The IEEE Council on RFID offers a limited edition, print-only collection of Best Papers awarded at our annual conferences for its first 10 years: 2007-2016. For more information, contact Matt LaFleur m.lafleur@ieee.org
2025 IEEE RFID Best Paper
Best Paper Award
Authors: Ishan Bansal, Nagarjun Bhat, Agrim Gupta, Harine Govindarajan, and Dinesh Bharadia, University of California San Diego in La Jolla,
Paper Title: SenSync: Real-Time and Accurate Passive Sensing
2024 IEEE RFID Best Paper
Best Paper Award
Authors: Dilushi Piumwardane and Madhushanka Padmal (Uppsala University, Sweden); Vaishnavi Ranganathan (Microsoft Research, USA); Kasun Hewage and Christian Rohner (Uppsala University, Sweden); Thiemo Voigt (RISE Computer Science & Uppsala University, Sweden
Paper Title: Unlocking the Potential of Low-cost High-resolution Sensing with Analog Backscatter
2024 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Kevin J Ho, Matthew S Reynolds, (University of Washington, Seattle)
Paper Title: A 2.4 GHz Frequency Selective Backscatter Modulator for Bluetooth and Wi-Fi Backscatter
2023 IEEE RFID Best Paper
Best Paper Award
Authors: Tara Boroushaki and Maisy L Lam (MIT, USA); Wei-Tung Chen and Laura Dodds (Massachusetts Institute of Technology, USA); Aline Eid (University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, USA); Fadel Adib (MIT, USA)
Paper Title: Exploiting Synergies between Augmented Reality and RFIDs for Item Localization and Retrieval
2023 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Jon Kimionis (Nokia Bell Labs), Manos M. Tentzeris, (Georgia Tech)
Paper Title: RF Tag Front-End Design for Uncompromised Communication and Harvesting
2022 IEEE RFID Best Paper
Best Paper Award
Authors: Stefan Hechenberger, Daniel Neunteufel and Holger Arthaber (TU Wien, Austria)
Paper Title: Ray Tracing and Measurement based Evaluation of a UHF RFID Ranging System
2022 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Francesca Nanni (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy); Luca Fiore (Tor Vergata, Italy); Fabiana Arduini and Gaetano Marrocco (University of Rome Tor Vergata, Italy)
Paper Title: Flexible epidermal device for the RFID-based potentiometric sensing of skin parameters
2021 IEEE RFID Best Paper
Best Paper Award
Authors: Kirti Bhanushali (Microsoft, USA); Wenxu Zhao, W. Shepherd Pitts and Paul Franzon (North Carolina State University, USA)
Paper Title: A 125µm x 245µm Mainly Digital UHF EPC Gen2 Compatible RFID tag in 55nm CMOS process
2021 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Dinh-Thuy Phan-Huy, Dominique Barthel, Philippe Ratajczak, Orange Labs Networks, Châtillon, Meylan & Sophia-Antipolis, France, Romain Fara, Orange Labs Networks, Châtillon, Meylan & Sophia-Antipolis, France and Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France; Marco di Renzo, Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France;
Julien de Rosny Université Paris-Saclay, CNRS, CentraleSupélec, Laboratoire des Signaux et Systèmes, Gif-Sur-Yvette, France
ESPCI Paris, PSL University, CNRS, Institut Langevin, Paris, France
Paper Title: Ambient Backscatter Communications in Mobile Networks: Crowd-Detectable Zero-Energy-Devices
2020 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Matthias Gareis, Patrick Fenske, Christian Carlowitz, Martin Vossiek,
Institute of Microwaves and Photonics, Friedrich-Alexander University, Erlangen-Nuernberg, Germany
Paper Title: Particle Filter-Based SAR Approach and Trajectory Optimization for Real-Time 3D Tag Localization
2019 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: C. Qi, F. Amato, M. Alhassoun, G. Durgin, Georgia Tech
Paper Title: Breaking the Range Limit of RFID Localization: Phase-based Positioning with Tunneling Tags
Best Poster Award (Popular Vote)
Authors: Flávia C Costa; Renato Kanno; Ricardo T. Yoshioka; Emerson Canuto; José Martins; Jean Baracat
Paper Title: Dynamic Monitoring with RFID Tag Sensor to Use in Personal Protective Equipment (PPE)
Best Poster Award (Judges Vote)
Authors: Rui Chen; Shuai Yang; Michael Crisp; Richard V. Penty; Ian H. White
Paper Title: Beam Scanning UHF RFID Reader Antenna with High Gain and Wide Axial Ratio Beamwidth
IEEE RFID Mega Challenge Smart Cities Winners
Authors: Sri Harsha Kondapalli and Owen Pochettino, Washington University in St. Louis
Paper Title: Pathway to Smart Infrastructures: Project EMbed
2019 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Student Paper Award
1st Place:
Authors: Sai Nithin Reddy Kantareddy, Yongbin Sun, Rahul Bhattacharyya, Massachusetts Institute of Technology
Paper Title: Learning Gestures Using A Passive Data-Glove With RFID Tags?
