WO2000043952A1 - Rfid transponder - Google Patents

Rfid transponder Download PDF

Info

Publication number
WO2000043952A1
WO2000043952A1 PCT/US2000/002042 US0002042W WO0043952A1 WO 2000043952 A1 WO2000043952 A1 WO 2000043952A1 US 0002042 W US0002042 W US 0002042W WO 0043952 A1 WO0043952 A1 WO 0043952A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
radio frequency
package
antenna
lead
accordance
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/US2000/002042
Other languages
French (fr)
Inventor
Michael John Brady
Dah-Weih Duan
Paul Andrew Moskowitz
Original Assignee
Intermec Ip Corp.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Application filed by Intermec Ip Corp. filed Critical Intermec Ip Corp.
Publication of WO2000043952A1 publication Critical patent/WO2000043952A1/en

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/12—Supports; Mounting means
    • H01Q1/22—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles
    • H01Q1/2208—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems
    • H01Q1/2225—Supports; Mounting means by structural association with other equipment or articles associated with components used in interrogation type services, i.e. in systems for information exchange between an interrogator/reader and a tag/transponder, e.g. in Radio Frequency Identification [RFID] systems used in active tags, i.e. provided with its own power source or in passive tags, i.e. deriving power from RF signal
    • G—PHYSICS
    • G06—COMPUTING; CALCULATING OR COUNTING
    • G06K—GRAPHICAL DATA READING; PRESENTATION OF DATA; RECORD CARRIERS; HANDLING RECORD CARRIERS
    • G06K19/00—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings
    • G06K19/06—Record carriers for use with machines and with at least a part designed to carry digital markings characterised by the kind of the digital marking, e.g. shape, nature, code
    • G06K19/067—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components
    • G06K19/07—Record carriers with conductive marks, printed circuits or semiconductor circuit elements, e.g. credit or identity cards also with resonating or responding marks without active components with integrated circuit chips
    • G06K19/077—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier
    • G06K19/07749—Constructional details, e.g. mounting of circuits in the carrier the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q1/00—Details of, or arrangements associated with, antennas
    • H01Q1/36—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith
    • H01Q1/38—Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewith formed by a conductive layer on an insulating support
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/0407—Substantially flat resonant element parallel to ground plane, e.g. patch antenna
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01Q—ANTENNAS, i.e. RADIO AERIALS
    • H01Q9/00—Electrically-short antennas having dimensions not more than twice the operating wavelength and consisting of conductive active radiating elements
    • H01Q9/04—Resonant antennas
    • H01Q9/16—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole
    • H01Q9/26—Resonant antennas with feed intermediate between the extremities of the antenna, e.g. centre-fed dipole with folded element or elements, the folded parts being spaced apart a small fraction of operating wavelength
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2224/01—Means for bonding being attached to, or being formed on, the surface to be connected, e.g. chip-to-package, die-attach, "first-level" interconnects; Manufacturing methods related thereto
    • H01L2224/42—Wire connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto
    • H01L2224/47—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process
    • H01L2224/48—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process of an individual wire connector
    • H01L2224/4805—Shape
    • H01L2224/4809—Loop shape
    • H01L2224/48091—Arched
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2224/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies and methods related thereto as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2224/01—Means for bonding being attached to, or being formed on, the surface to be connected, e.g. chip-to-package, die-attach, "first-level" interconnects; Manufacturing methods related thereto
    • H01L2224/42—Wire connectors; Manufacturing methods related thereto
    • H01L2224/47—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process
    • H01L2224/48—Structure, shape, material or disposition of the wire connectors after the connecting process of an individual wire connector
    • H01L2224/481—Disposition
    • H01L2224/48151—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive
    • H01L2224/48221—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked
    • H01L2224/48245—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked the item being metallic
    • H01L2224/48247—Connecting between a semiconductor or solid-state body and an item not being a semiconductor or solid-state body, e.g. chip-to-substrate, chip-to-passive the body and the item being stacked the item being metallic connecting the wire to a bond pad of the item
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/01—Chemical elements
    • H01L2924/0102—Calcium [Ca]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/01—Chemical elements
    • H01L2924/01021—Scandium [Sc]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/01—Chemical elements
    • H01L2924/01078—Platinum [Pt]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/01—Chemical elements
    • H01L2924/01087—Francium [Fr]
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/19—Details of hybrid assemblies other than the semiconductor or other solid state devices to be connected
    • H01L2924/1901—Structure
    • H01L2924/1904—Component type
    • H01L2924/19041—Component type being a capacitor
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/30—Technical effects
    • H01L2924/301—Electrical effects
    • H01L2924/30107—Inductance
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H01—ELECTRIC ELEMENTS
    • H01L—SEMICONDUCTOR DEVICES NOT COVERED BY CLASS H10
    • H01L2924/00—Indexing scheme for arrangements or methods for connecting or disconnecting semiconductor or solid-state bodies as covered by H01L24/00
    • H01L2924/30—Technical effects
    • H01L2924/301—Electrical effects
    • H01L2924/3011—Impedance

