Reduction of Proximity Effects on UHF Passive RFID Systems by Using Tags With Polarization Diversity
A new technique that enables passive ultra high frequency (UHF) radio frequency identification (RFID) tags to be read when they are placed in close proximity in an array is presented. This paper demonstrates that, in a linear tag array with a tag separation of 1 cm, the interaction between the backscattered waves and incident wave causes a significant degradation in tag sensitivity. It is found that the use of tags that have polarization diversity can improve the read performance when they are placed in close proximity to one another compared with conventional linear tags. Two ways of achieving polarization diversity are studied in this paper, namely: 1) using a circularly polarized tag and 2) using a cross-polarized tag pair. Both methods show an improvement in close proximity read performance and it is experimentally demonstrated that by using cross-polarized tag pairs in an array, one achieves on average a 2.6-dB increase in read power margin for a 57-tag array with 1 cm separation compared with using conventional linearly polarized tags.
Experimental assessment of an RFID-based crack sensor for steel structures
The use of welded steel cover plates had been a common design practice to increase beam section capacity in regions of high moment for decades. Many steel girder bridges with cover plates are still in service. Steel girder bridges are subject to cyclic loading, which can initiate crack formation at the toe of the weld and reduce beam capacity. Thus, timely detection of fatigue cracks is of utmost importance in steel girder bridge monitoring. To date, crack monitoring methods using in-house radio frequency identification (RFID)-based sensors have been developed to complement visual inspection and provide quantitative information of damage level. Offering similar properties at a reduced cost, commercial ultra-high frequency (UHF) passive RFID tags have been identified as a more financially viable option for pervasive crack monitoring using a dense array of sensors. This paper presents a study on damage sensitivity of low-cost commercial UHF RFID tags for crack detection and monitoring on metallic structures. Using backscatter power as a parameter for damage identification, a crack sensing system has been developed for single and multiple tag configurations for increased sensing pervasiveness. The effect on backscatter power of the existence and stage of crack propagation has been successfully characterized. For further automation of crack detection, a damage index based on the variation of backscatter power has also been established. The tested commercial RFID-based crack sensor contributes to the usage of this technology on steel girder bridges.
Natural history and long‐term evolution in families with autosomal dominant cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy
Purpose:  To investigate for the first time the natural history and long‐term evolution of “familial cortical tremor, myoclonus, and epilepsy.”