna design
is simulated, fabricated and its performance is analyzed in an Anechonic Chamber. The
read range of the proposed slotted RFID tag antenna for a slot length of 7 mm, mounted on
the metallic surface is approximately 80 cm when.
Next we presented a modified slotted RFID tag antenna with lower antenna thickness.
This design contains two metallic layers. Top layer consists of two coplanar metallic
patches with two slots on each patches and bottom layer is a ground layer. In this design
copper vias are placed at extreme end corners of the patches. Experimental results show
that the same antenna can be used for metallic as well as for non-metallic cases because the
read range of the proposed design is 1.7 m when the tag is mounted on a metallic sheet and
1.1 m without any metal sheet.
In this work we also proposed a mathematical model for slotted as well as for non-
slotted RFID tag antenna to enhance the computation speed of antenna design. RLC circuit
model proposed in this thesis can be used to develop slotted as well as for unslotted RFID
tag antenna for various frequencies and for different tag ICs having different input
impedances. This work is expected to contribute to improvement in antenna design
automation.
Chapter 1
Introduction
This chapter contains motivation of the work followed by an overview and organization
of the thesis.
1.1 Motivation
Rapid advances in wireless applications have remarkably increased the usage of Radio
Frequency Identification (RFID) technique which is used for identifying and tracking
objects wirelessly through radio waves. It is gaining popularity in several industries, e.g.,
automotives, aerospace, chemical, health care, power plants and transportation.
Globally, the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band for RFID system ranges between 840-
960 MHz, within which each region/country is allotted a unique range. For example, UHF
band allotted for RFID applications in Europe is 866-869 MHz and that for India is 865-
867 MHz band [1 −2].
RFID tag is usually attached to different kinds of objects like wood, plastic, metal, etc.
which have different properties. When RFID is attached to metallic objects it develops
interference as metal is an electromagnetic reflector and radio signals cannot penetrate
through it. Hence metallic objects strongly affect the performance of antenna like radiation
pattern, gain, etc. [3]. Due to this limitation it is essential to design an efficient RFID tag
1
antenna which has minimum interference effects due to metallic objects to which it is
attached.
Further, different applications demand that RFID antenna be designed in such a
way that it should have following features:
a) Small size;
b) Proper impedance matching between tag IC and antenna;
c) Low interference effect, due to material in which tag is placed;
d) High gain;
e) Good read range; and
f) Low fabrication cost [4].
Several designs have been proposed in the literature for RFID tag antenna mountable on
metallic objects. To name a few are: dipole antenna, loop antenna, microstrip patch and
planar inverted F-antenna (PIFA). Most common UHF tags are dipole or its variant due to
simple design and cost effectiveness. However, Patch antenna and PIFA (Printed Inverted
F-Antenna) are sometimes a better choice than dipole antenna or wire antenna because of
the following disadvantages of dipole antenna and wire antenna:
(a) Efficiency of dipole antenna gets reduced in close proximity with a metallic sheet
[5];
(b) Resonant frequency of a typical dipole antenna changes when it is located near
metallic surfaces;
(c) Wire antenna consumes a lot of space [6].
2
Fractals are also used in the design of RFID tag antennas to reduce antenna size. One of
the advantages of fractal antennas is their low resonant frequency [7- 8]. By altering the
antenna geometry one can lower the resonant frequency with acceptable radiation pattern.
It has been found that larger the antenna perimeter, lower is the resonant frequency. Hence
the aim for antenna design should be to completely utilize the available sheet space [9].
Another advantage of fractal antennas is its multi-band nature [10]. But these structures are
highly complex to fabricate and are costly.
To reduce interference effect caused due to metallic objects there are two approaches of
designing RFID metallic tags. First is the insertion of high permittivity substrate or by
embedding a High Impedance Surface (HIS) ground plane [11] and second is use of antenna
designs like PIFA and IFA. However, half power bandwidth of PIFA is narrow, in free
space as well as when placed on metallic objects [12-13].
One of the challenges for antenna designer is to design an antenna with low
thickness because several applications such as notebooks, aluminium cans etc. require
antennas with low profile structures having low thickness (around 1mm) [3]. Literature
shows that using High-Impedance Surface (HIS) structure we can design antennas with
lower thickness. Sung Lin Chen and Ken Huang Lin proposed a slim RFID tag antenna
operating at 925 MHz (European RFID band) for metallic objects which is based on a unit
cell structure of HIS whose overall size is 65 mm x 20 mm x 1.5 mm. It is thinner than
inverted-F antenna (IFA), planar inverted-F antenna (PIFA), or patch-type antennas for
metallic objects [14].
Another challenge for antenna designers is to design small sized tag antenna which
can be achieved by inserting a non-connected conductive layer between patch and ground
3
plane, which leads to the increase in overall capacitance [15]. As conductive layer is
introduced between patch and ground plane the overall size is reduced to 32 mm x 18 mm x
3.2 mm from 65 mm x 20 mm x 1.5 mm at 925 MHz [15]. However, we noticed during our
study that the introduction of more than one conductive layer leads to decrease in antenna
gain and bandwidth (discussed in Chapter 2).
One can further miniaturize the antenna with the introduction of slots. To accomplish
this problem we propose a miniature slotted RFID tag antenna with one non-connected
conductive layer and two slots in each patch whose overall size is 33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2
mm at 865 MHz [16].
We also focused on the usability of tag antenna for other tag chips. There are wide
ranges of tag Integrated Circuits (ICs) available in the market with different input
impedances. We know that for maximum power transfer between tag IC and an antenna,
input impedance of antenna has to be a complex conjugate of tag IC‟s input impedance.
One way to vary antenna input impedance is to change overall dimensions like length,
width or by changing dielectric material. The main objective behind this study is to
conceive the geometry of the tag antenna such that the same antenna with same dimensions
can be used for a large range of tag ICs. As a conclusion it is proposed that the slotted RFID
tag antenna can be reused for different tag chips having different input impedances simply
by varying slot length without changing any other antenna dimensions.
1.2 Objectives of the Study
Objectives of this work are as follows:
4
1. In this thesis miniature slotted RFID tag antenna is presented for metallic object
which has low interference effect due to metallic objects. Proposed antenna has
high read range and a good gain. One of the main features of proposed antenna is
that it can be matched to a large range of tag ICs just by varying slot length and
keeping all other dimensions same.
2. In this work we also designed an equivalent lumped model of a proposed RFID
tag antenna such that the tag antenna can be directly synthesized from the
equivalent circuit instead of designing antenna in simulation software which will
enhance computation speed. With the help of equivalent circuits we can easily
estimate resonant frequency, S - parameters, and bandwidth etc.
1.3 Overview of RFID System
RFID system consists of a reader, a tag and an interface software. Schematic diagram of
RFID system is shown in Fig. 1.1. RFID tag can be subdivided into a tag IC and an
antenna (Fig. 1.2). Tag IC holds the unique identification data (ID) of the object such as
ISBN number of the book or title of the book, etc.
5
Reader Antenna Tag Antenna
RFID Reader RFID Tag
Data
Management
System
Figure 1. 1 RFID System
Figure 1. 2 RFID Tag Picture Showing its Components
RFID
System
Semi-
Passive Passive Active
Sensor Other
LF HF UHF Microwave Active Tags
Tags
Figure 1. 3 RFID Tree
6
There are several categories of RFID tags, namely passive, semi-passive or active tags,
each of which has certain advantages and certain disadvantages. Passive tags do not have a
battery. Thus for the system to operate, the tag needs to receive enough power to excite a
tag IC. Moreover, the modulated backscatter signal from RFID tag needs to be correctly
received and decoded by the reader. Semi-passive tags have a tag power source but no
active transmitter. Active tags have both on tag power source and active transmitter. Active
tags have higher read range capability as compared to passive tags. Passive tags have range
of less than 6 meters while active tags can have range in kilometers. Yet one disadvantage
of active tags is that they are more costly than the passive tags. Brief comparisons between
different passive, semi-active and active tags are shown in Table 1.1.
Tags can also be classified as read only and read-write tags [17]. As we want tag IC
with minimal cost and which can store sufficient identification number so for our study we
are using Alien passive RFID tag ICs.
Table 1.1 Comparisons between Active, Semi-Active and Passive Tags
Type Power Supply Size Cost Range
No battery Small, thin and