Definitions

  • the present invention relates generally to radio freguency identification (RFID) systems, and more specifically to RFID transponders for use in RFID systems.
  • RFID radio freguency identification
  • RFID Radio Frequency Identification
  • base station or interrogator a radio frequency (RF) transmitter-receiver unit
  • the RFID transponder detects the interrogating signal and transmits a response signal comprising encoded data back to the interrogator's receiver.
  • RFID systems provide identification functions not found in identification technologies such as optical indicia (e.g., bar code) recognition systems.
  • an RFID system may employ RFID transponders containing read/write memory of up to several kilobytes.
  • RFID transponders may be read by a system at one time. These RFID transponders are readable at a distance and do not require direct line-of-sight view by the reading apparatus.
  • RFID IC radio frequency identification integrated circuits
  • plastic packages such as Small Outline Packages (SOP), Miniature Small Outline Packages (MSOP), Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) packages, and Thin Shrinkable Small Outline Packages (TSSOP)
  • SOP Small Outline Packages
  • MSOP Miniature Small Outline Packages
  • SOIC Small Outline Integrated Circuit
  • TSSOP Thin Shrinkable Small Outline Packages
  • the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are usually degraded due to discontinuities caused by the bonding wiring, materials, and geometry of the package. Further, the overall size of the RFID transponder usually becomes larger than it would be were the RFID IC directly attached to the substrate.
  • the advantages of using packaged RFID IC's such as robustness, versatility, and availability may be outweighed by the poorer performance and increased size of the RFID transponder.
  • RFID IC's radio frequency integrated circuits
  • the present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for packaging radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) and in particular radio frequency identification integrated circuits (RFID IC) and mounting packaged RFID IC's in RFID transponders so that the RF characteristics of the transponders are improved and the size of the transponders is reduced.
  • RFIC radio frequency integrated circuits
  • RFID IC radio frequency identification integrated circuits
  • An RFID transponder in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention includes an insulating substrate having an aperture formed therein and an antenna circuit (including an antenna and, optionally, impedance matching circuits) formed as an integral part of the substrate.
  • a packaged RFID IC including one or more leads for coupling the RFID IC to the antenna, is inverted and substantially and operably located within the aperture of the substrate so that the leads extend from the aperture and are coupled to the antenna.
  • a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip such as a radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) chip of an RFID transponder is packaged and oriented within a plastic package so that the RF characteristics of the packaged chip are improved.
  • the RFID IC chip may also be packaged and orientated with respect to the antenna so that the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are improved and/or the size (length, width, area, etc.) of the substrate is minimized.
  • FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a typical RFID system
  • FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a simple dipole antenna
  • FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a meander dipole antenna
  • FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 1 ;
  • FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a linearly polarized patch antenna;
  • FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a circularly polarized patch antenna;
  • FIGS. 8 and 9 are top plan views of RFID transponders in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention.
  • FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 6;
  • FIGS. 1 1 , 12 and 13 are block diagrams illustrating interconnection ofthe RFID IC chip to the leads of a plastic-molded package; and FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of a prior art RFID transponder having a packaged RFID IC.
  • FIGS. 1 1 , 12 and 13 are block diagrams illustrating interconnection ofthe RFID IC chip to the leads of a plastic-molded package; and FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of a prior art RFID transponder having a packaged RFID IC.
  • the RFID system 100 includes an interrogator or base station 112 communicating an RF signal to an RFID transponder 114.
  • the interrogator 112 preferably includes RF transmitter and a receiver sections 116 & 118 for providing two way communication with the RFID transponder 114.
  • the transmitter section 116 preferably includes an RF source 120 and RF amplifier 122 which send RF power to an antenna 124.
  • the transmitter section 116 transmits an RF signal with a transmitter carrier frequency.
  • the transmitter carrier also has a transmitting carrier frequency bandwidth referred to as a transmitting bandwidth.
  • the transmitting bandwidth is preferably wide enough to transmit data at a desired rate.
  • the RFID transponder 114 comprises an antenna 126 and an RFID circuit
  • the front end 130 can be any known front end design used with an antenna. Examples of front ends are well known. See, for example, the Hewlett Packard "Communications Components GaAs & Silicon Products Designer's Catalog” (i.e., page 2-15) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A typical front end is also described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/790,639 to Duan, et al. filed January 29, 1997 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety.
  • the signal processing section 132 may include logic circuits and memory for processing and storing information.
  • the present invention provides methods and apparatus for packaging RFID IC's which include the front end and signal processing section of the RFID transponder, and mounting the packaged RFID IC's in RFID transponders so that the RF characteristics of the transponders are improved and the size of the transponders is reduced.
  • exemplary RFID transponders in accordance with the present invention are shown.
  • the RFID transponders 200 include an insulating substrate 212 which is preferably formed of a rigid dielectric material such as FR-4 epoxy resin, phenolic, a ceramic, etc., or, alternatively, a flexible material such as polyimide, polyester, or the like.
  • An aperture 214 may be formed in the substrate 212 for receiving a packaged RFID IC 226.
  • the aperture 214 may extend completely through the substrate 212 (e.g., a hole), or, alternatively, only partially through the substrate 212 (e.g., a recess).
  • the substrate 212 may be rectangular in shape and may have a length (I) and a width (w).
  • the substrate may have other geometric or irregular shapes (i.e., circular, oval, sguare, triangular, curvilinear, etc.) without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
  • An antenna circuit 216 is integrally formed on the substrate 212.
  • the antenna circuit 216 consists of a thin pattern (typically 18 to 35 micron thick) formed of a conductive metal such as copper. This pattern may be formed by plating, adhering or screening a thin layer of copper (or other conductive metal) onto the substrate 212. The layer is then etched to form the desired geometric configuration of the antenna circuit 216.
  • the antenna circuit 216 of the present invention may employ any of a large number of different antennas having various configurations and geometries (i.e., monopole, dipole, folded dipole, loop, slot, coil, spiral, meander, patch, etc.).
  • the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a simple dipole antenna consisting of dipole elements or traces 218 & 220.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a meander dipole antenna.
  • the meander dipole antenna may also comprise dipole elements or traces 218 & 220.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a patch antenna including a patch element 254 and a conducting ground plane 256.
  • the conducting ground plane 256 may comprise a layer of conductive metal (e.g., copper) formed (i.e., by plating, adhering or screening, etc.) on the side of the substrate 212 opposite the pattern.
  • the substrate 212 spaces the antenna's radiating element (e.g., patch element 254, or, alternatively, other structures such as dipole elements, etc. (not shown)) from the ground plane 256.
  • the antenna circuits 216 shown herein, or substitution of other types of antennas by one skilled in the art would not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention.
  • One or more impedance adjustment elements 220 may likewise be integrally formed on the substrate 212 to modify the impedance of the antenna circuit 216.
  • the impedance adjustment elements 220 may be, for example, lumped circuit elements, distributed microwave circuit elements, or parasitic elements that are electromagnetically coupled to the antenna (i.e., not electrically connected).
  • the antenna circuit 216 may, for example, include a tuning stub 222 having a length and width adjusted to tune the impedance of the antenna.
  • the tuning stub 222 acts as a two conductor transmission line and may be terminated either in a short-circuit or open-circuit.
  • a short circuited stub acts as a lumped inductor while an open-circuit stub acts as a lumped capacitor.
  • the magnitude of the reactance of the tuning stub 222 is affected by the stub's length, width, and spacing.
  • one or more impedance loading bars 224 may be integrally formed on the substrate 212 adjacent to the antenna in the same manner.
  • the impedance loading bars 224 are electromagnetically coupled to the antenna to modify its impedance.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may include impedance matching circuits (i.e., microst p lines, or the like) 258 & 260. These circuits 258 & 260 which are connected to the packaged RFID IC 226, may interconnect the RFID IC 226 to the radiating element of the antenna circuit 216 (e.g., impedance matching circuit 260) to carry RF signal and energy from the RFID IC 226 to the antenna (e.g., patch antenna element 254) and/or from the antenna 254 to the RFID IC 226.
  • impedance matching circuits i.e., microst p lines, or the like
  • the circuits 260 have a length and width chosen to at least partially match the impedance of the antenna 254 and the RFID IC 226.
  • the packaged radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) 226 is mounted to the substrate 212 and electrically interconnected to the antenna circuit 216.
  • the packaged RFID IC 226 preferably comprises an RFID IC chip 228 encapsulated within a plastic- molded package 230.
  • the package 230 may be a single in-line package (SIP), dual in-line package, or flat pack package (shown).
  • Typical flat pack IC packages which may be utilized by the present invention include, but are not limited to Small Outline Package (SOP), Miniature Small Outline Package (MSOP), Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC), Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA), Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP), Low Profile Quad Flat Pack (LQFP), Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP), Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC), Thin Shrinkable Small Outline Package (TSSOP), Sh nkable Small Outline Package (SSOP), Quad Small Outline Package (QSOP), Plastic Dual Inline Package (PDIP), SC 70, SC-79, Small Outline Transistor (SOT-23, SOT- 143), and Small Outline Diode (SOD-323) packages.
  • SOP Small Outline Package
  • MSOP Miniature Small Outline Package
  • SOIC Small Outline Integrated Circuit
  • PBGA Plastic Ball Grid Array
  • TQFP Thin Quad Flat Pack
  • LQFP Low Profile Quad Flat Pack
  • the package 230 includes a plurality of external leads or pins 232 which electrically couple the packaged IC 230 to the copper pattern or traces formed on the substrate 212.
  • the leads or pins 232 may be arranged in rows along all four sides 234, 235, 236 & 237 of the package 230 (i.e., a quad-flat-pack package), or, alternatively, only on opposite sides 234 & 236 of the package 230 (i.e., an MSOP, or the like) depending on the type of package 230 employed.
