Augmented RFID Tags

This paper discusses the evolution of UHF RFID tags towards Augmented Tags. Such an evolution must be compliant with the huge advantages that the tags encompass, in particular full passive feature, compact size, usage flexibility and cost effectiveness. The discussed evolutions are based on the exploitation of some of the properties of the tag antennas or the RFID chips. Indeed, it is well established that any modification introduced in the near field region of antenna will generate significant change in its parameters such as impedance and directivity. Therefore it could be used as an environment sensor. Besides, the non-linear behavior of RFID chip could be used to implement new functions such as energy harvesting and communication channel diversity. Moreover, the design of RFID chip can evolve to allow the integration of external sensor.