2nd Place:
Authors: Rui Chen, Shuai Yang, Ajeck M. Ndifon, Ian White, Richard Penty, Michael J. Crisp, University of Cambridge
Paper Title: Beam Scanning UHF RFID Reader Antenna with High Gain and Wide Axial Ratio Beamwidth
3rd Place:
Authors: Andrea Motroni, Alice Buffi, Paolo Nepa, Bernardo Tellini, University of Pisa, Italy
Paper Title: A Phase-based Method for Mobile Node Localization through UHF-RFID passive tags
Best Paper Award
1st Place:
Authors: Alice Buffi, Andrea Motroni, Paolo Nepa and Bernardo Tellini, University of Pisa, Italy
Paper Title: Phase-based Method for UHF-RFID Gate Access Control
2nd Place:
Authors: Davide Dardari, Nicolò Decarli, Davide Fabbri, Anna Guerra, Marco Fantuzzi, Diego Masotti, Alessandra Costanzo, Aldo Romani, University of Bologna, Italy; Maxime Drouguet, Thomas Feuillen, Christophe Craeye, Christophe Raucy, Luc Vanderdorpe, Université catholique de Louvain, Belgium
Paper Title: An Ultra-wideband Batteryless Positioning System for Space Applications
3rd Place:
Authors: Ferran Paredes, Cristian Herrojo, Ferran Martìn, Universitat Autònoma de Barcelona, Spain
Paper Title: An approach for Synchronous Reading of Near-Field Chipless-RFID Tags
2018 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Mohammad Alhassoun; Michael Varner; and Gregory Durgin, Georgia Tech
Paper Title: Design and Evaluation of a Multi-Modulation Retrodirective RFID Tag
Best Poster Award (Popular Vote)
Authors: Chia-lin Cheng, Luong. N. Nguyen, Milos Prvulovic, Alenka Zajic, Georgia Tech
Paper Title: Exploiting switching of transistors in electronics for RFID tag design
Best Poster Award (Judges Vote)
Authors: Edward Keehr, Superlative Semiconductor LLC
Paper Title: A personal SDR UHF RFID reader with subranging TMN-Based TX cancellation
IEEE RFID Mega Challenge Smart Cities Winners
Drexel University, USA
2018 IEEE RFID TA Best Paper
Authors: Chia-Lin Cheng, Luong N. Nguyen, Milos Prvulovic, Alenka Zajic, Georgia Institute of Technology, Atlanta, GA, USA
Paper Title: Exploiting switching of transistors in electronics for RFID tag design
2017 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Pavel Nikitin, Honeywell
Paper Title: Self-Reconfigurable RFID Reader Antenna
Best Poster Award (Popular Vote)
Authors: Austin Lynch, Jessica Chao, Zachary Ho, Steven Johnson, Jonnathan Terry and Isaac Williams, California Polytechnic State University San Luis Obispo, Tali Freed, Cal Poly San Luis Obispo, Daniel Dobkin, Enigmatics
Paper Title: Environmental and Commercial Impact of City-Wide Reusable Food Container System
Best Poster Award (Judges Vote)
Authors: Eleftherios Kampianakis and Apoorva Sharma, University of Washington, USA; Jose Arenas, University of Washington, Chile; Matthew Reynolds, University of Washington, USA
Paper Title: A Dual-Band Wireless Power Transfer and Backscatter Communication Approach for Implantable Neuroprosthetic Devices
IEEE RFID Mega Challenge Smart Cities Winners
University of Macau, Macau
2017 IEEE RFID TA Best Paper
Authors: M.C. Caccami, C. Miozzi, M.Y.S. Mulla, C. Di Natale, G. Marroocco, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy
Paper Title: An Epidermal Graphene Oxide-based RFID Sensor for the Wireless Analysis of Human Breath
2016 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Greg Durgin, Georgia Tech
Paper Title: RF Thermoelectric Generation for Passive RFID
Best Poster Award
Authors: Chouchang Yang and Alanson Sample, Disney Research
