Method for determining the condition of an antenna

Abstract

The invention is a method (1000) for determining the state of a near-field communication antenna, implemented by computer within a terminal comprising: - the near-field communication antenna, - a near-field communication integrated circuit configured to be connected to the antenna, wherein the following steps are implemented: - determination (1010, 1020), within the integrated circuit, of at least one voltage or current value, - deduction (1030), from the voltage or current value determined within the integrated circuit, of an operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna. Figure for the abstract: Figure 2

Description

Title of the invention: Method for determining the state of an antenna

[0001] The invention relates to near-field communication. It relates in particular to electronic payments made "contactless" between a payment terminal and a payment device.

[0002] Near-field communication (NFC) is a short-range wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of information between devices located a short distance from each other. In particular, in the field of payments, it allows for contactless payment between a payment terminal and a payment device such as a bank card.

[0003] A terminal comprising a near-field communication function, such as a payment terminal configured to perform contactless transactions with a payment device, includes a near-field communication antenna connected, via an impedance matching circuit, to a near-field communication integrated circuit. This near-field communication circuit generally includes electronic components for powering and driving the antenna, configured to provide the antenna with the signals to be transmitted and to process the signals received by the antenna. This near-field communication circuit is generally in the form of an electronic chip to which the impedance matching circuit is connected by one or two pins. In the payment sector, this near-field communication circuit is specifically configured to comply with security standards associated with contactless transactions..

[0004] In the prior art, when a terminal incorporating a near-field communication function malfunctions, it is necessary to disassemble the terminal to identify the source of the malfunction. A fault may originate from the antenna, but also from the impedance circuit, the near-field communication integrated circuit, or another component of the terminal. It is therefore necessary to examine each of these components in turn.

[0005] However, such an operation is complex, long, tedious.

[0006] The invention aims in particular to quickly and immediately identify, within a terminal equipped with a near-field communication function, whether the antenna is the cause of a malfunction in the near field communication function, without having to disassemble the terminal and examine the antenna.

[0007] To this end, the invention relates to a method for determining the state of a near-field communication antenna, implemented by computer within a terminal comprising:

[0008] - the near-field communication antenna,

[0009] - a near-field communication integrated circuit configured to be connected on air,

[0010] in which the following steps are implemented:

[0011] - determination, within the integrated circuit, of at least one voltage value or intensity,

[0012] - deduction, from the voltage or current value determined within the integrated circuit, of an operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna.

[0013] Indeed, apart from the invention, this current or voltage value internal to the near-field communication integrated circuit is used for other purposes, in particular for regulating or amplifying a signal within the circuit. However, it appears that if the antenna is faulty, this value varies systematically and in a similar manner. By obtaining it at any given time, it is therefore possible to deduce a fault in the antenna without having to disassemble the terminal and examine the antenna.

[0014] Other optional features follow, taken alone or in combination.

[0015] Advantageously, the integrated communication circuit comprising:

[0016] - a transmitter for transmitting a signal to the antenna,

[0017] - a dynamic power control unit for regulating the power of a signal transmitted by the transmitter to the antenna,

[0018] The step of determining a value includes a determination of a voltage across the transmitter terminals and / or a step of determining a current flowing through the transmitter.

[0019] Thus, in the case where the integrated circuit has a transmitter and a control unit for regulating the power supplied to the antenna, at least one of the voltage and current values ​​associated with this transmitter allows the state of the antenna to be deduced. Indeed, the control unit varies these values ​​in order to comply with a setpoint. However, it appears that it varies these values ​​differently when the antenna is faulty.

[0020] Preferably, the deduction step includes deducing, from the determined voltage and / or current, at least one operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna from among the following states:

[0021] - the antenna is connected to the communication integrated circuit;

[0022] - the antenna is disconnected from the communication integrated circuit;

[0023] - one track of the antenna is disconnected from the communication circuit;

[0024] - two antenna tracks are disconnected from the communication circuit.

