61 GHz Tag Antenna Stabilization via Dielectric Resonator
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current RFID and NFC technologies face challenges in reducing size and cost due to resistive losses in low resistive integrated circuit bulk materials, high permittivity of bulk materials, and the lack of high Q reactive components, which limits the implementation of efficient on-chip antennas for millimeter wave frequencies like 61 GHz, especially in varying mounting environments.
Innovation Solution
A radio frequency frontend interface for a 61 GHz radio powered communication tag device is developed, featuring an integrated circuit with a dielectric resonant body and a high impedance antenna embedded in the silicon die, along with a RF rectifier and multiplier circuit, which stabilizes the antenna resonant frequency and generates a high voltage for digital circuit operation, using a resonant body as a wavelength translator and mechanical carrier, and minimizing lossy transmission lines.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If on-chip antenna integration is implemented in standard silicon technology, then size and cost are reduced, but resistive losses increase due to low resistive bulk material
Solution Approach 1:
A dielectric resonator is introduced as an intermediary component between the antenna and the silicon substrate. This resonator serves as a mediator that enables the antenna to operate at millimeter wave frequencies while isolating it from the lossy conductive bulk material, thereby reducing resistive losses while maintaining on-chip integration benefits
Solution Approach 2:
The patent combines multiple materials with different properties: a dielectric resonator material with low loss characteristics is integrated with the silicon substrate and metal antenna structure. This composite approach allows the system to leverage the advantages of each material - the conductivity of silicon, the low loss of dielectric resonator, and the radiation capability of metal antenna - while mitigating their individual disadvantages
2Ease of manufacture
If antenna geometry is shortened due to high permittivity of bulk material, then integration is improved, but voltage generation capability decreases
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric resonator changes the electromagnetic parameter landscape by providing a controlled dielectric environment with specific permittivity characteristics. This allows the antenna geometry to be optimized for both compact integration and effective voltage generation, as the resonator's dielectric properties enhance the electric field concentration without requiring long antenna structures
3Productivity
If reactive components with high quality factor are added to improve antenna performance, then energy harvesting efficiency increases, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the high Q functionality from traditional discrete reactive components and embeds it within the dielectric resonator structure itself. The resonator inherently provides the necessary quality factor for efficient energy harvesting without requiring additional external capacitors or inductors, thus maintaining energy harvesting efficiency while reducing overall device complexity
Solution Approach 2:
The dielectric resonator serves multiple functions simultaneously: it acts as the high Q reactive component for impedance matching, provides mechanical support for the antenna, and enables wavelength translation. This multi-functionality eliminates the need for separate components, reducing device complexity while maintaining or improving energy harvesting efficiency
4Volume of moving object
If UHF RFID tags are downsized to integrated circuit level, then size reduction is achieved, but mounting limitations on conductive and ferromagnetic materials increase
Solution Approach 1:
The dielectric resonator acts as an intermediary layer between the antenna and the mounting surface. This resonator isolates the antenna from the effects of conductive and ferromagnetic mounting materials, allowing the tag to be mounted on various surfaces including metals without degrading antenna performance, thus enhancing adaptability while maintaining compact size
Applied Scientific Principles
This section explains which scientific principles are used to turn an abstract innovation direction into a practical engineering solution.
Function Achieved in This Case
This solution enables efficient energy harvesting and reduced size and cost for millimeter wave communication systems by matching antenna impedance with the rectifier circuit, minimizing sensitivity to surrounding materials, and generating sufficient operating voltage with minimal multiplier stages, while maintaining mechanical stability and environmental robustness.
Implementation Method 1
the resonant body is configured to work as a wavelength translator in between the antenna and free space
Implementation Method 2
a RF rectifier and multiplier circuit as part of the IC and connected to the antenna feed is integrated in the silicon die
Implementation Method 3
symmetrically placed between the antenna feed points configured to stabilize the antenna resonant frequency with its inherent capacity against varying surrounding materials
Data Source
Figure 1
Figure 2a~2c
Figure 3a
AI summary
The invention discloses a radio frequency (RF) frontend interface for a 61 GHz radio powered communication tag device. The objective to create a built-in antenna that is not tuned away in varying application mount environments and to generate operating voltages for a digital system from a much lower RF input voltage with a minimum of multiplier stages will be solved by a RF frontend interface comprising an IC embedded in a silicon die with a top metallization layer and a dielectric resonant body linked to the silicon die, whereas a high impedance antenna with two antenna feed points is embedded into the top metallization layer of the silicon die and a RF rectifier and multiplier circuit and connected to the antenna feed is integrated in the silicon die and symmetrically placed between the antenna feed points configured to stabilize the antenna resonant frequency with its inherent capacity against varying surrounding materials and to generate a positive and negative DC output supply voltage against a bulk potential of the silicon die for directly operating a digital circuit in FDSOI technology embedded in the silicon die and whereas the resonant body is configured to work as a wavelength translator in between the antenna and free space.