NFC Antenna on Transparent Substrate for Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing NFC antenna designs in wearable devices with high-density displays face challenges in achieving a sufficient quality factor (Q value) due to the use of ferrite backed coils being undesirable and transparent conducting oxides having high resistivity, leading to low Q values and unsuitable thickness for compact designs.
Innovation Solution
A low impedance, high Q value integrated single-ended or differential fed NFC antenna is designed on a transparent substrate, using a metal layer with higher conductivity than transparent conducting oxides, and integrated within a touch module layer, which can be thinner than legacy designs, and is formed using a process that includes deposition and etching of conductive and dielectric layers.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If ferrite backed coils are used for NFC antenna in wearable devices, then the antenna can be formed, but the device complexity increases and the form factor cannot be kept small
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts the ferrite backed coil structure from the wearable device by utilizing the transparent conducting oxide layer of the display itself as the NFC antenna, eliminating the need for separate ferrite components and complex antenna structures while maintaining NFC functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The transparent conducting oxide layer serves dual purposes: as the transparent electrode for the display and as the NFC antenna, allowing one component to fulfill multiple functions and reducing overall device complexity
2Device complexity
If transparent conducting oxides are used for NFC antenna, then the antenna can be integrated into the display, but the Q value is low due to high resistivity
Solution Approach 1:
The patent changes the electrical parameters of the transparent conducting oxide layer by optimizing its thickness and conductivity to achieve a balance between transparency and electrical performance, improving the Q value while maintaining display functionality
Solution Approach 2:
The patent uses composite structures combining transparent conducting oxide layers with other conductive materials or patterns to enhance the electrical properties and Q value of the NFC antenna while maintaining optical transparency
3Volume of moving object
If the touch module is made thinner for compact design, then the form factor is reduced, but the antenna thickness becomes unsuitable for proper NFC operation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from thick three-dimensional ferrite backed coil structures to thin two-dimensional planar antenna patterns formed within the display layers, enabling compact thickness while maintaining adequate antenna performance through optimized pattern design
Solution Approach 2:
The patent utilizes thin film structures of transparent conducting oxide layers to create flexible, thin NFC antennas that can operate properly at reduced thickness while maintaining electrical performance through optimized conductivity and pattern geometry
Data Source
AI summary
Apparatuses and methods associated with an antenna formed on a transparent substrate are disclosed herein. In embodiments, an electronic device may include a substrate, wherein at least a first region of a plurality of regions of the substrate is transparent; and a plurality of layers formed on the substrate, the plurality of layers including: a first transparent layer formed over the first region; and a second metal layer formed over a second region of the plurality of regions of the substrate, wherein the second metal layer comprises an antenna. Other embodiments may be disclosed or claimed.