Smart Card Module Antenna Layout and Connection
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Solution Overview
Problem
The design and manufacturing of smart card modules with dual communication interfaces are complex and costly due to constraints on antenna dimensions, metallization requirements, and the need for through holes, which complicate the integration of antennas and chip connections.
Innovation Solution
A smart card module design featuring a flexible or non-flexible printed circuit with a module antenna that has narrower conductive tracks and fewer turns, allowing the antenna to extend outside the chip area and use blind holes for direct chip connections without metallization, reducing manufacturing complexity and costs.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If traditional through holes with metallization are used to connect chip and antenna, then electrical connection is achieved, but manufacturing complexity and cost increase
Solution Approach 1:
The invention extracts and eliminates the metallization step from the through-hole connection process. Instead of creating metallized holes to connect the chip and antenna, the patent uses non-metallized through-holes combined with conductive adhesive or spring contacts, thereby simplifying manufacturing while maintaining electrical connectivity.
Solution Approach 2:
The invention replaces expensive and complex metallized through-holes with simpler, cheaper alternative connection methods such as conductive adhesives or spring contacts. These alternative solutions are less durable than metallized connections but sufficient for the application, reducing overall manufacturing cost and complexity.
2Area of stationary object
If antenna turns are placed close to chip area, then space is saved, but electromagnetic performance deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The invention resolves the spatial conflict between antenna turns and chip area by utilizing the third dimension (vertical space). The antenna turns are routed around the periphery of the module, extending toward the edges rather than occupying the central chip area, thereby maintaining electromagnetic performance while fitting within compact module dimensions.
3Ease of manufacture
If narrow conductive tracks are used for antenna, then manufacturing is simplified, but electromagnetic performance may deteriorate
Solution Approach 1:
The invention optimizes the parameters of the conductive tracks by carefully selecting width, spacing, and number of turns to achieve the desired inductance value. The track width is reduced for manufacturing simplicity, but the overall electromagnetic performance is maintained by adjusting other parameters such as increasing the number of turns or optimizing the track geometry to compensate for the narrower width.
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 design achieves the required electromagnetic performance while simplifying the manufacturing process and eliminating the need for metallized holes, allowing for closer antenna placement to the chip and reduced wire lengths, thus enhancing connectivity and operational efficiency.
Implementation Method 1
a first RFID antenna, called 'module antenna' is integrated in the module and allows electromagnetic coupling (therefore without physical connection) with a second antenna, called 'booster or master antenna'
Implementation Method 2
The module antenna communicates (with a resonance effect) thus with a reading and/or writing device, via the booster antenna
Data Source
Figure 1~5
Figure 6~8
Figure 9~10
AI summary
The invention relates to a module (2) intended to be integrated into a card such as a chip card. This module (2) comprises a chip and a dual interface for communication with the chip. Contacts allow electrical connection between the chip and an electronic device for reading/writing data exchanged with the chip. An antenna (9) allows electromagnetic coupling of the module (2) with a device for reading/writing data exchanged with the chip. The antenna (9) consists of at least one turn produced in the form of a conducting track terminating at each of its ends in a connection lug (11g, 11h). The connection lug (11g) of the outermost turn is situated a distance from the module zone (18) covered by the chip of less than 500 microns and at least one turn of the antenna passes between this lug (11g) and the module zone (18) covered by the chip.