Paper Title: EM-ID: Tag-less Identification of Electrical Devices via Electromagnetic Emissions
Brain Power Competition Winners
Student Category: Alexander Hoang and Apoorva Sharma, University of Washington
Open Category: Mohsen Shahmohammadi, Disney Research
2016 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Best Paper Award
Authors: Jordy Huiting, Andre Kokkeler and Gerard Smit, University of Twente, The Netherlands
Paper Title: The Effects of Single Bit Quantization on Direction of Arrival Estimation of UHF RFID Tags
Best Paper Honorary Mention
Authors: Masato Miyazawa and Jin Mitsugi, Keio University, Japan; Yuusuke Kawakita and Haruhisa Ichikawa, The University of Electro-Communications, Japan
Paper Title: Monopulse Switching to Cancel Phase Offset in Array Antenna Comprising Multiple COTS SDRs
Authors: Andrea Michel and Paolo Nepa, University of Pisa, Italy; Marcos R. Pino, Universidad de Oviedo, Spain
Paper Title: An Overview on Modular Antennas for Near-Field UHF-RFID Systems
Best Student Paper Award
Authors: Miaowang Zeng, Sun Yat-Sen University, P.R. China; Andrey S Andrenko, Xianluo Liu and Bo Zhu, SYSU-CMU Shunde International Joint Research Institute, P.R. China; Zihong Li and Hong-Zhou Tan, Sun Yat-Sen University, P.R. China
Paper Title: Differential Topology Rectifier Design for Ambient Wireless Energy Harvesting
Best Student Paper Honorary Mention
Authors: Ahmed Rasheed, SYSU-CMU Joint Institute of Engineering, P.R. China &, Ghulam Ishaq Khan Institute of Engineering Sciences and Technology, USA; Emad Iranmanesh, Sun Yat-sen University, P.R. China; Andrey S Andrenko, SYSU-CMU Shunde International Joint Research Institute, P.R. China ;Kai Wang, SYSU-CMU Joint Institute of Engineering, P.R. China
Paper Title: Sensor Integrated RFID Tags for Sustainable Wearable Electronics Applications
Authors: Hualei Zhang, State Key Lab of ASIC &, System, Fudan University, P.R. China; Sizheng Chen, Tao Yang and Xi Tan, Fudan University, P.R. China; Na Yan and Hao Min, State Key Lab of ASIC & System, Fudan University, P.R. China
Paper Title: A Low Power High Sensitivity RF Power Detector for Multi-Mode Active Tags
2015 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: H. Mahdavifar and A. Vardy
Paper Title: Coding for tag collision recovery
Award Sponsor: ThingMagic
Citation: H. Mahdavifar and A. Vardy, “Coding for tag collision recovery,” RFID (RFID), 2015 IEEE International Conference on, San Diego, CA, 2015, pp. 9-16.
2015 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Authors: A. Hasan, R. Bhattacharyya and S. Sarma
Paper Title: Towards pervasive soil moisture sensing using RFID tag antenna-based sensors
Award Sponsor:
A. Hasan, R. Bhattacharyya and S. Sarma, “Towards pervasive soil moisture sensing using RFID tag antenna-based sensors,” RFID Technology and Applications (RFID-TA), 2015 IEEE International Conference on, Tokyo, 2015, pp. 165-170.
Student Paper:
Authors: Francesco Amato, Christopher Peterson, Muhammad Bashir Akbar, Gregory Durgin
2014 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: A. N. Parks and J. R. Smith
Paper Title: Sifting through the airwaves: Efficient and scalable multiband RF harvesting
Award Sponsor: ThingMagic
A. N. Parks and J. R. Smith, “Sifting through the airwaves: Efficient and scalable multiband RF harvesting,” RFID (IEEE RFID), 2014 IEEE International Conference on, Orlando, FL, 2014, pp. 74-81.
