An RFID system with enhanced hardware-enabled authentication and anti-counterfeiting capabilities

This paper introduces a new RFID system with enhanced hardware-enabled authentication and anti-counterfeiting capabilities. The system relies on the near-field RF effects between the multiple antennas of the reader and the uniquely modified substrate of the RF certificates of authenticity. A new stand-alone, low cost reader with 5 by 5 antennas is used to accurately extract the near-field response of RF certificates of authenticity meant to complement typical RFID tags in the 5 to 6 GHz frequency range. The RF characterization of all the reader's components, with an emphasis on accuracy and insertion loss introduced, has been performed for calibration purposes. The design methodology for generating RF-COA instances that yield unique RF fingerprints is outlined. Rigorous, yet preliminary, performance and robustness test results, including uniqueness among different instances, repeatability robustness for same instance, 2D to 3D projection comparison and variation in conductive material density, are reported and verify the unique features of this technology.