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Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a widely used wireless technology for contactless data exchange between a passive information carrier (tag) and an active interrogation device (reader). Being sensitive to a surrounding environment, RFID tags are usually designed per application. Here, we demonstrate an RFID tag with three essential functions available simultaneously, namely, small footprint, long reading range, and capability of on-metal labeling. Our design is based on a compact high-index ceramic resonator and an inductively coupled small metal ring functionalized with an RFID chip. The tag operates at magnetic dipolar resonance, which interacts with the metal object subject to labeling. Specifically, a 16.5 mm $\times16.5$ mm $\times12$ mm footprint device, placed on a 40 cm $\times40$ cm metal sheet, was successfully interrogated from 22 m with no violation of international effective isotropic radiated power (EIRP) standards. Currently, it is the smallest on-metal RFID tag with a reading range of over 20 m. Multifunctional miniature long-range ceramic tags are attractive for use in numerous practical applications, including the Internet of Small Things (IoST) and many others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Radio frequency identification (RFID) is a mature technology that allows contactless reading of data via a wireless communication link. While communication protocols in this field are subject to international regulations, there are plenty of opportunities to improve hardware realization of antenna devices that support this technology. In particular, readout range extension and miniaturization of passive RFID tags is an important challenge with far-reaching goals. Here, we introduce and analyze a new concept of high-permittivity ceramic tag that relies on different physical principles. Instead of using conduction currents in metallic wires to drive electronic chips and generate electromagnetic radiation, high-permittivity components rely on excitation of displacement currents. Those are efficiently converted to actual electric current which drives the memory chip. Practical aspects of this approach are improved robustness to environmental fluctuations, footprint reduction, and readout range extension. In particular, our high-permittivity ceramic (ε ~ 100) elements have demonstrated a 25% reading range improvement in comparison to commercial tags. In case when state-of-the-art readers and RFID chips are used, the readout distances of the developed ceramic tags can reach 22 m. This number can be further extended with improved matching circuits. Miniature RFID tags, capable to establish long-range communication channels, can find use in many applications, including retail, security, Internet of Things, and many others. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]