Electronic tag position detection using radio broadcast

The present invention relates to low power electronic tags and tag tracking systems. More particularly, the present invention relates to radiofrequency tags externally triggered by a directed light or electromagnetic pulse. A system for identification and tracking of tags distributed in a room, wherein the system includes an electromagnetic pulse generator to produce a local electromagnetic spike, a tag reactive to the local electromagnetic spike to provide a data signal, a data receiver for receiving the data signal, and a tag tracking system receiving input from the electromagnetic pulse generator and the data receiver, the tag tracking system storing state records of position and informational content of the tag.