ANTENNA SYSTEM FOR NEAR-FIELD MAGNETIC INDUCTION WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS

• US 20170263376A1
• Filed: 03/14/2016
• Published: 09/14/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 03/14/2016
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Original Assignee: NXP B.V. (NXP Semiconductors NV)
• Inventors: Verschueren, Pieter, Kerselaers, Anthony
• Granted Patent: US 10,546,686 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 2038/143 for signals
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/2823 Wires H01F27/2866 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 27/325 Coil bobbins formers for coils in general H01F5/02
• CPC Class Codes: H01F 38/14 Inductive couplings for wireless supply or distribution of electric power using inductive coupling H02J50/10
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/273 Adaptation for carrying or wearing by persons or animals
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/44 using equipment having another main function to serve additionally as an antenna , e.g. means for giving an antenna an aesthetic aspectH01Q1/27 - H01Q1/34 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/005 with variable reactance for tuning the antenna
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/08 Ferrite rod or like elongated core
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/79 for data transfer in combination with power transfer
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2225/51 Aspects of antennas or their circuitry in or for hearing aids

Abstract

An antenna system is provided that is capable of transmitting and receiving using near-field magnetic induction (NFMI). The antenna system includes a non-magnetic metallic core, a ferrite shield, and at least one electrically conducting winding. The ferrite shield is positioned between the non-magnetic metallic core and the electrically conducting winding. The non-magnetic metallic core may be a battery. The ferrite material forms a low impedance path for the magnetic field lines and increases inductance, thus providing increased energy efficiency and transmission quality. The antenna system is suitable for use in space constrained battery powered devices, such as hear instruments including hearing aids and earbuds.

Claims

1. An antenna system comprising:

a non-magnetic metallic core;

a ferrite material covering at least a portion of the non-magnetic metallic core; and

an electrical conductor disposed around the non-magnetic metallic core and ferrite material.

2. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic metallic core is a battery.

3. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the non-magnetic metallic core is cylindrical shaped and the ferrite material covers only a side of the non-magnetic metallic core.

4. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the ferrite material comprises a ferrite sheet.

5. The antenna system of claim 4, wherein the ferrite sheet includes an adhesive on one side for adhering to the non-magnetic metallic core.

6. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the ferrite material is applied as a coating comprising ferrite particles in suspension.

7. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the antenna is for communicating electrical energy using near-field magnetic induction.

8. The antenna system of claim 7, wherein a carrier frequency for communicating the signals is about 10.6 Mega Hertz (MHz).

9. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is an insulated copper wire.

10. The antenna system of claim 1, wherein the electrical conductor is a conductive trace on a flexible printed circuit board.

11. An antenna for use in a near-field magnetic induction communication system, the antenna comprising:

a ferrite material covering at least a portion of a battery, the battery being used for powering at least a portion of the communication system; and

an electrical conductor disposed around the battery and the ferrite material in a predetermined number of loops.

12. The antenna of claim 11, wherein the ferrite material comprises a ferrite sheet.

13. The antenna of claim 11, wherein the communication system provides wireless signal transmission between the earbuds of a pair of earbuds.

14. The antenna of claim 11, wherein the ferrite material comprises a sheet of ferrite material.

15. The antenna of claim 14, wherein the ferrite sheet includes an adhesive on one side for adhering to the non-magnetic metallic core.

16. The antenna of claim 11, wherein a carrier frequency for communication system is about 10.6 Mega Hertz (MHz).

17. An antenna for use in a battery powered near-field magnetic induction wireless communication system, the antenna comprising:

a magnetic material covering at least a portion of a battery, the battery being used for powering at least a portion of the communication system; and

an insulated electrical conductor disposed around the battery and the ferrite material in a predetermined number of loops.

18. The antenna of claim 17, wherein the battery is cylindrical shaped having a curved side and two ends, the magnetic material only covering the side of the battery.

19. The antenna of claim 17, wherein the magnetic material comprises a ferrite.

20. The antenna of claim 17, wherein the communication system provides wireless signal transmission between the earbuds of a pair of earbuds.

21. The antenna of claim 17, wherein a carrier frequency for the wireless signal transmission is about 10.6 Mega Hertz (MHz).