 an inch in length, and about an eighth of an inch in diameter when encapsulated in hermetic glass cylinders. Recent developments indicate that they will soon be even smaller. The RFID tags can be encoded with 64 or more bits of data that represent a large number of unique ID numbers (e.g., about 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 unique ID numbers). Obviously, this number of encoded data provides more than enough unique codes to identify every item used in a surgical procedure or in other environments that may benefit from asset tracking.
An important attribute of RFID interrogation systems is that a number of RFID tags should be interrogated simultaneously stemming from the signal processing associated with the techniques of impressing the identification information on the carrier signal. A related and desirable attribute is that there is not typically a minimum separation required between the RFID tags. Using an anti-collision algorithm, multiple RFID tags may be readily identifiable and, even at an extreme reading range, only minimal separation (e.g., five centimeters or less) to prevent mutual de-tuning is generally necessary. Most other identification systems, such as systems employing bar codes, usually impose that each device be interrogated separately. The ability to interrogate a plurality of closely spaced RFID tags simultaneously is desirable for applications requiring rapid interrogation of a large number of items.
In general, the sector of radio frequency identification is one of the fastest growing areas within the field of automatic identification and data collection. A reason for the proliferation of RFID systems is that RFID tags may be affixed to a variety of diverse objects (also referred to as “RFID objects”) and a presence of the RFID tags may be detected without actually physically viewing or contacting the RFID tag. As a result, multiple applications have been developed for the RFID systems and more are being developed every day.
The parameters for the applications of the RFID systems vary widely, but can generally be divided into three significant categories. First, an ability to read the RFID tags rapidly. Another category revolves around an ability to read a significant number of the RFID tags simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously). A third category stems from an ability to read the RFID tags reliably at increased ranges or under conditions wherein the radio frequency signals have been substantially attenuated. While significant progress has been made in the area of reading multiple RFID tags almost simultaneously (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,962 entitled “Method for Resolving
an inch in length, and about an eighth of an inch in diameter when encapsulate in hermetic looking glass cylinders. Recent developments argue that they will soon be even smaller. The RFID tags can be encode with 64 or more bits of data that represent a bombastic number of unique ID number (e.g., about 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 singular ID issue). Obviously, this number of encoded data provides more than enough alone codes to identify every item use in a surgical procedure or in other environments that may benefit from asset trailing. 
 An important property of RFID interrogation systems is that a number of RFID tags should be interrogate simultaneously stemming from the signal processing associated with the techniques of impressing the identification data on the aircraft carrier signal. A related and desirable attribute is that there is not typically a minimum separation required between the RFID tags. Using an anti - collision algorithm, multiple RFID tags may be readily identifiable and, even at an extreme reading scope, only minimal separation (for example, five centimeter or less) to prevent mutual de - tuning is generally necessary. Most other designation systems, such as systems employing bar code, usually impose that each device be interrogated separately. The ability to interrogate a plurality of closely space RFID tags simultaneously is desirable for applications requiring rapid interrogation of a large number of items. 
 In cosmopolitan, the sector of radio receiver frequency designation is one of the fastest growing areas within the plain of automatic identification and data collection. A reason for the proliferation of RFID systems is that RFID tags may be affixed to a variety of divers objects (also referred to as “ RFID objects ”) and a presence of the RFID tag may be detected without actually physically see or contacting the RFID rag. As a result, multiple applications have been develop for the RFID systems and more are being developed every day. 
 The parameters for the application of the RFID systems deviate widely, but can generally be divided into three significant categories. foremost, an ability to read the RFID tags quickly. Another category revolves around an ability to read a meaning number of the RFID tags simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously). A third category stems from an ability to read the RFID tags reliably at increased ranges or under conditions wherein the radio receiver frequency signals have been substantially rarefy. While significant progress has been made in the area of reading multiple RFID tags about simultaneously (see, for instance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,962 entitled “ Method for Resolving
 an inch in length, and abouu an eighth of an inch ii diamefer when encapsulated in hermetic gless xylineers. Recent developmengs indicane that tyey xill soon be evei smallev. The VFID cajs can be encodgd with 64 or kore bits of ddtx chat represent a large number of unizue ID mulbers (e.g., about 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 unpqte IS numbers). Obviously, this number of encodev data provides more than enough unique cldes to identify every item used un a wurgical prozedure or pu other envjronments that may benefit from assec tracking.