[0025] Indeed, it appears that the control unit varies the current and / or voltage values ​​in a specific way when the antenna is disconnected or when only one of its two traces is broken. It is therefore possible to obtain a precise state of the antenna. If the determined value(s) indicate that only one trace is broken, it is possible to perform maintenance by reconfiguring the antenna or other terminal components to account for this partial fault so that the near-field communication function continues to operate. It is also possible to perform preventive or even predictive maintenance by replacing the antenna before the near-field communication function malfunctions completely.

[0026] Advantageously, the communication integrated circuit having two signal receiving pins intended to be connected to the antenna, the determination step includes determining a signal amplitude value at the two receiving pins.

[0027] Thus, in the case where the communication integrated circuit has these two pins and makes accessible an amplitude value associated with these two pins, it appears that this value varies according to the state of the antenna so that its reading allows us to deduce a state of the antenna.

[0028] Preferably, the deduction step includes deducing, from the determined differential value, at least one operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna from among the following states:

[0029] - the antenna is connected to the communication integrated circuit;

[0030] - the antenna is disconnected from the communication integrated circuit or has at least one The track is closed.

[0031] The invention also provides for a computer program comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, lead the computer to implement the steps of the process described above.

[0032] The invention also provides for a computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, lead the computer to carry out the steps of the process described above.

[0033] The invention also provides for a terminal comprising:

[0034] - a near-field communication antenna,

[0035] - a near-field communication integrated circuit configured to be connected on air,

[0036] - a processor configured to implement the steps of the process described above high.

[0037] By "configured for," we mean that an element has means and / or settings specifically adapted to a particular use. Here, the processor has electronic components, a configuration, and is associated with computer programs specifically adapted to the implementation of the processes described.

[0038] The invention also provides for a terminal as described above, configured to make a contactless electronic payment.

[0039] In particular, its near-field communication integrated circuit is configured to comply with standards relating to contactless banking transactions. Brief description of the figures

[0040] The invention will be better understood upon reading the following description, given solely by way of example and made with reference to the accompanying drawings in which:

[0041] [Fig. 1] is a functional diagram of a near field communication integrated circuit used for the invention;

[0042] [Fig.2] is a flowchart of a method for implementing the invention by means of of the circuit of the [Fig.l];

[0043] [Fig.3] is a functional diagram of another integrated communication circuit in near field used for the invention;

[0044] [Fig.4] is a flowchart of a method for implementing the invention by means of of the circuit of [Fig.3]. Detailed description

[0045] Throughout this application, "near-field communication" refers to any communication using near-field communication (NFC) technology. NFC technology is a short-range, high-frequency wireless communication technology that enables the exchange of information between devices located close to each other, typically ten centimeters or less. It is covered by standards and norms known to those skilled in the art.

[0046] A device configured to use this technology is commonly referred to as an "NFC device". An NFC device includes at least one near-field communication antenna and a near-field communication integrated circuit connected to this antenna.

[0047] Throughout this application, the term "near field communication antenna" refers to an antenna configured to use NFC technology. In particular, it has characteristics that comply with the norms or standards associated with NFC technology.

[0048] Throughout this application, the term "near-field communication integrated circuit" refers to an integrated circuit comprising electronic components connected between They are used to process signals to be emitted by a near-field communication antenna, or signals received by that antenna. This circuit also has features that comply with the standards associated with NFC technology.

[0049] In English, such a circuit is commonly called an "NFC IC" (IC for "integrated circuit"). A near-field communication circuit can be designated by other terms familiar to those skilled in the art, such as "NFC reader" or "NFC front end." One could also speak of a near-field communication electronic unit or a near-field communication electronic module, except that the antenna is not part of this unit or module. Furthermore, the components forming the near-field communication integrated circuit are generally mounted on a substrate and housed in a protective package. This assembly forms an electronic chip, so that, for those skilled in the art, the terms "chip" and "integrated circuit" are generally synonymous.The integrated circuit for near-field communication can therefore also be referred to as an "electronic near-field communication chip".

