A method begins by a first radio frequency identification (RFID) sensor, that is associated with a first object element, receiving a first data request signal from an RFID reader and sending a first radio frequency (RF) signal that includes first data to the RFID reader in response to the first data request signal. The method continues with a second RFID sensor receiving a second data request signal from, and sending second data to, the RFID reader. The method continues with the RFID reader sending a representation of the first and second data to a data processing unit, which processes the representation of the first and second data to determine a first and second data point regarding first and second object elements. The method continues by the data processing unit processing the first and second data points to determine an environmental relationship between the first and second object elements.

An antenna (100) with an embedded wideband matching substrate (102) is provided. The substrate (102) comprises impedance matching circuitry (300) providing a low frequency (LF) matching circuit (330) and a high frequency (HF) matching circuit (340) for tri-band operation. A stripline (314) having a stripline ground (324) is disposed on the substrate. The stripline (314) provides a matching element and the stripline ground (324) provides a common ground (324) for both the HF and LF matching circuits. The substrate (102) is shaped with a tabular portion (106) which facilitates encasing the substrate (102) within a casing (118). The tabular portion (106) further provides an alignment feature for wrapping of a flexible radiating element about the casing and flexible antenna rod (126) to complete the antenna structure (100).

An antenna (100) with an embedded wideband matching substrate (102) is provided. The substrate (102) comprises impedance matching circuitry (300) providing a low frequency (LF) matching circuit (330) and a high frequency (HF) matching circuit (340) for tri-band operation. A stripline (314) having a stripline ground (324) is disposed on the substrate. The stripline (314) provides a matching element and the stripline ground (324) provides a common ground (324) for both the HF and LF matching circuits. The substrate (102) is shaped with a tabular portion (106) which facilitates encasing the substrate (102) within a casing (118). The tabular portion (106) further provides an alignment feature for wrapping of a flexible radiating element about the casing and flexible antenna rod (126) to complete the antenna structure (100).

A near-field communication device includes: a processing module and a first antenna arranged in a first near-field communication area and connected to the processing module; a first presence detector arranged in the first area; a second antenna arranged in a second near-field communication area, the first antenna and the second antenna being electrically in series and forming a circuit of antennae; a second presence detector arranged in the second area; and a control circuit designed to place the circuit of antennae into at least two different operating modes: a) a first mode, termed functional mode, in which the circuit of antennae allows near-field communication, and b) a second mode, termed dysfunctional mode, in which the circuit of antennae does not allow near-field communication.

A near-field communication device includes: a processing module and a first antenna arranged in a first near-field communication area and connected to the processing module; a first presence detector arranged in the first area; a second antenna arranged in a second near-field communication area, the first antenna and the second antenna being electrically in series and forming a circuit of antennae; a second presence detector arranged in the second area; and a control circuit designed to place the circuit of antennae into at least two different operating modes: a) a first mode, termed functional mode, in which the circuit of antennae allows near-field communication, and b) a second mode, termed dysfunctional mode, in which the circuit of antennae does not allow near-field communication.

To provide a compact antenna capable of corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands. In a first frequency characteristic adjustment unit, the susceptance thereof varies according to a frequency of an input signal. A second frequency characteristic adjustment unit is connected to the first frequency characteristic adjustment unit and the reactance thereof varies according to the frequency of the input signal. A third frequency characteristic adjustment unit is connected to the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit, the susceptance thereof varies according to the frequency of the input signal. A feeding unit is configured to input a signal of any frequency in a plurality of different frequencies to the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit. A sign of the reactance of the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit at the frequency of the signal input from the feeding unit is the same as those of the susceptances of the first frequency characteristic adjustment unit and the third frequency characteristic adjustment unit.

To provide a compact antenna capable of corresponding to a plurality of frequency bands. In a first frequency characteristic adjustment unit, the susceptance thereof varies according to a frequency of an input signal. A second frequency characteristic adjustment unit is connected to the first frequency characteristic adjustment unit and the reactance thereof varies according to the frequency of the input signal. A third frequency characteristic adjustment unit is connected to the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit, the susceptance thereof varies according to the frequency of the input signal. A feeding unit is configured to input a signal of any frequency in a plurality of different frequencies to the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit. A sign of the reactance of the second frequency characteristic adjustment unit at the frequency of the signal input from the feeding unit is the same as those of the susceptances of the first frequency characteristic adjustment unit and the third frequency characteristic adjustment unit.

An antenna switch includes antenna ports configured to be connected to at least one antenna, and throws connected to a power amplifier duplexer. The throws are adapted to be variably connected to any of the antenna ports so that a device that includes the antenna switch can include multiple configurations.

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an antenna [100] for matching an impedance between a feed point [140] and a radiator [110], comprising: the radiator [110] mounted, over a printed circuit board, has a first end and a second end; a flare [130] for matching the impedance, wherein the flare [130] has a first end and a second end, and the flare [130] is taper-shaped from the first end to the second end of the flare [130]; the feed point [140] comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the feed point [140] is connected to the second end of the flare [130], and the second end of the feed point [140] is connected to the printed circuit board; and a shorting stub [150] placed between the flare [130] and the printed circuit board for grounding a capacitance induced by the antenna [100].

Embodiments of the present invention relate to an antenna [100] for matching an impedance between a feed point [140] and a radiator [110], comprising: the radiator [110] mounted, over a printed circuit board, has a first end and a second end; a flare [130] for matching the impedance, wherein the flare [130] has a first end and a second end, and the flare [130] is taper-shaped from the first end to the second end of the flare [130]; the feed point [140] comprises a first end and a second end, wherein the first end of the feed point [140] is connected to the second end of the flare [130], and the second end of the feed point [140] is connected to the printed circuit board; and a shorting stub [150] placed between the flare [130] and the printed circuit board for grounding a capacitance induced by the antenna [100].