Miniaturized RFID Tag Using Multi-Layer Loop Antenna
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional RFID tags are large due to the limitations of PCB fabrication, making them unsuitable for smaller objects and prone to damage from external forces.
Innovation Solution
A miniaturized RFID tag is produced using wafer fabrication with a multi-layer loop antenna structure, featuring spiral line segments and conductive through holes for connecting the antenna to the RFID chip, allowing for a reduced size and increased communication distance.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of manufacture
If PCB fabrication process is used to produce RFID tag, then the manufacturing process is simple and easy to implement, but the size of the RFID tag becomes large
Solution Approach 1:
The patent transitions from traditional 2D PCB antenna design to a 3D multi-layer stacked configuration. The antenna structure extends vertically across multiple layers with conductive patterns connected through vias, transforming the antenna geometry from planar to spatial. This dimensional change enables miniaturization by utilizing the third dimension (height) to accommodate the required antenna perimeter within a smaller footprint area.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent implements a nested multi-layer structure where antenna conductive patterns on different layers are stacked and interconnected through conductive vias. Each layer contains a portion of the antenna pattern, and these layers are nested vertically to form the complete antenna structure. This nesting approach allows the antenna to be compacted into a small volume while maintaining the required electrical length.
2Volume of moving object
If the size of RFID tag is reduced, then it can be disposed on smaller objects and is less susceptible to damage, but the communication distance is reduced
Solution Approach 1:
The multi-layer stacked antenna structure utilizes vertical spacing between layers to maintain effective antenna length while reducing horizontal footprint. The conductive patterns on separated layers are positioned to maximize electromagnetic coupling, and the vertical arrangement allows the antenna to achieve resonant frequencies appropriate for RFID communication within a compact overall dimension.
Solution Approach 2:
The antenna conductive patterns incorporate curved and spiral geometries rather than straight lines. These curved paths increase the effective electrical length of the antenna within a smaller physical space. The spiral and curved designs allow the antenna to achieve the required wavelength fraction for RFID operation while maintaining a miniaturized form factor.
Data Source
AI summary
The invention provides a miniaturized radio frequency identification tag, which comprises a radio frequency identification chip and an antenna. The antenna comprises a plurality of loop antenna line segments. Each of loop antenna line segments is disposed on a corresponding insulating layer, and electrically connected to the radio frequency identification chip or the other loop antenna line segment via a corresponding conductive through hole. Accordingly, the structure of the antenna is fabricated by multi-layer loop antenna line segments so as to reduce the size of the radio frequency identification tag, effectively.