Low-Power and Compact Frequency Hopping RFID Reader at 5.8 GHz for Sensing Applications in Space

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is the driving technology behind many compelling applications, such as Internet-of-Things, smart cities, and inventory tracking. However, it is always challenging to make a small, low-cost transceiver with little power consumption. This paper presents the design and characterization of a low-power, compact frequency hopping RFID reader that has great potential for use in space-based sensing applications including structural health monitoring, tracking inventory, and sensitive field measurements. This RFID reader will be launched into low-earth orbit aboard the radio frequency tag satellite (RFTSat), a nanosatellite developed at Northwest Nazarene University, and serves as a demonstration of backscatter communications in space. This reader is capable of operating in the 5725–5850 MHz frequency industrial scientific medical band with up to 31 dBm equivalent isotropically radiated power (EIRP) and −58 dBm to −82 dBm sensitivity in different conditions.