Read Rate Optimization of an RFID Tunnel Gate by Using the Concept of an Electromagnetic Reverberation Chamber with Different Q Factors

In this paper, an RFID tunnel gate is optimized in terms of the read rate for bulk reading of several UHF transponders in the frequency range around 865 MHz. Four test series are conducted in order to find the optimum configuration with respect to the transport velocity of transponders and the duration of a pause inside the tunnel, the transmitted power level, additional loading of the tunnel with absorbers and their specific location. The results show that the tunnel behaves like an electromagnetic reverberation chamber with an almost statistically homogenous and isotropic field. The quality factor is one important parameter, whose influence on the read rate is investigated.