Development of a Smart Label Concept with Integrated RFID/NFC: Simulation-Based Design of a Dual-Interface UHF RFID and NFC Antenna for Inventory Tracking and User Interaction
Lakho, Ali Adil (2026)
2026
Master's Programme in Computing Sciences and Electrical Engineering
Informaatioteknologian ja viestinnän tiedekunta - Faculty of Information Technology and Communication Sciences
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Hyväksymispäivämäärä
2026-07-10
Julkaisun pysyvä osoite on
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202607108317
https://urn.fi/URN:NBN:fi:tuni-202607108317
Tiivistelmä
This thesis presents the simulation-based development of a smart label concept with integrated UHF RFID and NFC functionality. The aim was to design a compact label that can support UHF RFID inventory tracking and NFC-based smartphone interaction within the same physical structure.
The design was developed and analyzed using CST Studio Suite. The UHF RFID antenna was designed for the European UHF RFID region around 866–868 MHz using a compact meandered radiator and a T-match-inspired feed structure. The NFC part was designed as a planar loop antenna for operation at 13.56 MHz. The selected chip was the EM4425 RFID/NFC chip, which provides both UHF RFID and NFC interfaces.
The results showed that the NFC loop strongly affects the UHF RFID antenna response. When the NFC loop was added, the UHF impedance changed significantly and the power transfer coefficient decreased. To improve the final design, the UHF feed and T-match region were moved upward and farther away from the NFC loop, followed by retuning of the radiator.
The final integrated UHF design achieved an antenna impedance of approximately 21.15+j279.03 Ω at 866 MHz. The power transfer coefficient was approximately 0.968, and the simulated peak gain was approximately −12.90 dBi. The estimated UHF read range was approximately 2.79 m under the assumed link-budget conditions. The final NFC loop impedance was approximately 9.51+j236.20 Ω at 13.56 MHz, corresponding to an inductance of approximately 2.77 µH. This requires approximately 49.7 pF for resonance, which is close to the EM4425 typical 50 pF NFC capacitance.
The results show that the proposed RFID/NFC smart label is feasible at the simulation level. The final design provides a compromise between UHF chip matching, radiation performance, NFC resonance, and compact label size. Future work should include prototype fabrication, UHF read-range measurement, NFC smartphone testing, and material tolerance analysis.
The design was developed and analyzed using CST Studio Suite. The UHF RFID antenna was designed for the European UHF RFID region around 866–868 MHz using a compact meandered radiator and a T-match-inspired feed structure. The NFC part was designed as a planar loop antenna for operation at 13.56 MHz. The selected chip was the EM4425 RFID/NFC chip, which provides both UHF RFID and NFC interfaces.
The results showed that the NFC loop strongly affects the UHF RFID antenna response. When the NFC loop was added, the UHF impedance changed significantly and the power transfer coefficient decreased. To improve the final design, the UHF feed and T-match region were moved upward and farther away from the NFC loop, followed by retuning of the radiator.
The final integrated UHF design achieved an antenna impedance of approximately 21.15+j279.03 Ω at 866 MHz. The power transfer coefficient was approximately 0.968, and the simulated peak gain was approximately −12.90 dBi. The estimated UHF read range was approximately 2.79 m under the assumed link-budget conditions. The final NFC loop impedance was approximately 9.51+j236.20 Ω at 13.56 MHz, corresponding to an inductance of approximately 2.77 µH. This requires approximately 49.7 pF for resonance, which is close to the EM4425 typical 50 pF NFC capacitance.
The results show that the proposed RFID/NFC smart label is feasible at the simulation level. The final design provides a compromise between UHF chip matching, radiation performance, NFC resonance, and compact label size. Future work should include prototype fabrication, UHF read-range measurement, NFC smartphone testing, and material tolerance analysis.