Design and implementation of RFID systems with software defined radio

A complete backscatter system is designed and implemented, by utilizing communication, radio, RF electronics, and signal processing theory. A custom RFID/sensor tag is built from first principles, along with a reader, which is implemented with commodity, low-cost software defined radio (SDR). Backscatter links are tested, demonstrating their inherent tradeoffs in terms of range, bit-error-rate (BER) and multiple access. Theoretical results match simulation and are experimentally validated with the constructed testbed. This work is a proof of concept for ultra-low cost and low power wireless communication by means of backscatter and SDR technology. The implemented testbed serves as a practical and low-cost solution for backscatter radio research.