Passive present light Cheap Short (<6m)
Large, thick and

Semi-active Has battery heavy Intermediate Upto 100 m
Large, thick and

Active Has battery heavy Expensive Long(>100m)
7
1.4 Advantages of RFID
RFID tag has many advantages and, therefore, it is increasingly replacing the barcode
technology. Characteristics that make RFID better than the barcode are as follows:
Read range of the RFID tag is greater than that of the bar code;
A large number of tags can be read at the same time;
RFID tags have read/write capacity which is not limited by the line of sight
propagation, as used in barcode.
However, the RFID tags are more expensive than the barcodes [18].
1.5 Organization of Thesis
This thesis is organized as follows:
Thesis consists of five chapters.
Chapter 2 deals with the design of RFID tag antenna for metallic objects. It
describes a brief procedure to make the initial design.
Chapter 3 presents the simulated results and measured results of RFID tag
antenna.
Chapter 4 contains equivalent circuit model of antenna designed for RFID tags. It
shows the various steps of the method used for finding the circuit element values.
This chapter also discusses the ways of modifying the existing equivalent circuit
for HIS and compares simulation and circuit model responses.
8
Chapter 5 contains the conclusion of the work. It also suggests the limitations of
the thesis and in what direction further work need to be carried out.
1.6 Key Contributions:
Designed antennas for RFID tag antenna for metallic applications which can be
used for non-metallic applications also.
Fabrication cost is low.
Simple antenna design.
Antenna can be attached directly to the metallic object without providing spacer.
Antenna can be used for other tag ICs without changing overall dimensions or
without inserting extra matching circuit.
We also proposed a circuit model for tag antenna which is simple and can be
used for any tag IC and at any frequency and has similar response with wave
solver method.
9
Chapter 2
Slotted RFID Tag Antenna Design and Analysis
This chapter discusses design methodology of slotted RFID tag antenna mounted on
metallic objects with a brief description of all the elements involved in the proposed
antenna. Tag antenna in this work is designed to serve the following properties as shown in
Fig. 2.1. In chapter 3 we will discuss the simulation and fabrication results of proposed
antennas.
TAG Antenna
Usability of tag
Good Read
Small Size High Gain antenna for
Range
various tag chips
Figure 2. 1 Antenna Characteristics
10
2.1 Structural Design of Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
In this chapter we propose a slotted RFID tag antenna mountable on metallic objects
operating in the UHF band of India (865-867 MHz). For this study we have considered
Alien 9440 RFID tag IC whose input impedance is 6-j*125 ohm at 865 MHz. For
maximum power transfer, antenna‟s input impedance has to be complex conjugate of the
input impedance of the tag ICs which are in generally capacitive in nature, hence for
proper impedance matching antenna has to be inductive. To match slotted RFID tag
antenna with Alien 9440 IC, the input impedance of a tag antenna should be 6+j125 Ω at
865 MHz.
Structure of slotted RFID tag antenna consists of three metallic layers, as shown in Fig.
2.2. The top layer contains two rectangular symmetrical metallic patches separated by 1
mm gap and the bottom layer is a ground plane. The tag IC (1 mm x 1 mm) is placed
across the gap between two coplanar patches. In between ground and patch, a non-
connected metallic plate called as „floating plate‟ is present. On the top layer (metallic
patches) multiple slots are created. The top layer is electrically connected to ground plane
through a copper via (vertical post). In this design the insulation between metallic layers
and ground plane is provided by FR4 substrate whose relative permittivity is 4.4, relative
permeability is 1 and dielectric loss tangent is 0.02. Antenna is excited at the position of
tag IC using lumped port excitation which is shown in Fig. 2.3 Proposed design is
simulated in Ansoft HFSS simulator. Advantages of having vias, slots and floating plate in
a tag antenna are explained in next sections.
11
Figure 2. 2 Layers of Antenna
Figure 2. 3 Position in Antenna
2.2. Effect of Via, Slots and Floating Plate on tag Antenna
2.2.1. Role of Via
Conducting via (vertical post) is used to connect two different metallic layers
electrically. In proposed slotted RFID tag antenna, ground plane is electrically connected
to metallic coplanar patches through conducting vias. In this section effect of conducting
via on an antenna is studied. For this study we considered two cases operating at 865 MHz
whose antenna parameters are given in Table 2.1. These cases are:
12
Case 1: Design with no via (Fig. 2.4 (a))
Case 2: Design with two vias (Fig. 2.4 (b))
LT = 55 mm LT = 55 mm
G = 1 mm G = 1 mm
LP = 27 mm LP = 27 mm
Y Y
W= W=
18 mm 18 mm
Metallic Metallic
Tag Chip Tag Chip
X a) Top View Patch X a) Top View Patch
Z Z
A =52 mm D = 2 mm
µr, εr µr, εr
H =3.2 mm H =3.2 mm
Ground Plane Ground Plane
Via 1 Via 2
b) Side View b) Side View
Figure 2. 4 a) Design with No Via b) Design with Two Vias
Table 2. 1 Design Parameters
Parameters Case 1 Case 2
Resonant frequency 865 MHz 865 MHz
Patch length (LP) 27 mm 27 mm
Patch width (W) 18 mm 18 mm
Height (H) 3.2 mm 3.2 mm
Total length (LT) 55 mm 55 mm
Via radius 2 mm 2 mm
13
Center coordinates of Via x= 9 mm, y= 2 mm,
1 from bottom - z= 0 mm
Center coordinates of Via x= 9 mm ,y= 53

