Single Antenna Wireless Charging and NFC Isolation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Existing systems that combine contactless communication and wireless charging functions often suffer from interference between the two, where the charging process can impact the efficiency of communication and vice versa, leading to a need for a solution that isolates these functions while maintaining efficient power transfer and communication performance.

Innovation Solution

A system that uses a single antenna for both contactless communication and charging, with a selective activation mechanism and frequency switching capabilities, allowing for isolation of the communication function during charging and vice versa, utilizing a configurable matching circuit and control blocks to manage the operation of the antenna for optimal performance.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Area of stationary object

If a single antenna is used for both contactless communication and charging, then the system area is reduced, but interference between communication and charging functions occurs

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesystem areaVSAvoidinterference between functions
Core Design Contradiction:
Area of stationary objectVSObject-generated harmful factors

Solution Approach 1:

The patent implements dynamic switching between communication and charging modes using control blocks that detect the operational state and configure the matching circuit accordingly. The system transitions from a static antenna configuration to a dynamic one where the matching circuit adapts its parameters based on the active function, thereby reducing interference while maintaining compactness.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #15Dynamics

Solution Approach 2:

The patent changes the electrical parameters of the matching circuit (impedance, resonance frequency) depending on the operational mode. During charging, the matching circuit is configured with parameters optimized for power transfer, while during communication, it switches to parameters optimized for signal integrity. This parameter adaptation allows a single antenna to serve dual functions with minimal interference.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Reliability

If the contactless communication function is isolated from the antenna during charging, then communication integrity is maintained, but additional control complexity is introduced

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvecommunication integrityVSAvoidcontrol complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The matching circuit serves multiple functions: it acts as an impedance matching network during communication, as a power transfer optimization network during charging, and as an isolation mechanism when switching between modes. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate isolation components, thereby maintaining communication integrity without proportionally increasing control complexity.

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

Solution Approach 2:

The control blocks act as intermediary elements that manage the transition between communication and charging modes. They detect the operational state and configure the matching circuit accordingly, providing a controlled isolation mechanism that protects communication integrity while adding minimal complexity through centralized control logic.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

3Object-generated harmful factors

If frequency switching is implemented between communication and charging, then interference is minimized, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveinterferenceVSAvoiddevice complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Object-generated harmful factorsVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent merges the frequency switching function with the existing matching circuit configuration. The same matching circuit that adapts impedance also handles frequency switching by changing its resonant characteristics. This consolidation of functions within a single component reduces device complexity compared to having separate frequency switching mechanisms.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

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 approach enables a compact system with reduced surface area, minimizing interference between communication and charging functions, ensuring efficient power transfer and maintaining communication integrity, thus addressing the interference issues in existing systems.

Implementation Method 1

Near field communication, better known by those skilled in the art under the Anglo-Saxon name NFC (Near Field Communication) is a wireless connectivity technology which allows communication over a short distance

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectNear field communication: Electromagnetic Induction

Implementation Method 2

contactless energy is transferred from a Power Transmitter Unit (PTU) and a Power Receiving Unit (PRU) which is controlled by a charging management protocol. Contactless energy is generated at a frequency equal to 6.78 MHz

Methodology Applied
Scientific EffectContactless energy transfer: Electromagnetic Induction

Data Source

PatentEP3048743B1Method for managing the wireless communication and wireless charging within a system and corresponding system
Publication Date: 2020.07.01 STMICROELECTRONICS (ROUSSET) SAS
  • EP3048743B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3048743B1 patent drawingFigure 2~3
  • EP3048743B1 patent drawingFigure 4~5

AI summary

System comprising an antenna (ANT2), communication means (2, 3) configured to receive and/or transmit information via said antenna according to a contactless communication protocol, charging means (6, 4) configured to perform contactless charging of a power supply module (5) via said antenna (ANT2), and control means (1) configured to selectively make the communication means or the charging means operational.