  • the leads 232 may be electrically connected to contacts 238 & 240 on the RFID IC chip 228 via connectors 246 & 248 formed using conventional techniques such as wire bonding or the like (see FIGS. 4 and 10).
  • the leads 232 may then be soldered to the circuit (e.g., antenna circuit 216) formed on the substrate 212 to, for example, connect the contacts 238 & 240 of the RFID IC chip 228 to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., directly to the antenna, or, alternatively, to impedance adjustment elements 220 such as impedance matching circuits 258 & 260).
  • the circuit e.g., antenna circuit 216
  • impedance adjustment elements 220 such as impedance matching circuits 258 & 260.
  • the packaged RFID IC 312 of the RFID transponder 300 includes a generally rectangular body 314 having a top surface 316, a bottom surface 318, first and second side surfaces 320 & 322, and first and second end surfaces (not shown).
  • the package includes a plurality of leads 324 which extend outwardly from each side surface 320 & 322.
  • the leads 324 may be generally "S" or "Z” shaped in profile so that they extend downwardly past the bottom surface 318 of the RFID IC's body 314.
  • the leads 324 may be soldered 332 to antenna elements 328 and/or other circuits 330 of substrate 326 so that the body 314 of the RFID IC 312 is supported above the substrate 326 and antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330.
  • the RFID transponder 300 may have a thickness (t) which comprises the combined thicknesses ofthe packaged RFID IC 312, the substrate 326, the antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330 and/or the space between the RFID IC body 314 and the substrate 326 or antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330, if any. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 10, and particularly in FIGS.
  • the packaged RFID IC 226 of the RFID transponder 200 may be inverted (compared to the orientation of the RFID IC 314 of the prior art RFID transponder 300 shown in FIG. 8) and substantially located within the aperture 214 of the substrate 212.
  • This orientation reduces the thickness (f) form factor of the RFID transponder 200 by eliminating the space between the RFID IC and the substrate of the prior art RFID transponder (314, 326 & 300 in FIG. 8), and reducing the thickness of the RFID IC 226 by an amount equal to the thickness of the RFID IC 226 contained within the aperture 214 of the substrate 212.
  • the leads 232 of the RFID IC package 230 extend upwardly from the aperture 214 and are coupled to the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits formed on the substrate 212).
  • the leads 232 may be bent (i.e., an MSOP or the like) so that they are somewhat "S" or "Z” shaped and have an end extending over the edge of the aperture 214.
  • the leads 232 may be straight (i.e., a SIP, a DIP, etc., not shown).
  • the leads 232 may support the packaged RFID IC 226 within the aperture 214 and may engage the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits) formed on the substrate 212.
  • the leads 232 may be soldered to the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits) to secure the RFID IC 226 to the substrate 212.
  • an encapsulant 242 may be applied to secure the packaged RFID IC 226 within the aperture 214 and to protect the lead/circuit connections 244. Referring now to FIGS. 1 1 , 12, and 13, radio frequency integrated circuit
  • RFID IC chips such as RFID IC 226 may be packaged and orientated with respect to the antenna circuit 216 so that the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are optimized.
  • the RFID IC package 230 may be generally rectangular in shape and may have a length (/ p ) and a width (w p ).
  • An RFID IC chip 228 is encapsulated within the package 230.
  • the RFID IC chip 228 includes first and second antenna contacts or pads 238 & 240 (e.g., signal pad and a ground pad) which may be electrically connected to first and second leads 250 & 252 of the package's lead frame via connectors such as wire bonds 246 & 248.
  • the wire bonds 246 & 248 are formed via conventional wire bonding methods.
  • RFID IC 226 may extend from the first side 234 of the package 230.
  • the first lead 250 may be connected to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., dipole element 218 shown in FIG. 2, or, alternatively, impedance matching circuit 258 shown in FIG. 8).
  • a second lead (Pin 8) 252 may extend from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first, where it may likewise be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., dipole element 220 shown in FIG. 2, or, alternatively, impedance matching circuit 260 shown in FIG. 8).
  • the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 may both be on the same side 234 of the package 230 where they may be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., the first lead 250 may be connected to the dipole antenna element 218 and the second lead 248 may be attached to the dipole antenna element 220 as shown in FIG. 3, or the first lead 250 may be attached to impedance matching element 258 and the second lead 252 may be attached to impedance matching element 260 as shown in FIG. 9).
  • the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 may extend from a first side 234 of the package 230.
  • the first lead 250 may be connected to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., impedance matching circuits 260 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).
  • the second lead (Pin 16) 252 may extend from a second side 235 of the package 230 where it may be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., impedance matching circuits 258 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7).
  • the first and second sides 234 & 235 form a corner of the package 230.
  • the first and second leads 250 & 252 may be positioned one on each side of the corner at a substantially right angle to each other.
  • packaged RFID IC's may be mounted in the inverted fashion in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, or, alternatively in the conventional manner (so that body of the RFID IC package is completely above the upper surface of the substrate of the RFID transponder) as shown in FIG. 14.
  • the frequency of an RFID system i.e., RFID system 100 shown in FIG. 1
  • the wavelength is very short (i.e., within the microwave range)
  • it is desirable to maximize coupling of external RF energy into the RFID IC chip 228 especially were the RFID transponder 200 is passive).
  • the lines e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248, interconnecting the antenna circuit 216 and antenna contacts 238 & 240 are preferably symmetrical, short in length, and have very few discontinuities so coupling of the RF signal into the RFID IC chip 228 is maximized.
  • the arrangement and orientation of the RFID IC chip 228, package 230, and wire bonds 246 & 248 in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIGS. 11 , 12, and 13 result in less discontinuity in the interconnection, which reduces the amount of reflections and spurious radiations, improving the radiation efficiency when connected to an antenna and reducing the mismatch loss and radiation loss when connected to a circuit.
  • the RFID IC chip 228 is preferably oriented within the package 230 so each of the antenna contacts 238 & 240 is substantially adjacent to the lead 250 & 252 to which it is bonded. This orientation allows the package 230 to have a shorter, smoother wire bonds connecting the contacts 238 & 240 to the leads 250 & 252.
  • Shorter wire bonds 246 & 248 are desirable because the lengths of the wire bonds 246 & 248 and leads 250 & 252 contribute to the inductance of the antenna circuit 216. Further, when added together, impedance contributed by the wire bonds 246 & 248 and leads 250 & 252 may become a significant portion of the antenna circuit's total impedance. Preferably, the orientation also allows the wire bonds 246 & 248 to have similar lengths.
  • the lines (e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248) interconnecting the RFID IC 228 to the antenna circuit 216 preferably have similar cross-sections, and good conductivity (i.e., are not resistive). In this manner, a smoother transition is provided for the RF wave (e.g., microwave) between the antenna circuit 216 and the antenna contacts 238 & 240 thereby providing improved RF characteristics.
  • RF wave e.g., microwave
  • Orientation of the RFID IC 228, package 230, and wire bonds 246 & 248 in accordance with the present invention also prevents crossover, bending or kinking of the wire bonds 246 & 248.
  • Crossovers introduce cross-talk and additional parasitic capacitance or inductance which may degrade performance of the RFID transponder 200.
  • Bending or kinking introduces discontinuities in the RF wave (e.g., microwave) structure. Such discontinuities are sources of leakage, radiation loss, etc. which reduce the efficiency of the RFID transponder 200.
  • the RFID IC 228 collects power from the RF field via the antenna circuit 216.
  • the efficiency of the lines e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248, transmitting RF power between the antenna circuit 216 and the RFID IC 228 helps prevent a reduction in power available to the RFID IC 228.
  • the 248 may also allow the size (e.g., length (/), width (w), or total area) of the substrate 212 of the RFID transponder 200 to be minimized.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a simple dipole antenna which includes a first dipole element 218 and a second dipole element 220 formed on the surface of the substrate 212 on each side of the packaged RFID IC 226.
  • the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 extends from the first side 234 of the package 230 and is connected to the first antenna circuit element 218 while the second lead (Pin 8) 252 extends from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first and is attached to the second antenna circuit element 220.
  • the package 230 to be positioned on the substrate 212 so that the length (/ p ) of the package 230 is perpendicular to the dipole elements 218 & 220 of the antenna circuit 216, and the length (/) of the substrate 212 while the width (w p ) of the package 230 is parallel to the dipole elements 218 & 220 and width (w) of the substrate 212.
  • the length (/ p ) of the substrate 212 may be reduced.
  • the width (w) ofthe substrate 212 may be reduced.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a meander dipole antenna which includes a first dipole element 218 and a second dipole element 220 formed on the surface of the substrate 212 adjacent to the packaged RFID IC 226.
  • the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 are both located on the same side 234 of the package 230.
  • the first lead 246 may be connected to the first dipole element 218, and the second lead 248 attached to the second dipole element 220.
  • the package 230 to be positioned on the substrate 212 so that the length (/ p ) of the package 230 is parallel to the longitudinal length of the antenna 216 and length (/) of the substrate 212 while the width (w p ) of the package 230 is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the antenna 216 and width (w) of the substrate 212.
  • the length (/ p ) of the substrate 212 may be reduced.
  • the width (w) of the substrate 212 may be reduced.
  • the antenna circuit 216 may further comprise a patch antenna including a patch element 254, one or more impedance matching circuits 258 & 260, and a conducting ground plane 256.
  • the patch antenna may be a linearly polarized patch antenna as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, or, as shown in FIG. 7, a circularly polarized patch antenna.
  • the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 and second lead (Pin 16) 252 may be arranged at a right angle to each other at a corner of the package 230.
  • FIGS. 1 the first lead
  • second lead (Pin 16) 252 may be arranged at a right angle to each other at a corner of the package 230.
  • the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 may extend from the first side 234 of the package 230 while the second lead (Pin 8) 252 extends from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 are both located on the same side 234 of the package 230.
  • the packaged RFID IC 226 may be oriented and mounted on the substrate 212 and bonded to the antenna circuit 216 to provide a smoother transition for the RF wave (e.g., microwave) between the antenna and the RFID IC 226 and/or to reduce or minimize the surface area of the RFID transponder 200.
  • the RF wave e.g., microwave