2 from bottom - mm, 0 mm
Via height - 3.2 mm
Size of metallic object 20 x 20 cm2 20 cm x 20 cm
Simulation results show that antenna without via (case 1) has gain -7.6 dB at 865 MHz
(Fig. 2.5 (a)) and antenna with via (case 2) has gain -2.8 dB at 865 MHz (Fig. 2.5 (b)).
Hence gain of an antenna containing via is higher than the antenna without via. The reason
behind this behavior can be explained as follows:
Figure 2. 5 a) Radiation Pattern for Case 1 (antenna without via) b) Radiation Pattern for case 2 (antenna with
via)
Looking at the current distribution on coplanar patches and ground plane we conclude
the following (Fig. 2.6- 2.9):
14
a) For antenna without via the current distribution on coplanar patches is triangular
which means that the current is maximum at the center (where antenna is fed) and
current decreases linearly towards the ends of the antenna (Fig. 2.6).
Figure 2. 6 Current Distribution on Coplanar Patches
Figure 2. 7 Current Distribution on Ground Plane
b) In case of via the current distribution is almost uniform. Maximum peak on coplanar
patches is at center and also at via positions (Fig. 2.8). Also current is distributed
uniformly on the ground plane and peak exists on vias (Fig. 2.9).
15
Figure 2. 8 Current Distribution on Coplanar Patches
Figure 2. 9 Current Distribution on Ground Plane
We can relate the above two cases with short dipole and half wave dipole. A Short dipole
antenna is formed by two conducting rods with a total length (L/2) which is much smaller
than the operating wavelength (λ). A dipole antenna is formed by two quarter wavelength
conductors placed back to back for a total length λ/2 and this antenna is longer than the
short dipole. In both the cases antenna is centrally fed. Experiments show that the current
on a short dipole antenna has a triangular distribution with maxima at the center which
16
linearly tapers off to zero at the ends [19]. As the length of the dipole approaches a
significant fraction of the wavelength, it is found that the current distribution is closer to a
sinusoidal distribution rather that triangular distribution. However, in case of half wave
dipole the current distribution is almost uniform with a node at the corners and anti-node at
center. We can conclude that as the length of the antenna increases, the beam becomes
narrower and as a result, the directivity also increases [20] for e.g. gain of the short dipole
antenna is 1.7 dB and that of half wave dipole is 2.15 dB [21]. From the above arguments
we infer as the electrical length is higher in case of an antenna containing vias compared to
electrical length in case of antenna without via that is why antenna gain is more in case of
antenna containing via.
2.2.2. Role of Slots
In this section unslotted as well as slotted designs are simulated in Ansoft HFSS to
understand the behavior of slots on coplanar patches. In a slotted design two slots are
inserted on each coplanar patches. Fig.2.10 (a) and 2.10 (b) show the current density vector
on coplanar patches of unslotted and slotted antenna respectively and we can conclude that
in case of slotted antenna design the slots cut off the flow path of the current which makes
the current to flow around the slots and this leads to increase in equivalent current path
[22]. As current path is increased, overall inductance is increased which is dependent on
slot length and slot width. Hence by adjusting slot length, antenna inductance can be
increased or decreased. Inductance developed from slots is dependent on slot length and
slot width [23]. This means that if a tag IC is highly capacitive then slot length has to be
17
large and if tag IC‟s capacitance is low then slot length has to be small. Hence by adjusting
slot length, antenna can be matched to any tag IC without changing overall dimensions.
a) Current Density in Unslotted Design
b) Current Density in slotted Design
Figure 2. 10 Current Density Representations
2.2.3.1 Analysis of Unslotted Antenna Design
In this section, a study is done for the comparison of unslotted antenna with slotted
antenna in terms of bandwidth, gain, antenna dimensions, etc. Both antennas are designed
in HFSS such that both can operate at 865 MHz. Structural design of an unslotted tag
antenna consists of a two metallic layers. The top layer contains two coplanar metallic
18
patches which are separated by a gap G and bottom layer is a ground layer. Length of each
patch is LP and width is W (Fig. 2.11). Metallic patches are electrically connected to the
ground plane through conducting vias (vertical post). In between metallic patch and ground
plane, there is a dielectric substrate whose thickness is H and relative permeability is µr
and relative permittivity is εr and a tag IC is placed across the gap between two coplanar
patches.
LT = 55 mm
G = 1 mm
LP = 27 mm
W=
18 mm
Metallic
Tag Chip
X a) Top View Patch
Z D = 2 mm
A =52 mm
µr, εr
H =3.2 mm
Via 1 Ground Plane
Via 2
b) Side View
Figure 2. 11 Unslotted Antenna Design
19
Geometrical parameters of an unslotted antenna are shown in Table 2.2 which are
optimized to a tag IC whose input impedance is 6-j125Ω at 865 MHz. Dielectric layer FR4
(εr is 4.4 and µr is 1) is filled between coplanar patches and the ground plane. Simulations
are carried out considering that the tag is placed horizontally on a metallic object.
Table 2. 2 Unslottted Antenna Design Parameters
Resonant frequency 865 MHz
Patch Length (LP) 27 mm
Width (W) 18 mm
Height (H) 3.2 mm
Total length (LT) 55 mm
Metallic object 20 x 20 cm2
Via Radius 1 mm
Center Coordinates of 9 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm

Via 1 on ground plane
Center Coordinates of 9 mm , 53 mm, 0 mm

Via 2 on ground plane
Via height 3.2 mm
We observe that the resonant frequency of unslotted antenna is 865 MHz. Antenna gain
is -2.8 dB (Fig.2.12), reflection coefficient is -42.7 dB (Fig. 2.13), and bandwidth is 305
MHz at the 865 MHz.
20
soft Corporation Radiation Pattern 5 HFSSDe
0 Curve Info
-30 30 dB(GainPhi)
-6.00 Setup1 : LastAdap
-9.50
-60 60
-13.00
-16.50
-90 90
-120 120
-150 150
-180
a) Phi plane
t Corporation Radiation Pattern 6 HFSSDe
0 Curve Info
-30 30 dB(GainThe
-6.00 Setup1 : LastAdap
-12.00
-60 60
-18.00
-24.00
-90 90
-120 120
-150 150
-180
b) Theta Plane
Figure 2. 12 Radiation Pattern of Unslotted Antenna
21
Reflection Coefficient (dB) -10
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 2. 13 Reflection Coefficient Plot
2.2.3.2 Analysis of Slotted antenna Design
In slotted design two identical slots are created in each coplanar metallic patches
(Fig.2.14). These slots behave as an inductor where slot inductance is proportional to the
slot length and slot width [22-23].
22
LT = 49.4 mm
G = 1 mm
LP = 24.2 mm
S4 =
S2 =
( 0 mm,
( 0 mm,
37.05 mm,
18.37 mm,
3.2 mm)
3.2 mm) Y
W=
18
G = 1 mm
mm
LS =
7 mm
S1 = S3 =
( 18 mm, 12.35 ( 18 mm, 30.87
X
mm, 3.2 mm) mm, 3.2 mm)
Z
A = 46.4 mm D =2 mm
µr, εr
H = 3.2 mm
Via 1 Via 2
Figure 2. 14 Slotted Antenna Design
In this section proposed slotted antenna is simulated at 865 MHz. Design parameters are
shown in Table 2.3. Dielectric layer of FR4 is filled between coplanar patches and the
ground plane.
Table 2. 3 Design Parameters of Slotted Antenna
Total Length (LT) 49.4 mm
Width (W) 18 mm
Height (H) 3.2 mm
23
Slot length (LS) 7 mm
Slots in each patch 2
Slot width (WS) 1 mm
Slot S1 location 18 mm, 12.35 mm , 3.2

mm

mm

mm

mm
Via Diameter 2 mm
Via 1 center coordinate x= 9mm, y= 2 mm, z= 0

mm
Via 2 center coordinate x= 9mm, y= 47.4 mm, z=

0 mm
Via Height 3.2 mm
Ground Plane 20 x 20 mm2
Simulation results show that antenna resonated at 865 MHz. At the resonating frequency
antenna gain is -3.4 dB (Fig. 2.15) and reflection coefficient is -40 dB (Fig. 2.16), and the
bandwidth is 325 MHz.
24
Corporation Radiation Pattern 6 HFSS
0 Curve Inf
-30 30 dB(GainT
-6.00 Setup1 : LastA
-12.00
-60 60
-18.00
-24.00
-90 90
-120 120
-150 150
-180
Corporation Radiation
a) ThetaPattern
Plane 15 HFSSD
0 Curve Info
-30 30 dB(GainPh
-6.50 Setup1 : LastAda
-10.50
-60 60
-14.50
-18.50
-90 90
-120 120
-150 150
-180
b) Phi Plane
Figure 2. 15 Radiation Pattern of Slotted Antenna
25
-10
Reflection Coefficient (dB)
-15
-20
-25
-30
-35
-40
-45
0.55 0.6 0.65 0.7 0.75 0.8 0.85 0.9 0.95 1
Frequency (GHz)
Figure 2. 16 Reflection Coefficient Plot
From the above study we conclude that the introduction of slot has resulted in reduction
in the size of the tag, but we also observe a slightly lower gain and broader bandwidth
(Table 2.4).
Table 2. 4 Comparison Table
Dimension Resonant Gain Bandwidth Reflection

Frequency (MHz) Coefficient
(mm3) (dB) (dB)
(MHz)
Unslotted 55 x 18 x 865 -2.8 305 -42.7

