Current-mode receivers for induction-based communication and related methods
First Claim
1. A method comprising:
- generating a current with a transmitter of an integrated circuit (IC) and coupling the current to an inductor via an input/output (I/O) terminal of the IC; and
sensing information received at the IC through the inductor by sensing a variation in impedance seen at the I/O terminal, wherein sensing the variation in impedance comprises;
sensing the current coupled to the inductor;
converting the sensed current into a voltage; and
sensing a variation in the voltage with a receiver.
2 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A transceiver for use in induction-based communication protocols, such as radio-frequency identification (RFID) and near field communication (NFC), is described. The transceiver may be arranged such that the transmitter and the receiver share a common input/output (I/O) terminal. The transceiver may be configured to interrogate a transponder to which it is inductively coupled, and to wait for the transponder'"'"'s response. Data transmitted back by the transponder may be detected by sensing an impedance modulation at the I/O terminal or at a node whose impedance varies with the I/O terminal. The impedance modulation may be sensed by allowing a current to be modulated by the impedance variation and by converting the current into a voltage. The corresponding voltage modulation may be sensed by a receiver.
5 Citations
20 Claims
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1. A method comprising:
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generating a current with a transmitter of an integrated circuit (IC) and coupling the current to an inductor via an input/output (I/O) terminal of the IC; and sensing information received at the IC through the inductor by sensing a variation in impedance seen at the I/O terminal, wherein sensing the variation in impedance comprises; sensing the current coupled to the inductor; converting the sensed current into a voltage; and sensing a variation in the voltage with a receiver. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6)
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7. An apparatus comprising:
an integrated circuit (IC) comprising; a transmitter; a receiver; an input/output (I/O) terminal connected to the transmitter and configured to be coupled to an inductor; a current sensor configured to; sense a current of the transmitter; convert the sensed current into a voltage; and provide the voltage to the receiver; wherein the current is modulated by a variation in impedance seen at the I/O terminal. - View Dependent Claims (8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. An electronic device configured to receive, via load modulation, data from a complimentary electronic device magnetically coupled to the electronic device, the electronic device comprising:
an integrated circuit (IC) comprising; a transmitter; a receiver; an input/output (I/O) terminal connected to the transmitter and configured to be coupled to an inductor; and a current-to-voltage converter coupled to an output of the transmitter at the I/O terminal and to an input of the receiver. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19, 20)
Specification