Thesis (M.Comp.)--Unitec New Zealand, 2005. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 67-73).

Thesis (M.S.) in Spatial Information Science and Engineering--University of Maine, 2006. / Includes vita. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 145-156).

The study sought to investigate the use of RFID technology as inventory control in academic libraries in South Africa, with a focus on the University of South Africa and the University of Fort Hare libraries. The objectives of the study were to describe the current inventory control practices at the libraries of the University of South Africa and the University of Fort Hare in order to determine the infrastructure required for the use of RFID for inventory control for the University of Fort Hare’s libraries; to evaluate the benefits of RFID technologies, in order to gain a competitive advantage for the University of South Africa’s and the University of Fort Hare’s libraries; to identify the challenges associated with adopting RFID technology, as experienced by the libraries of the University of South Africa and the University of Fort Hare. The study adopted both the quantitative and qualitative research approaches. The researcher followed a rigorous methodological path that began with a thorough literature review coupled with the careful and thoughtful posing of research questions and objectives. A purposive sample of forty (40) respondents was selected from the library staff from both the University of South Africa and University of Fort Harelibraries. The collected data were analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences 23 (SPSS 23) and Microsoft Excel 2010. The findings of the study revealed reasons for both academic libraries to invest in RFID technology; these reasons include RFID’s ability to deliver self-service options, inventory control, improved reader access and improved security. The challenges related to the implementation of RFID technology are also related to staff not being rewarded by library management for being innovative; the difficulty of staff learning new technology; the staff’s inability to generate new ideas for the library; and the staff not being able to share knowledge with each other. Further research needs to be conducted by library RFID vendors in order to meet the need, of academic libraries, for RFID inventory control. RFID hardware and software (API software) should be subjected to further investigation for the purposes of research and development. Libraries should work closer with RFID vendors so as to trial and test hardware and software.

The purpose of the study was to determine consumer attitudes toward privacy and the influence of demographic factors on these attitudes. The study also sought to determine the willingness of participants to disclose selected individual information items and determine the awareness and acceptance level of technological innovations such as radio frequency identifiers (RFID) as they relate to privacy. A quantitative instrument was developed and a convenience sample of university students (N=203) was tested. Results showed that educational background played a role in the way participants perceived the applications of RFID.

published_or_final_version / Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering / Master / Master of Philosophy

One of the main problems that affect the data integrity of passive RFID systems is the collision between the tags. A popular anticollision algorithm which dominates the standards in HF and UHF passive RFID systems is Framed Slotted Aloha (FSA) and some variations of FSA. Throughput and Average time delay of the RFID system which determines the performance/efficiency of the system are reduced rapidly when the number of tags inside the interrogation zone is increased. Using larger frame sizes is not always the solution. This thesis discusses and compares the existing protocols, and proposes a variation of FSA, called Progressing Scanning (PS) algorithm. The PS algorithm divides the tags in the interrogation zone into smaller groups, and gives the ability to the reader to communicate each time with one of them. For performance analysis, the PS algorithm was evaluated with the parameters of a typical passive RFID system at 2.45 GHz . The results showed that the PS algorithm can improve the efficiency of the RFID system and provide a reliable solution for cases with a high density of tags in the area (over 800 tags ).

