NFC Chip Mounting Circuit for Split Power Harvesting

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing near field RF communication systems experience delays in responding to commands due to auxiliary power harvesting, which can extend interaction time but is perceived as unacceptable by users, and there is a need for improved power management in smart cards and NFC devices.

Innovation Solution

A mounting system for near field RF communications chips that includes a substrate, chip coupling, auxiliary power provider, and a splitter network with lumped capacitors to efficiently split and manage alternating electrical signals, ensuring stable power output to both the chip and auxiliary circuits, while maintaining impedance matching and minimizing fluctuations.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If auxiliary power harvesting is implemented in near field RF communication systems, then power management capability is improved, but interaction time is extended causing perceived delays

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower management capabilityVSAvoidinteraction time
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The system segments the power harvesting function from the main communication chip by using a separate auxiliary power provider. This allows independent operation of power harvesting without blocking the communication response path, thus maintaining fast interaction while providing auxiliary power capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The auxiliary power provider harvests power in advance during the communication interaction, so that auxiliary functions can be executed without extending the perceived interaction time. The power is prepared beforehand rather than being harvested during the critical response path.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

2Adaptability or versatility

If a splitter network is used to distribute power to multiple circuits, then power distribution capability is improved, but impedance matching becomes more difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower distribution capabilityVSAvoidimpedance matching complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent uses specific capacitor values in the splitter network to transform and match impedances. By carefully selecting component parameters (capacitor values), the system achieves proper impedance matching across multiple output paths without requiring complex active control circuits.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

The splitter network acts as an intermediary between the antenna and multiple load circuits. It provides a standardized interface that simplifies impedance matching by decoupling the antenna from direct connection to multiple circuits, allowing each circuit to be matched independently through the splitter's fixed component values.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 power harvesting and management, reducing perceived delays in smart card operations by ensuring consistent and stable power supply to both the NFC chip and auxiliary circuits, enhancing user experience and system efficiency.

Implementation Method 1

Near field RF communication requires an antenna of one near field RF communicator to be present within the alternating magnetic field (H field) generated by the antenna of another near field RF communicator by transmission of an RF signal

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic induction: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

a rectifier, separate from the near field RF communicator, and adapted for converting an alternating electrical signal received from the antenna into direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectRectification: Diode

Data Source

PatentEP3776358B1Power electronics for use in smart cards and other applications
Publication Date: 2023.12.20 FREEVOLT TECH LTD
  • EP3776358B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3776358B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3776358B1 patent drawingFigure 3A~3B

AI summary

Disclosed herein is a mounting system for a near field RF communications chip. The system comprises: (i) a substrate for carrying electronic components, and for providing electrical interconnections therebetween; (ii) a chip coupling carried by the substrate for connecting a near field RF communications chip (1001) to the mounting system; (iii) an auxiliary power provider (1003), separate from said near field RF communications chip, and adapted for providing electrical power output based on a received alternating electrical signal; (iv) an antenna coupling for connecting a near field RF communications antenna (1006) to said mounting system; and (v) a splitter (1005), for splitting alternating electrical signals.