Abstract

A radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) chip is packaged and oriented within a plastic molded package so that the RF characteristics of the packaged RFID IC are improved. The RFID IC may be packaged and oriented with respect to the antenna circuit so that the RF characteristics of the transponder are improved and/or the size (length, width, area, etc.) of the substrate is reduced. The packaged (RFID IC) may also be inverted and substantially and operably located within an aperture formed in the substrate of the RFID transponder to reduce the thickness of the transponder.

Description

RFID TRANSPONDER
Cross-Reference to Related Applications The present application is a continuation-in-part of U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 09/191 ,682 filed November 13, 1998 which claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/078,291 filed March 17, 1998 and 60/103,307 filed October 6, 1998, and claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 1 19(e) of U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/078,291 filed March 17, 1998, 60/103,307 filed October 6, 1998, and 60/072,317 filed January 23, 1998. Said U.S. Patent Application No. 09/191 ,682 and U.S. Provisional Application Nos. 60/078,291 , 60/103,307, and 60/072,317 are herein incorporated by reference in their entirety.
Incorporation by Reference The following U.S. Patents and Patent Applications are hereby incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
U.S. Patents
Patent Issue Date Filing Date Attorney Docket
5,521 ,601 05/28/96 04/21/95 YO995-0088
5,528,222 06/18/96 09/09/94 YO994-180
5,538,803 07/23/96 1 1/23/94 YO994-0073
5,550,547 08/27/96 09/12/94 YO994-185
5,552,778 09/03/96 1 1/23/94 YO994-0232
5,554,974 09/10/96 1 1/23/94 YO994-0071
5,563,583 10/08/96 11/23/94 YO994-070
5,565,847 10/15/96 11/23/94 YO994-0072
5,606,323 02/25/97 08/31/95 YO995-157
5,635,693 06/03/97 02/02/95 YO994-0215
5,673,037 09/30/97 09/09/94 YO994-184
5,680,106 10/21/97 10/27/95 YO995-0219
5,682,143 10/28/97 09/09/94 YO994-170
5,729,201 03/17/98 06/29/95 YO995-109 Patent Issue Date Filing Date Attorney Docket 5,729,697 03/17/98 04/24/95 YO995-076 5,736,929 04/07/98 06/07/96 YO996-085 5,739,754 04/14/98 07/29/96 YO996-1 15 5,767,789 06/16/98 08/31/95 YO994-213 5,777,561 07/07/98 09/30/96 YO996-178 5,786,626 07/28/98 03/25/96 YO996-031 5,812,065 09/22/98 12/08/95 YO995-124X 5,821 ,859 10/13/98 06/07/96 YO996-084 5,826,328 10/27/98 03/25/96 5,828,318 10/27/98 05/08/96 YO996-068 5,831 ,532 1 1/03/98 08/12/97 YO995-109B 5,850,181 12/15/98 04/03/96 YO995-158
U.S. Nonprovisional Patent Applications Application Filing Date Attorney Docket 08/681 ,741 07/29/96 YO996-037
(Issue fee paid 1 1/18/98)
08/694,606 08/09/96 YO995-218 08/733,684 10/17/96 YO996-195
(Issue fee paid 12/02/98)
08/780,765 01/08/97 YO996-196
(Issue fee paid 12/02/98)
08/790,639 01/29/97 YO997-024 08/790,640 01/29/97 YO997-023 08/862,149 05/23/97 YO997-1 16 08/862,912 05/23/97 YO997-1 15 08/862,913 05/23/97 YO997-1 14 08/935,989 10/23/97 YO997-310 09/029,432 UK994-066 09/071 ,413 05/01/98 YO895-0271 R1
(RTH 998-007) (Allowed 12/08/98) Application Filing Date Attorney Docket
EH 372 217 464 US 07/10/98 YO896-0212R1
09/122,300 07/24/98 YO897-259R
09/153,617
09/167,026 10/06/98 YO897-0062R1
09/167,149 10/06/98 YO897-0039R1
09/181 ,505 10/28/98 38381 DR1
09/182,170 10/29/98 38384R1
09/183,606 10/30/98 38408R1
09/185,858 1 1/04/98 38394R1
09/188,089 1 1/06/98 38393R1
EL 158 487 235 US 1 1/13/98 10018/7000
EL 158 487 244 US 1 1/13/98 10018/7001
EL 158 487 258 US 1 1/13/98 10018/7004
EL 158 487 275 US 1 1/13/98 10018/7010
09/191 ,682 1 1/13/98 38395R1
09/195,528 1 1/18/98 38387R1
09/195,733 1 1/19/98 YO897-0676R
09/199,620 1 1/25/98 38396R1
09/212,909 12/16/98 YO997-378
09/218,353 12/22/98 YO894-0206R1
09/219,822 12/23/98 YO897-0337R1
09/220,272 12/23/98 YO895-0100R1
09/220,432 12/24/98 YO895-0124R1
09/222,598 12/29/98 YO896-0066R1
09/225,431 01/05/99 YO897-0018R1
09/225,432 01/05/99 YO896-0336R1
09/226,499 01/07/99 YO896-0153R1
09/226,669 01/08/99 YO896-0266R1
09/227,649 01/08/99 YO896-0213R1
09/227,768 01/08/99 998-012 U.S. Provisional Patent Applications
Application Filing Date Attorney Docket
60/068,122 12/19/97
60/068,373 12/22/97 YO894-0206P1
60/073,102 01/30/98 YO897-0028P1
60/068,645 YO894-0377P1
60/074,605 02/13/98 YO897-0259P1
60/075,452 02/20/98 YO897-0271 P1
60/076,363 YO897-0293P1
60/077,094 03/06/98 YO897-0353P1
60/077,873 YO897-0362P1
60/077,879 03/13/98 YO997-0038P1
60/078,100 03/16/98 YO897-0657P1
60/078,226 03/16/98 YO897-0658P1
60/078,287 03/17/98 YO897-0661 P1
60/078,304 03/17/98 YO897-0662P1
60/079,852 YO897-0667P1
60/080,724 YO897-0670P1
60/080,900 04/06/98 YO897-0671 P1
60/090,637 06/25/98 YO896-0212P2
60/091 ,350 07/01/98 YO897-0259P2
60/091 ,352 07/01/98 YO897-0673P1
60/098,459 08/31/98 YO894-0206P2
60/099,298 09/04/98 YO894-0206P3
60/099,724 09/10/98 38398P1
60/100,719 09/17/98 38402P1
60/105,496 10/23/98 YO897-0683P1
60/107,631 1 1/09/98 YO897-0657P2
60/108,378 1 1/13/98 YO897-0432P2
60/108,546 1 1/16/98 YO897-0686P1
60/109,345 1 1/20/98 YO897-0684P1 Application Filing Date Attorney Docket
EL 025 200 612 US 01/22/99 38398P2
The following further documents are also incorporated herein by reference in their entirety:
IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin IBM Technical Disclosure Bulletin: Vol. 38 _ 08, August 1995, page 17, "Multifunction Credit Card Package," by Brady, Moskowitz, and Murphy (published pseudonymously). Literature Reference
D. Friedman, H. Heinrich, D. Duan, "A low-power CMOS integrated circuit for field-powered radio frequency identification (RFID) tags," 1997 Digest of Technical Papers of the IEEE International Solid-State Circuits Conference (ISSCC), San Francisco, CA, February 1997. PCT" Published International Applications
Application Filing Date Attorney Docket
PCT/GB96/00061 01/15/96 UK 9-94-066 PCT
PCT/EP95/03703 10/20/95 YO994-242 PCT
UK Published Application
Application Filing Date Attorney Docket
9710025.9 05/19/97 YO9-96-084
Field of the Invention The present invention relates generally to radio freguency identification (RFID) systems, and more specifically to RFID transponders for use in RFID systems. Background of the Invention
Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) is becoming an important identification technology in applications such as inventory management, automotive toll debiting, security and personnel identification, factory automation, vehicle identification to name just a few. RFID systems utilize a radio frequency (RF) transmitter-receiver unit (base station or interrogator) to query an RFID transponder or tag located at a distance. The RFID transponder detects the interrogating signal and transmits a response signal comprising encoded data back to the interrogator's receiver. In this manner, RFID systems provide identification functions not found in identification technologies such as optical indicia (e.g., bar code) recognition systems. For example, an RFID system may employ RFID transponders containing read/write memory of up to several kilobytes. Further, several such RFID transponders may be read by a system at one time. These RFID transponders are readable at a distance and do not require direct line-of-sight view by the reading apparatus. When radio frequency integrated circuits such as radio frequency identification integrated circuits (RFID IC) are packaged in plastic packages such as Small Outline Packages (SOP), Miniature Small Outline Packages (MSOP), Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC) packages, and Thin Shrinkable Small Outline Packages (TSSOP), for example, the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are usually degraded due to discontinuities caused by the bonding wiring, materials, and geometry of the package. Further, the overall size of the RFID transponder usually becomes larger than it would be were the RFID IC directly attached to the substrate. As a result, the advantages of using packaged RFID IC's such as robustness, versatility, and availability may be outweighed by the poorer performance and increased size of the RFID transponder. As a result, it would be advantageous to provide improved methods and apparatus for packaging radio frequency integrated circuits (e.g., RFID IC's) and for mounting packaged RFID IC's in RFID transponders so that the RF characteristics of the transponders are optimized and the size of the transponders is reduced.
Summary of the Invention Accordingly, the present invention is directed to novel methods and apparatus for packaging radio frequency integrated circuits (RFIC) and in particular radio frequency identification integrated circuits (RFID IC) and mounting packaged RFID IC's in RFID transponders so that the RF characteristics of the transponders are improved and the size of the transponders is reduced.
An RFID transponder in accordance with a first aspect of the present invention includes an insulating substrate having an aperture formed therein and an antenna circuit (including an antenna and, optionally, impedance matching circuits) formed as an integral part of the substrate. A packaged RFID IC, including one or more leads for coupling the RFID IC to the antenna, is inverted and substantially and operably located within the aperture of the substrate so that the leads extend from the aperture and are coupled to the antenna.
In accordance with a second aspect of the present invention, a radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) chip such as a radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) chip of an RFID transponder is packaged and oriented within a plastic package so that the RF characteristics of the packaged chip are improved. The RFID IC chip may also be packaged and orientated with respect to the antenna so that the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are improved and/or the size (length, width, area, etc.) of the substrate is minimized.
It is to be understood that both the foregoing general description and the following detailed description are exemplary and explanatory only and are not restrictive of the invention claimed. The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of the specification, illustrate an embodiment of the invention and together with the general description, serve to explain the principles of the invention.
Brief Description of the Drawings
The numerous objects and advantages of the present invention may be better understood by those skilled in the art by reference to the accompanying figures in which:
FIG. 1 is a block diagram depicting a typical RFID system; FIG. 2 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a simple dipole antenna; FIG. 3 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a meander dipole antenna; FIG. 4 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 1 ;
FIG. 5 is an isometric view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 1 ; FIG. 6 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a linearly polarized patch antenna;
FIG. 7 is a top plan view of an RFID transponder in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention having a circularly polarized patch antenna;
FIGS. 8 and 9 are top plan views of RFID transponders in accordance with a further exemplary embodiment of the present invention;
FIG. 10 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of the RFID transponder shown in FIG. 6;
FIGS. 1 1 , 12 and 13 are block diagrams illustrating interconnection ofthe RFID IC chip to the leads of a plastic-molded package; and FIG. 14 is a partial cross-sectional side elevational view of a prior art RFID transponder having a packaged RFID IC. Detailed Description of the Invention Reference will now be made in detail to the presently preferred embodiments of the invention, examples of which are illustrated in the accompanying drawings. As used herein in the specification and claims, references to vertical relationships between elements, i.e., top, bottom, up, down, inverted, etc., are relative to the surface of the substrate of the RFID transponder.