近十年來，無線通訊技術、流動電話服務以及無線網絡的發展一日千里。不單止為社會帶來很多新的技術及先進的設備，更加帶來了許多新穎的應用構想。其中最被廣泛討論的要數室內無線實時定位系統。室內定位，顧名思義就是一種對一個或多個室內目標進行定位及追蹤的技術。這種技術的潛在應用非常多元化，例如倉庫管理、人力資源調配等等。透過這種技術可以使一些室內位置信息相關的服務更加自動化，從而提升服務效率。正因為市場狂熱的需求，近年來室內無線實時定位系統一直都是一個熱門的研究課題。 / 本論文的上半部主要是討論一種基於無線射頻識別技術的室內無線實時定位系統。這個系統的特點是在閱讀器的天線上應用了模擬一維綫相控陣列天線。系統的定位原理是基於三角測距法，透過相控陣的主波束掃描配合信號強度測量去估算出信號入射角。比較其他入射角測量的方法，應用這種方法的硬件成本更低而且能確保一定的精度。整個系統的開發包括有無線射頻標籤、閱讀器、模擬一維綫相控陣列天線、網絡控制器、數據庫、圖像應用界面及一種有效壓抑室內多徑問題的定位算法。這個系統的最大好處就是它不像其他一些現存的定位系統一樣，在安裝後需要進行大量的離線實地校準。我們進行了大量的實驗去客觀地驗證系統的定位性能，實驗的結果指出系統的定位誤差平均值小於一米。 / 為了控制系統的硬件成本，上述所提及到的模擬一維綫相控陣列天線會採用一種非常便宜的板材：FR4。但是FR4這種板材便宜的代價便是它相對較高的介質損耗。較高的介質損耗對模擬一維綫相控陣列天線的實現存在着一個重要的難題：模擬360º移相器的插入損耗相對電壓變化不平滑。有見及止，本論文的下半部會討論一種新穎而有效壓抑因高介質損耗而導致插入損耗不平滑的反射式移相器。新的移相器設計包含兩種壓抑插入損耗不平滑的技術。在仿真結果中，新的設計把傳統設計的插入損耗不平滑從1.4分貝大幅降低至0.3分貝。實驗的結果指出，在360o 的移相範圍內只存在着0.6分貝的插入損耗不平滑。 / 最後在此作一個總結。本論文主要是討論一種高效、低成本、基於無線射頻識別技術及模擬一維綫相控陣列天線技術的室內無線實時定位系統。大量的實驗數據證明了它良好的定位性能。而且系統的網絡設計使到它可以更彈性地應用到不同的場所。 / In recent years, the rapid development in wireless communication technologies, mobile computing devices and wireless networks has stimulated a fast growing interest in various location-aware systems that can provide real time information of physical locations of objects or persons. In this thesis, an active radio frequency identification (RFID) indoor positioning system utilizing analog linear phased array antenna (PAA) technology has been proposed and demonstrated. By using beam steering of an analog linear PAA and measuring the corresponding received signal strength indicator (RSSI), one can determine the angle of arrival (AoA) of the transmitted signal from a tag. In this work, a complete locationing system has been built, which includes RFID tag, reader integrated PAA, network controller and database with event driven functions. Besides that, a novel positioning algorithm that can effectively overcome indoor multipath effect is also proposed. The major advantage of the proposed system is that it doesn’t require any on-site calibration. Therefore, the setup of the proposed system is scenario-independent. A large number of experiments and results have demonstrated that the probabilities of spatial errors of less than 1 meter and 1.5 meters of the proposed system are about 80% and 95% respectively. / In order to have a cost-effective system, those analog linear PAAs are fabricated in FR4 substrate, with which constant insertion loss under phase steering of a 360º analog phase shifter is difficult to realize due to the substrate loss. In order to overcome this difficulty, a novel loss-compensated microstrip 360º reflection-type diode phase shifter with constant insertion loss has been proposed and concept proven. In this regard, two techniques have been investigated to reduce the insertion loss variation which is caused by using lossy substrate. As compared with the conventional design, simulation results have shown a considerable improvement on the insertion loss variation from 1.4dB to 0.3dB. Measurement results have demonstrated a 0.6dB insertion loss variation over 360º phase steering range. / In conclusion, a low-cost but with moderate performance RFID indoor locationing system based on analog linear PAA technology has been proposed and experimentally demonstrated. The prototype system has shown its high accuracy, flexibility in network deployment, and scenario-independent operation. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Detailed summary in vernacular field only. / Hung, Wing Hung. / Thesis (M.Phil.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2012. