NFC Coil Antenna Mid-Connection for Energy Harvesting
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Solution Overview
Problem
The efficiency of NFC-based energy harvesting in electronic communication devices is restricted by the voltage regulator of the communication circuit, which is not flexible and may not be optimal for the input voltage of the energy generation circuit.
Innovation Solution
A voltage divider is implemented between the communication circuit and the energy generation circuit, allowing for improved voltage and energy distribution using a coil antenna with a mid-connection that divides it into sections, enabling the communication circuit to use a smaller part of the antenna while the energy generation circuit uses the entire antenna, optimizing energy intake without impairing communication capabilities.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Device complexity
If the communication circuit and energy generation circuit are connected in parallel to the NFC antenna, then both functions can be integrated into one chip, but the efficiency of energy harvesting is restricted by the voltage regulator of the communication circuit
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the coil antenna into two separate winding sections: a first winding section connected to the communication circuit and a second winding section connected to the energy generation circuit. This segmentation allows each circuit to operate with optimized voltage levels independently, eliminating the energy efficiency restrictions imposed by the communication circuit's voltage regulator while maintaining integration on a single chip.
2Ease of manufacture
If the voltage regulator of the communication circuit is used for energy harvesting, then circuit integration is simplified, but the input voltage optimization for energy generation is compromised
Solution Approach 1:
The coil antenna is divided into two independent winding sections that can be separately connected to different circuits. The first winding section serves the communication circuit while the second winding section serves the energy generation circuit, allowing each to operate at its optimal voltage level without compromise.
Solution Approach 2:
Different sections of the coil antenna are assigned different functions and electrical characteristics. The first winding section is optimized for communication purposes while the second winding section is optimized for energy generation, allowing each part to have the specific quality needed for its intended function.
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 approach enhances the energy distribution in NFC-based wireless charging, increasing the service life of the device by reducing the load on the communication circuit and allowing efficient charging without the need for additional voltage converters, while maintaining communication functionality.
Implementation Method 1
The energy generation circuit (606) which is connected between the first end connection (602) and the second end connection (603) and is configured to receive energy via the coil antenna (601)
Data Source
AI summary
An electronic communication device having a coil antenna with a first end connection, a second end connection, and a mid-connection, a communication device which is connected between the first end connection and the mid-connection and is configured to communicate with another communication device via the coil antenna, and an energy generation circuit which is connected between the first end connection and the second end connection and is configured to receive energy via the coil antenna and to supply at least one component of the electronic communication device with the received energy.