Ceramic Booster Antenna for Compact RFID Communication Range
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID tags with multilayer antennas have not achieved sufficient communication distance due to limitations in antenna efficiency.
Innovation Solution
A booster antenna is introduced, which includes a conductor pattern wound spirally in a ceramic insulating layer, electromagnetically coupled to the IC chip's antenna, enhancing transmission/reception sensitivity and increasing the information transmission distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a multilayer antenna with many turns is used, then antenna efficiency is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The antenna system is divided into two independent parts: a planar spiral antenna integrated with the IC chip and a separate booster antenna. This segmentation allows each antenna to be optimized independently, with the booster antenna providing additional gain without complicating the integrated circuit structure.
Solution Approach 2:
The booster antenna acts as an intermediary element that couples with the planar spiral antenna to enhance its performance. This intermediary structure provides the additional antenna gain needed for longer communication distances without requiring the planar antenna itself to become more complex.
2Reliability
If the antenna size is increased to improve communication distance, then antenna gain is improved, but the RFID tag cannot be miniaturized
Solution Approach 1:
The booster antenna is positioned in a different spatial dimension (above the planar spiral antenna) rather than expanding the planar area. This vertical arrangement allows the system to achieve higher gain without increasing the footprint of the RFID tag, enabling miniaturization while maintaining communication distance.
Solution Approach 2:
The planar spiral antenna is integrated within the IC chip package, and the booster antenna is positioned above it, creating a nested configuration. This nesting allows both antennas to coexist in a compact volume, achieving high gain without increasing the overall RFID tag 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
The booster antenna significantly improves the communication distance of the RFID tag by increasing antenna gain and efficiency, while maintaining a simple configuration and environmental resistance.
Implementation Method 1
A booster antenna is introduced, which includes a conductor pattern wound spirally in a ceramic insulating layer, electromagnetically coupled to the IC chip's antenna, enhancing transmission/reception sensitivity and increasing the information transmission distance.
Data Source
Figure 1A
Figure 1B
Figure 2A
AI summary
The present invention aims to provide a booster antenna (6) configured to operate at substantially the same frequency as an antenna (3) provided on an IC chip (1), the booster antenna (6) comprising: an insulating layer (8) made of ceramics; one conductor pattern (9) embedded in the ceramics of the insulating layer (8), the one conductor pattern (9) constituted by a conductor line (9a) wound into a spiral to have an opening (9K); and an insulating mount (10) on which the IC chip (1) is mounted, wherein the one conductor pattern (9) is an antenna configured to be electromagnetically coupled to the antenna (3) provided on the IC chip (1) mounted on the mount (10).