Antenna 3.2
Slotted 49.4 x 18 x 865 -3.4 325 -40

Antenna 3.2
26
2.2.3. Role of floating plate
Resonant frequency is inversely proportional to product of inductance and capacitance
value. In notations (Eqn. 1):
Where, ω is resonant frequency, L is inductance and C is capacitance. Sung Lin Chen
proposed [15] a method to increase the capacitance of an antenna with the decrease in the
resonant frequency keeping other dimensions intact. Design contains conductive layer
(floating plate) between coplanar patches and the ground plane, which leads to the increase
in overall capacitance and lowers resonant frequency without changing other antenna
dimensions. Therefore, as the number of floating plate increases, the capacitance of
antenna also increases. Further, the increase of slot length also results in the increase of
inductance. Thus for a given antenna size, the resonant frequency can be decreased either
by introducing more floating plates or by increasing slot length in the upper patches.
2.3 Different Designs with Floating Plate, Conducting Vias and

Slots
It can be noticed from the above study that the length of the current path increases due to
slots and this results in a larger inductance as compared to unslotted antenna. Also it is
27
possible to adjust the inductance by changing only the slot length and keeping patch size
unchanged. Floating plates also helps in size reduction. As tag ICs are capacitive in nature
hence for proper matching between antenna and tag IC, antenna has to be inductive. Now
antenna can be designed by creating slots on three metal layers: a) floating plate, b)
coplanar patches c) ground plane. In this section we are trying to find best position of slots
based on reactance vs. resistance plot.
2.3.1. Design 1: Slotted RFID Tag Antenna with One Floating Plate
The proposed slotted RFID tag antenna contains three metallic layers: top layer is
coplanar patches, middle layer is floating plate and bottom layer is a ground. The upper
layer is electrically connected to the ground plane through a copper via. In this design two
identical slots are created in each coplanar metallic patches.
2.3.1.1 Resistance vs. Reactance Plot for Unslotted Antenna and Slotted Antenna
In this section unslotted antenna and slotted antenna are simulated for various lengths
and widths to check the range of inductance and resistance so that the same design can be
used for other tag ICs having different resistance and capacitance values. For an unslotted
antenna, simulations were carried out by varying antenna width from 13 mm to 23 mm and
antenna length from 25 mm to 35 mm. For slotted RFID antenna, simulations were carried
out for slot length 1 mm to 15 mm, antenna width from 13 mm to 23 mm, and antenna
length from 25 mm to 35 mm. Plots in Fig.2.1 7 & 2.18 shows the Reactance vs. Resistance
Plot for the unslotted antenna and slotted antenna respectively. It is clear from scatter plots
that the tag antenna without slots is capable of achieving only selected combinations of
resistance and reactance. It can be observed from the plot of unslotted design in Fig. 2.17
28
that at a lower resistance the corresponding reactance is also lower whereas for higher
resistance the resultant reactance is also higher. There is almost a linear relationship
between resistance and reactance. Hence the unslotted design will not work for tag ICs
having high capacitance and low resistance for e.g. NXP RFID IC SL3S10 01 FTT UCODE
EPC G2 TSSOP8 package whose input impedance is 22+j*404 ohm. To overcome this
problem, slots are created on the antenna. Therefore, by adjusting slot length inductance
value of an antenna can be increased or decreased. It is clear that this design can give low as
well as high impedance, (for example 22 + j*350 and 22 + j*150), by simply adjusting the
slot length.
Figure 2. 17 R-X plot Unslotted Antenna with One Floating plate
29
Figure 2. 18 R-X Plot of Slotted Antenna with One Floating plate
2.3.2. Design 2: Slots on Floating Plate
In this case four slots are inserted on floating plate instead of coplanar patches and slot
length is varied from 1 mm to 15 mm, antenna width from 13 mm to 23 mm, and antenna
length from 25 mm to 35 mm. Plot in Fig. 2.19 shows the Reactance vs. Resistance Plot. It
is clear that this design can give low as well as high impedance, by simply adjusting the slot
length but there is a gap between area covered in plot. Hence it is a not a good idea to insert
slots on floating plate.
30
350
300
250
Reactance
200
150
100
50
0
0 10 20 30 40 50 60 70 80 90 100
Resistance
Figure 2. 19 Four Slots on floating Plate- RX plot
2.4 Effect of floating plate on Slotted Antenna
Now in this section, a brief study is done on the effect of increasing the number of
floating plates on the performance of the antenna. In all the proposed designs, antenna
dimensions are same (33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2 mm). We used upto five floating plates (Fig.
2.20) and studied the effect on performance. It is found that an increase in the number of
floating plates between ground and patches has the following consequences (Table 2.5 &
Fig. 2.21):
a) Decrease in bandwidth: In the absence of floating plate, the bandwidth is 404 MHz
whereas in the presence of six floating plates the bandwidth decreases to 70 MHz.
b) Decrease in resonant frequency: In the absence of a floating plate resonant frequency
is 1.14 GHz whereas in case of six floating plates it is 525 MHz.
31
c) As the number of floating plate increases the gap between the adjacent resonating
frequencies decreases. Hence we can conclude that by inserting more plates the antenna
size can be reduced but with some trade-off.
Figure 2. 20 Designs upto 5 Floating Plates
Table 2. 5 No. of Floating Plates, Resonant Frequency and Bandwidth
Resonating Frequency
No. of Floating Plate Bandwidth (MHz)
(MHz)
Zero 1140 440
One 870 245
Two 745 165
Three 665 120
Four 605 105
Five 565 85
Six 525 70
32
Figure 2. 21 Comparison Plot between Frequency and Reflection Coefficient
2.5 Effect on Gain due to Floating Plates
It is clear from Table 2.6 and Fig. 2.22 that gain of the antenna at the resonant
frequency decreases as the number of floating plate increases. Antenna gain is more in the
absence of floating plate.
33
Figure 2. 22 Gain Patterns
Table 2. 6 Gain Table
Number of floating Plates Gain (dB)
Zero -3
One -6
Two -8
Three -9
Four -9.9
Five -10
Six -11
34
2.6 Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
In this section slotted RFID tag antenna is modified for the following objectives:
a) to improve gain and read range of the antenna;
b) to decrease antenna thickness ;
c) to broaden reactance vs. resistance plot such that the same design with different
dimensions can be used for more number of tag chips. All objectives are given in
Fig. 2.23.
Modified TAG
Antenna
Low antenna Good Read Broader R-X

Small Size High Gain Range Plot
thickness
Figure 2. 23 Objectives
Design of modified slotted RFID tag antenna is also based on double mushroom like
structure and contains two metallic layers. Top layer contains two rectangular patches and
bottom layer is a ground layer. These two layers are electrically connected through
35
conducting vias. In the two patches two vias are placed in the extreme end corners: a) in
the first patch it is put in the top left position b) in the second patch it is put in the right
bottom position (Fig. 2.24). The reason to place two vias in extreme end corners is that
now distance between vias is increased which leads to larger current path. As current path
is increased overall inductance is also increased. Hence to have more inductance for small
structure we placed two vias at extreme end corners. In this design we used Duroid (εr is
2.2 and µr is 1) substrate instead of FR4 because FR4 is a lossy dielectric as compared to
Duroid dielectric. The only disadvantage with Duroid is that it is costlier than FR4.
LT
G
LP
LS1 LS4
Y
W LW
LS
LS3
LS2
X Tag Chip
Metallic
a) Top View Via
Patch
Z
A D
H µr, εr
Y
Via 1 Via 2
Ground Plane
b) Side View
Figure 2. 24 Modified Slotted Antenna
36
We now simulate the modified slotted RFID antenna with different length, width and
slot length values for the reactance vs. resistance plot (R-X plot). Here slot length is varied
from 1 mm to 16 mm, antenna width from 10 mm to 30 mm, and antenna length from 45
mm to 65 mm, via 1 position from 2 mm to width/2 mm, via 2 position from width/2 to
width-2 mm. It is clear from Fig. 2.20 that this design can give low as well as high
impedance by simply adjusting antenna dimensions and this design has more covering area
as compared to all designs given above (Fig. 2.13- 2.15). Hence this design is better than
above all designs.
Figure 2. 25 R- X Plot of Modified RFID Tag Antenna
37
2.7 Analysis of Study
From the study we can conclude that:
a) We can improve radiation pattern and gain by connecting ground plane through
patches.
b) Floating plate decreases the resonant frequency. With this we can achieve
miniaturized antenna.
c) With the help of slots we can increase and decrease antenna inductance by
changing slot length without disturbing antenna dimensions.
d) On increasing the number of floating plates it was found that:
1) Antenna gain decreases as the number of floating plate increases; and
2) Antenna bandwidth and resonate frequency decreases with increase in floating
plates.
e) Modified Slotted RFID tag antenna has broader R-X plot as compared to all other
designs proposed in this paper.
f) All proposed antennas with their dimensions, gain are given in Table 2.7. Based on
the table slotted antenna with one floating plate is a good option because its size is
least and modified slotted antenna is another good option because its thickness is
low and its gain is best among all designs. Hence we will focus on these two
designs only. Next chapter contains simulation and fabrication results of slotted
antenna with one floating plate and modified slotted antenna with one floating
plate.
38
Antenna Type Size (mm x Resonant Gain (dB)

