Sentinel has developed a family of standard and custom multi-frequency, multi-protocol RFID antenna arrays covering the above frequency spectrum. Our family of antennas includes some active element, phase-array, and specialty antennas where longer range and higher read speeds are a basic requirement.

We begin creating our antennas by selecting the optimum basic frequency band, base-band and sideband processing techniques, amplifier stages (RF/IF), and gain-control for the RFID antenna architecture. We model and simulate the system with our computerized design process. We then complement that with our unique, patented and proprietary value-added elements. These include our unique RF/IF front-ends, secondary packaging, as well as algorithms that compensate for RF energy absorption and reflection and cancel out any adverse multi-path, noise, and EMI interference effects. We also deploy RF conversion efficiency enhancement techniques, ground planes, special coatings, anti-static coatings, shock/vibration/EMI/harsh environment protection elements to create a truly robust antenna element to suit your specific RF needs.

Our embedded reader and controller firmware is designed to give our antennas self-tuning/ dynamic correction feedback loops, beam-forming or adaptive phased array algorithms, some user-defined antenna power burst profiles, and other performance-enhancing control parameters. These include variable duty-cycle, clamping, power cycling, delays, temperature compensation, and frequency hopping based on the customer requirements within the intended system application environment. We perform comprehensive RF site surveys before the system and architectural modeling begins to ensure the final system operates as desired.

Our antennas come in various form-factors, including Leitz wire, etched rigid and Capton type high temperature film antennas, polyurethane encapsulated antennas, circular and patch, Yagi polarization schema, and other proprietary RF-friendly materials. We offer on-board or separate controllers for impedance matching, auto-tuning and duty-cycling. We also provide unique packaging, shapes and flexibility traits, so that antenna elements can be embedded in the end products with relative ease. We use standard 16- or 32-bit microprocessors and microcontrollers as well as interfaces and fast data transfer paths to enhance antennas and thus system performance.

Our antenna elements are then tailored further to operate with our custom reader modules and tags to control the coupling (capacitive, inductive or impedance), system figure-of-merit and read range/speed performance. We offer simple stand-alone element antennas as well as dual-multiplexed antenna pairs (active and/or mirrored). Our multi-element arrays create antenna portals to provide enhanced range, omni-directional, or 3-D read coverage so that critical items can be identified, located and then tracked throughout the enterprise. All this is done automatically, wirelessly and seamlessly without human intervention.

As a part of our "build-to-order" or consulting services, we can develop specialty products, such as active (battery-powered) antenna elements, phased-arrays, and multi-element adaptive or beam-forming integrated antennas. These can form portals for conveyor belts and/or portable read stations.

For new RFID/ADC system development and consulting projects, please use our application development data input sheet to provide us with your requirements. We will use this information to generate a quote for your custom application.