[0050] Figure shows a functional diagram, also called a "block diagram" in English, of a payment terminal 1. It includes a screen 2, a wireless communication module 3, a keyboard 4, and a processing unit 5 comprising a security controller and an application processor.

[0051] The processing unit 5 includes a cryptography and security key storage module 6. This processing unit 5 is configured to implement EMV standards, in particular EMV levels 1, 2, and 3. The acronym EMV, for "Europay MasterCard Visa," designates the international security standard for payment methods using bank cards. This processing unit 5 is connected, via an SPI interface, to a radio protocol interface and processing module 13, belonging to a near-field communication integrated circuit 7.

[0052] The processing unit 5 also includes a computer-readable storage medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, in this case by the processing unit 5, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the process 100 described below. In other words, the unit 5 includes, in stored form, a computer program 21 comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, in this case by the processing unit 5, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the process 100. This program is installed beforehand by loading an application into the terminal 1.

[0053] The near-field communication integrated circuit 7 is the circuit marketed under reference PN5190 by NX P Semiconductors NV

[0054] According to the description provided by its manufacturer, this integrated circuit 7 comprises the elements described below. The circuit is equipped with two receiving terminals Rxl and Rx2 for receiving two tracks of a near-field communication antenna. An automatic gain control module 8 is connected to terminals Rxl and Rx2. This module 8 is connected to a baseband filter 9. This filter 9 is connected to an analog-to-digital converter 10. This converter 10 is connected to a digital signal processor 11. This processor 11 is connected to a contactless communication test module 12. This module 12 is connected to the interface module 13 and the radio protocol processing module. The integrated circuit 7 also includes a DC-DC converter 14, powered by an external power supply to the circuit 7. This converter 14 supplies, within the circuit 7, a transmitter 16, via a voltage regulator 15.This voltage regulator 15, called a "low-dropout voltage regulator" in English, commonly referred to as an "LDO regulator" or simply "LDO," regulates the voltage supplied to the terminals of the transmitter 16. The circuit 7 also has two transmission terminals, Txl and Tx2, for receiving two channels from a near-field communication antenna. The transmitter 16 is connected to these two terminals. A waveform control module 17 is connected to the transmitter 16.

[0055] Finally, the integrated circuit 7 includes a dynamic power control unit 18 for regulating the power of a signal transmitted by the transmitter 16 to an antenna. Indeed, a signal emitted by the antenna must comply with certain standards, particularly regarding power. These standards are safety standards, such as EMV standards. To ensure compliance with these standards, the unit 18 is configured to monitor a supply voltage, designated VDDPA by the manufacturer, across the terminals of the transmitter 16. Based on its result, the control unit 18 modifies a current value, designated ITVDD by the manufacturer, flowing through the transmitter 16, so that the power across the transmitter 16 complies with the established safety standards. The current values ​​of ITVDD and the voltage value of VDDPA are stored in a register of the unit 18, or associated with the unit 18, and are accessible for reading.

[0056] The payment terminal 1 also includes a near-field communication antenna 19. It has two tracks. Each of these two tracks is connected to an impedance matching circuit 20. The impedance matching circuit 20 connects the antenna 19 to the integrated circuit 7 via the transmit terminals Txl and Tx2 on the one hand and via the receive terminals Rxl and Rx2 on the other hand.

[0057] In normal operation, when a payment device, such as a bank card, is brought near antenna 20, contactless communication is carried out via NFC technology between the antenna and the device. And the Received and transmitted signals are processed by the near field communication integrated circuit 7.

[0058] We will now describe, with reference to [Fig. 2], the method 1000 for implementing the invention. It is implemented by the processing unit 5, by executing the computer program 21.

[0059] In step 1010, the VDDPA voltage value is determined. This is accessed via the control unit 18.

