FlexARTwo - Flexible Active Radar Backscatter Tags with Organic Electronics

FlexARTwo旨在展示可弯曲的高性能有源和无源应答器，用于基于有机薄膜半导体器件的完全集成RFID系统，用于精确的短距离定位和识别应用。该项目结合了Leo教授（IAPP，专注于有机半导体材料，器件开发和优化），Ellinger教授（CCN，专注于高频表征，建模和电路设计）和Vossiek教授（LHFT，专注于无线系统和雷达设计）团队的互补能力。信用卡大小的灵活无线标签，加上磁场的传输，可以用于定位半径15米（主动）和半径0.5米（被动）的物体。定位标签可以应用于医疗传感器、拥挤地区的物体跟踪和物流。印刷无源元件，有机二极管和薄膜晶体管（OTFTs）将允许低成本的大规模制造。此外，高性能垂直有机晶体管的使用将使操作在几兆赫兹，促进对雷达探测路径中的障碍物非常好的鲁棒性。FlexART项目迄今为止取得了优异的成果，例如8.6 V下有机晶体管的新单词记录传输频率（fT）为40 MHz，并展示了最快的5.2 MHz有机振荡器。基于这些突破，我们计划在FlexARTwo中大幅增加标签的功能。在这方面，我们遵循两项战略。首先，我们将提出一种新的标签架构，允许标签上的能量收集和共振频率调谐。其次，我们将开发具有更高增益和更高截止频率的有机器件，以降低整体标签功耗，增加应用潜力。关于新架构，我们计划在单一柔性衬底上开发具有有机渗透基晶体管（OPBT）的共积振荡器电路，薄膜无源元件和具有otft的有机数字电路。所提出的RFID系统包括用于被动供应应答器的新型基站和标签架构以及补偿弯曲效应的能力。该系统可以区分相邻的多个标签（多用户技术）。我们提高标签功能和性能的第二个策略是探索器件概念和制造方法，允许高增益（>35 dB）和高截止频率（>40 MHz），低噪声，低压有机晶体管的集成，为更高的定位半径和更高的数据速率铺平道路。FlexARTwo联盟渴望继续FlexART的成功开发，并为有机RFID系统带来新的功能。此外，我们非常积极地与SPP的其他成员合作，以实现未来无线系统的新愿景。

FlexARTwo aims to demonstrate bendable high-performance active and passive transponders for fully integrated RFID systems based on organic thin-film semiconductor devices for precision short range localization and identification applications. The project combines the complementary competences of the groups of Prof. Leo (IAPP, with focus on organic semiconductors materials, device development and optimization), Prof. Ellinger (CCN, with expertise in the high-frequency characterization, modelling and circuit design), and Prof. Vossiek (LHFT, with expertise in wireless systems and radar design). The credit-card size flexible wireless tags, together with the transmission of magnetic fields, can be used for the localization of objects up to a 15 m radius (active) and up to a 0,5 m radius (passive). The localization tags can be applied for medical sensors, object tracking in crowded areas and logistics. Printed passive elements, organic diodes and thin-film transistors (OTFTs) will allow for a low-cost mass fabrication. Furthermore, the use of high-performance vertical organic transistors will enable operation at a few MHz, facilitating a very good robustness against obstacles in the radar detection path.Excellent results have been achieved so far during the FlexART project, such as a new word record transit frequency (fT) of 40 MHz for organic transistors at 8.6 V, and demonstrating the fastest organic oscillator at 5.2 MHz. Based on these breakthroughs, we plan to substantially increase the functionality of the tag within FlexARTwo. In this regard we follow two strategies. First, we will propose a new tag architecture allowing for on-tag energy harvesting and resonance frequency tuning. Secondly, we will develop organic devices with higher gain and higher cut-off frequency to reduce the overall tag power consumption and increase the application potential. Regarding the new architecture, we plan to exploit co-integrated oscillator circuits with organic permeable base transistors (OPBT), thin-film passive components, and organic digital circuits with OTFTs onto a single flexible substrate. The proposed RFID system includes novel base station and tag architectures for a passively supplied transponder and the ability to compensate bending effects. Several tags located next to each other (multi-user techniques) can be distinguished by this system. Our second strategy to increase the tag functionality and performance is to explore device concepts and fabrication methods allowing for integration of high-gain (>35 dB) and high cut-off frequency (>40 MHz), low-noise, low-voltage organic transistors paving the road towards a higher localization radius and a higher data rate.The FlexARTwo consortium is eager to continue the successful developments done in FlexART and bring new functionalities to the organic RFID systems. Furthermore, we are very motivated to co-operate with other members of the SPP in order to work on a new vision for future wireless systems.