Broadband RFID Antenna Impedance Matching via Coupled Dipole Segments

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing RFID transponder antennas are limited by narrow band operation, making them susceptible to environmental changes and inefficient in power transfer due to mismatched impedance between the semiconductor chip and antenna.

Innovation Solution

A broadband antenna structure is designed with a folded dipole configuration, where two conductors of different lengths are short-circuited at a specific distance, and the impedance is matched by adjusting geometric parameters and dielectric material properties, allowing for robust operation across a range of frequencies.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If a traditional dipole antenna is used, then the antenna can operate at a specific frequency, but the operation is limited to a narrow band and susceptible to environmental changes

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefrequency rangeVSAvoidperformance stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The dipole antenna is divided into two separate conductive elements instead of a single continuous element. These two elements can be independently configured and positioned, allowing for greater flexibility in achieving broadband impedance matching while maintaining stable performance across frequency variations and environmental changes.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The two conductive elements are configured with asymmetric properties (different lengths, positions, or geometries) rather than being identical symmetric elements. This asymmetry enables broader frequency operation and improved adaptability to environmental variations, resolving the contradiction between narrow-band stability and broadband versatility.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #4Asymmetry

2Productivity

If the antenna is designed for narrow band operation, then impedance matching can be optimized for a specific frequency, but the antenna becomes inefficient and susceptible to frequency shifts

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvepower transfer efficiencyVSAvoidfrequency range
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSAdaptability or versatility

Solution Approach 1:

The antenna design incorporates adjustable geometric parameters (lengths, positions, configurations of the two conductive elements) that can be optimized for different frequency ranges. This dynamic configurability allows the antenna to maintain efficient power transfer across a broader frequency spectrum rather than being fixed to a single narrow band.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

3Device complexity

If there is no coupling structure between conductive elements, then the antenna structure is simple, but impedance matching to the semiconductor chip cannot be achieved

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveantenna structureVSAvoidimpedance matching
Core Design Contradiction:
Device complexityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

A coupling structure is introduced as an intermediary element between the two conductive elements to enable impedance matching with the semiconductor chip. This coupling structure facilitates the necessary electrical connection and impedance transformation while maintaining relative structural simplicity, resolving the contradiction between structural simplicity and matching capability.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

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 broadband antenna structure ensures stable performance by maintaining impedance matching across varying environmental conditions, enhancing energy transfer and resistance to frequency shifts, thus improving the robustness and efficiency of RFID transponders.

Implementation Method 1

Such systems use the emission and absorption of electromagnetic waves, particularly in the high frequency domain

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave transmission: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

in which the power supply is realized on the basis of electromagnetic waves absorbed by an antenna, wherein a resulting alternating current in the antenna is rectified by a rectifying sub-circuit included in the RFID-system to generate a direct current

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectElectromagnetic wave absorption: Absorption (EM radiation)

Data Source

PatentEP1913530B1Antenna structure, transponder and method of manufacturing an antenna structure
Publication Date: 2014.10.08 NXP BV
  • EP1913530B1 patent drawingFigure 1~2
  • EP1913530B1 patent drawingFigure 3~4
  • EP1913530B1 patent drawingFigure 5~6

AI summary

An antenna structure (106) comprising a first electrically conductive element (102) having a first end and a second end, a second electrically conductive element (103) having a first end and a second end, and a coupling structure (104) short- circuiting the first electrically conductive element (102) with the second electrically conductive element (103) by means of electrically connecting the electrically conductive elements (102, 103) at positions between the first and the second ends, wherein an integrated circuit (105) is connectable between the first end of the first electrically conductive element (102) and the first end of the second electrically conductive element (103).