Angled RFID Antenna Structure for Compact Form Factor
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional dipole antennas for RFID devices have a large form factor due to their linear design, which limits their usability in compact applications, and they often experience full nulls in radiation patterns when positioned perpendicular to the transmitting or receiving device.
Innovation Solution
The design incorporates a base portion with angled portions oriented between 1 and 179 degrees from the base plane, featuring an antenna trace on these angled sections, which allows for a more compact form factor and reduced detuning when near reflective surfaces, while maintaining a non-full null radiation pattern.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Volume of moving object
If a conventional linear dipole antenna design is used, then the antenna can provide adequate radiation pattern, but the form factor becomes large and unsuitable for compact applications
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies dimensionality change by transitioning from a planar (2D) antenna layout to a three-dimensional (3D) folded structure. The antenna elements are bent at angles between 1 and 179 degrees relative to the base portion, creating spatial complexity that packs a longer effective radiating length into a smaller footprint volume, thereby resolving the contradiction between compact form factor and radiation pattern performance.
Solution Approach 2:
The folded antenna structure implements nesting by folding the antenna elements back on themselves multiple times, similar to nesting dolls. This allows the antenna to contain its full radiating length within a compact envelope, achieving both small external dimensions and adequate internal radiating length for proper electromagnetic radiation.
2Volume of moving object
If the antenna is positioned perpendicular to the transmitting or receiving device, then space can be saved, but full nulls occur in the radiation pattern
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces asymmetry in the antenna structure through angled portions bent at specific angles (1-179 degrees) relative to the base portion. This asymmetric folded configuration breaks the symmetry that causes nulls in conventional perpendicular arrangements, allowing the antenna to maintain omnidirectional or near-omnidirectional radiation patterns while still being positioned compactly relative to the reader device.
3Ease of manufacture
If the antenna lies along a common plane, then manufacturing is simplified, but the form factor increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna is segmented into multiple portions (base portion and angled portions) that can be manufactured separately or as integrated components. This segmentation allows the complex 3D folded structure to be fabricated using standard PCB bending techniques or modular assembly processes, maintaining ease of manufacture while achieving compact form factor through the folded configuration.
Data Source
AI summary
An antenna system for a Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) tag in one embodiment includes a base portion; at least one angled portion oriented to have a tangential angle of between about 1 degree and about 179 degrees from a plane of the base portion; and an antenna trace on the at least one angled portion. An antenna system for an RFID tag in another embodiment includes a base portion; at least one angled portion having at least two sections each oriented to have a tangential angle of between about 1 degree and about 179 degrees from a plane of the base portion, the two sections having different overall angles relative to the base portion; and an antenna trace on the at least one angled portion. Additional systems and methods are presented.