Performance of passive RFID tags in a high temperature cycling test

Radio frequency identification (RFID) tags are typically used for object identification in environments in which they are not exposed to very harsh conditions. However, there is an increasing demand for inexpensive RFID tags for use in harsh industrial environments, but the adequate performance of the materials used in them needs to be verified in such conditions. This paper reports the reliability of passive RFID tags studied in a high temperature cycling test combined with water immersion. According to the threshold power measurements taken in between the test periods, the RFID tags were able to withstand high temperature cycling. However, cycling testing combined with frequent water immersion impaired their reliability, leading mostly to intermittent failures.