NFC Router Arbitration for UWB Secure Element Access

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing NFC and UWB communication devices face challenges in efficiently managing secure element access and prioritization between the NFC router and UWB module, leading to complex arbitration and bandwidth issues.

Innovation Solution

The UWB module is connected to the NFC router instead of directly to the secure element, allowing exchanges to pass through the NFC router, which manages priorities using a routing table, simplifying secure element access and integration into existing phone architectures.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Device complexity

If the UWB module is connected directly to the secure element, then the communication path is direct and simple, but the arbitration and prioritization management becomes complex

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvearbitration management complexityVSAvoidcommunication path length
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSLength of moving object

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC router acts as an intermediary component between the UWB module and the secure element. Instead of connecting the UWB module directly to the secure element, communications are routed through the NFC router which already has established routing table infrastructure for managing multiple communication paths. This intermediary approach simplifies arbitration management by leveraging existing routing mechanisms rather than implementing new direct-connection arbitration logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If multiple circuits access the secure element simultaneously, then communication functionality is enhanced, but bandwidth management and prioritization becomes difficult

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesecure element access capabilityVSAvoidbandwidth management complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The NFC router serves multiple functions: it routes NFC communications, routes UWB communications to the secure element, and manages prioritization for multiple circuits accessing the secure element. By making the NFC router a universal routing component that handles different communication types (NFC, UWB) and different access patterns, the system achieves enhanced adaptability without proportionally increasing bandwidth management complexity. The existing routing table infrastructure is extended to handle multiple circuits rather than being redesigned for each specific access scenario.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

3Ease of manufacture

If the UWB module shares the NFC router, then integration into existing architecture is simplified, but the routing table must handle additional communication protocols

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveintegration easeVSAvoidrouting table complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Ease of manufactureVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The routing functionality is segmented into protocol-specific handling within the unified NFC router infrastructure. The routing table is organized to handle different communication protocols (NFC, UWB) in separate entries or sections, allowing the NFC router to maintain its existing NFC routing capabilities while adding UWB routing support. This segmented approach to protocol handling within the routing table enables easier integration compared to a completely unified routing mechanism, as each protocol can be added as a distinct routing rule set.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP4221280B1NFC and UWB communications
Publication Date: 2024.08.28 STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
  • EP4221280B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP4221280B1 patent drawingFigure 3
  • EP4221280B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

The present description relates to a method and device for managing exchanges between an ultra-wideband communication module (5) and a secure element (7), in which said exchanges pass through a near-field communication router (3).