Ultra-Miniature Transceiver (Micro-miniature Transceiver, SOC, carried by a fly)

Reference #:

2003-199

Inventors/Contributors

Timothy M. Schaefer

Description

The invention is an ultra-miniature transceiver technology that allows positioning, data relaying and identification in a very tiny form factor (e.g., "pinhead" size). The transceiver is based on a system-on-a-chip (SOC) design of a radio frequency (RF) transceiver that is combined with a micro-miniature battery and an antenna (or in some cases two antennas). The invention enables communication to the transceiver through a generic RF pulse at a given frequency. The RF pulse activates the tag - which in turn modifies the carrier frequency transmitted in the activation pulse - modulates a data code and transmits the signal back to the interrogator. The activation-response cycle can be repeated multiple times to construct a communications message, data stream or the like. The size of the tag can be very small, approximately 1 x .5 mm and weighs approximately 10 milligrams and can easily be modified to work at virtually any frequency of interest. Key Characteristics: Weight: <10mg. Length: 2.5 mm. Range: 5-10 Km. Supply Voltage 2-3V. Broad Tx/Rx Spectrum (MHz-GHz). Power Consumption - Sleep Mode 120uW, Tx Mode 18mW. Technology Status: Firm - SIGe 7HP Technology.

Patent Status

Pending