RF TAG ANTENNA, RF TAG, AND RF TAG HAVING CONDUCTIVE BODY FORMED THEREIN
20200243944 ยท 2020-07-30
Inventors
Cpc classification
G06K19/07735
PHYSICS
H01Q9/0407
ELECTRICITY
H01Q1/2225
ELECTRICITY
International classification
H01Q1/22
ELECTRICITY
G06K19/077
PHYSICS
Abstract
[Problem] To provide: an RF tag antenna that is non-directional and has a long communication range; an RF tag; and an RF tag having a conductive body formed therein. [Solution] This RF tag 100 is composed of an IC chip 500 and an RF tag antenna 110, and comprises: an inductor pattern part 150 having a C shape and configured in the shape of a flat plate; a notch part 170 formed by notching the vicinity of an inductor pattern part 140; an antenna part 120 formed in the vicinity of the notch part 170; and a ground part 130 provided continuous with the inductor pattern part 150 and configured in the shape of a flat plate.
Claims
1. An RF tag antenna to which an IC chip is mounted, the RF tag antenna comprising: an inductor pattern section having a C-shape and configured in a form of a flat plate; a notch section formed by cutting out a periphery of the inductor pattern section; an antenna section formed around the notch section; and a ground section provided in continuation with the inductor pattern section and configured in a form of a flat plate.
2. The RF tag antenna according to claim 1, which further includes an insulating substrate having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the inductor pattern section, the notch section, and the antenna section are formed on the first surface, and the ground section is formed on the second surface.
3. The RF tag antenna according to claim 1, which further includes an insulating substrate having a first surface and a second surface facing the first surface, wherein the inductor pattern section, the notch section, and the antenna section are formed on the first surface, and the ground section is formed on a surface which is an extended surface of the second surface and does not face the first surface.
4. The RF tag antenna according to claim 1, wherein a periphery length of the antenna section is /2, where is a wavelength of a target radio wave.
5. The RF tag antenna according to claim 2, wherein the insulating substrate is made of dielectric.
6. The RF tag antenna according to claim 2, wherein the insulating substrate is made of polystyrene foam.
7. The RF tag according to claim 2, wherein the insulating substrate is configured such that a relative permittivity on the first surface side and a relative permittivity on the second surface side are different from each other.
8. The RF tag according to claim 2, wherein one or more holes are formed in the insulating substrate, the holes having the same or different diameters, and gradually decreasing from the first surface side to the second surface side.
9. The RF tag according to claim 2, wherein the insulating substrate is formed such that a relative permittivity on the first surface side becomes smaller than a relative permittivity on the second surface side.
10. The RF tag according to claim 2, wherein the insulating substrate is configured such that a layer of polystyrene foam is formed on the first surface side and a layer having a relative permittivity higher than the relative permittivity of the polystyrene foam is formed on the second surface side.
11. An RF tag comprising: the RF tag antenna according to claim 1; and an IC chip provided to bridge both ends of the C-shape of the RF tag antenna.
12. An RF tag with a conductor, comprising: the RF tag according to claim 11; and a conductor connected to the ground section of the RF tag antenna directly or electrically via a capacitor.
Description
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS
[0044]
[0045]
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DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENT
[0055] An embodiment of the present invention will be described hereinbelow with reference to the drawings. In the following explanations, the same components are indicated by the same reference signs. Also, when the same reference signs are assigned to components, they are the same ones which have the same name and the same function. Accordingly, detailed explanations thereof will not be repeated.
Present Embodiment
[0056]
[0057] As illustrated in
[0058] The RF tag antenna 110 includes an antenna section 120, a ground section 130, an inductor pattern section 150, and a short-circuit section 160.
Insulating Substrate 140
[0059] In the present embodiment, the insulating substrate 140 is made of polystyrene foam. Ideally, it is most preferable to fill with air instead of the insulating substrate but, in order to maintain a predetermined interval between the antenna section 120 and the ground section 130 and prevent them from being brought into contact with each other, it is preferable to utilize polystyrene foam having 90% or more by volume of air. Further preferably, it is closed-cell polystyrene foam having 95% or more by volume and 99% or less by volume of air.
