Design of a RFID system for real-time tracking of laboratory animals

Abstract

In this paper, a real-time RFID system capable of tracking laboratory animals for behavior analysis purposes was designed and implemented. Four passive RFID tags based on low frequency (LF) were designed and implemented from first principles. The tags can be read by any RFID reader that operates on the low frequency range 125-134 kHz. The tags were designed through the investigation of various antenna, encoding, modulation, and energy harvesting techniques. The tag receives the electromagnetic signal via the antenna, and converts it to a DC signal that the microcontroller can use to manipulate the electromagnetic signal with the data such that the reader can decode the unique tag identifier. RFID sensors were designed and implemented to collect data from various monitored areas of a semi natural environment. The data is sent to a central data coordinator for pre-processing and middleware for data error checking, display and storage. The data is stored in an online database which is used to produce statistical information about the area within which the RFID system is deployed. The RFID system can successfully detect and store movement data in real time. A read range of 14.5cm was achieved.