2014 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Authors: Marco Virili, Apostolos Georgiadis, Kyriaki Niotaki, Ana Collado, Federico Alimenti, Paolo Mezzanotte, Luca Roselli and Nuno Borges Carvalho
Paper Title: Design and Optimization of an Antenna with Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) for Autonomous Wireless Nodes
Award Sponsor:
M. Virili et al., “Design and optimization of an antenna with Thermo-Electric Generator (TEG) for autonomous wireless nodes,” RFID Technology and Applications Conference (RFID-TA), 2014 IEEE, Tampere, 2014, pp. 21-25.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2014.6934194
Student contest:
1st Place:
Authors: John Kimionis and Manos M. Tentzeris
Paper Title: RF Tag Front-end Design for Uncompromised Communication and Harvesting
J. Kimionis and M. M. Tentzeris, “RF tag front-end design for uncompromised communication and harvesting,” RFID Technology and Applications Conference (RFID-TA), 2014 IEEE, Tampere, 2014, pp. 109-114.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2014.6934210
2nd Place:
Authors: Walther Pachler, Jasmin Grosinger, Wolfgang Bösch, Gerald Holweg and Christoph Steffan
Paper Title: A Miniaturized Dual Band RFID Tag
W. Pachler, J. Grosinger, W. Bösch, G. Holweg and C. Steffan, “A miniaturized dual band RFID tag,” RFID Technology and Applications Conference (RFID-TA), 2014 IEEE, Tampere, 2014, pp. 228-232.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2014.6934233
3rd Place:
Authors: Sabina Manzari, Tullio Musa, Martina Randazzo, Zila Rinaldi, Alberto Meda and Gaetano Marrocco
Paper Title: A Passive Temperature Radio-Sensor for Concrete Maturation Monitoring
Award Sponsor:
S. Manzari, T. Musa, M. Randazzo, Z. Rinaldi, A. Meda and G. Marrocco, “A passive temperature radio-sensor for concrete maturation monitoring,” RFID Technology and Applications Conference (RFID-TA), 2014 IEEE, Tampere, 2014, pp. 121-126.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2014.6934212
2013 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: Wang-Sang Lee, Seung-Tae Khang, Won-Seok Lee, Hyun-Sung Tae and Jong-Won Yu
Paper Title: Wide-coverage array antenna using a dual-beam switching for UHF RFID applications
Award Sponsor: ThingMagic
Wang-Sang Lee, Seung-Tae Khang, Won-Seok Lee, Hyun-Sung Tae and Jong-Won Yu, “Wide-coverage array antenna using a dual-beam switching for UHF RFID applications,” RFID (RFID), 2013 IEEE International Conference on, Penang, 2013, pp. 36-41.
2013 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
1st Place:
Professor Chu Chao Hsien (Singapore Management University, School of Information Systems), Meng Ma (Peking University, Beijing), Ping Wang (Peking University, Beijing),
Paper Title: A Novel Distributed Algorithm for Redundant Reader Elimination in RFID Networks
Meng Ma, Ping Wang and Chao-Hsien Chu, “A novel distributed algorithm for redundant reader elimination in RFID networks,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2013 IEEE International Conference on, Johor Bahru, 2013, pp. 1-6.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2013.6694501
2nd Place:
Authors: P. Kamalinejad, K. Keikhosravy, S. Mirabbasi, and V. C. M. Leung
Paper Title: A CMOS rectifier with an extended high-efficiency region of operation
P. Kamalinejad, K. Keikhosravy, S. Mirabbasi and V. C. M. Leung, “A CMOS rectifier with an extended high-efficiency region of operation,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2013 IEEE International Conference on, Johor Bahru, 2013, pp. 1-6.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2013.6694527
Award Sponsor: Universiti Teknologi Malaysia
2012 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: J. S. Besnoff and M. S. Reynolds
Paper Title: Near field modulated backscatter for in vivo biotelemetry
Award Sponsor: Mojix
J. S. Besnoff and M. S. Reynolds, “Near field modulated backscatter for in vivo biotelemetry,” RFID (RFID), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Orlando, FL, 2012, pp. 135-140.
2012 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
1st Place:
Authors: S. Manzari, S. Pettinari and G. Marrocco
Paper Title: Miniaturized and tunable wearable RFID tag for body-centric applications
S. Manzari, S. Pettinari and G. Marrocco, “Miniaturized and tunable wearable RFID tag for body-centric applications,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Nice, 2012, pp. 239-243.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2012.6404520
2nd Place (tie):
Authors: R. Nair, E. Perret, S. Tedjini and T. Barron
Paper Title: A humidity sensor for passive chipless RFID applications
R. Nair, E. Perret, S. Tedjini and T. Barron, “A humidity sensor for passive chipless RFID applications,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Nice, 2012, pp. 29-33.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2012.6404534
2nd Place (tie):
Authors: M. Tanaka, N. Takahashi, R. Ikeda and M. Suzuki
Paper Title: RFID based maintenance management system for ground coils of superconducting maglev
M. Tanaka, N. Takahashi, R. Ikeda and M. Suzuki, “RFID based maintenance management system for ground coils of superconducting maglev,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2012 IEEE International Conference on, Nice, 2012, pp. 330-334.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2012.6404540
2011 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: R. Miesen, F. Kirsch and M. Vossiek
Paper Title: Holographic localization of passive UHF RFID transponders
Award Sponsor: ODIN Technologies
R. Miesen, F. Kirsch and M. Vossiek, “Holographic localization of passive UHF RFID transponders,” RFID (RFID), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Orlando, FL, 2011, pp. 32-37.