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 85-87). / Abstracts also in Chinese. / ABSTRACT --- p.I / 論文摘要 --- p.III / ACKNOWLEDGEMENT --- p.V / TABLE OF CONTENT --- p.VI / LIST OF FIGURES --- p.IX / LIST OF TABLES --- p.XIII / LIST OF ABBREVIATIONS --- p.XIV / Chapter CHAPTER 1 --- INTRODUCTION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.1. --- RESEARCH MOTIVATION --- p.1 / Chapter 1.2. --- OVERVIEW OF THE THESIS ORGANIZATION --- p.5 / Chapter CHAPTER 2 --- FUNDAMENTALS IN LINEAR PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA AND REFLECTION-TYPE PHASE SHIFTER --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1. --- LINEAR PHASED ARRAY ANTENNA --- p.6 / Chapter 2.1.1. --- Operating Principle --- p.7 / Chapter 2.1.2. --- Simulation Example --- p.9 / Chapter 2.2. --- REFLECTION-TYPE PHASE SHIFTER --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.1. --- Operating Principle --- p.10 / Chapter 2.2.2. --- Simulation Example --- p.12 / Chapter CHAPTER 3 --- CONVENTIONAL INDOOR POSITIONING METHODOLOGIES --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1. --- RSSI RANGING --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1.1. --- Radio Fingerprint --- p.15 / Chapter 3.1.2. --- Radio Propagation Model --- p.17 / Chapter 3.1.3. --- Reference Tags --- p.18 / Chapter 3.1.4. --- Ordered Signal Strength Sequence --- p.19 / Chapter 3.2. --- UWB RANGING --- p.20 / Chapter 3.3. --- NEAR FIELD ELECTROMAGNETIC RANGING (NFER) --- p.21 / Chapter CHAPTER 4 --- CONVENTIONAL 360º REFLECTION-TYPE PHASE SHIFTER DESIGNS --- p.23 / Chapter 4.1. --- PARALLELING TWO SERIES-RESONANT VARACTOR CIRCUIT --- p.23 / Chapter 4.1.1. --- 360º Phase Shift --- p.24 / Chapter 4.1.2. --- Constant Insertion Loss --- p.24 / Chapter 4.1.3. --- Performance --- p.25 / Chapter 4.2. --- PARALLELING TWO ARMS HAVING 180O PHASE CHANGE WITH 90º OUT OF PHASE --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2.1. --- Linearity and 180º Phase Shift --- p.27 / Chapter 4.2.2. --- Constant Insertion Loss --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.3. --- 360º Phase Shift --- p.29 / Chapter 4.2.4. --- Performance --- p.30 / Chapter 4.3. --- CONNECTING TWO ARMS HAVING 180O PHASE CHANGE WITH 90O OUT OF PHASE IN-SERIES --- p.31 / Chapter 4.3.1. --- Constant Insertion Loss --- p.31 / Chapter 4.3.2. --- 360º Phase Shift --- p.32 / Chapter 4.3.3. --- Performance --- p.32 / Chapter CHAPTER 5 --- AN ACTIVE RFID INDOOR POSITIONING SYSTEM UTILIZING ANALOG LINEAR PHASED ARRAY --- p.34 / Chapter 5.1. --- POSITIONING METHODOLOGY --- p.35 / Chapter 5.2. --- SYSTEM ARCHITECTURE --- p.37 / Chapter 5.2.1. --- Analog Linear Phased Array Antenna --- p.39 / Chapter 5.3. --- POSITIONING ALGORITHM --- p.51 / Chapter 5.3.1. --- Zone Decision --- p.51 / Chapter 5.3.2. --- Point Location --- p.52 / Chapter 5.4. --- EXPERIMENTAL RESULT --- p.58 / Chapter CHAPTER 6 --- NOVEL 360º REFLECTION-TYPE DIODE PHASE SHIFTER WITH CONSTANT INSERTION LOSS UNDER LOSSY SUBSTRATE --- p.65 / Chapter 6.1. --- REVIEW --- p.66 / Chapter 6.2. --- PROBLEMS --- p.68 / Chapter 6.3. --- PROPOSED SOLUTIONS --- p.71 / Chapter 6.3.1. --- Closed Reflection Coefficient Circle --- p.71 / Chapter 6.3.2. --- Centered Reflection Coefficient Circle --- p.74 / Chapter 6.4. --- SIMULATION AND MEASUREMENT RESULT --- p.77 / Chapter CHAPTER 7 --- CONCLUSION --- p.83 / REFERENCES --- p.85 / AUTHOR’S PUBLICATIONS --- p.88 / Chapter APPENDIX 1: --- DESIGN OF RFID TAG --- p.89 / Chapter APPENDIX 2: --- DESIGN OF RFID READER --- p.98 / Chapter APPENDIX 3: --- DESIGN OF RFID CONTROLLER --- p.100