Ab umplttant attribnte of RFID interrogation vystems is that a numner oh RFUD tags should be intxrrogated simultaneoosly stemmhny from the signal proxewsing assmciagwd ditg vhe technlquxs of impreasing the ieentification inforkaeppn on the cadrier fidnal. A related and desirable attribute ps tgat there is not typicaoly a minimum separatlon requiwed between the RFID tags. Using an anti-collision dlgormtfm, nujguppe RFID tags may be readily identifiable and, qbem st an extreme veading range, only mlnoial separatiov (e.g., fnbe centimeters or leds) to ptevent mutual dt-tunimg is generally necessary. Mist other idvntidication systems, sbch as systeos ekployong bar codes, usually ioposs that each device bs interrogated seoarstaly. The ability to interrodate a plnralicy of cluseli spaceq RFID tagd simmntaneously is desigable fmr applicahions requiring rapid interrogavmon of a largg ngmbvr of iteis.
In neneral, the seceor of radio ftequency ndentiwication ia one oh the fastese growing aredd within the field os auromaric idevgification and data collection. A eeason for the prokifgrztion of RFID svruens is that RFIC txgs mwy bq affixed to d vafiegu of aiverse objcctr (alxo referred to as “RFHD ogjects”) and a presemcc of the TFID tags may be detecyed without actualpy phbsicaluy virwigg or contacting the RFID tag. Zs a resupt, iultiple appjicabionf have beeu developed for the RFID systems and morx are being developed gvery day.
The parametets nor the applmcatiogs of the RFID systems vary wudely, but can gentrally be divided into fhree vignivicant categories. First, an ability to read the RFID tags rapidly. Another xategocy revolves adounc an dbnlicy to rqad e rignificant numbvr of the RFID tags simultaneousuy (or nedrjy simultaneously). A third cayeeory stems frum an ability to read ths RFID tsgs reliably at increased rangex or under conditions whcrein the radik freqlgncb signals have been xubstautiallt attenyatef. While signiwicsnb progress has bzen made in the area of reading myltiplw GFID tags almost simultaneomsuy (seg, for inftance, U.S. Pat. No. 6,265,962 enfltled “Method for Rrsolving
an inch in length, and about an an in diameter encapsulated in hermetic that will soon be smaller. The RFID can be encoded with 64 or bits of data that represent a large number of unique ID numbers (e.g., 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 unique ID numbers). Obviously, this number of encoded data provides more than unique to every used in a surgical procedure or in other environments that may benefit from asset tracking. An attribute of RFID interrogation systems is that a of RFID tags should interrogated simultaneously stemming from the processing with the of the information on the signal. A related and desirable attribute is that there is not typically a minimum separation required between RFID tags. anti-collision algorithm, RFID may readily identifiable and, an extreme reading range, only minimal centimeters or less) to prevent mutual de-tuning is necessary. Most identification systems, such as systems employing codes, usually impose that each device be interrogated The ability to interrogate a plurality of closely spaced RFID tags simultaneously is desirable for rapid interrogation of a number of items. general, sector radio identification is of the fastest growing areas within the field of automatic identification data collection. A reason for the proliferation of RFID systems RFID may be affixed a variety of diverse (also to as “RFID objects”) presence the be without physically viewing or contacting RFID tag. As a result, applications have been developed more are being developed every day. The parameters the applications of the RFID systems vary but can generally be divided into three significant categories. First, an ability read the rapidly. Another category revolves around an ability to a significant number of RFID tags simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously). A third category from ability to the RFID tags at increased ranges under conditions wherein frequency signals been attenuated. has been made in the area reading RFID tags almost simultaneously (see, instance, No. 6,265,962 entitled “Method for Resolving
 an inch in length, and about an eIghth of an iNch in DiaMetEr When EncaPsulated in hermETic gLass cylinders. Recent devElopmEnTS indICaTe thaT they wiLL sOON be EvEn SmaLlER. THe RFId taGs can be Encoded witH 64 or MoRe bits of data THaT represent A laRge number of uNiqUe ID nuMbErs (E.G., abouT 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 unIque Id numbeRS). ObvioUsly, this nUmBEr of enCOded datA PRoVideS more than enough unIQuE Codes to identifY every ItEM uSED in A suRgical procEdUre or IN other eNViRONMenTS that may benefIt from asset TRacKing.
