Embedded NFC Antenna in USIM Card PCB
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing methods for manufacturing mobile communication terminals with embedded NFC antennas face challenges such as restricted thickness due to passive elements, difficulty in manufacturing loop antennas for low frequencies, contact deterioration leading to performance issues, and increased costs from separate top and bottom cover structures, as well as recognition failures due to conductor interference.
Innovation Solution
A card-type information recording medium with an embedded NFC antenna system comprising multiple PCB layers, where antenna patterns are formed on the top surfaces and electrically connected, with a ferrite sheet between layers to enhance radiation patterns, allowing NFC and RFID functionality without additional antenna modules or structural deformation, and reducing terminal substrate replacement costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If passive elements are added to the USIM device for RFID read and tag functionality, then NFC communication capability is achieved, but the thickness of the device is restricted and manufacturing complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the antenna structure with the existing PCB board by forming antenna patterns directly on the PCB layers during the PCB manufacturing process. This integration eliminates the need for separate passive elements and additional mounting steps, thereby achieving NFC functionality while reducing device complexity and avoiding thickness restrictions associated with separate component mounting.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the antenna length is increased to achieve low frequency operation, then NFC communication range is improved, but manufacturing difficulty increases due to space constraints
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from planar 2D antenna patterns to a three-dimensional 3D structure by forming antenna patterns on multiple stacked PCB layers and establishing vertical electrical connections between them. This dimensional transformation allows the antenna to achieve effective low-frequency operation with longer electrical path length while maintaining a compact physical footprint that fits within standard USIM device dimensions, thereby resolving the conflict between communication range and manufacturing ease.
3Ease of operation
If contact points are used for electrical connection between SIM memory and PCB, then signal transmission is achieved, but contact deterioration occurs over time causing performance degradation
Solution Approach 1:
The patent extracts and eliminates the contact-based connection method from the device architecture. Instead of using separate contact points that can deteriorate, the antenna patterns are formed as integral conductive traces on the PCB layers themselves, with electrical connections established through the PCB's internal via structures. This extraction of the contact interface eliminates the reliability issue of contact deterioration while maintaining signal transmission capability.
4Ease of operation
If conductor sockets are used in mobile terminal for USIM mounting, then electrical connection is achieved, but magnetic field radiation is disturbed causing recognition failure
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a ferrite sheet as an intermediary material between the antenna structure and the conductor socket environment. This ferrite sheet acts as a magnetic shielding layer that protects the antenna's magnetic field radiation from interference by the surrounding conductor sockets, thereby preventing recognition failures while maintaining the necessary electrical connection capability through the USIM interface.
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 improves compatibility and transplantability of NFC USIM devices, enables NFC communications between different mobile terminals with minimal additional cost, and enhances recognizable range without the need for antenna components or structural modifications, while maintaining performance and reducing manufacturing complexity.
Implementation Method 1
a ferrite sheet between layers to enhance radiation patterns
Implementation Method 2
The NFC technique includes constituents such as a communication interface operating through inductive coupling
Data Source
AI summary
A card-type information recording medium having an embedded antenna for NFC communication is provided. The card-type information recording medium includes: a PCB that has a loop antenna pattern and a routing pattern formed on the top surface and the bottom surface thereof through the use of an etching process; an NFC communication unit and a USIM card unit that are horizontally mounted on the top of the PCB; and a molding material that is formed on the top of the PCB to cover the NFC communication unit and the USIM card unit. Accordingly, it is possible to perform functions of NFC and RFID read/tag by only mounting a USIM device thereon without adding any module or any constituent having an antenna function to a mobile terminal.