Some Novel Designs for RFID Antennas and their Performance Enhancement with Metamaterials

In this presentation we will present the results of research on a number of UHF/RFID tag configurations, for which we have carried out extensive parametric studies. One of our objectives has been to examine tag designs that are less sensitive to their environment, in that their radiation patterns and impedance characteristics change little when placed on different types of platforms, e.g., metal, glass or cardboard. The paper will also explore tag designs that employ Electromagnetic Bandgap (EBG) surfaces as substrates to improve their performance. Results of computer simulation and experimental studies of some representative tag designs will be included in the paper. Some of the tag antenna designs to be discussed are presented. The integration of an RFID tag with an EBG screen is also shown.