mm x mm) Frequency
(MHz)
Case 1: No Floating Plate
Antenna without via 58 x 18x 3.2 865 -7.6
Antenna with via 55 x 18x 3.2 865 -2.6
Slotted antenna with 49.4 x 18x 3.2 865 -3.4
vias
Case 2: One Floating Plate
Unslotted antenna 42 x 16 x 3.2 865 -7.2
Slotted antenna 33 x 18 x 3.2 865 -6
Modified Slotted 66 x 24 x 1.6 865 0.5
antenna without
metallic object
Modified Slotted 66 x 24 x 1.6 865 0.8
antenna with 180 cm x
120 cm metallic object
39
Chapter 3
3. Simulation and Fabrication Results
This chapter contains simulation and fabrication results of two antennas:
a) Slotted RFID tag with one floating plate
b) Modified slotted RFID tag Antenna
3.1 Slotted RFID tag Antenna
In this work proposed slotted RFID tag Antenna is designed for following
characteristics:
(a) Miniature size (33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2 mm);
(b) Usability of antenna with different tag ICs without changing antenna size; and
(c) Reduction of interference due to metallic object for the given design.
Design parameters are shown in Table 3.1 which is simulated for two different tag ICs
namely, Alien 9440 IC [24] and NXP RFID IC SL3S10 01 FTT UCODE EPC G2 TSSOP8
package [25] by putting their input impedances and different slot lengths in the design.
Here we matched our antenna to the tag IC by taking 22 – j*404 ohm as the IC‟s input
impedance of NXP RFID IC and 6 – j*125 ohm as the IC‟s input impedance of Alien 9440
IC at 865 MHz. To check antenna performance in the presence of metallic object, a 20 cm
x 20 cm metallic sheet is placed below the slotted antenna at a gap of 0.2 mm.
40
Table 3. 1 Design Parameters of Slotted Antenna with One Floating Plate
Parameter Alien 9440 IC NXP RFID IC
Input impedance of a 6-j*125 ohm 22 – j*404 ohm

tag IC
Patch Length (LP) 16 mm 16 mm
Width (W) 16 mm 16 mm
Total Length (LT) 33 mm 33 mm
Height (H) 3.2 mm 3.2 mm
Slot length (LS) 7 mm 13 mm
Slots in each patch 2 2
Slot width (WS) 1 mm 1 mm
Slot S1 location 16 mm, 8.25 mm , 3.2 mm 16 mm, 8.25 mm , 3.2 mm
Via Diameter 2 mm 2 mm
Via 1 center coordinate 8 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm 8 mm, 2 mm, 0 mm
Via 2 center coordinate 8mm, 31 mm, 0 mm 8mm, 31 mm, 0 mm
Via Height 3.2 mm 3.2 mm
Ground Plane 20 x 20 mm2 20 mm x 20 mm
Gap between metallic 0.2 mm 0.2 mm

object and antenna
41
LT = 33 mm
G = 1 mm
LP = 16 mm
S4 =
S2 =
( 0 mm,
( 0 mm,
24.75 mm,
12.3 mm,
3.2 mm)
3.2 mm) Y
W=
16
G = 1 mm
mm
LS
S1 = S3 =
( 16 mm, 8.25 ( 16 mm, 20.625
X
mm, 3.2 mm) mm, 3.2 mm)
a) Top View
Z
A = 30 mm D =2 mm
H = 3.2 mm
Via 1 Via 2
Floating Plane
Ground Plane
b) Side View
Figure 3. 1 Design of Miniature Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
3.1.1 Reflection Coefficient Plot for two tag ICs
To match slotted RFID tag antenna with two different tag ICs, we considered two
antennas with the same dimensions (33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2 mm) but different slot lengths.
For perfect matching the reflection coefficient has to be greater than -10 dB. Simulation
results show that the reflection coefficient is -38 dB when the slot length is 13 mm at 865
MHz and the antenna is matched to NXP RFID IC. For the second case the reflection
coefficient is -34 dB when the slot length is 7 mm at 865 MHz and the antenna is matched
to Alien 9440 IC (Fig 3.2). It can be concluded that the same design can be used for
42
different tag ICs just by adjusting slot length without changing its dimensions, i.e., length,
width, height or other parameters.
Figure 3. 2 Reflection Coefficient of Miniature Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
3.1.2 Interference Effect due to Metallic sheet
To explore the interference effect due to metallic objects, slotted RFID tag antenna was
simulated by taking metal sheets of different sizes and keeping a constant distance of 0.2
mm between the antenna and the metallic sheet. In this study, the metallic sheet size is
varied from 3 cm to 39 cm. Since the shift in resonant frequency due to different sizes of
metallic sheet is very low, we can conclude that the interference effect is low (Table 3.2).
As the antenna performance does not change by varying metallic sheet dimensions and
43
also this antenna is a wideband antenna, hence this antenna can be attached to smaller as
well as larger metallic sheets.
Figure 3. 3 Interference Effect
Table 3. 2 Experimental Results
Metallic Object Size (mm3 ) Resonant Frequency (MHz)

3x3 853
15 x 15 869
24 x 24 870
33 x 33 869
39 x 39 868
44
3.1.3 Fabrication results
Slotted antenna (33 mm x 16 mm x 3.2 mm) with slot length 7 mm was fabricated in
IIT Kanpur PCB lab. Substrate used in the fabrication is FR4 and Alien 9440 IC was
attached to the antenna in between the two patches as shown in Fig 3.4. To verify the read
range performance of the slotted tag antenna, RFID reader Alien 8800 was setup at 865-
867 MHz. Maximum radiation power was 2 W EIRP. The maximum read range was
found to be 80 cm when a metallic plate having size 20 cm x 10 cm was placed below
antenna. This measurement was conducted inside an Anechonic Chamber.
Figure 3. 4 Fabricated Antenna
3.2 Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
Modified slotted RFID tag antenna discussed in Sec. 2.6 is now simulated in Ansoft
HFSS for dimensions shown in Table 3.3.
45
Table 3. 3 Design Parameters of Modified Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
Patch Length (LP) 32.5 mm
Width (W) 24 mm
Total Length (LT) 66 mm
Height (H) 1.6 mm
Slot length (LS) 7 mm
Slots in each patch 2
Slot width (WS) 1 mm
Via Diameter 2 mm
3.2.1 Simulation Results:
We observe that the resonant frequency of modified slotted RFID tag antenna is 865
MHz. Antenna gain is 0.3 dB (Fig.3.5), and reflection coefficient is -32 dB (Fig. 3.6) at 865
MHz.
46
Figure 3. 5 Radiation Pattern of Modified RFID Tag Antenna
Ansoft Corporation HFSSDesign1
XY Plot 3
-5.00
dB(S(LumpPort1,LumpPort1))
-10.00
-15.00
-20.00
-25.00
-30.00
-35.00
0.50 0.60 0.70 0.80 0.90 1.00

