Single Patch Antenna for UHF RFID and Cellular Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing RFID reader systems require separate antenna structures for UHF RFID and mobile radio signals (GSM/UMTS/LTE), leading to increased manufacturing costs, space requirements, and low efficiency due to signal coupling from close frequency ranges.
Innovation Solution
An antenna arrangement using a single patch antenna with a signal splitter, directional couplers, low-pass and high-pass filters, diplexers, and a polarization switch to emit and receive UHF RFID and mobile radio signals as left-hand circular, right-hand circular, horizontally, or vertically polarized waves, reducing the need for additional antennas and improving efficiency.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If separate antenna structures are used for UHF RFID and mobile radio signals, then signal transmission is possible, but manufacturing costs and space requirements increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UHF RFID and mobile radio signal transmission into a single patch antenna structure. The antenna is designed with multiple feed points that can be selectively activated to support both RFID and mobile radio frequency ranges, eliminating the need for separate antenna structures and reducing device complexity while maintaining signal transmission capability
Solution Approach 2:
The patch antenna is designed as a universal antenna that can serve multiple functions: it can transmit and receive both UHF RFID signals and mobile radio signals (GSM/UMTS/LTE) by selectively activating different feed points. This multi-functional design reduces the number of components needed while ensuring reliable communication across different frequency ranges
2Reliability
If separate antenna structures are used for UHF RFID and mobile radio signals, then signal transmission is possible, but manufacturing costs increase
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges UHF RFID and mobile radio signal transmission into a single patch antenna structure with multiple feed points. This consolidation reduces the number of components that need to be manufactured, assembled, and tested, thereby lowering manufacturing costs while maintaining reliable signal transmission for both communication types
3Area of stationary object
If UHF RFID and mobile radio signals are fed into the same antenna, then space requirements are reduced, but signal coupling occurs due to close frequency ranges
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the antenna structure into multiple independent feed points, each optimized for specific frequency ranges. The patch antenna includes feed points that can be selectively activated for UHF RFID signals and separate feed points for mobile radio signals, allowing spatial separation of signal paths within a single antenna structure to minimize coupling while saving space
Solution Approach 2:
The patent introduces feed points as intermediary elements between the signal sources and the radiating patch. These feed points act as mediators that can be selectively activated to couple signals of different frequency ranges to the antenna, reducing direct signal coupling between UHF RFID and mobile radio frequencies while maintaining efficient signal transmission
4Device complexity
If ceramic-based patch or PIF antennas are used for mobile radio, then separate antenna structures are provided, but efficiency is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines UHF RFID and mobile radio signal transmission into a single patch antenna structure, eliminating the need for separate ceramic-based patch or PIF antennas. This unified structure improves efficiency by reducing signal coupling and minimizing the number of interfaces, thereby reducing energy loss while maintaining the necessary structural complexity for supporting multiple frequency ranges
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
The solution allows for efficient transmission and reception of both UHF RFID and mobile radio signals using a single antenna element, reducing production costs and space requirements while enhancing efficiency compared to ceramic-based antennas.
Implementation Method 1
A suitable antenna arrangement can be used to distribute a conducted electromagnetic wave to the feed points in such a way that it is emitted at the metal edge as a horizontally, vertically, left-hand circularly or right-hand circularly polarized sky wave
Implementation Method 2
This electromagnetic wave interacts with the RFID transponder, whereby the identification number of the transponder is recorded by the RFID reader
Data Source
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AI summary
The invention relates to an antenna arrangement comprising a patch antenna, an RFID signal interface, a first cellular interface, and a second cellular interface, wherein the patch antenna has a first port, a second port, a third port, and a fourth port. The object of the invention is to provide an antenna arrangement that uses a single antenna element for transmitting and receiving UHF RFID signals and cellular signals (GSM/UMTS/LTE). The antenna arrangement is designed such that UHF RFID signals and cellular signals can be transmitted and received as left-circularly, right-circularly, horizontally, or vertically polarized electromagnetic waves.This task is solved by the antenna arrangement (1) having a signal divider (3), a first directional coupler (4), a second directional coupler (5), a first low-pass filter (6), a second low-pass filter (7), a first high-pass filter (8), a second high-pass filter (9), a first diplexer (10) and a second diplexer (11).