The growing research interest in passive RFID (Radio Frequency Identification)-based devices and sensors in a diverse group of applications calls for flexibility in reader antenna performance. We propose a low-cost, easy-to-fabricate, and pattern reconfigurable UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID reader antenna in the RFID ISM band (902-928 MHz in the US). The antenna offers a 54 MHz bandwidth (890 - 944 MHz) and 8.9 dBi maximum gain. The proposed reconfigurable antenna can radiate four electronically switchable radiation beams in the azimuth plane. The antenna is LHCP (Left Hand Circularly Polarized) with axial ratio (AR) in the ranging from 0.45 dB to 7 dB in the RFID ISM band. Simulation and measurements are presented, and they are in good agreement. The proposed reader array performance is compared against a commercially available reader antenna. The pattern reconfigurable UHF RFID reader antenna not only increases the coverage area for conventional RFID applications but also opens the door to on-body RFID sensor implementation and indoor localization applications.
Keywords: IoT (Internet of Things); RFID (Radio Frequency Identification); UHF (Ultra High Frequency) RFID; reader antenna; reconfigurable antenna.