Referring now to FIG. 1 , a typical RFID system is shown in which RFID transponders of the present invention may be employed. The RFID system 100 includes an interrogator or base station 112 communicating an RF signal to an RFID transponder 114. The interrogator 112 preferably includes RF transmitter and a receiver sections 116 & 118 for providing two way communication with the RFID transponder 114. The transmitter section 116 preferably includes an RF source 120 and RF amplifier 122 which send RF power to an antenna 124. The transmitter section 116 transmits an RF signal with a transmitter carrier frequency. The transmitter carrier also has a transmitting carrier frequency bandwidth referred to as a transmitting bandwidth. The transmitting bandwidth is preferably wide enough to transmit data at a desired rate. The RFID transponder 114 comprises an antenna 126 and an RFID circuit
128 including an RF processing section (typically referred to as a front end) 130 and a signal processing section 132. The front end 130 can be any known front end design used with an antenna. Examples of front ends are well known. See, for example, the Hewlett Packard "Communications Components GaAs & Silicon Products Designer's Catalog" (i.e., page 2-15) which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. A typical front end is also described in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/790,639 to Duan, et al. filed January 29, 1997 which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. The signal processing section 132 may include logic circuits and memory for processing and storing information.
The present invention provides methods and apparatus for packaging RFID IC's which include the front end and signal processing section of the RFID transponder, and mounting the packaged RFID IC's in RFID transponders so that the RF characteristics of the transponders are improved and the size of the transponders is reduced. Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 10, exemplary RFID transponders in accordance with the present invention are shown. The RFID transponders 200 include an insulating substrate 212 which is preferably formed of a rigid dielectric material such as FR-4 epoxy resin, phenolic, a ceramic, etc., or, alternatively, a flexible material such as polyimide, polyester, or the like. An aperture 214 may be formed in the substrate 212 for receiving a packaged RFID IC 226. The aperture 214 may extend completely through the substrate 212 (e.g., a hole), or, alternatively, only partially through the substrate 212 (e.g., a recess). As shown in FIGS. 2 through 5, the substrate 212 may be rectangular in shape and may have a length (I) and a width (w). However, it should be appreciated that the substrate may have other geometric or irregular shapes (i.e., circular, oval, sguare, triangular, curvilinear, etc.) without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention.
An antenna circuit 216 is integrally formed on the substrate 212. Preferably, the antenna circuit 216 consists of a thin pattern (typically 18 to 35 micron thick) formed of a conductive metal such as copper. This pattern may be formed by plating, adhering or screening a thin layer of copper (or other conductive metal) onto the substrate 212. The layer is then etched to form the desired geometric configuration of the antenna circuit 216.
Depending on the RF properties desired, the antenna circuit 216 of the present invention may employ any of a large number of different antennas having various configurations and geometries (i.e., monopole, dipole, folded dipole, loop, slot, coil, spiral, meander, patch, etc.). For example, as shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a simple dipole antenna consisting of dipole elements or traces 218 & 220. Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 3, the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a meander dipole antenna. Like the simple dipole antenna shown in FIGS. 2 and 5, the meander dipole antenna may also comprise dipole elements or traces 218 & 220. However, the dipole elements 218 & 220 of the meander dipole antenna are bent in a "meander" pattern reducing the antenna's overall length. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a patch antenna including a patch element 254 and a conducting ground plane 256. The conducting ground plane 256 may comprise a layer of conductive metal (e.g., copper) formed (i.e., by plating, adhering or screening, etc.) on the side of the substrate 212 opposite the pattern. The substrate 212 spaces the antenna's radiating element (e.g., patch element 254, or, alternatively, other structures such as dipole elements, etc. (not shown)) from the ground plane 256. It should be recognized that reconfiguration of any of the antenna circuits 216 shown herein, or substitution of other types of antennas by one skilled in the art would not depart from the scope and spirit of the invention.
One or more impedance adjustment elements 220 may likewise be integrally formed on the substrate 212 to modify the impedance of the antenna circuit 216. The impedance adjustment elements 220 may be, for example, lumped circuit elements, distributed microwave circuit elements, or parasitic elements that are electromagnetically coupled to the antenna (i.e., not electrically connected). As shown in FIG. 2, the antenna circuit 216 may, for example, include a tuning stub 222 having a length and width adjusted to tune the impedance of the antenna. The tuning stub 222 acts as a two conductor transmission line and may be terminated either in a short-circuit or open-circuit. A short circuited stub acts as a lumped inductor while an open-circuit stub acts as a lumped capacitor. The magnitude of the reactance of the tuning stub 222 is affected by the stub's length, width, and spacing. Similarly, one or more impedance loading bars 224 may be integrally formed on the substrate 212 adjacent to the antenna in the same manner. The impedance loading bars 224 are electromagnetically coupled to the antenna to modify its impedance. Use of impedance adjustment elements such as tuning stubs and impedance loading bars to adjust the impedance of an antenna is described in detail in U.S. Patent Application Serial No. 08/790,639 to Duan et al., filed January 29, 1997, which is herein incorporated by reference in its entirety. Further, as shown in FIGS. 6 through 9, the antenna circuit 216 may include impedance matching circuits (i.e., microst p lines, or the like) 258 & 260. These circuits 258 & 260 which are connected to the packaged RFID IC 226, may interconnect the RFID IC 226 to the radiating element of the antenna circuit 216 (e.g., impedance matching circuit 260) to carry RF signal and energy from the RFID IC 226 to the antenna (e.g., patch antenna element 254) and/or from the antenna 254 to the RFID IC 226. Preferably, the circuits 260 have a length and width chosen to at least partially match the impedance of the antenna 254 and the RFID IC 226. Referring now to FIGS. 2 through 10, the packaged radio frequency identification integrated circuit (RFID IC) 226 is mounted to the substrate 212 and electrically interconnected to the antenna circuit 216. The packaged RFID IC 226 preferably comprises an RFID IC chip 228 encapsulated within a plastic- molded package 230. The package 230 may be a single in-line package (SIP), dual in-line package, or flat pack package (shown). Typical flat pack IC packages which may be utilized by the present invention include, but are not limited to Small Outline Package (SOP), Miniature Small Outline Package (MSOP), Small Outline Integrated Circuit (SOIC), Plastic Ball Grid Array (PBGA), Thin Quad Flat Pack (TQFP), Low Profile Quad Flat Pack (LQFP), Metric Quad Flat Pack (MQFP), Plastic Quad Flat Pack (PQFP), Plastic Leaded Chip Carrier (PLCC), Thin Shrinkable Small Outline Package (TSSOP), Sh nkable Small Outline Package (SSOP), Quad Small Outline Package (QSOP), Plastic Dual Inline Package (PDIP), SC 70, SC-79, Small Outline Transistor (SOT-23, SOT- 143), and Small Outline Diode (SOD-323) packages. Preferably, the package 230 includes a plurality of external leads or pins 232 which electrically couple the packaged IC 230 to the copper pattern or traces formed on the substrate 212. The leads or pins 232 may be arranged in rows along all four sides 234, 235, 236 & 237 of the package 230 (i.e., a quad-flat-pack package), or, alternatively, only on opposite sides 234 & 236 of the package 230 (i.e., an MSOP, or the like) depending on the type of package 230 employed. The leads 232 may be electrically connected to contacts 238 & 240 on the RFID IC chip 228 via connectors 246 & 248 formed using conventional techniques such as wire bonding or the like (see FIGS. 4 and 10). The leads 232 may then be soldered to the circuit (e.g., antenna circuit 216) formed on the substrate 212 to, for example, connect the contacts 238 & 240 of the RFID IC chip 228 to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., directly to the antenna, or, alternatively, to impedance adjustment elements 220 such as impedance matching circuits 258 & 260).
Packaged RFID IC's have in the past been mounted to a substrate so that the body of the RFID IC package is completely above the upper surface of the substrate. A typical prior art RFID transponder having a flat-pack packaged RFID IC is shown in FIG. 14. The packaged RFID IC 312 of the RFID transponder 300 includes a generally rectangular body 314 having a top surface 316, a bottom surface 318, first and second side surfaces 320 & 322, and first and second end surfaces (not shown). Preferably, the package includes a plurality of leads 324 which extend outwardly from each side surface 320 & 322. The leads 324 may be generally "S" or "Z" shaped in profile so that they extend downwardly past the bottom surface 318 of the RFID IC's body 314. When the RFID IC 312 is mounted to the substrate 326, the leads 324 may be soldered 332 to antenna elements 328 and/or other circuits 330 of substrate 326 so that the body 314 of the RFID IC 312 is supported above the substrate 326 and antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330. The RFID transponder 300 may have a thickness (t) which comprises the combined thicknesses ofthe packaged RFID IC 312, the substrate 326, the antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330 and/or the space between the RFID IC body 314 and the substrate 326 or antenna elements 328 and/or circuits 330, if any. As shown in FIGS. 2 through 10, and particularly in FIGS. 4, 5, and 10, the packaged RFID IC 226 of the RFID transponder 200 may be inverted (compared to the orientation of the RFID IC 314 of the prior art RFID transponder 300 shown in FIG. 8) and substantially located within the aperture 214 of the substrate 212. This orientation reduces the thickness (f) form factor of the RFID transponder 200 by eliminating the space between the RFID IC and the substrate of the prior art RFID transponder (314, 326 & 300 in FIG. 8), and reducing the thickness of the RFID IC 226 by an amount equal to the thickness of the RFID IC 226 contained within the aperture 214 of the substrate 212.
Preferably, the leads 232 of the RFID IC package 230 extend upwardly from the aperture 214 and are coupled to the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits formed on the substrate 212). The leads 232 may be bent (i.e., an MSOP or the like) so that they are somewhat "S" or "Z" shaped and have an end extending over the edge of the aperture 214. Alternatively, the leads 232 may be straight (i.e., a SIP, a DIP, etc., not shown). The leads 232 may support the packaged RFID IC 226 within the aperture 214 and may engage the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits) formed on the substrate 212. Preferably, the leads 232 may be soldered to the antenna circuit 216 (and/or other circuits) to secure the RFID IC 226 to the substrate 212. As shown in FIG. 4, an encapsulant 242 may be applied to secure the packaged RFID IC 226 within the aperture 214 and to protect the lead/circuit connections 244. Referring now to FIGS. 1 1 , 12, and 13, radio frequency integrated circuit
