Low-Power and Compact Frequency Hopping RFID Reader at 5.8 GHz for Sensing Applications in Space

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the driving technology behind many compelling applications, such as Internet-of-Things, smart cities, and inventory tracking. However, it is always challenging to make a small, low-cost transceiver with little power consumption. This paper presents the design and characterization of a low-power, compact frequency hopping RFID reader that has great potential for use in space-based sensing applications including structural health monitoring, tracking inventory, and sensitive field measurements. This RFID reader will be launched into low-earth orbit aboard the radio frequency tag satellite (RFTSat), a nanosatellite developed at Northwest Nazarene University, and serves as a demonstration of backscatter communications in space. This reader is capable of operating in the 5725-5850 MHz frequency industrial scientific medical band with up to 31 dBm equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and -58 dBm to -82 dBm sensitivity in different conditions.