Dear Colleagues,
The expansion of the Internet of Things (IoT) has accelerated the demand for autonomous, maintenance-free, and cost-effective monitoring systems. Passive Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) technology has emerged as a pivotal solution in this landscape, transitioning from a tool for simple identification to a sophisticated platform for integrated sensing and communication. Passive RFID systems offer a sustainable alternative to battery-powered devices (active short-range devices), addressing global trends toward green electronics and the reduction of electronic waste. However, the seamless integration of sensing capabilities into these systems—especially when embedded directly into objects or complex environments—presents significant challenges in antenna design, power management, and signal integrity across diverse frequency bands.
The significance of this research area lies in its potential to enhance industrial processes through real-time, data-driven insights and to support the implementation of modern solutions for intelligent and sustainable product management, such as the Digital Product Passport (DPP). The integration leveraging RFID technology provides a reliable framework for lifecycle tracking, sustainability reporting, and circular economy initiatives. In particular, the rise of textronics and smart textiles opens new frontiers for wearable health monitoring and interactive garments, where the electronic transponders must be both functionally robust and physically flexible. Furthermore, the integration of tags and sensors directly into objects during manufacturing (tag-on-object) requires innovative approaches to overcome the interference posed by various materials. As researchers explore both HF (High Frequency/NFC) and UHF (Ultra-High Frequency) spectrums, a need arises to combine the short-range, high-security advantages of HF with the long-range, high-throughput capabilities of UHF to meet the diverse needs of modern logistics, healthcare, object monitoring, etc.
This Special Issue aims to present and disseminate the most recent advances related to the design, implementation, and application of passive RFID technology. We consider original research articles and comprehensive reviews addressing both the theoretical foundations and practical deployments of integrated communication and sensing frameworks. We particularly welcome contributions that explore the convergence of RFID with sensor technology as well as flexible electronics, textile integration, and advanced signal processing techniques to enhance the performance of battery-free IoT nodes.
Topics of interest for publication include, but are not limited to, the following:
- Advanced antenna design for passive HF and UHF RFID transponders;
- Textronics and the integration of RFID in smart textiles;
- Tag-on-object and in-material sensing: challenges and solutions;
- RFID-based solutions for the Digital Product Passport (DPP) and circular economy;
- Energy harvesting and power management for battery-free sensing;
- Backscatter communication protocols for high-reliability data transfer;
- Flexible, and printable RFID tag/sensors;
- NFC-based sensing for healthcare and consumer engagement;
- Multi-tag interference mitigation and massive RFID deployment;
- Signal processing and machine learning for RFID data analytics;
- Industrial IoT (IIoT) applications: from logistics to structural health monitoring;
- Localization, tracking, and environmental sensing using passive tags;
- RFID sensing solutions in Industry 4.0 applications.
Source: https://mdpi.com/si/277741