Freq [GHz]
Figure 3. 6 Radiation Pattern of Modified RFID Tag Antenna
3.2.2 Fabrication Results
Slotted antenna (66 mm x 24 mm x 1.6 mm) with slot length 7 mm was fabricated.
Substrate used in the fabrication is Duroid and Alien IC was attached to the antenna in
between the two patches as shown in Fig 3.7. To verify the read range performance of the
slotted tag antenna, RFID reader Alien 8800 was setup at 865-867 MHz. Maximum
47
radiation power was 2 W EIRP. Measurement results are given inTable 3.4.The maximum
read range was found to be 1.7 m when a metallic plate having size 180 cm x 120 cm was
placed below the antenna while 1.1 m read range was found without any metal sheet. This
measurement was conducted inside an Anechonic Chamber (Fig. 3.8). From this
experiment it is clear that modified design works for non-metallic as well as for metallic
sheets and read range of tag antenna increases with increase in metal plate size.
Table 3. 4 Read Range of Modified Slotted Antenna
Metal Size (cm2) Read Range (m)

Antenna without metal 1.1
30 x 20 1.44
50 x 50 1.5
180 x 120 1.7
Figure 3. 7 Fabricated Antenna
48
a) Setup of Alien reader
b) Antenna placed on metallic sheet
Figure 3. 8 Experiment setup in Anechonic Chamber
3.3 Comparision between different antennas
A brief comparison of antennas proposed in this thesis is now compared with other
RFID tag antennas for metallic objects in Table 3.5.
49
Band-
Size Gain
Paper Name width Design Design Description Comment
(mm3) (dB)
(MHz)
 Design contains
three metallic  Small size
layer  Broadband
 Top layer and antenna
bottom layer is  80 cm read range
Miniature Slotted
interconnected  Low interference
RFID Tag
with each other due to metallic
Antenna for -6 at
33x 16 x through vias and objects
Metallic Objects 650-950 865
3.2 slots are  This antenna can
(Design which is MHz
introduced on top be used for wide
proposed in this
layer range of tag ICs
thesis) [16]
 Middle layer is a keeping antenna
floating layer dimesnions same
which is used to just by chaning
decrease antenna slot length
size
 Thickness is low
 High gain
 Broad band
Modified Slotted  Design contains  1.7 m read range
RFID Tag two metallic  Low interference
Antenna for layer due to metallic
0.3 dB
Metallic Objects 66 x 24  Slots are objects
710-970 at 865
(Design which is x 1.6 introduced on top  This antenna can
MHz
proposed in this layer and vias are be used for wide
thesis and to be placed at extreme range of tag ICs
published) end corners keeping antenna
dimesnions same
just by changing
slot length
 Low antenna
 Design contains
thickness
A Slim RFID Tag two metallic
 Good read range
Antenna for 65 x 20 layers which are
902-960  Antenna
Metallic x 1.5 interconnected
designed for one
Applications [14] through copper
tag IC.
vias
 Small size
 Good design for
A Miniature RFID  Designs contains
future research
Tag Antenna three layer
32 x 18  Read range 1.5 m
Design for 890-945  Bottom most
x 3.2  Antenna
Metallic layer is used for
designed for one
Applications [15] size reduction
tag IC.
 Capacitively
coupled
technique is used
for broadband
 Big size
Broadband operation
 Broadband
Capacitively  Long patch is
Antenna
Coupled Patch bend into four
-6 at  High read range
Antenna 83 x 35 radiating parts
889-932 915 Antenna
for RFID Tag x 0.8 where each part
MHz designed for one
Mountable on is one fourth of
tag IC.
Metallic wavelengtht
Objects[29] which makes
surface current in
phase in all
elements
50
Parasitic patch
excites another
resonant mode at Big size
Low-Profile the frequency Broadband
Broadband RFID nearby the antenna
-1 at
Tag antennas 85.5 x fundamental High gain
840-940 865
mountable 43 x 1.6
MHz
resonant  Antenna
on metallic frequency of designed for one
objects[30] driven patch, tag IC.
which increases
antenna
bandwidth
Structure
contains two L-
shaped strips and
two shorting pin
Complex
L shaped stip is
Structure
A Compact UHF used to control
Small Size
RFID Tag reactance of the
898– 36 × 36 1.2 m read range
Antenna Design antenna
for Metallic
930 x 0.8  Antenna
Shorting pins is
Objects[31] designed for one
used to reduce
tag IC.
influence of
metallic object
L shaped strip
increases antenna
bandwidth
Dual frequency
microstrip
antenna is
achieved by
inserting t shaped
microstrip line in
one of the
radiating patch
Large size
A Low-Profile By changing size
Broadband RFID -5 at High read range
of T-shaped
50 x 98  Antenna
Tag Antenna for 840-960 867 microstrp,
x 1.6 designed for one
Metallic MHz resonant
Objects[32] tag IC.
frequency can be
made nearby the
resonant
frequency of
main patch.
Which results in
increase in
antenna
bandwidth.
Simple design
Planar inverted-E
with 2.5 m read
antenna for UHF
range
RFID tag Stub line is
857– 75 x 22  Antenna
on metallic shorted through
980 x 1.6 designed for one
objects with via
tag IC.
bandwidth
enhancement[33]
A Long Read Simple design

