Multi-layer antenna
First Claim
1. A transaction processing device for engaging in near-field communications (NFC) with a wireless transaction device, comprising:
- a processing unit configured to output a NFC source signal at two NFC source signal outputs of the processing unit;
NFC transmit circuitry coupled to the processing unit to receive the NFC source signal, wherein the NFC transmit circuitry comprises matching circuitry and filtering circuitry, and wherein the NFC transmit circuitry outputs a transmit signal from two NFC transmit terminals based on the NFC source signal, the matching circuitry, and the filtering circuitry;
a flexible circuit board having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are opposite each other and parallel to each other;
an antenna coupled to the two NFC transmit terminals to transmit the transmit signal, comprising;
a first antenna terminal coupled to a first NFC transmit terminal of the two NFC transmit terminals;
a second antenna terminal coupled to a second NFC transmit terminal of the two NFC transmit terminals;
a top antenna portion located on the top surface of the flexible circuit board, wherein the top antenna portion has a first top end that is coupled to the first antenna terminal and a second top end, wherein the top antenna portion comprises a first circuit path between the first top end and the second top end, the first circuit path having a single loop and a substantially rectangular shape;
a through connection coupled to second top end of the top antenna portion, and wherein the through connection provides a series connection from the second top end to the bottom surface; and
a bottom antenna portion located on the bottom surface of the flexible circuit board, wherein the bottom antenna portion has a first bottom end that is coupled to the through connection and a second bottom end coupled to the second antenna terminal, wherein the bottom antenna portion comprises a second circuit path between the first bottom end and the second bottom end, wherein the shape of the second circuit path is substantially identical to the shape of the first circuit path, and wherein the second circuit path is substantially aligned with the first circuit path.
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0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A multi-layer antenna for near-field communications can have a first layer on a top surface of flexible circuit board and a second layer on a bottom surface of the flexible circuit board. The first layer and the second layer can be connected in series by a through connection in the flexible circuit board. The first layer can incorporate a single loop in the shape of a rectangle and the second layer can incorporate a single loop in the shape of a rectangle. The second layer of the antenna can be vertically aligned with the first layer of the antenna and can have current flow in the same direction as the first layer to provide for an increased magnetic flux from the antenna.
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Citations
26 Claims
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1. A transaction processing device for engaging in near-field communications (NFC) with a wireless transaction device, comprising:
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a processing unit configured to output a NFC source signal at two NFC source signal outputs of the processing unit; NFC transmit circuitry coupled to the processing unit to receive the NFC source signal, wherein the NFC transmit circuitry comprises matching circuitry and filtering circuitry, and wherein the NFC transmit circuitry outputs a transmit signal from two NFC transmit terminals based on the NFC source signal, the matching circuitry, and the filtering circuitry; a flexible circuit board having a top surface and a bottom surface, wherein the top surface and the bottom surface are opposite each other and parallel to each other; an antenna coupled to the two NFC transmit terminals to transmit the transmit signal, comprising; a first antenna terminal coupled to a first NFC transmit terminal of the two NFC transmit terminals; a second antenna terminal coupled to a second NFC transmit terminal of the two NFC transmit terminals; a top antenna portion located on the top surface of the flexible circuit board, wherein the top antenna portion has a first top end that is coupled to the first antenna terminal and a second top end, wherein the top antenna portion comprises a first circuit path between the first top end and the second top end, the first circuit path having a single loop and a substantially rectangular shape; a through connection coupled to second top end of the top antenna portion, and wherein the through connection provides a series connection from the second top end to the bottom surface; and a bottom antenna portion located on the bottom surface of the flexible circuit board, wherein the bottom antenna portion has a first bottom end that is coupled to the through connection and a second bottom end coupled to the second antenna terminal, wherein the bottom antenna portion comprises a second circuit path between the first bottom end and the second bottom end, wherein the shape of the second circuit path is substantially identical to the shape of the first circuit path, and wherein the second circuit path is substantially aligned with the first circuit path. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4)
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5. An antenna for a near-field communication (NFC) device, comprising:
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a substrate having a first surface and a second surface opposite the first surface; a first terminal and a second terminal configured to receive a signal for transmission by the antenna; a first circuit path connected to the first terminal, the first circuit path positioned on the first surface of the substrate and having a predetermined shape; a second circuit path connected to the second terminal, the second circuit path positioned on the second surface of the substrate and having the predetermined shape, wherein the second circuit path substantially overlaps the first circuit path on a portion of the second surface that is opposite the first circuit path; and a through connection positioned in the substrate and extending from the first surface to the second surface, the through connection connected to the first circuit path on the first surface and connected to the second circuit path on the second surface to connect the first circuit path and the second circuit path in series to cause a current to pass through the first circuit path and the second circuit path in the same direction of current flow. - View Dependent Claims (6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18)
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19. A method for transmitting a near-field communications (NFC) signal, comprising:
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receiving a NFC source signal from a processing unit; modifying the NFC source signal with NFC transmit circuitry to generate a transmit signal; transmitting the transmit signal from the NFC transmit circuitry with an antenna, the antenna comprising a substrate with a first circuit path positioned on a first surface of the substrate and a second circuit path positioned in substantial alignment with the first circuit path on a second surface of the substrate opposite the first surface, the first circuit path being connected in series with the second circuit path via a through connection; and increasing a magnetic flux of the transmitted signal by flowing current in a substantially similar direction through both the first circuit path and the second circuit path. - View Dependent Claims (20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26)
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Specification