Integrated NFC Antenna in Touch Layer for Wearables
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Solution Overview
Problem
Wearable devices, such as smartwatches, become large and bulky due to the inclusion of separate components like NFC antennas, which complicates their design and user comfort.
Innovation Solution
Integrating the NFC antenna into one of the metal layers in the display component stack, where the first metal layer functions as a touch sensor and the second metal layer is configured as the NFC antenna, with an insulation layer in between, allowing for reduced mechanical complexity and size.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If a separate NFC antenna component is included in the wearable device, then NFC functionality is achieved, but the device becomes large and bulky
Solution Approach 1:
The NFC antenna is merged with the second metal layer of the touch sensor stack. The second metal layer serves dual purposes: acting as jumpers to connect touch sensor electrodes and functioning as the NFC antenna. This integration eliminates the need for a separate NFC antenna component, thereby reducing device volume while maintaining NFC functionality.
Solution Approach 2:
The second metal layer in the touch sensor stack is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously. It acts as electrical jumpers for the touch sensor circuitry and as the conductive element for NFC communication. This multi-functionality reduces the total number of components needed in the device.
2Reliability
If separate components are included for touch sensor and NFC antenna, then each function is independently optimized, but mechanical complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The touch sensor metal layers and NFC antenna are combined into a single integrated structure. The second metal layer of the touch sensor serves as both the jumper connections for touch electrode rows/columns and as the NFC antenna trace pattern, reducing mechanical complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The second metal layer is designed with universal functionality to serve both touch sensor electrical connections and NFC antenna purposes. This multi-functional design simplifies the overall device architecture by eliminating separate components and their associated mounting, wiring, and assembly requirements.
Data Source
AI summary
The present disclosure provides for an example stack of components for a display of a wearable device. The stack may include a first metal layer, a second metal layer, and an insulation layer separating the first and second metal layers. The first metal layer may be configured to be a touch screen and the second metal layer may be configured to be a near field communication antenna. The first metal layer may be connected to a first integrated circuit chip and the second layer may be connected to a second integrated circuit chip such that the touch sensor and the NFC antenna are on different circuits.