A realistic comparative performance evaluation of indoor Geolocation systems is a complex and challenging problem facing the research community. This is due to the fact that performance of these systems depends on the statistical variations of the fading multipath characteristics of the wireless channel, the density and distribution of the access points in the area, and the number of the training points used by the positioning algorithm. This problem, in particular, becomes more challenging when we address RFID devices, because the RFID tags and the positioning algorithm are implemented in two separate devices. In this thesis, we have designed and implemented a testbed for comparative performance evaluation of RFID localization systems in a controlled and repeatable laboratory environment. The testbed consists of a real-time RF channel simulator, several WiFi 802.11 access points, commercial RFID tags, and a laptop loaded with the positioning algorithm and its associated user interface. In the real-time channel simulator the fading multipath characteristics of the wireless channel between the access points and the RFID tags is modeled by a modified site-specific IEEE 802.11 channel model which combines this model with the correlation model of shadow fading existing in the literature. The testbed is first used to compare the performance of the modified IEEE 802.11 channel model and the Ray Tracing channel model previously reported in the literature. Then, the testbed with the new channel model is used for comparative performance evaluation of two different WiFi RFID devices.

Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) has received a great deal of attention in past decades. It is an automatic identification system by replying and retrieving data remotely using RFID transponders. Basically, RFID systems can be divided into three main categories: short transmission range, medium transmission range, and long transmission range. / Short and medium range RFIDs generally are passive transponders while long range RFID is of either passive or active type. In this thesis, a short transmission range RFID transponder is presented. This is a passive transponder which generates power for internal circuitry by inductive coupling. For automatic identification applications such as electronic money tickets, the requirements of endurance, weight, size as well as cost appeal to use passive transponder rather than active transponder. Researches on the passive transponders have created a great challenge for engineers in terms of the tradeoff between power constraints, processing power and data transmission range. / The presented RFID transponder system adheres to the ISO 14443 standard Type B specification communication interface, which operates at 13.56MHz carrier frequency with a maximum read range around 50 mm. This research implemented a low power, high security, and long read range RFID transponder. For the analog RF interface, a series of novel architectures are adopted to improve the data transmission range. The digital core in the presented crypto-processor for data security. The asynchronous architecture has the advantages of fast computation time, low power consumption and small area. These are the attractive reasons to implement the core processing units using an asynchronous architecture. / This RFID system was fabricated with a 0.35um two-poly four-metal standard CMOS process with the silicon area of 1516 um x 1625 um. The measurement results show that the analog RF interface can generate a maximum 5.45mW power while the digital core circuit consumes only 2.77mW. In the wireless communication tests, the transponder read range can reach as far as 50 mm. / Leung, Pak Keung. / "June 2008." / Adviser: Choy Chin Sing. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 70-03, Section: B, page: 1847. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2008. / Includes bibliographical references. / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [200-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstracts in English and Chinese. / School code: 1307.

To solve these issues, in this thesis the consistent effort in developing a quick tools assisted IC design platform is presented. First, a reconfigurable solution is proposed for some analog/mixed-signal (AMS) system which requires flexibility to a certain extent, such as a reconfigurable RFID solution for different communicating distances. Second, for further demand of increasing the flexibility, a novel approach for ADA is presented, which provides a highly automatic design flow for analog circuits to realize the "SPEC (Specification) in, GDS out" goal. Considering all kinds of higher order effects and uncertainties under deep submicron or even more advanced technologies, reliable design and fastness in processing are the two major concerns instead of the traditional pure optimization for best performance. To get a good balance among performance, reliability and turnaround time, an Application-Specific design flow with in-built knowledge-based algorithms is applied to deal with ADA issues under advanced technologies, which can quickly provide a reliable design with performance good enough to meet the SPECs for common use. / Unlike the highly automatic flow for digital circuits design, analog design automation (ADA) is still far from mature. For mixed-signal applications, analog circuit occupies only a small part on the layout, but the design requires a considerable amount of time and effort, making ADA extremely attractive. However, there are a lot more considerations to cover in analog design flow than its digital counterparts. In addition, the ever downscaling IC means analog circuits have to face more and more small-size effects, insufficient modelings, and the inaccuracy of classic formulas, which are quite difficult to handle. To solve the problem, various tools and methods have been proposed, but all in a digital-like flow, which are trying to develop general algorithms to realize circuit and layout synthesis. Up to now there is still a lot of problems. / Hong, Yang. / Adviser: C.S. Choy. / Source: Dissertation Abstracts International, Volume: 73-04, Section: B, page: . / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Chinese University of Hong Kong, 2011. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 140-150). / Electronic reproduction. Hong Kong : Chinese University of Hong Kong, [2012] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Electronic reproduction. [Ann Arbor, MI] : ProQuest Information and Learning, [201-] System requirements: Adobe Acrobat Reader. Available via World Wide Web. / Abstract also in Chinese.