Radio-frequency identification (RFID) allows for data transfer between tag objects to a reader via radio frequency electromagnetic fields. RFID tags are utilized by many industries for identification and tracking purposes. The RFID reader does not require line of sight to scan for data unlike bar codes and can track tags which can be embedded in objects many meters away. To this end, this paper presents a straightforward and practical approach for extending the range of RFID readers. It is shown that the range of a reader can easily be extended with a magnetodielectric slab attached to the antenna. The proper placement of the slab enhances the reader’s range by increasing the antenna’s gain. The effectiveness of the proposed implementation for the extension of the reader’s range with the magnetodielectric material has been experimentally tested. The experimental results verify the viability of the approach and show an increase of about 70% for the reader’s range.
">Radio-frequency identification (RFID) allows for data transfer between tag objects to a reader via radio frequency electromagnetic fields. RFID tags are utilized by many industries for identification and tracking purposes. The RFID reader does not require line of sight to scan for data unlike bar codes and can track tags which can be embedded in objects many meters away. To this end, this paper presents a straightforward and practical approach for extending the range of RFID readers. It is shown that the range of a reader can easily be extended with a magnetodielectric slab attached to the antenna. The proper placement of the slab enhances the reader’s range by increasing the antenna’s gain. The effectiveness of the proposed implementation for the extension of the reader’s range with the magnetodielectric material has been experimentally tested. The experimental results verify the viability of the approach and show an increase of about 70% for the reader’s range.