(RFIC) chips such as RFID IC 226 may be packaged and orientated with respect to the antenna circuit 216 so that the RF characteristics of the RFID transponder are optimized. The RFID IC package 230 may be generally rectangular in shape and may have a length (/p) and a width (wp). An RFID IC chip 228 is encapsulated within the package 230. The RFID IC chip 228 includes first and second antenna contacts or pads 238 & 240 (e.g., signal pad and a ground pad) which may be electrically connected to first and second leads 250 & 252 of the package's lead frame via connectors such as wire bonds 246 & 248. Preferably, the wire bonds 246 & 248 are formed via conventional wire bonding methods. As shown in FIGS. 2, 8 and 11 , the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 of the packaged
RFID IC 226 may extend from the first side 234 of the package 230. The first lead 250 may be connected to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., dipole element 218 shown in FIG. 2, or, alternatively, impedance matching circuit 258 shown in FIG. 8). Similarly, a second lead (Pin 8) 252 may extend from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first, where it may likewise be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., dipole element 220 shown in FIG. 2, or, alternatively, impedance matching circuit 260 shown in FIG. 8).
Alternatively, as shown in FIGS. 3, 9, and 12, the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 may both be on the same side 234 of the package 230 where they may be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., the first lead 250 may be connected to the dipole antenna element 218 and the second lead 248 may be attached to the dipole antenna element 220 as shown in FIG. 3, or the first lead 250 may be attached to impedance matching element 258 and the second lead 252 may be attached to impedance matching element 260 as shown in FIG. 9). Alternatively, as shown in FIG. 6, 7, and 13, the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 may extend from a first side 234 of the package 230. The first lead 250 may be connected to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., impedance matching circuits 260 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Similarly, the second lead (Pin 16) 252 may extend from a second side 235 of the package 230 where it may be attached to the antenna circuit 216 (i.e., impedance matching circuits 258 shown in FIGS. 6 and 7). Preferably, the first and second sides 234 & 235 form a corner of the package 230. The first and second leads 250 & 252 may be positioned one on each side of the corner at a substantially right angle to each other.
It should be appreciated that in accordance with the second aspect of the invention, packaged RFID IC's may be mounted in the inverted fashion in accordance with the first aspect of the present invention shown in FIGS. 2, 3 and 6, or, alternatively in the conventional manner (so that body of the RFID IC package is completely above the upper surface of the substrate of the RFID transponder) as shown in FIG. 14. Because the frequency of an RFID system (i.e., RFID system 100 shown in FIG. 1 ) is typically very high so that the wavelength is very short (i.e., within the microwave range), it is desirable to maximize coupling of external RF energy into the RFID IC chip 228 (especially were the RFID transponder 200 is passive). The introduction of any discontinuity in the line connecting the antenna circuit 216 and antenna contacts 238 & 240 will cause a change in signal strength or attenuation which will change the function of the RFID IC chip 228 and performance of the RFID transponder 200. Consequently, the lines (e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248) interconnecting the antenna circuit 216 and antenna contacts 238 & 240 are preferably symmetrical, short in length, and have very few discontinuities so coupling of the RF signal into the RFID IC chip 228 is maximized.
The arrangement and orientation of the RFID IC chip 228, package 230, and wire bonds 246 & 248 in accordance with the present invention as shown in FIGS. 11 , 12, and 13 result in less discontinuity in the interconnection, which reduces the amount of reflections and spurious radiations, improving the radiation efficiency when connected to an antenna and reducing the mismatch loss and radiation loss when connected to a circuit. The RFID IC chip 228 is preferably oriented within the package 230 so each of the antenna contacts 238 & 240 is substantially adjacent to the lead 250 & 252 to which it is bonded. This orientation allows the package 230 to have a shorter, smoother wire bonds connecting the contacts 238 & 240 to the leads 250 & 252. Shorter wire bonds 246 & 248 are desirable because the lengths of the wire bonds 246 & 248 and leads 250 & 252 contribute to the inductance of the antenna circuit 216. Further, when added together, impedance contributed by the wire bonds 246 & 248 and leads 250 & 252 may become a significant portion of the antenna circuit's total impedance. Preferably, the orientation also allows the wire bonds 246 & 248 to have similar lengths.
The lines (e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248) interconnecting the RFID IC 228 to the antenna circuit 216 preferably have similar cross-sections, and good conductivity (i.e., are not resistive). In this manner, a smoother transition is provided for the RF wave (e.g., microwave) between the antenna circuit 216 and the antenna contacts 238 & 240 thereby providing improved RF characteristics.
Orientation of the RFID IC 228, package 230, and wire bonds 246 & 248 in accordance with the present invention also prevents crossover, bending or kinking of the wire bonds 246 & 248. Crossovers introduce cross-talk and additional parasitic capacitance or inductance which may degrade performance of the RFID transponder 200. Bending or kinking introduces discontinuities in the RF wave (e.g., microwave) structure. Such discontinuities are sources of leakage, radiation loss, etc. which reduce the efficiency of the RFID transponder 200. For passive RFID transponders 200, wherein the transponder 200 does not have its own power source, the RFID IC 228 collects power from the RF field via the antenna circuit 216. Thus, the efficiency of the lines (e.g., leads 250 & 252 and wire bonds 246 & 248) transmitting RF power between the antenna circuit 216 and the RFID IC 228 helps prevent a reduction in power available to the RFID IC 228. The orientation of the RFID IC 228, package 230, and wire bonds 246 &
248 may also allow the size (e.g., length (/), width (w), or total area) of the substrate 212 of the RFID transponder 200 to be minimized. How the packaged RFID IC 226 is oriented on the substrate 226 is a function of the size and shape of the package 230 (i.e., whether lp > wp, lp < wp, or lp = wp), the dimension (i.e., length (/), width (w), or overall area) of the substrate 212 to be minimized, and the position and orientation of the packaged RFID IC 226 on the substrate. For example, as shown in FIGS. 2, 5 and 11 , the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a simple dipole antenna which includes a first dipole element 218 and a second dipole element 220 formed on the surface of the substrate 212 on each side of the packaged RFID IC 226. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 1 1 , the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 extends from the first side 234 of the package 230 and is connected to the first antenna circuit element 218 while the second lead (Pin 8) 252 extends from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first and is attached to the second antenna circuit element 220. This allows the package 230 to be positioned on the substrate 212 so that the length (/p) of the package 230 is perpendicular to the dipole elements 218 & 220 of the antenna circuit 216, and the length (/) of the substrate 212 while the width (wp) of the package 230 is parallel to the dipole elements 218 & 220 and width (w) of the substrate 212. Thus, referring to FIGS. 2 and 5, wherein the package's width (wp) is shorter than its length (/p), the length (/) of the substrate 212 may be reduced. Alternately, wherein the package's width (wp) is longer than its length (/p), the width (w) ofthe substrate 212 may be reduced.
Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 3 and 12, the antenna circuit 216 may comprise a meander dipole antenna which includes a first dipole element 218 and a second dipole element 220 formed on the surface of the substrate 212 adjacent to the packaged RFID IC 226. Preferably, as shown in FIG. 12, the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 are both located on the same side 234 of the package 230. The first lead 246 may be connected to the first dipole element 218, and the second lead 248 attached to the second dipole element 220. This allows the package 230 to be positioned on the substrate 212 so that the length (/p) of the package 230 is parallel to the longitudinal length of the antenna 216 and length (/) of the substrate 212 while the width (wp) of the package 230 is perpendicular to the longitudinal length of the antenna 216 and width (w) of the substrate 212. Thus, wherein the package's width (tvp) is longer than its length (/p), the length (/) of the substrate 212 may be reduced. Alternately, wherein the package's width (wp) is shorter than its length (lp), the width (w) of the substrate 212 may be reduced.
Turning now to FIGS. 6, 7, 8 and 9, the antenna circuit 216 may further comprise a patch antenna including a patch element 254, one or more impedance matching circuits 258 & 260, and a conducting ground plane 256. The patch antenna may be a linearly polarized patch antenna as shown in FIGS. 6, 8, and 9, or, as shown in FIG. 7, a circularly polarized patch antenna. As shown in FIGS. 6, 7 and 13, the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 and second lead (Pin 16) 252 may be arranged at a right angle to each other at a corner of the package 230. Similarly, as shown in FIGS. 8 and 11 , the first lead (Pin 1 ) 250 may extend from the first side 234 of the package 230 while the second lead (Pin 8) 252 extends from the second side 236 of the package 230 opposite the first. Further, as shown in FIGS. 9 and 12, the first lead (Pin 2) 246 and the second lead (Pin 3) 248 are both located on the same side 234 of the package 230. By altering the lead (pin) 232 arrangement in this manner, the packaged RFID IC 226 may be oriented and mounted on the substrate 212 and bonded to the antenna circuit 216 to provide a smoother transition for the RF wave (e.g., microwave) between the antenna and the RFID IC 226 and/or to reduce or minimize the surface area of the RFID transponder 200.
Various modifications may be made in and to the above described embodiments without departing from the spirit and scope of the invention. For example, modifications and changes may be made in the configuration of the RFID IC, the placement of the RFID IC on the substrate, the antenna circuit geometry, substrate material, package material, or package geometry. Further, use of the RFID transponder is directed to a wide variety of applications including, but not limited to, airline baggage (i.e., luggage, freight, and mail), postal service, manufacturing, inventory control, personnel security, and the like.
It is believed that the present invention and many of its attendant advantages will be understood by the foregoing description, and it will be apparent that various changes may be made in the form, construction and arrangement of the components thereof without departing from the scope and spirit of the invention or without sacrificing all of its material advantages. The form herein before described being merely an explanatory embodiment thereof, it is the intention of the following claims to encompass and include such changes.

