Realizing the Internet of Things via RFID Sensor Nets

这项研究的目标是制定设计原则，并通过原型验证基于射频识别(RFID)系统组件的新的日常物品传感器网络的可行性。该愿景利用了RFID的优势，同时解决了两个关键挑战，即缺乏将传感器集成到RFID标签上，以及需要仔细重新设计收发器(即，下行和上行链路以及多路访问协议)。这项拟议研究的成功的核心是华盛顿大学已经取得的两项关键进展--英特尔研究实验室。首先，一种新的无源RFID标签，称为无线识别和传感平台(WISPS)，与适当的传感器集成在一起，旨在增强能量收集。其次，提供了支持链路和媒体访问控制(MAC)协议创新的软件定义阅读器(SDR)。在智能方面，该研究追求在不同交互抽象级别上的RFID网络设计的集成系统解决方案。例如，该研究考虑了耦合电路和电磁模拟，该模拟表征了阅读器的反向散射上行信号，进而可以建议链路和MAC层组件，例如调制和编码，以及致力于干扰缓解的冲突避免。就更广泛的影响而言，该研究有可能通过免费软件分发SDR代码和有限的WIP可用性以及通过专题教程传播来加速对RFID网络的学术研究。该项目的成功实施可以将RFID技术从其在供应链环境中读取标签ID的预期应用程序，转向实现无处不在的“物联网”的更雄心勃勃的目标。

The objective of this research is to formulate design principles for and demonstrate, via prototyping, the feasibility of a new sensor network of everyday objects based on radio frequency identification (RFID) system components. The vision exploits the advantages of RFID while addressing two key challenges, namely the lack of sensor integration onto RFID tags and the need for careful redesign of the transceivers (i.e, down and up links as well as the multiple access protocol). Central to the success of the proposed research are two key advances already in place at University of Washington-Intel Research Labs. First, a new class of passive RFID tags, called wireless identification and sensing platforms (WISPs), integrated with appropriate sensors and designed for enhanced power harvesting are available. Second, a software-defined reader (SDR) that allows innovation of link and medium access control (MAC) protocols is available.With respect to intellectual merit, the research pursues an integrated systems solution to RFID network design at various interacting levels of abstraction. As an example, the research considers coupled circuit and electromagnetic simulation that characterizes the back-scattered uplink signal at the reader, which in turn can suggest link and MAC layer components, such as modulation and coding as well as collision avoidance dedicated to interference mitigation.With respect to broader impacts, the research has the potential to accelerate academic research into RFID networks via freeware distribution of the SDR code and limited availability of WISPs as well as dissemination via topical tutorials. Successful execution of the project can move RFID technology from its intended application of reading tag IDs within a supply chain environment toward the more ambitious goal of realizing a ubiquitous "internet of things."