RFID tag positioning with the aid of an active electronically-steered array

Thanks to the nowadays widespread use of radio frequency identification (RFID), applications have emerged concerning positioning techniques for passive RFID tags. Most of the approaches so far deliver low positioning precision and require moving parts (mechanical antenna steering), which limits their application. Herein, we introduce an RFID tag positioning system utilizing an active electronically-steered array, where the positioning methodology is based on the principles of radar systems. We thoroughly present the main attributes of the system with the aid of an FEM (finite element method) simulation model and investigate the system performance with far-field tests. The demonstrated positing precision of less than 40 mm can be helpful in applications like mobile robot localization and the automated handling of packaged goods.