Nested RFID System of Integrated Active and Passive Tags and Readers to Improve Supply Chain Management

We propose the design of a nested RFID tag system that offers Naval supply chain efficiency improvements, including underway replenishment and present / future MPF support. System components include industry standard passive RFID tags (e.g., EPC Gen 2); commercially available RFID tag readers/writers (handheld or fixed); an integrated Active-Passive Reader with active RFID and passive RFID RF sections that read passive tags or active tags, transfer data from the passive tag to the active tag, and store, display, or interface to PCs or communication networks ("Unified Passive Active Reader" or "UPAR"); an integrated Active Tag/Passive Reader ("ATPR") that read/writes passive tags, and stores and transfers data to an Active Receiver or UPAR, with optional sensors and data logging capability; an integrated single package passive UHF tag with an active UHF tag ("Unified Passive/Active Tag", or "UPAT") (option); and an active Reader that can read and write to the PTAR and other active tags. The active Reader can be handheld or fixed, and interface to a variety of wide area communication systems such as GPRS, 802.11, Bluetooth, SATCOM etc. The active technology will be based on the 433.92MHz ATOS protocol developed by Phase IV for the U.S. Navy.