Inkjet Technology for Digital Fabrication

Chapter 11

Radiofrequency Identification (RFID) Manufacturing: A Case Study

Vivek Subramanian

Department of Electrical Engineering and Computer Sciences, University of California, USA

11.1 Introduction

As discussed in Chapter 9, inkjet printing of active electronics has received substantial attention in recent years. There have been several intriguing demonstrations of printed transistors and printed diodes, and various classes of printed passive components including conductors, capacitors, antennae, interconnects, and so on. The tremendous successes over the last decade in the realization of printed active electronics have resulted in increased emphasis on the development of novel electronic systems to exploit printed electronics. In general, the system focus of printed electronics has been aimed at displays, sensors, and radiofrequency identification (RFID) tags. In this chapter, we review the motivation, technology development, and state of the art of printed RFID with a particular focus on the applications and implications of inkjet printing on the same. We begin by considering the state of the art of conventional RFID, and then evaluate the advantages and disadvantages of printing in this regard. Next, based on the achievements of various classes of active electronic devices to date, we discuss the device, circuit, and system implementation of printed RFID with a particular focus on inkjet's implications on these. Finally, we review the outlook for printed RFID as a potential ...