An AM-FM hybrid signal is created which may be used to communicate simultaneously with both RFID tags that receive AM signals and wireless devices that receive FM or PM signals. The AM-FM hybrid signal may be fed back into the system's receiver at the local oscillator in order to recover the RFID tag's FM response, thus enabling simultaneous reception and decoding of both RFID tag FM response and FM wireless device response.

An RFID interrogator comprises an amplifier configured to amplify signals being transmitted by the RFID interrogator. The RFID interrogator also comprises a bypass path to direct received signals around the amplifier so that the amplifier does no block the reception of signals received from an RFID tag.

A chronometric identification and location tag for an animal, such as a dog, that incorporates a variety of detection and sensing functions as well as communication capacities. Assembled in a compact form that allows ready transport on a trainable animal, such as a dog, the chronometer identification and location tag enables the location of the associated animal, as well as the transmission and reception of information and data. Specific embodiments include the use of GPS to provide location data, as well as an alternative location system using temporary or permanent antenna installations. Hazardous material, visual, and acoustic detectors and other sensors and/or generators may be used in conjunction with transmission facilities for providing data regarding the animal's environment. Information and signals may be transmitted to the central controller by a receiver and a speaker can provide for audio signaling to the animal or others close to the animal in an audible range of the speaker.

Methods, systems, and apparatuses for RFID devices, such as reader antennas, are described. A reader antenna includes a quadrature hybrid coupler, a termination element, and an antenna, such as a patch antenna. The quadrature hybrid coupler has first, second, third, and fourth ports. The first port receives an input radio frequency RF signal. The second port outputs a first RF output signal. The third port outputs a second RF output signal. The second RF output signal is shifted in phase by 90 degrees relative to the first RF output signal. The fourth port is coupled to the termination element. The patch antenna has a first point coupled to the first RF output signal and a second point coupled to the second RF output signal. The patch antenna radiates a circularly polarized RF signal due to the received first and second RF output signals. The circularly polarized RF signal may be used to interrogate tags. Furthermore, the reader antenna is integrated into a ruggedized structure that provides environmental protection for the antenna, including providing shock absorption for impacts to the antenna.

A method for operating with multiple protocols for handling communications comprising the steps of obtaining information from sensors and related input devices utilizing specialized tamper resistant passive transceivers working with active pulse type transceivers to create historical maps of information on people or objects. This includes steps of: a) identifying recording information, b) sending and receiving prompts, c) associating the call with timers, d) monitoring passive transceivers with low level diagnostic information, e) monitoring the transceivers with voice recognition software, f) recording associated data, g) identifying the users, the key words or phrases within the recorded data, h) naming the recording and i) saving the data in a protected format.