[0060] As a result of this, the spatial distance between the antenna section 120 and the ground section 130 can be maintained as a predetermined interval. As such an interval, an interval of 0.5 mm or more and 3.0 mm or less is preferable. Also, it is desirable that a relative permittivity of the insulating substrate falls within the range from 1% or more and 20% or less. More desirably, the range is 1.01% or more and 1.20% or less, and most desirably 1.01% or more and 1.10% or less, and further most desirably 1.02% or more and 1.08% or less. In the case where polystyrene foam is used as the insulating substrate 140, it is preferable that the polystyrene foam has a foaming ratio of 15 times or more to 60 times or less (in this case, the relative permittivity will be 1.01% or more and 1.10% or less).
[0061] In the case where ceramic (whose relative permittivity is higher than 5% and equal to or less than 9%) is used as the insulating substrate 140, the opening area of the antenna section 120 and the ground section 130 becomes small and the communication distance is reduced, but reduction in the size of the RF tag 100 can be achieved.
[0062] On the other hand, in the case where a material having the relative permittivity of 1% or more and 5% or less (in particular, 1.01% or more and 1.20% or less) such as polystyrene foam is used as the insulating substrate 140, then the opening area of the antenna section 120 and the ground section 130 can be maintained as a large area and the communication distance can be extended to several meters to tens of meters.
[0063] It should be noted that the thickness of the insulating substrate 140 made of polystyrene foam is desirably in the range between 0.5 mm and 3 mm including these values.
[0064] It should be noted that, in the present embodiment, while the insulating substrate 140 is made of polystyrene foam, this does not constitute a limitation thereto, and any insulator may be used and other foams or materials having insulating property such as polyethylene, polyimide, and thin foam (volara) may be used.
[0065] As has been described in the foregoing, with regard to the RF tag antenna 110 in accordance with the present embodiment, since polystyrene foam is used as the insulating substrate 140 of the RF tag antenna 110, an opening area of a certain size can be provided, and the sensitivity of the plate-shaped antenna can be improved.
[0066] It should be noted that, in the above-described embodiment, while the case has been described where the polystyrene foam is used as the insulating substrate 140, dielectric may be used. For example, as dielectric, resin, ceramic, paper, etc. may be used. Further, the insulating substrate may have a foam shape, may have one or numerous cavities, and may be made of composite material in which different materials are mixed or stacked.
[0067]
Antenna Section 120
[0068] As illustrated in
[0069] In the antenna section 120 of the present embodiment, the value obtained by adding the total value of the sides 121, 122, 123, 124, 125, 126, 127, and 128 and the total value of the sides 155, 154, 153, and 152, is the value T. The side 152, the side 153, the side 154, and the side 155 define outer periphery of the inductor pattern section 150.
[0070] In other words, as illustrated in
[0071] The value T is designed such that it corresponds to any one of /4, /2, 3/4, and 5/8 in case the wavelength (lambda) of the radio wave is used.
[0072] In the present embodiment, the value T is designed as half the length of the wavelength of the frequency in use. The wavelength can be calculated as propagation speed (light speed (c))/frequency (F).
[0073] Specifically, in the case where the frequency is 920 MHz, the propagation speed (light speed (c)) is 300 Mm/s, and the value T will be value T=(300920 MHz)/2163 mm.
[0074] In this case, the lengths of the individual sides are adjusted such that the value T becomes 163 mm. Note that, since the value T is an approximate value, the numerical value of the value T as such may have an error of around 5%. This is because it can be brought into conformity with the design specifications through adjustments though the read distance of the RF tag 100 becomes shorter.
[0075] Also, in the present embodiment, the first waveguide section 140 is made of an aluminum metal thin film. In general, the thin film in the present embodiment is formed with a thickness in the range from 3 m to 35 m including these values.