Range Rfid Tag  designed for one
922– 70 x 24
Design For tag IC.
928 x3
Metallic
Objects[34]
51
CHAPTER 4
4. Equivalent Circuit Model
Equivalent circuit model either in form of transmission line model or in form of lumped
circuit model of antennas is widely used to enhance the computation speed of antenna
designs as simulation software sometimes take lot of time to simulate. Circuit parameters
can be determined either from curve fitting method, by experiments or from software results
[26]. With the help of equivalent circuits, parameters like resonance frequency, S -
parameters and bandwidth etc. can be easily estimated. This chapter focuses on RLC circuit
model of slotted as well as of unslotted RFID tag antenna without any floating plate.
In this chapter regression analysis is used to determine the element values of the
equivalent circuit. The advantage of the modified equations is that these equations can be
used for any tag chip and at any frequency. Proposed antenna can be directly synthesized
from the equivalent circuit instead of designing through simulation software [27].
4.1 Circuit Model of Unslotted Antenna
In this section, equivalent circuit model of mushroom shaped unslotted RFID tag
antenna shown in Fig. 4.1 is discussed. This is based on High Impedance Surface (HIS)
structure. This structure is a unit cell of HIS model. The circuit contains two metallic
layers which are electrically interconnected through copper vias.
52
LT
G
LP
Tag Chip
X a) Top View
Z D
A
µr, εr
H
Via 1 Ground Plane
Via 2
b) Side View
Figure 4. 1 RFID tag antenna
This structure can be described as LC lumped circuit model in which inductor is parallel
to capacitor. More than ten years ago Sievenpiper proposed a RLC circuit model for high-
impedance surface (HIS) shown in Fig. 4.2 [11]. HIS structure contains infinitely long
ground plane and an array of infinite number identical rectangular patches. These patches
are electrically connected with ground plane.
In this circuit C is the fringing capacitance, L is a loop inductance, and R is the overall
resistance. This circuit model is based on two principles. Firstly, the electric field is
localized between two coplanar patches which generates fringing capacitance between
them. Fringing capacitance is affected by the separation between coplanar patches which
increases as the separation between the patches is increased. Secondly, in this model the
electric current traverses in a loop pattern starting from the metallic patch to the ground
plane through conducting vias, and then again to the metallic patch. This current path
53
provides inductance which includes patch inductance, via inductance and ground plane
inductance. Sievenpiper also proposed the following equations for inductance, capacitance
of the circuit.
A B
L R
Figure 4. 2 RLC circuit
To calculate capacitance, firstly the sheet capacitance is calculated between two
coplanar patches. Then the sheet capacitance is multiplied with geometrical factor, overall
fringing. Here sheet capacitance can be derived using conformal mapping, in which two
semi-infinite plates are separated from each other by gap G and voltage V is applied across
the gap [27]. Sheet capacitance derived from conformal mapping is given by the following
equations [11].
Where Csheet is the sheet capacitance, LP is unit patch length, G is the gap between two
coplanar patches and A is the distance between centers of two vias, εo is the permittivity of
54
vacuum, εr is the relative permittivity of substrate. To get the overall capacitance, sheet
capacitance is multiplied with the geometrical factor which is w/LT [11].
Total inductance L can be calculated by considering geometry as a solenoid, in which
current flows across solenoid in the form of a loop. Solenoid inductance is given as [11]:
Where L is the total inductance, µr is the relative magnetic permeability of the dielectric
material, µo is the vacuum, permeability. LT is the antenna length, W is the antenna width,
and H is the substrate thickness.
In our study the proposed tag antenna is based on a unit cell of High Impedance Surface
instead of array of similar cells. Thus the above L, C equations, based on an infinite array
of cells, need to be modified for single unit cell. As we are considering one unit cell only,
rather than the infinite array, we have to include overhanging capacitance in the circuit
(Fig. 4.3). Overhanging capacitance is the capacitance formed between portion of patch
which is not involved in loop and the ground plane. In case of an HIS we can ignore the
overhanging capacitance because this overhanging part is connected to another unit cell.
In this chapter existing L, C equations of HIS is modified for a unit cell based on
regression analysis which can be applied for slotted case also.
55
Fringing
Capacitance
Overhanging between patches
A B
Loop Inductance
Figure 4. 3 Equivalent Circuit
4.2 Circuit model of slotted RFID Antenna
For modeling of an equivalent RLC circuit of RFID tag antenna with inductive slots here
we considered two main capacitances: a) fringing capacitance; b) overhanging capacitance
and we considered two main inductances: a) slot inductance; b) loop inductance. Here slot
inductances and loop inductance are in series. On simplification of this circuit we can
realize it as a simple RLC circuit in which overall inductor is parallel to the overall
capacitor similar to circuit shown in Fig. 4.2.
4.3 Regression Technique
In this study an attempt is made to improve the predictability of the equation using
multiple linear regression analysis. Multiple regression analysis is a technique for modeling
and analyzing relationship of one dependent variable on a number of independent variables.
It helps in estimating what part of the variability in the dependent variable can be explained
with the help of the independent variables and which independent variables determine the
56
values of the dependent variable more. More specifically, regression analysis helps us to
examine how the value of the dependent variable changes when any one of the independent
variables is varied by one unit, while the other independent variables are held fixed. Here
we are considering least square method for fitting [28].
On the basis of least square method here we added some correction factor based on
regression analysis to the equations given in [11] and Eqn. 3 & 4 such that results obtained
from modified equation matches with the results generated from HFSS in terms of
reflection coefficient, bandwidth and resonant frequency. Regression is carried out for the
following range of antenna parameters (Table 4.1):
Table 4. 1 Range Of Parameters Taken for Regression Analysis
Parameters Values
Slot width 1 mm
Number of slots on each patch 2 or 0
Slot length 0 mm to 12 mm
Via radius 1 mm
Number of vias 2
H 1.6 mm to 3.2 mm
LT 17 mm to 129 mm
W 16 mm to 64 mm
Gap between two patches 1 mm
4.4 Modified Inductance Equation
Here a correction factor based on regression analysis is added to the Eqn. 4 in such a way
that its response matches with the antenna designed in HFSS with best correlation between
modified equation and desired inductance. We also considered the impact of inductive slots
on antenna. Modified equation is regressed by considering slot length, antenna width,
57
antenna length, antenna height as independent variables. Modified equation can be written
as:
In the above equations A is a correction factor which is linearly regressed from slot
length, antenna width and antenna length. D is a regression coefficient (B value) of original
inductance equation (Eqn. 4), which is estimated from regression analysis. Regression
coefficients for all independent variables are estimated from Statistical Analysis Software
SPSS. Regression line A is given below:
Here, LT is total antenna length, LS is slot length, W is antenna width. Constants of each
variable are estimated from B values estimated from regression analysis.
Here desired inductance is a dependent variable, which is obtained manually for
matching HFSS results and RLC circuit results. Slot length, width, height and total length
are independent variables. Regression analysis showed that slot length has the maximum
effect on the inductance. Antenna width has the minimum effect which is statistically
insignificant at 5% level of significance. Hence slot length is the most important
determinant of inductance.
58
R square value depicts the correlation between outcomes and the predicted value. If R
square is equal to one which means that the fitted curve is 100 % correlated with the desired
values. In our case regression model explains 97.9 percent of the correlation between the
outcomes and the desired inductance values. One of the advantages of modified inductance
equation (Eqn. 3) is that we can use single equation for slotted as well as for unslotted RFID
tag antenna. In case of an antenna without inductive slots consider slot length (LS) to be
zero.
-8
x 10
2.5
Desired Inductance
From Proposed Equations
Inductance calculated
From HIS equations from paper
2 Inductance
From Wavecalculated
Solver from modified formula
Inductance (H)
1.5
0.5
0
Various combinations of length,width,height and slot length
In Fig. 4.4 axis contains different combinations of antenna length, width, antenna height
and slot length. We can easily conclude that the inductance values obtained from my
equation based on regression analysis are very close to the desired inductance values.
59
4.4 Modified Capacitance Value
Now a correction factor based on regression analysis is added to the Eqn. 3 (original
capacitance equation). Modified capacitance equation can be written as:
Here B is a correction factor which is regressed from antenna width and E is a correlation
constant related with original capacitance equation. Correction factor B is given below:
We noticed that Beta value of width square is highest as compared to other independent
variables. Hence square of width is the most important determinant of capacitance. In this
case regression explains 99.8 percent of correlation between the outcomes and the desired
capacitance values.
60
-12
x 10
Modified Capacitance
From Proposed Equations
From HIS Equations
Capacitance Calculated from paper
10
From Wave
Desired Solver
Capacitance
8
Capacitance (F)
Various Combinations of antenna height, width, length and slot length
In Fig. 4.5, X axis contains different combinations of length, width, antenna height and
slot length. It can be concluded that the capacitance values obtained from my equation
based on regression are very close to the desired capacitance values.
4.5 Circuit Values of RFID tag antenna
In this section reflection coefficient is calculated for RFID tag antenna (Fig. 4.2). It
serves the following three objectives: a) to check the resonant frequency of circuit; b) to
check the matching of RLC lumped circuit with IC‟s input impedance; and c) to check
accuracy of these equations with respect to the high frequency model designed in HFSS.
Formula of reflection coefficient is given as:
61
Here, Zl is the load impedance and Zo is the characteristic impedance. Load impedance
is the equivalent impedance of RLC circuit shown in Fig. 4.2 which is given as below.
In this study reflection coefficient plots obtained from HFSS and from modified
equations are compared with each other for slotted RFID tag antenna (49.4 x 18 x 3.2 mm3
and slot length is 7 mm) and unslotted RFID tag antenna (55 x 18 x 3.2 mm3). The value of
capacitor calculated from modified capacitance equation for unslotted RFID tag antenna is
is equal to 2.67 pF and value of capacitor for slotted RFID tag antenna is 2.58 pF.
Inductance calculated for unslotted RFID tag antenna is 8.19 nH from modified inductance
equation and for slotted RFID tag antenna is 8.39 nH. If we calculate reflection coefficient
for both circuits from modified equations (Table 4.2 & 4.3) then both circuit resonates at
865 MHz. and both circuits have same bandwidth as compared to the antenna bandwidth
obtained from HFSS.
62
From Modified
Equations
From HFSS
Freq(Hz)
Figure 4. 6 Unslotted RFID Tag Antenna
Table 4. 2 Unslotted RFID Tag Antenna (55 x 18 x 3.2 mm3)
Inductance Capacitance Freq.

