A novel multi-parameter chipless RFID sensor for green networks

With the increasing air pollution each day, it is very important to keep a check at the air quality we are breathing in. This can be made possible by designing an environmental sensor that is low-cost, robust, readily available, and easy to manufacture. In this research work, we propose a 12-bit smart chipless radio frequency identification tag having a radius of 7.4 mm. The miniaturized chipless RFID multi-sensor is based on humidity sensitive Kapton®HN substrate with Copper as a radiator. These materials selection enables the vast adaptability of this sensor in such areas where the use of a commercial environmental sensor is not economically supportive. The frequency response of the tag contains twelve uniquely identifiable frequency resonances in a 4–18 GHz frequency band. The gas sensing characteristic is incorporated by deploying multi-wall carbon nanotubes over the centre of the tag design. The changes in the frequency response of the central slot due to CO2 concentrations are demonstrated in a radar cross-section graph. The proposed tag shows a reliable performance under changing atmospheric conditions. [Display omitted] •A miniaturized flexible chipless RFID tag of radius 7.4 mm with 12-bit data density is proposed in this work.•The proposed RFID tag is a multi-parameter sensor. It can detect changing CO2 and humidity concentrations from the environment.•Due to the homogenous resonating structures throughout the tag, it is polarization insensitive and can be excited by any polarization of plane waves.•In case of humidity sensing, all frequency resonances act as sensing bits. While, in case of gas sensing, the last resonance is the only sensing bit.•The realized tag is low-cost, readily available and recyclable in nature. It has an ability to withstand harsh environments, moreover, the sensing process is reversible. With the increasing air pollution each day, it is very important to keep a check at the air quality we are breathing in. This can be made possible by designing an environmental sensor that is low-cost, robust, readily available, and easy to manufacture. In this research work, we propose a 12-bit smart chipless radio frequency identification tag having a radius of 7.4 mm. The miniaturized chipless RFID multi-sensor is based on humidity sensitive Kapton®HN substrate with Copper as a radiator. These materials selection enable the vast adaptability of this sensor in such areas where the use of a commercial environmental sensor is not economi