[0060] In step 1020, the intensity value ITVDD is determined. This is accessed via control unit 18.

[0061] In step 1030, from the voltage value VDDPA and the current value ITVDD, an operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna is deduced from among the following states:

[0062] - the antenna is connected to the communication integrated circuit;

[0063] - the antenna is disconnected from the communication integrated circuit;

[0064] - one track of the antenna is disconnected from the communication circuit;

[0065] - two antenna tracks are disconnected from the communication circuit.

[0066] Indeed, it appears that these states can be deduced from these values ​​in accordance with the following table.

[0067] [Tables 1] Antenna status ITVDD (mA) VDDPA (V) Antenna connected 255 5.7 Antenna disconnected 225 2.2 One broken track 255 2.2 Two broken tracks 225 2.2

[0068] Thus, from these two parameters we can deduce the precise state of the antenna, that is to say whether it is properly connected, whether it is disconnected, or whether it has one or two broken traces.

[0069] A less precise state of the antenna can also be deduced from just one of these two parameters. Indeed, if the value of ITVDD is 255 mA, it is already known that either the antenna is connected, or one of its traces is open. Similarly, if the value of VDDPA is 2.2V, it is known that it has a fault, whether it be a disconnection or an open circuit in one or both of its traces.

[0070] Step 1040 is the antenna status alert. Thus, the deduced antenna status can be displayed to a user on a screen of terminal 1. Therefore, a user running the application including program 21 on terminal 1 obtains the status of the antenna 19 of that terminal without having to disassemble it and examine each component. This is particularly useful when the terminal appears to be malfunctioning. It is also useful in the context of preventive maintenance operations. For example, if a fault is deduced for only one antenna track, it may be possible to continue operating the terminal by configuring it appropriately, or conversely, it may be possible to plan to replace the antenna before the malfunction worsens.

[0071] Fig. 3 illustrates another payment terminal 22. It includes a near field communication integrated circuit 23 separate from the integrated circuit 7 of terminal 1, and a near field communication antenna 24.

[0072] The integrated circuit 23 is the circuit marketed under the reference ST25R3916 by STMicroelectronics. This circuit 23 is equipped with various connection pins.

[0073] Among them are two transmit pins RFO1 and RFO2 of a signal, and two receive pins RFI1 and RFI2 of a signal. These four pins are connected to the antenna 24 via an impedance circuit.

[0074] As described by the circuit manufacturer, within the near-field communication integrated circuit 23, an amplitude detector converts a differential back-modulation radio signal received between the two receive pins RFI1 and RFI2 into a proportional voltage value, called the signal amplitude value. This voltage value is then converted into a digital value and stored in a register of an analog-to-digital converter in the circuit 23, as an eight-bit coded value. The presence of these two terminals instead of a single receive terminal, and the conversion of the respective signals received at these terminals into an amplitude value, aims to increase the reliability of the near-field communication.

[0075] The circuit 23 is connected to an MCU (for "Microcontroller Unit") of the payment terminal 22. This MCU plays the same role as the processing unit 5 of the terminal 1. Thus, it implements a computer program 25 comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, here by the MCU, lead the latter to implement the steps of a process 2000. In other words, the MCU contains, in stored form, a computer program 25 thus comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, here by the MCU, lead the latter to implement the steps of the process 2000. This program 25 is installed beforehand by loading an application into the terminal 22.

[0076] In normal operation, when a payment device, such as a bank card, is brought near the antenna 24, contactless communication is established between the antenna and the device using NFC technology. The received and transmitted signals are then processed by the near-field communication integrated circuit 23.

[0077] We will now describe, with reference to [Fig. 4], the method 2000 for implementing the invention. It is implemented by the MCU, by executing the computer program 225.

[0078] In step 2010, the value of the signal amplitude is determined. It is accessed from the register of circuit 23 in which it is stored.