[0076] The first waveguide section 140 is formed by techniques such as etching or pattern printing.
Ground Section 130
[0077] Next, as illustrated in
[0078] The ground section 130 is made of an aluminum metal thin film. In general, the thin film in the present embodiment is formed with a thickness in the range from 3 m to 35 m including these values.
[0079] The ground section 130 is formed by techniques such as etching or pattern printing.
Notch Section 170
[0080] Also, although a notch section 170 is a spatial region and accordingly is not an element constituting the RF tag antenna 110, for convenience of explanation, the description will be provided with a reference numeral assigned thereto.
[0081] The notch section 170 is formed by the region enclosed by the side 128, the side 127, the side 126, the side 125, the side 155, the side 154, the side 153, the side 152, and the side 151.
Inductor Pattern Section 150
[0082] As illustrated in
[0083] In other words, as illustrated in
[0084] It should be noted that, with regard to the inductor pattern section 150, while the case has been described in which the portion between the side 161 and the side 162 is cut out, this does not constitute a limitation thereto, and an insulating section may be formed between the side 161 and the side 162.
[0085] In the present embodiment, the inductor pattern section 150 is made of an aluminum metal thin film. In general, the thin film in the present embodiment is formed with a thickness in the range from 3 m to 35 m including these values.
[0086] The inductor pattern section 150 is formed by techniques such as etching or pattern printing.
[0087] Also, the IC chip 500 is provided such that it bridges the side 161 and the side 162 of the inductor pattern section 150.
[0088] In the present embodiment, the impedance of the inductor pattern section 150 can be made constant according to the internal area S of the inductor pattern section 150.
IC Chip 500
[0089] The IC chip 500 is arranged on the upper surface of the RF tag antenna 110 (to be flush with the antenna section 120). The IC chip 500 operates based on the radio wave received by the plate-shaped antenna of the RF tag antenna 110.
[0090] Specifically, the IC chip 500 in accordance with the present embodiment first rectifies part of the carrier wave transmitted from a reading device and the IC chip 500 generates a power supply voltage necessary for itself to operate. Then the IC chip 500 causes the logic circuit for control in the IC chip 500 and non-volatile memory that stores product specific information or the like to operate by the power supply voltage that has been generated. Also, the IC chip 500 causes a communication circuit or the like for performing transmission and reception of data with the reading device to operate.
Sheet Member 600
[0091]
[0092] As illustrated in
[0093] The sheet member 600 is mainly made of polyethylene terephthalate. It should be noted that, in addition to polyethylene terephthalate, one or more types of materials or resins having insulating property such as polyimide and polyvinyl chloride may also be used as the sheet member 600.
[0094] The sheet member 600 is used to protect the antenna section 120 and the ground section 130. For this reason, the sheet member 600 preferably has a thickness of several micrometers or more and several hundred micrometers or less, more preferably about several tens of micrometers.
[0095] Accordingly, while the sheet member 600 is to be provided in the present embodiment, this does not constitute a limitation thereto, and the sheet member 600 may not be provided and other insulation coating treatments may be used.
RF Tag Antenna 110, IC Chip 500, and Electrically Conductive Member 900
[0096]
[0097] As illustrated in
[0098] It should be noted that while the conductive adhesive or the adhesive layer 450 is to be used in
[0099]
[0100] As illustrated in
[0101] The resonant frequency f (Hz) of this resonant circuit is given by the expression (1). The value of the resonant frequency f is tuned such that it falls within the frequency band of the radio wave transmitted from the reading device.
[0102] In the expression (1), L.sub.a represents the inductance of the inductor pattern L, and C.sub.b represents the equivalent capacitance inside the IC chip 500.
[0103] Here, some components have a capacitor inside the IC chip 500 and the IC chip 500 has stray capacitance. For this reason, when the resonant frequency f of the resonant circuit is to be specified, the equivalent capacitance C.sub.b inside the IC chip 500 is used.
