Activation and identification of fully passive wireless sensors

A key barrier to the penetration of IoT technologies is the need for an independent power source for sensor nodes, increasing complexity and cost and hindering the convenience of deployment and maintenance. To address this formidable challenge, the authors have been developing a fully passive wireless sensor network platform, the Zero Power Sensor. The sensing mechanism is by now maturing and a platform has been implemented and readout distances in excess of 10 meters have been demonstrated. A method of addressing and activating the sensor nodes using bias applied by passive UHF RFID with digital output is demonstrated on one sensor node at a distance of 2m.