[0079] In step 2020, an operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna is deduced from the amplitude value, from among the following states:

[0080] - the antenna is connected to the communication integrated circuit;

[0081] - the antenna is disconnected from the communication integrated circuit or has at least one The track is closed.

[0082] Indeed, it appears that these states can be deduced from these values ​​in accordance with the following table.

[0083] [Tables2] Antenna status Amplitude value Antenna connected 155 Antenna disconnected 15 One broken track 15 Two broken tracks 15

[0084] Thus, we deduce from this amplitude value the observation that the antenna is connected and has its two functional tracks, or that it has a connection fault or a break.

[0085] Step 2030 is the antenna status alert. The user operating the application associated with program 25 is therefore aware of the antenna status.

[0086] The two described implementations share, in particular, the common feature of repurposing internal values ​​of the near-field communication integrated circuits to determine the state of the near-field communication antenna. Indeed, in the first implementation 1000, the voltage and current values ​​used are normally intended to limit the antenna's magnetic field to comply with standards. In the second implementation 2000, the amplitude value is intended to improve transmission reliability. Therefore, determining the antenna state using these values ​​is an unexpected effect.

[0087] The invention is not limited to the embodiments presented and other embodiments will be obvious to a person skilled in the art.

Claims

Demands

1. A method (1000; 2000) for determining the state of a near-field communication antenna (19; 24), implemented by computer within a terminal (1; 22) comprising: - the near-field communication antenna (19; 24), - a near-field communication integrated circuit (7; 23) configured to be connected to the antenna (19; 24), wherein the following steps are implemented: - determination (1010, 1020; 2010), within the integrated circuit (7; 23), of at least one voltage and / or current value, - deduction (1030; 2020), from the voltage and / or current value determined within the integrated circuit (7; 23), of an operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna (19; 24).

2. A method (1000; 2000) according to the preceding claim, wherein the step of determining (1010, 1020; 2010) at least one voltage and / or current value includes accessing a register of the integrated circuit in which the value is recorded.

3. A method (1000) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the near field communication integrated circuit (7) comprises: - a transmitter (16) for transmitting a signal to the antenna (19), - a dynamic power control unit (18) for regulating the power of a signal transmitted by the transmitter (16) to the antenna (19), the step of determining a value includes a determination of a voltage across the transmitter (16) and / or a step of determining a current flowing through the transmitter (16).

4. A method (1000) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deduction step comprises deducing, from the determined voltage and / or current, at least one operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna (19) from among the following states: - the antenna (19) is connected to the integrated communication circuit (7); - the antenna (19) is disconnected from the integrated communication circuit (7); - one track of the antenna (19) is disconnected from the communication circuit (7); - two tracks of the antenna (19) are disconnected from the communication circuit (7).

5. Method (2000) according to claim 1 or 2, wherein, the communication integrated circuit (23) having two signal receiving pins intended to be connected to the antenna (24), the determination step (2010) comprises determining a signal amplitude value at the two receiving pins.

6. A method (2000) according to the preceding claim, wherein the deduction step (2012) comprises deducing, from the determined amplitude value, at least one operating or malfunctioning state of the antenna (24) from among the following states: - the antenna (24) is connected to the communication integrated circuit (23); - the antenna (24) is disconnected from the communication integrated circuit (23) or at least one trace is cut.

7. Computer program (21; 25) comprising instructions which, when the program is executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the process (1000; 2000) according to any one of the preceding claims.

8. A computer-readable recording medium comprising instructions which, when executed by a computer, cause the computer to carry out the steps of the process (1000; 2000) according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

9. Terminal (1; 22) comprising: - a near field communication antenna (19; 24), - a near field communication integrated circuit (7; 23) configured to be connected to the antenna, - a processor (5; MCU) configured to implement the steps of the method according to any one of claims 1 to 6.

10. Terminal (1; 22) according to the preceding claim, configured to perform contactless electronic payment.

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