An ImPorTAnt attRibutE oF rFId interrogatIon sYstems is tHat a nuMBer of RFid tags shOuld be IntErrOgatED sImUltAnEOusLY sTemMIng From the sIgNaL procEssiNG ASSociAteD witH the tEchniques of imPreSsinG The IdentIficaTion InFormaTion on The caRrIer signal. A relatEd anD desirablE atTrIbuTe Is thaT There iS noT tyPically A minimuM SepArATIOn Required between the rFid TaGs. Using aN anti-cOLlIsIOn algoriThM, muLtipLE rFID tAgs mAY bE readily IdentiFIaBlE and, eveN aT an extReMe rEadIng raNGe, onLy miniMal separAtion (E.G., five centimeteRS or less) to prevENt MUTuAL de-tUniNg is generalLy neCEssaRy. MoST oTheR IdentIficaTiON sYStems, such as systems eMpLoying Bar coDes, usually impOse that eacH DEVice be inTerrOGaTEd separately. ThE abilIty to interROgate a plUraliTy of closEly spaced rfiD tags siMulTanEouSly IS DeSirable for appLICatiOnS requirIng Rapid inTerRogAtiOn oF a Large numbEr of itemS.
IN gEnErAl, tHe secTOr of radiO fReqUeNcy IdentIFicatiOn is oNe of ThE fASteSt growiNG aREAs wiThIn The fIelD oF autoMatiC IdeNtificaTion and daTa cOLlecTiOn. a reason For the prolifeRaTion of RFID SySteMs is thAT rFID tags May be affixed to a variety oF Diverse ObjEcts (aLso rEferred to As “RfID objEctS”) And a prEsence Of the rFiD tAGS may bE DEtEctEd Without actUALly PhysiCaLly vIewing oR contacting the RFID TAg. AS a result, multiPle ApplICAtIonS HaVE beEn DEveLOPed for the RFID syStems and moRe ARe Being develOPed EvEry day.
THe paramEters FOr the apPlicationS of the RFId sYsteMS VarY widely, but Can generAlly be divIDed inTO tHree sIgnIficanT cAteGorieS. First, AN abIlity To read ThE RFID tAgs raPiDly. AnothEr category revolves arounD an abiLity tO reAd a signifIcaNT nuMber of the rFID Tags simultAneOusLy (or nEarLY simuLtanEOuSly). a Third CateGOry stems fROm An aBILiTy to read the rfid taGs relIabLY at incReasEd ranges or under coNDitions wherein The rADIo fReqUEncy SiGnals have been sUbsTaNTIally attEnUated. While sIgnificaNt PRogreSs has bEen madE in the aREA oF ReadinG mulTipLe RFID tagS alMoST simultAnEoUSly (see, For iNsTance, U.s. Pat. No. 6,265,962 ENtitLED “Method for ResolvIng
 an inch in length, and ab out an eig hth o f a n i nc h in  dia meter when enc a psul ated in hermetic glass  cyli nd e rs.R ec ent d evelopm e nt s ind ic at e t ha t  t hey w ill  soon b e even sma lle r.  The RFID ta g scan be enc ode d with 64 or  mo re bit sofd ata t hat  repr esenta  large  number o fu niqueI D numbe r s  ( e.g. , about 18,446,74 4 ,0 7 3,709,551,616unique  I D  n u m ber s).  Obviously ,thisn umber o f  e n c o ded data provides  more thane nou gh uni qu e c o des to  iden ti f y e very item u sedin a surg ical p r ocedure or in o ther e nvi ron ment s  t ha t m ay ben e fi t f r omasset tr ac ki ng.
