NFC Antenna Driver Transistor Integration for Compact Design

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional NFC devices require separate circuitry for antenna driver functionality and regulator/clamp control, leading to increased manufacturing costs and real estate due to the need for several large transistors.

Innovation Solution

Integration of NMOS transistors for both antenna driver and shunt regulator/clamp functionality reduces the total transistor count, allowing for a more compact and cost-effective implementation by reusing transistors across these components.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If separate circuitry is used for antenna driver functionality and regulator/clamp control, then reliability and functionality are improved, but manufacturing cost and real estate increase due to requiring several large transistors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidreal estate
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSArea of stationary object

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate antenna driver circuitry and regulator/clamp control circuitry into a single integrated circuit block. The antenna driver includes NMOS and PMOS transistors that are shared with the regulator and clamp control functions, eliminating the need for separate large transistors for each function. This merging reduces the total transistor count and real estate requirements while maintaining all necessary functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The NMOS and PMOS transistors in the antenna driver are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. These transistors provide both antenna driver functionality and regulator/clamp control functionality, making them universal components that perform multiple roles within the NFC device, thereby reducing the overall component count and circuit area.

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

2Reliability

If separate circuitry is used for antenna driver functionality and regulator/clamp control, then functionality is improved, but manufacturing cost increases due to requiring several large transistors

Engineering Contradiction:
ImprovefunctionalityVSAvoidmanufacturing cost
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSEase of manufacture

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate antenna driver circuitry and regulator/clamp control circuitry into a single integrated circuit block. The antenna driver includes NMOS and PMOS transistors that are shared with the regulator and clamp control functions, eliminating the need for separate large transistors for each function. This merging reduces the total transistor count and real estate requirements while maintaining all necessary functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The NMOS and PMOS transistors in the antenna driver are designed to serve multiple functions simultaneously. These transistors provide both antenna driver functionality and regulator/clamp control functionality, making them universal components that perform multiple roles within the NFC device, thereby reducing the overall component count and circuit area.

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

3Area of stationary object

If integration of NMOS transistors for both antenna driver and shunt regulator/clamp functionality is implemented, then manufacturing cost and real estate are reduced, but circuit complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvereal estateVSAvoidcircuit complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent combines separate antenna driver circuitry and regulator/clamp control circuitry into a single integrated circuit block. The antenna driver includes NMOS and PMOS transistors that are shared with the regulator and clamp control functions, eliminating the need for separate large transistors for each function. This merging reduces the total transistor count and real estate requirements while maintaining all necessary functionalities.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Data Source

PatentEP2675077B1NFC device combining components of antenna driver and shunt regulator
Publication Date: 2018.08.08 NXP USA INC
  • EP2675077B1 patent drawingFigure 1A
  • EP2675077B1 patent drawingFigure 1B
  • EP2675077B1 patent drawingFigure 2

AI summary

Embodiments of the present disclosure can be used to produce smaller, more compact antenna drivers at a reduced cost. Systems and methods for integrating components of an antenna driver with components of a shunt regulator and clamp are provided. By combining these components according to embodiments of the present disclosure, transistor count in an antenna driver can be reduced. This integrated device advantageously allows antenna driver functionality, regulator functionality, and clamp control functionality to be provided at a reduced manufacturing cost and with reduced real estate.