2011 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Award Sponsor:
1st Place:
Authors: Chomora Mikeka, Hiroyuki Arai, Apostolos Georgiadis, Ana Collado
Paper Title: DTV Band Micropower RF Energy-Harvesting Circuit Architecture and Performance Analysis
C. Mikeka, H. Arai, A. Georgiadis and A. Collado, “DTV band micropower RF energy-harvesting circuit architecture and performance analysis,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Sitges, 2011, pp. 561-567.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2011.6068601
2nd Place:
Authors: Toni Björninen, Karina Espejo Delzo, Leena Ukkonen, Atef Elsherbeni,
Lauri Tapio Sydänheimo
Paper Title: Long Range Metal Mountable Tag Antenna for Passive UHF RFID Systems
T. Björninen, K. Espejo Delzo, L. Ukkonen, A. Z. Elsherbeni and L. Sydänheimo, “Long range metal mountable tag antenna for passive UHF RFID systems,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Sitges, 2011, pp. 202-206.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2011.6068638
3rd Place:
Authors: Hannes Reinisch, Günter Hofer, Stefan Gruber, Micheal Klamminger, Wolfgang Pribyl, Gerald Holweg
Paper Title: A fully EPC compatible Multi frequency Passive RFID Tag with -11.4 dBm Sensitivity
H. Reinisch, G. Hofer, S. Gruber, M. Klamminger, W. Pribyl and G. Holweg, “A fully EPC compatible multi frequency passive RFID tag with −11.4 dBm sensitivity,” RFID-Technologies and Applications (RFID-TA), 2011 IEEE International Conference on, Sitges, 2011, pp. 207-213.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2011.6068639
2010 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: P. V. Nikitin, R. Martinez, S. Ramamurthy, H. Leland, G. Spiess and K. V. S. Rao
Paper Title: Phase based spatial identification of UHF RFID tags
Award Sponsor: ODIN Technologies
P. V. Nikitin, R. Martinez, S. Ramamurthy, H. Leland, G. Spiess and K. V. S. Rao, “Phase based spatial identification of UHF RFID tags,” RFID, 2010 IEEE International Conference on, Orlando, FL, 2010, pp. 102-109.
2010 IEEE RFID TA Best Papers
Authors: E. Nilsson, B. Nilsson, L. Bengtsson, B. Svensson, P. A. Wiberg, and U. Bilstrup
Paper Title: A low power-long range active RFID-system consisting of active RFID backscatter transponders
Award Sponsor:
E. Nilsson, B. Nilsson, L. Bengtsson, B. Svensson, P. A. Wiberg and U. Bilstrup, “A low power-long range active RFID-system consisting of active RFID backscatter transponders,” RFID-Technology and Applications (RFID-TA), 2010 IEEE International Conference on, Guangzhou, China, 2010, pp. 26-30.
doi: 10.1109/RFID-TA.2010.5529854
2009 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: A. P. Sample, D. J. Yeager and J. R. Smith
Paper Title: A capacitive touch interface for passive RFID tags
Award Sponsor: Visible Assets, Inc.
A. P. Sample, D. J. Yeager and J. R. Smith, “A capacitive touch interface for passive RFID tags,” RFID, 2009 IEEE International Conference on, Orlando, FL, 2009, pp. 103-109.
2008 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Authors: T. Inaba
Paper Title: Value of Sparse RFID Traceability Information in Asset Tracking during Migration Period
T. Inaba, “Value of Sparse RFID Traceability Information in Asset Tracking during Migration Period,” 2008 IEEE International Conference on RFID, Las Vegas, NV, 2008, pp. 183-190. doi: 10.1109/RFID.2008.4519359
Award Sponsor: ODIN Technologies
2007 IEEE RFID Best Papers
Author: C. Floerkemeier
Paper Title: Bayesian Transmission Strategy for Framed ALOHA Based RFID Protocols
Award Sponsor:
C. Floerkemeier, “Bayesian Transmission Strategy for Framed ALOHA Based RFID Protocols,” RFID, 2007. IEEE International Conference on, Grapevine, TX, 2007, pp. 228-235.