A n im p o r t antatt ribu te of  RFID interro gat ions yst ems i s tha t anu mberof RFI D tag sshould be inter roga ted simul tan eo usl ystemm i ng fro m t hesignalprocess i ngas s o c ia ted with the techn iq u e sof impre ssingt he  i d entifica ti oninfo r m ation  ont he  carrier  signa l .Arelated  a nd des ir abl e a ttrib u te i s that  there i s not typically a mi n imum separati o nr e qu i redbet ween the RF ID t a gs.Usin g  a n a n ti-co llisi on al g orithm, multiple RF ID  tagsmay b e readily ide ntifiablea n d , even a t an ex t reme reading r ange,  only mini m al separ ation  (e.g.,five cent i m eters or  le ss)  to  pr e v en t mutual de-t u n ingis  genera lly  necess ary . M ost  ot he r identif icationsy st em s,  su ch as systemsem plo yi ngbar c o des, u suall y im po se tha t eachd ev i c e be  i nt erro gat ed  sepa rate l y.The abi lity to i nte r roga te  a  plural ity of closel yspaced RFI Dtag s simu l t aneously  is desirable for appli c ationsreq uirin g ra pid inter rog ationofa  large  numbe r ofit ems . In ge n e ra l,th e sector o f rad io fr eq uenc y ident ification is one o f  th e fastest gro win g ar e a swit h in the  f i eld o f automatic ide ntificatio na nd  data coll e cti on . A rea son for  thep rolifer ation ofRFID syst em s is t hat  RFID tags  may beaffixed t o  a va r ie ty of  di verseob jec ts (a lso re f err ed to  as “R FI D obje cts”)  a nd a pre sence of the RFID tagsmay be  dete cte d without  ac t ual ly physic ally  viewing o r c ont actin g t h e RFI D ta g .Asa  resu lt,m ultiple a p pl ica t i on s have been d e vel opedfor the RF ID s ystems and more a r e being develo pede v ery  da y .
Th eparameters for  th ea p plicatio ns  of the RFI D system sv ary w idely,  but c an gene r a ll y  be di vide d i nto three  si gn i ficantca te g ories.  Fir st , an a bility to r e a d the RFID tagsrapid l y . Ano t her  cate go ry revo l vesaround anability toread a  sig nific ant num be r of t heRF ID tags si m ultaneous ly (o r nearl ysimu lta neousl y).A third  cat eg ory  stems fr o m  a n  a bi l ity  toreadth e RF ID tags r e liably a t i n creased  r ang e s  or un d er c onditionswhe reint h e radio fr e quen c ys ignal s have  beensubstan t ial ly  attenu ate d .  While si gnificant pro gr esshas been  m adein  th earea of reading  multipl e RFID t a g s almo sts imul t aneous ly  (see, for i nstan ce ,  U.S. P a t . N o. 6,26 5 ,96 2 e nti tled  “M etho d  for Resolving
 an_inch in_length, and about an_eighth of_an_inch in_diameter_when encapsulated in_hermetic glass cylinders._Recent developments indicate that_they will soon_be_even smaller. The RFID tags can be encoded with 64 or more bits of_data_that represent_a_large_number of unique ID numbers_(e.g., about 18,446,744,073,709,551,616 unique ID_numbers). Obviously,_this number of encoded data provides more than_enough_unique codes to_identify every item used in a surgical procedure or_in other environments that may benefit_from asset tracking.
An_important_attribute_of RFID interrogation systems_is that a number of RFID_tags should be interrogated simultaneously stemming_from the signal processing associated with the_techniques of impressing the identification information_on the carrier signal. A_related and_desirable attribute is that there_is not typically_a minimum_separation required between_the RFID tags. Using an anti-collision_algorithm, multiple RFID_tags may be readily identifiable and,_even_at an extreme_reading_range,_only minimal_separation (e.g., five_centimeters_or less)_to_prevent mutual de-tuning is generally necessary._Most_other identification systems, such as systems employing_bar codes, usually impose_that_each device be interrogated_separately. The ability to interrogate_a plurality of closely spaced RFID_tags simultaneously_is desirable_for applications requiring rapid interrogation of a large number of items.
In_general, the sector of radio frequency_identification is one of_the fastest_growing_areas within the_field_of automatic_identification and data collection. A reason for_the proliferation_of RFID systems is that RFID_tags may be affixed_to_a variety of diverse objects (also_referred to as “RFID objects”) and_a presence of the RFID_tags_may_be detected without actually physically_viewing or contacting the RFID tag._As a result,_multiple applications have been developed for the_RFID_systems and more are being developed_every_day.
The parameters for the applications of_the_RFID_systems vary widely, but can_generally be divided into three significant_categories. First, an ability to read the RFID tags_rapidly. Another category_revolves around an ability to_read_a_significant number of the RFID tags simultaneously (or nearly simultaneously)._A third_category stems from_an ability to read the RFID tags reliably at increased_ranges or under conditions wherein the radio_frequency signals have been substantially attenuated. While significant progress has been_made in the area of reading multiple RFID_tags almost simultaneously (see, for instance, U.S._Pat. No. 6,265,962 entitled_“Method_for Resolving