RFID transponder in a plastic package for contactless communication

Abstract

A RFID transponder including a chip, having an antenna to which the chip is connected for contactless communication, and including a plastic package (1) which accommodates these transponder components as integrated components, wherein the plastic package (1) forms a coil core (2) on its outer surface, on which a booster antenna having at least one coil winding (4) is arranged, wherein the coil winding (4) completely surrounds the integrated antenna in order to form an inductive coupling, and the two ends (5, 6) of the coil winding (4) form antenna wires of a dipole antenna for the UHF range.

Claims

1. RFID transponder including a chip, having a chip antenna being a flat coil to which the chip is connected for contactless communication, and having a plastic package which accommodates the chip and the chip antenna as integrated components, wherein the plastic package forms a coil core on its outer surface concentric to the chip antenna, on which a booster antenna having at least one coil winding is arranged, wherein the coil winding completely surrounds the chip antenna in order to form an inductive coupling, and the two ends of the coil winding form antenna wires of a dipole antenna for the UHF range; wherein the plastic package defines a mechanically fixed coupling region between the coil winding of the booster antenna and the chip antenna such that the coupling region ensures a mechanically fixed position of the booster antenna relative to the chip antenna, whereby the plastic package comprises a fixing and alignment aid for spatial alignment of the coupling region between the booster antenna and the chip antenna.

2. RFID transponder according to claim 1, wherein the plastic package and the at least one coil winding are integrated into a main housing.

3. RFID transponder according to claim 2, wherein the main housing is cylinder-shaped.

4. RFID transponder according to claim 1, wherein the chip antenna and the at least one coil winding of the booster antenna, form conductor loops which are aligned with respect to each other.

5. RFID transponder according to claim 1, wherein the coil core is arranged concentrically with respect to the chip antenna which is formed as a winding coil.

6. RFID transponder according to claim 5, wherein the chip is arranged in the centre of the winding coil.

7. RFID transponder according to claim 1, wherein the coil core has a round or angular cross section.

8. RFID transponder according to claim 1, wherein the chip antenna has an orientation with respect to a spatial structure of the plastic package that defines a positioning surface.

Description

(1) The present invention will be described in greater detail based on the exemplary embodiment depicted in the attached images.

(2) FIG. 1 is a schematic diagram of an RFID transponder according to the invention.

(3) FIG. 2 illustrates a cylinder-shaped main housing according to the invention.

(4) FIG. 3 illustrates antenna wires of a dipole antenna according to the invention.

(5) FIG. 1 schematically depicts a perspective view of an RFID transponder having a booster antenna, before the attachment of a preferably provided main housing.

(6) FIG. 2 schematically depicts a perspective view of the RFID transponder according to FIG. 1, having a fixed main housing.

(7) FIG. 3 schematically depicts wire guides with the coil winding of the booster antenna.

(8) FIG. 1 shows an RFID transponder, in which the transponder components are integrated into a plastic package 1. Here, the RFID transponder comprises, in a known manner, a chip (not depicted) and an antenna (not depicted) which is connected to the chip for contactless communication. The plastic package 1 accommodates these transponder components as integrated components. The plastic package 1 (PP) forms a so-called PP transponder, which is able to accommodate larger microchips and longer coils for increased functional ranges. The material for the plastic package 1 may be selected based on the application. The plastic material should also include composites made up of curable resins.

(9) The plastic package 1 furthermore forms a coil core 2 on its outer surface. A booster antenna 3 having at least one coil winding 4 is arranged on the coil core 2, wherein the coil winding 4 completely surrounds the integrated antenna of the chip in order to form an inductive coupling. The two ends 5, 6 of the coil winding 4 form antenna wires of a dipole antenna for the UHF range as shown in FIG. 3.

(10) The plastic package 1 and the at least one coil winding 4 are preferably integrated into a main housing 7, which is made up here, for example, of two halves which can be assembled. The main housing 7 is, for example, cylinder-shaped as seen in FIG. 2.

(11) The antenna (not depicted) which is connected to the chip and integrated into the plastic package 1, and the at least one coil winding 4 of the booster antenna 3, preferably form conductor loops which are aligned with respect to one other. Preferably, the coil core 2 is arranged concentrically with respect to the antenna which is connected to the chip and which is preferably configured as a winding coil. The chip is then also preferably arranged in the centre of this winding coil.

(12) The coil core 2 may have a round or angular cross section. To form the coil core 2, a groove, recess, or some other path which is formed or mounted around the outer surface of the plastic package 1 may be provided. However, even a peripheral surface of the plastic package 1 is sufficient as a positioning surface for the at least one coil winding 4.

(13) By means of the preferably provided main housing 7, the plastic package 1 and the at least one coil winding 4 may be fixed with respect to one another, for example, using adhesive, welding, etc.

(14) The transponder components comprise, in a known manner, a microchip which is connected to the ends of a chip antenna for contactless communication. Together, these transponder components are integrated into the plastic package 1 for configuring the PP RFID transponder. Therefore, the chip antenna has a specified orientation with respect to the spatial structure of the plastic package 1, opposite which the coil winding 4 assumes a specified position due to the use of the plastic package 1 as a positioning surface. Preferably, the chip antenna is a flat coil having a winding plane that can be taken for aligning the booster antenna 3 in order to form an optimal coupling between the chip antenna and the booster antenna 3.

(15) The antenna wire which is used for forming the booster antenna 3 can be extended in automated production to have several devices in a chain.

(16) All publications and patent applications mentioned in this specification are herein incorporated by reference to the same extent as if each individual publication or patent application was specifically and individually indicated to be incorporated by reference.

(17) The invention now being fully described, it will be apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art that many changes and modifications can be made thereto without departing from the spirit or scope of the appended claims.