[0104] In other words, the resonant circuit has a resonant frequency f that has been set with the inductance of the inductor pattern L and the equivalent capacitance C.sub.b inside the IC chip 500 taken into account. It should be noted that, as the C.sub.b, for example, it is possible to use a capacitance value disclosed as one of the specification data of the IC chip to be used.
[0105] As has been described in the foregoing, by using the equivalent capacitance C.sub.b inside the IC chip 500, no new capacitor needs to be provided. Also, the resonant frequency f of the resonant circuit can be accurately set in the frequency band of the radio wave.
[0106] In addition, it is also possible to use the capacitor capacitance C of the insulating substrate 140. As a result, the reading performance of the RF tag 100 can be further improved. Also, the power supply voltage generated by the IC chip 500 can be further increased.
[0107] Also, as illustrated in
[0108] It should be noted that while the case has been described in the present embodiment where the sheet member 600 is disposed between the ground section 130 of the RF tag 100 and the electrically conductive member 900, they may be electrically connected to each other either directly or indirectly.
[0109] Further, in the present embodiment, the electrically conductive member 900 may be made of a metal plate. Note that, with regard to the conductor in the context of the present application, a typical example thereof is electrical conductivity, metal in the same manner as in a general lexical meaning. However, the conductor is not limited to metal and may be, for example, a human body, a plant, water, the ground, etc.
[0110]
[0111] The symbol 100M in
[0112] And the symbol 101M is a curve which indicates a relationship between a frequency (horizontal axis) and a theoretical reading distance (m) (vertical axis) in the case where the reading experiment is done using the reading device from the back surface side of the RF tag 100 in accordance with the present embodiment.
[0113] The symbol 100N is a curve which indicates a relationship between a frequency (horizontal axis) and a theoretical reading distance (m) (vertical axis) in the case where the reading experiment is done using the reading device from the front surface side of a in-house RF tag (product name 06) of an inverted-F antenna type.
[0114] And the symbol 100M is a curve which indicates a relationship between a frequency (horizontal axis) and a theoretical reading distance (m) (vertical axis) in the case where the reading experiment is done using the reading device from the back surface side of the in-house RF tag (product name 06) of the inverted-F antenna type.
[0115] As illustrated in
[0116] On the other hand, if the reading device is used from the back surface side (solid line 101M), the RF tag 100 is capable of reading with a distance of 7 m.
[0117] As a result of this, it has been revealed that the RF tag 100 in accordance with the present embodiment exhibits the same or better performance as the in-house inverted F antenna type RF tag in the case where the reading device is used both from the front surface side (broken line 100N) and from the back surface side (broken line 101N).
Insulating Substrate
[0118]
[0119] As illustrated in
[0120] In the present embodiment, the polystyrene foam material 145 and the resin material 146 are both designed to have the same size length. In the present embodiment, ABS was used as the resin material. Note that ABS is used in the present embodiment but this does not constitute a limitation thereto, and polyethylene, polypropylene, polyvinyl chloride, ceramic, paper, etc. may be used.
[0121] Specifically, in the polystyrene foam material 145, the wavelength 1 is calculated assuming that the relative permittivity of the polystyrene foam material 145 a is 1.0 and the frequency is 900 MHz.
[0122] As a result of this, since the antenna section 120 stuck on the polystyrene foam material 145 is not influenced by the relative permittivity, the wavelength 1 will be 1=(300/920 MHz)/1.sup.2333 mm.
[0123] Meanwhile, in the resin material 146, the wavelength 2 is calculated assuming that the relative permittivity of the resin material 146 b is 5.0, the frequency is 900 MHz, and propagation speed is 300 Mm/s.
[0124] As a result of this, in the resin material 146, the wavelength 2 will be 2=(300/920 MHz)/5.sup.2149 mm.
[0125] It should be noted that ceramic, paper, etc. may be used instead of the resin material 146.
[0126] Here, since the value T1 of the antenna section 120 is 333 mm, resonance will take place at 402 MHz of the wavelength 333/1492.23 times longer.