Resistance (nH) (pF) (MHz)
Modified
Eqn. 0.7 8.19 2.67 865
HFSS - - - 865
63
From Modified
Equations
HFSS
Freq(Hz)
Figure 4. 7 Slotted RFID Tag Antenna
Table 4. 3 Slotted RFID Tag Antenna (49.4 X 18 X 3.2 mm3)
Resistance Inductance (nH) Capacitance (pF) Freq. (MHz)
Modified Eqn. 0.6 8.39 2.58 865
HFSS - - - 865
Hence it can be concluded that reflection coefficient plot generated from modified
equations is very much similar to the plot generated in HFSS. The problem with this model
is that modified equations don‟t give higher order resonating modes as HFSS gives another
resonating mode at 1.8 GHz (Fig. 4.6 & 4.7). Hence these modified equations are valid for
estimation of first resonating mode.
64
4.6 Findings
In this work inductance and capacitance equations are modified using regression
analysis. We can conclude from whole study:
RLC circuit based on modified equations has same resonant frequency as that of
RFID antenna designed in HFSS.
Slot length is the most important determinant of the antenna inductance.
Square of antenna width is the most important determinant of antenna capacitance.
Linear regression equation of capacitance has 99.8 % correlation.
Linear equation of inductance has 97.9% correlation.
This study is helpful to the RFID engineers because designers can design slotted RFID
tag antenna at any frequency and for any tag chip using modified formulae and unslotted
RFID antenna can be designed from modified formulae by putting slot length as to be zero.
65
Chapter 5
Conclusion
In this thesis we presented two different designs of miniature sized slotted RFID tag
antenna for metallic objects. The proposed antennas were designed in such a way that they
can used for other tag ICs having different input impedances just by changing slot length
and keeping other dimensions same. Also antennas are designed to eliminate interference
problem cause due to metallic objects. By eliminating this limitation the tag proves to be a
uniquely good solution that enables the use of UHF RFID efficiently for metallic objects
like in metal container, weaponry tracking.
We showed that the antenna is small in size which is achieved by inserting a floating
layer between patch and ground. By inserting slots and increasing slot length, we achieve
an increase in the inductance which results in low resonant frequency and which leads to
further decrement in size. We also showed that with the help of slots we can achieve high
reactance impedance for such a small design.
Various effects on increasing the number of floating plates were studied and it was
found that: (a) antenna gain decreases as the number of floating plate increases; and (b)
antenna bandwidth and resonating frequency decrease with increase in floating plates. It is
also shown that the same design can be used with wide range of tag ICs by varying the slot
length for example NXP RFID IC SL3S10 01 FTT UCODE EPC G2 TSSOP8 package
when slot length is 13 mm and Alien 9440 IC when slot length is 7 mm.
The experimental results show that the maximum read range of the prototype placed on
a 20 cm x 10 cm metallic object is 80 cm which is matched to Alien 9440 IC. To enhance
66
the computational design of slotted RFID tag antenna we also proposed a circuit model
which is based on regression analysis. Results calculated from circuit model equations give
very similar performance as compared to antenna designed in Ansoft HFSS. One of the
limitations of this circuit model is that it cannot give higher order resonant modes.
We also proposed modified RFID Tag Antenna for metallic objects whose maximum
read range is 1.7 m when the prototype tag is placed on 180 cm x 120 cm metallic object
and 1.1 m without metal sheet. This modified RFID tag can work for metallic as well for
non-metallic applications.
Future Work:
Considering previous studies and the work in this thesis there are possible future works
on RFID antenna design. One area of future work will be to design of RFID antennas in
such a way that the input impedance of antenna and radiation properties remain unchanged
when tag is attached to different materials such as wood, plastic, metal etc.
Another area of future work will to design circuit model in such a way that it should
give other higher resonant modes similar to higher modes given by HFSS. A more analysis
of different slot patterns are required to improve antenna gain and read range.
67
Related Publications:
 “Slotted RFID Tag Antenna for Metallic Objects” in ICCSP 2011 (International
Conference on Communication and Signal Processing) [Accepted]
 “Non-linearity Between Frequency Bands and Segmentations of Meander Antennas” in
SIBIRCON 2010 (IEEE Region8 Conference on Computational Technologies in
Electrical and Electronics Engineering) [Published]
 “Slotted Slim RFID Tag Antenna for Metallic Objects” in IEEE Indian Antenna
Week 2012 [Submitted]
68
References
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Objects”, International Conference on Microwave and Millimeter Wave Technology, 8
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Design and Equivalent Circuit Modeling of Miniature Slotted RFID

Tag Antennas for Metallic Applications

Communications Research Center

International Institute of Information Technology Hyderabad

International Institute of Information Technology, Hyderabad

Date Dr.Syed Azeemuddin

Date Dr. A.R.Harish

Figure 2. 1 Antenna Characteristics .................................................................................................. 10

Figure 3. 1 Design of Miniature Slotted RFID Tag Antenna ............................................................. 42

Figure 4. 1 RFID tag antenna............................................................................................................. 53

Table 2. 1 Design Parameters ........................................................................................................... 13

Table 4. 1 Range Of Parameters Taken for Regression Analysis ...................................................... 57

I also acknowledge my gratitude to my co-guide Dr. A. R. Harish for channeling my

secondly a modified slotted RFID tag antenna is designed whose size is 64 mm x 24 mm x

is simulated, fabricated and its performance is analyzed in an Anechonic Chamber. The

the metallic surface is approximately 80 cm when.

1.1 m without any metal sheet.

impedances. This work is expected to contribute to improvement in antenna design

automotives, aerospace, chemical, health care, power plants and transportation.

867 MHz band [1 −2].

interference as metal is an electromagnetic reflector and radio signals cannot penetrate

Further, different applications demand that RFID antenna be designed in such a

way that it should have following features:

b) Proper impedance matching between tag IC and antenna;

c) Low interference effect, due to material in which tag is placed;

e) Good read range; and

f) Low fabrication cost [4].

the following disadvantages of dipole antenna and wire antenna:

(c) Wire antenna consumes a lot of space [6].

highly complex to fabricate and are costly.

space as well as when placed on metallic objects [12-13].

metallic objects [14].

gain and bandwidth (discussed in Chapter 2).

mm at 865 MHz [16].

by varying slot length without changing any other antenna dimensions.

1.2 Objectives of the Study

Objectives of this work are as follows:

keeping all other dimensions same.

2. In this work we also designed an equivalent lumped model of a proposed RFID

equivalent circuit instead of designing antenna in simulation software which will

estimate resonant frequency, S - parameters, and bandwidth etc.

1.3 Overview of RFID System

ISBN number of the book or title of the book, etc.

RFID Reader RFID Tag

Figure 1. 1 RFID System

Figure 1. 2 RFID Tag Picture Showing its Components

Figure 1. 3 RFID Tree

are using Alien passive RFID tag ICs.

Table 1.1 Comparisons between Active, Semi-Active and Passive Tags

Type Power Supply Size Cost Range

No battery Small, thin and

Large, thick and

Large, thick and

A large number of tags can be read at the same time;

propagation, as used in barcode.

1.5 Organization of Thesis

This thesis is organized as follows:

Thesis consists of five chapters.

describes a brief procedure to make the initial design.

for HIS and compares simulation and circuit model responses.

1.6 Key Contributions:

used for non-metallic applications also.

Fabrication cost is low.

Simple antenna design.