Claims

Claims What is claimed is:
1. A packaged radio frequency circuit, comprising: a lead frame package having at least one lead for coupling the packaged radio frequency circuit to an antenna circuit; a radio frequency circuit chip contained within said lead frame package, said circuit chip including an antenna contact; and a connector electrically connecting the antenna contact and lead; wherein the antenna contact is oriented with respect to the lead so that said connector increases coupling of radio frequency energy received by the antenna circuit into said radio frequency circuit chip.
2. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said radio frequency circuit chip comprises a radio frequency identification integrated circuit chip.
3. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 1 , wherein the lead and said connector have similar cross-sections to provide a smooth transition of a radio frequency wave to the antenna contact.
4. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said connector is a wire bond.
5. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 1 , wherein said package includes a second lead and said radio frequency circuit chip includes a second antenna contact, and wherein the packaged radio frequency circuit comprises a second connector disposed within said package for interconnecting the second lead and the second antenna contact.
6. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein said radio frequency circuit chip and connectors are oriented within said package so that coupling of a radio frequency signal into the radio frequency circuit chip is increased.
7. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of said package and the second lead extends from a second side of said package opposite the first side.
8. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first and second leads extend from the same side of said package.
9. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of said package and the second lead extends from a second side of said package, and wherein the first and second leads are positioned one on each side of a corner of the package at a substantially right angle to each other.
10. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 5, wherein the leads and said connectors have similar cross-sections to provide a smooth transition of a radio frequency wave to the antenna contact.
1 1 . The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 3, wherein said connectors are wire bonds.
12. A radio frequency identification transponder, comprising: an insulating substrate; an antenna circuit formed as an integral part of said substrate, said antenna circuit including an antenna; and a packaged radio frequency identification integrated circuit further comprising: a lead frame package having at least one lead for coupling the packaged radio frequency circuit to said antenna circuit; a radio frequency circuit chip contained within said lead frame package, said circuit chip including an antenna contact; and a connector connecting the antenna contact and lead; wherein the antenna contact is oriented with respect to the lead so that said connector increases coupling of radio frequency energy received by the antenna into said radio frequency circuit chip.
13. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the radio frequency circuit chip and connector are oriented within the package so that coupling of a radio frequency signal from the antenna into the circuit chip is optimized.
14. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 13, wherein the lead and connector have similar cross-sections to provide a smooth transition of a radio frequency wave from the antenna to the antenna contact of the radio frequency circuit chip.
15. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the connector is a wire bond.
16. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the package includes a second lead and said radio frequency circuit chip includes a second antenna contact positioned adjacent to the second lead, and wherein the packaged radio frequency identification integrated circuit comprises a second connector disposed within said package for interconnecting the second lead and the second antenna contact.
17. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the radio frequency circuit chip and connectors are oriented within the package so that coupling of a radio frequency signal from the antenna into the circuit chip is increased.
18. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of the package and the second lead extends from a second side of the package opposite the first side of the package.
19. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first and second leads extend from the same side of the package.
20. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of the package and second lead extends from a second side of the package, and wherein the first and second leads are positioned one on each side of a corner of the package at a substantially right angle to each other.
21. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 16, wherein the leads and connectors have similar cross-sections to provide a smooth transition of a radio frequency wave from the antenna to the antenna contact of the radio frequency circuit chip.
22. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein the connectors are wire bonds.
23. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein said radio frequency circuit chip is oriented on said substrate so that the surface area of said substrate is minimized.
24. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein said substrate includes an aperture, and wherein said packaged radio frequency integrated circuit is substantially and operably located within the aperture so that the lead extends from the aperture and is interconnected to said antenna circuit.
25. The radio frequency identification transponder in accordance with claim 12, wherein said packaged radio frequency integrated circuit is oriented on the substrate so that coupling of a radio frequency signal from the antenna into the radio frequency circuit chip is increased.
26. A packaged radio frequency circuit, comprising: a lead frame package having first and second leads for coupling the packaged radio frequency circuit to an antenna circuit; a radio frequency circuit chip contained within said lead frame package, said radio frequency circuit chip including first and second antenna contacts; a first connector connecting the first antenna contact to the first lead; a second connector connecting the second antenna contact to the second lead; wherein the first antenna contact is oriented with respect to the first lead and the second antenna contact is orientated with respect to the second lead so that the first and second antenna contacts, the first and second connectors and the first and second leads maximize coupling of radio frequency energy received by the antenna into the radio frequency circuit chip.
27. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 26, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of said package and the second lead extends from a second side of said package opposite the first side.
28. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 26, wherein the first and second leads extend from the same side of said package.
29. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 26, wherein the first lead extends from a first side of said package and the second lead extends from a second side of said package, and wherein the first and second leads are positioned one on each side of a corner of the package at a substantially right angle to each other.
30. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 26, wherein the leads and said connectors have similar cross-sections to provide a smooth transition of a radio frequency wave to the antenna contact.
31. The packaged radio frequency circuit in accordance with claim 26, wherein said connectors are wire bonds.
PCT/US2000/002042 1999-01-22 2000-01-21 Rfid transponder WO2000043952A1 (en)

Applications Claiming Priority (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
US23524399A 1999-01-22 1999-01-22
US09/235,243 1999-01-22

Publications (1)

Publication Number Publication Date
WO2000043952A1 true WO2000043952A1 (en) 2000-07-27

Family

ID=22884700

Family Applications (1)

Application Number Title Priority Date Filing Date
PCT/US2000/002042 WO2000043952A1 (en) 1999-01-22 2000-01-21 Rfid transponder

Country Status (1)

Country Link
WO (1) WO2000043952A1 (en)

Cited By (25)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
WO2004093249A1 (en) 2003-04-10 2004-10-28 Avery Dennison Corporation Rfid devices having self-compensating antennas and conductive shields
WO2004093243A2 (en) * 2003-04-10 2004-10-28 Avery Dennison Corporation Self-compensating antennas for substrates having differing dielectric constant values
WO2005048476A1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2005-05-26 Trolley Scan (Proprietary) Limited Radio frequency transponder with electrically short uhf antenna
WO2005054030A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-16 Ansaldo Segnalamento Ferroviario S.P.A. Railway beacon and related production method
US6914562B2 (en) 2003-04-10 2005-07-05 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID tag using a surface insensitive antenna structure
US7055754B2 (en) 2003-11-03 2006-06-06 Avery Dennison Corporation Self-compensating antennas for substrates having differing dielectric constant values
DE102005018803A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Mühlbauer Ag Transponder for ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification system, has dipole antenna conductor section having two parts with two sets of regions joined by conductive adhesives and made of low-impedance and high-impedance materials
EP1724714A2 (en) * 2005-05-13 2006-11-22 NRC International Inc. Patch antenna for RFID tag
WO2007000578A2 (en) 2005-06-25 2007-01-04 Omni-Id Limited Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
EP1887653A1 (en) * 2006-08-09 2008-02-13 Fujitsu Ltd. RFID tag and manufacturing method thereof
US7755484B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2010-07-13 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID tag and method of manufacturing the same
US7760104B2 (en) 2005-04-08 2010-07-20 Entegris, Inc. Identification tag for fluid containment drum
US7880619B2 (en) 2006-06-16 2011-02-01 Omni-Id Limited Electromagnetic enhancement and decoupling
US7937241B2 (en) 2007-04-23 2011-05-03 Grammer Ag Method and device for analyzing the effects of the vibrations of a vehicle acting on a person
US7958783B2 (en) 2007-04-23 2011-06-14 Grammer Ag Method and device for analyzing the effects of the vibrations of a vehicle transmitted to a person
US8684705B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-04-01 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for controlling operation of a pump based on filter information in a filter information tag
US8727744B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-05-20 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for optimizing operation of a pump
US8753097B2 (en) 2005-11-21 2014-06-17 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for high viscosity pump
US20150028517A1 (en) * 2008-09-25 2015-01-29 Contitech Luftfedersysteme Gmbh Identification device for a pneumatic spring
US9115781B2 (en) 2009-01-21 2015-08-25 Grammar Ag Device for springing a mass, and method for adjusting and/or operating a fluid spring
US9297374B2 (en) 2010-10-20 2016-03-29 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for pump priming
RU173877U1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2017-09-15 Олег Николаевич Гашников RFID REGISTRATION LABEL
RU2654081C1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2018-05-16 Олег Николаевич Гашников Rfid tag of registration mark
JP2020080487A (en) * 2018-11-13 2020-05-28 Ｎｅｃプラットフォームズ株式会社 Antenna, wireless communication equipment and antenna formation method
US11705617B2 (en) 2019-12-04 2023-07-18 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Pad structures for antennas that allow multiple orientations with RFID straps

Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0682321A2 (en) * 1994-05-11 1995-11-15 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Record carrier with integrated circuit
DE4431754C1 (en) * 1994-09-06 1995-11-23 Siemens Ag Carrier element for ic module of chip card
EP0756244A2 (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-01-29 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Electronic unit and method of producing that unit
DE19703057A1 (en) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Siemens Ag Carrier element for semiconductor chip esp. for combination chip card

Patent Citations (4)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP0682321A2 (en) * 1994-05-11 1995-11-15 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Record carrier with integrated circuit
DE4431754C1 (en) * 1994-09-06 1995-11-23 Siemens Ag Carrier element for ic module of chip card
EP0756244A2 (en) * 1995-07-26 1997-01-29 Giesecke & Devrient GmbH Electronic unit and method of producing that unit
DE19703057A1 (en) * 1996-12-20 1998-07-02 Siemens Ag Carrier element for semiconductor chip esp. for combination chip card

Cited By (43)

* Cited by examiner, † Cited by third party
Publication number Priority date Publication date Assignee Title
EP2309597A1 (en) * 2003-04-10 2011-04-13 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID devices having self-compensating antennas and conductive shields
WO2004093243A2 (en) * 2003-04-10 2004-10-28 Avery Dennison Corporation Self-compensating antennas for substrates having differing dielectric constant values
WO2004093243A3 (en) * 2003-04-10 2005-01-20 Avery Dennison Corp Self-compensating antennas for substrates having differing dielectric constant values
WO2004093249A1 (en) 2003-04-10 2004-10-28 Avery Dennison Corporation Rfid devices having self-compensating antennas and conductive shields
US6914562B2 (en) 2003-04-10 2005-07-05 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID tag using a surface insensitive antenna structure
US7055754B2 (en) 2003-11-03 2006-06-06 Avery Dennison Corporation Self-compensating antennas for substrates having differing dielectric constant values
WO2005048476A1 (en) * 2003-11-14 2005-05-26 Trolley Scan (Proprietary) Limited Radio frequency transponder with electrically short uhf antenna
WO2005054030A1 (en) * 2003-12-05 2005-06-16 Ansaldo Segnalamento Ferroviario S.P.A. Railway beacon and related production method
MD20060180A (en) * 2003-12-05 2006-11-30 Ansaldo Segnalamento Ferroviario S.P.A. Railway beacon and process for manufacturing thereof
AU2004294404B2 (en) * 2003-12-05 2009-04-02 Ansaldo Sts S.P.A. Railway beacon and related production method
US7639160B2 (en) 2003-12-05 2009-12-29 Ansaldo Sts S.P.A. Railway beacon and related production method
MD40Z (en) * 2003-12-05 2010-01-31 Ansaldo Segnalamento Ferroviario S.P.A. Railway beacon and process for manufacturing thereof
US7755484B2 (en) 2004-02-12 2010-07-13 Avery Dennison Corporation RFID tag and method of manufacturing the same
US8464499B2 (en) 2005-04-08 2013-06-18 Entegris, Inc. Method of filling a drum having an RFID identification tag
US7760104B2 (en) 2005-04-08 2010-07-20 Entegris, Inc. Identification tag for fluid containment drum
DE102005018803A1 (en) * 2005-04-22 2006-10-26 Mühlbauer Ag Transponder for ultra-high frequency radio frequency identification system, has dipole antenna conductor section having two parts with two sets of regions joined by conductive adhesives and made of low-impedance and high-impedance materials
EP1724714A2 (en) * 2005-05-13 2006-11-22 NRC International Inc. Patch antenna for RFID tag
EP1724714A3 (en) * 2005-05-13 2006-12-13 NRC International Inc. Patch antenna for RFID tag
US7605706B2 (en) 2005-05-13 2009-10-20 The Kennedy Group, Inc. Patch antenna for RFID tag
US7768400B2 (en) 2005-06-25 2010-08-03 Omni-Id Limited Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
WO2007000578A2 (en) 2005-06-25 2007-01-04 Omni-Id Limited Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
WO2007000578A3 (en) * 2005-06-25 2007-03-22 Qinetiq Ltd Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
US9646241B2 (en) 2005-06-25 2017-05-09 Omni-Id Cayman Limited Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
US9104952B2 (en) 2005-06-25 2015-08-11 Omni-Id Cayman Limited Electromagnetic radiation decoupler
US8753097B2 (en) 2005-11-21 2014-06-17 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for high viscosity pump
US7880619B2 (en) 2006-06-16 2011-02-01 Omni-Id Limited Electromagnetic enhancement and decoupling
US8022878B2 (en) 2006-08-09 2011-09-20 Fujitsu Limited RFID tag and manufacturing method thereof
US8462052B2 (en) 2006-08-09 2013-06-11 Fujitsu Limited RFID tag and manufacturing method thereof
EP1887653A1 (en) * 2006-08-09 2008-02-13 Fujitsu Ltd. RFID tag and manufacturing method thereof
US7937241B2 (en) 2007-04-23 2011-05-03 Grammer Ag Method and device for analyzing the effects of the vibrations of a vehicle acting on a person
US7958783B2 (en) 2007-04-23 2011-06-14 Grammer Ag Method and device for analyzing the effects of the vibrations of a vehicle transmitted to a person
US9833947B2 (en) * 2008-09-25 2017-12-05 Contitech Luftfedersysteme Gmbh Method for making an air spring member
US20150028517A1 (en) * 2008-09-25 2015-01-29 Contitech Luftfedersysteme Gmbh Identification device for a pneumatic spring
US9115781B2 (en) 2009-01-21 2015-08-25 Grammar Ag Device for springing a mass, and method for adjusting and/or operating a fluid spring
US9354637B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2016-05-31 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for controlling operation of a pump based on filter information in a filter information tag
US8727744B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-05-20 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for optimizing operation of a pump
US8684705B2 (en) 2010-02-26 2014-04-01 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for controlling operation of a pump based on filter information in a filter information tag
US9297374B2 (en) 2010-10-20 2016-03-29 Entegris, Inc. Method and system for pump priming
RU173877U1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2017-09-15 Олег Николаевич Гашников RFID REGISTRATION LABEL
RU2654081C1 (en) * 2016-12-05 2018-05-16 Олег Николаевич Гашников Rfid tag of registration mark
JP2020080487A (en) * 2018-11-13 2020-05-28 Ｎｅｃプラットフォームズ株式会社 Antenna, wireless communication equipment and antenna formation method
JP7014425B2 (en) 2018-11-13 2022-02-15 Ｎｅｃプラットフォームズ株式会社 Antenna, wireless communication equipment and antenna forming method
US11705617B2 (en) 2019-12-04 2023-07-18 Avery Dennison Retail Information Services, Llc Pad structures for antennas that allow multiple orientations with RFID straps

Similar Documents

Publication Publication Date Title
WO2000043952A1 (en) Rfid transponder
WO2000021030A1 (en) Rfid transponder having improved rf characteristics
US6249227B1 (en) RFID integrated in electronic assets
CN102668241B (en) Rfid system
EP2618426B1 (en) Reader/writer antenna module and antenna device
US6518885B1 (en) Ultra-thin outline package for integrated circuit
US8081125B2 (en) Antenna and radio IC device
US8797148B2 (en) Radio frequency IC device and radio communication system
US6215402B1 (en) Radio frequency identification transponder employing patch antenna
US6320509B1 (en) Radio frequency identification transponder having a high gain antenna configuration
US8179333B2 (en) Antennas using chip-package interconnections for millimeter-wave wireless communication
JP5024372B2 (en) Wireless IC device
EP2071495B1 (en) Wireless ic device
KR101062124B1 (en) Wireless IC devices
US20080198082A1 (en) Antenna Diversity System and Slot Antenna Component
US9864943B2 (en) Wireless communication device
WO2000021031A1 (en) Rfid tag having dipole over ground plane antenna
JPWO2009011376A1 (en) Wireless IC device
US6404644B1 (en) Non-contact IC card
CN102187518B (en) Antenna and wireless ic device
US20060214271A1 (en) Device and applications for passive RF components in leadframes
EP2278533B1 (en) RFID tag
CN114861850B (en) Electronic label
US7573425B2 (en) Antenna for radio frequency identification RFID tags
CN218525735U (en) Electronic device

Legal Events

Date Code Title Description
AK Designated states

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): JP

AL Designated countries for regional patents

Kind code of ref document: A1

Designated state(s): AT BE CH CY DE DK ES FI FR GB GR IE IT LU MC NL PT SE

121 Ep: the epo has been informed by wipo that ep was designated in this application
DFPE Request for preliminary examination filed prior to expiration of 19th month from priority date (pct application filed before 20040101)
122 Ep: pct application non-entry in european phase