Transponder signal collision avoidance system

US5793324A · kind A · utility

Assignee

• TEXAS INSTRUMENTS INCORPORATED · US

Inventors

• Konstantin Aslanidis · Dachau, DE
• Herbert Meier · Regensburg, DE
• Andreas Hagl · Dachau, DE

Key dates

• Filing date: Jan 19, 1996
• Grant date: Aug 11, 1998
• Expiry date: Jan 19, 2016

Classification

• Technology area (CPC G): Physics
• CPC primary: G06K7/0008
• WIPO field: Computer technology
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

Transponder signal collision avoidance system incudes a reader and wireless HDX or FDX type transponders (A, B) are disclosed, interrogated by the reader (R) by alternately powering and then reading through cycles corresponding to a number of possible transponders in the interrogation field. The cycles, which include reader power pulses, signify addresses of respective possible transponders, whether in or out of the field. The transponders for this purpose count reader power pulses by end-of-burst detection, increasing a stored count value with each reader power pulse. The transponder responds to the reader by transmission if and only if a stored count value in a read cycle matches a respective transponder address, preventing the transponders from transmitting telegrams interfering with each other. As a method of reader-transponder operation, the collision avoidance scheme thus cycles the reader interrogating through cycles having power pulses according to possible transponders in the field, not only calling the addresses of each of respective possible transponders but also shortening or lengthening read and power steps dependent upon responses received from the transponders.