[0127] In other words, this is equivalent to a state where the apparently 744 mm-long ground section 130 is formed.
[0128] As a result of this, the state can be made to be the same as the state where the RF tag 100 is mounted to a conductive member 900, and the RF tag 100 having a sufficient communication distance for metal or non-metal applications can be achieved.
Insulating Substrate
[0129]
[0130] As illustrated in
[0131] Also, it has one or more holes 143 whose diameter gradually decreases from the front surface 141 to the back surface 142. Here, the hole 143 is not limited to the one whose diameter continuously decreases and may encompass those the diameter of which decreases in a stepwise fashion. According to such a structure, the insulating substrate 140 is obtained whose relative permittivity differs in the direction of the thickness of the insulating substrate 140. In the embodiment illustrated in
[0132] In the present embodiment, the case is explained where the hole 143 has a stepwise or conical shape but this does not constitute a limitation thereto, and the hole 143 may be a cylinder, rectangular cylinder, or elliptical cylinder which does not penetrate the insulating substrate 140 from the front surface 141 to the back surface 142 or may also be a conical cylinder, pyramidal cylinder, or elliptical conical cylinder which does not penetrate or penetrates the insulating substrate 140 from the front surface 141 to the back surface 142.
[0133] Further, the shape of a cavity portion of the hole may change from the front surface 141 to the back surface 142. For example, on the front surface 141 side, the hole may be a star-shaped hole and the cross section of the hole may change to a shape of a circle toward the back surface 142 side.
[0134] Also, in
[0135]
[0136] As illustrated in
[0137] As described above, by changing the relative permittivity on the side of the front surface 141 and the relative permittivity on the side of the back surface 142, apparently, the ground section 130 which is longer than a predetermined length will be formed, so that the RF tag 100 having a sufficient communication distance for metal or non-metal applications can be achieved.
[0138] As has been described in the foregoing, according to the RF tag 100 and the electrically conductive member 900, since the electrically conductive member 900 can be utilized as the antenna section 120 and a large opening area can be provided, the sensitivity of the RF tag 100 can be improved.
[0139] Also, since the electrically conductive member 900 can be utilized as the antenna section 120, it is made possible to perform reading by the reading device from the back surface side of the RF tag 100 on which the electrically conductive member 900 is provided.
[0140] In the present embodiment, the IC chip 500 corresponds to the IC chip, the RF tag antenna 110 corresponds to the RF tag antenna, the inductor pattern section 150 corresponds to the inductor pattern section, the notch section 170 corresponds to the notch section, the antenna section 120 corresponds to the antenna section, the ground section 130 corresponds to the ground section, the front surface 141 corresponds to the first surface, the back surface 142 corresponds to the second surface, the insulating substrate 140 corresponds to the insulating substrate, the value T corresponds to the periphery length of the antenna section, the resin material 146 corresponds to the dielectric, the polystyrene foam material 145 and the polystyrene foam correspond to the polystyrene foam, the hole 143 corresponds to the one or more holes, RF tag 100 corresponds to the RF tag, the electrically conductive member 900 corresponds to the conductor, and the electrically conductive member 900 and the RF tag 100 correspond to the RF tag with a conductor.
[0141] Whilst one preferred embodiment of the present invention has been described in the foregoing, the present invention is not limited thereto. It will be appreciated that other various embodiments may be conceived without departing from the purport and scope of the present invention. Further, while the operations and effects achieved by the features of the present invention have been described in the present embodiment, these operations and effects are merely examples by which the present invention is in no way limited.
REFERENCE SIGNS LIST
[0142] 100 RF tag [0143] 110 RF tag antenna [0144] 120 antenna section [0145] 130 ground section [0146] 140 insulating substrate [0147] 141 front surface [0148] 142 back surface [0149] 143 hole [0150] 145 polystyrene foam material [0151] 146 resin material [0152] 150 inductor pattern section [0153] 170 notch section [0154] 500 IC chip [0155] 900 electrically conductive member [0156] T value