Electronic communication devices, methods of forming electrical communication devices, and communication methods

• US 6,339,385 B1
• Filed: 08/20/1997
• Issued: 01/15/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Round Rock Research LLC
• Original Assignee: Micron Technology, Inc.
• Inventors: Tuttle, Mark E.
• Primary Examiner(s): Tokar, Michael
• Assistant Examiner(s): JEANGLAUDE, JEAN BRUNER
• Application Number:
  US08/926,595
• Time in Patent Office: 1,609 Days
• Field of Search: 340/825.54, 340/825.4, 340/10.1, 340/10.3, 340/10.4, 340/10.42, 343/846, 343/848, 343/725, 343/767, 343/702, 361/818, 361/778, 257/659, 333/238, 333/246, 455/300, 455/38.2, 455/280, 455/351, 455/133, 455/106, 455/73
• US Class Current: 340/10.1
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07749 the record carrier being capable of non-contact communication, e.g. constructional details of the antenna of a non-contact smart card
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07771 the record carrier comprising means for minimising adverse effects on the data communication capability of the record carrier, e.g. minimising Eddy currents induced in a proximate metal or otherwise electromagnetically interfering object
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/07786 the antenna being of the HF type, such as a dipole
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 7/0008 General problems related to the reading of electronic memory record carriers, independent of its reading method, e.g. power transfer

Abstract

Electronic communication devices, methods of forming electrical communication devices, and communications methods are provided. An electronic communication device adapted to receive electronic signals includes: a housing having a substrate and an encapsulant; an integrated circuit provided within the housing and having comprising transponder circuitry operable to communicate an identification signal responsive to receiving a polling signal; an antenna provided within the housing and being coupled with the transponder circuitry; and a ground plane provided within the housing and being spaced from the antenna and configured to shield some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflect others of the electronic signals towards the antenna. A method of forming an electronic signal communication device includes providing a substrate having a support surface; providing a conductive layer adjacent at least a portion of the support surface; providing a dielectric layer over the conductive layer; providing an antenna over the dielectric layer; coupling an integrated circuit with the antenna; and encapsulating the antenna, the dielectric layer, and the integrated circuit using a flowable encapsulant.

Claims

1. A remote intelligent communication device comprising:

a substrate having a support surface;

a ground plane adjacent at least a portion of the support surface;

at least one antenna spaced apart from and interacting with the ground plane; and

an integrated circuit coupled with the antenna, the integrated circuit including a modulator configured to communicate using backscatter communications.

2. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 1 further comprising a dielectric layer intermediate the ground plane and the antenna.

3. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 1 wherein the ground plane is adjacent substantially the entire support surface.

4. A remote intelligent communication device comprising:

a substrate having a support surface;

a ground plane adjacent at least a portion of the support surface;

an antenna spaced apart from and interacting with the ground plane, the antenna being substantially electrically insulated from the ground plane;

an integrated circuit coupled with the antenna, the integrated circuit including a receiver; and

an encapsulant configured to form a housing with the substrate to encapsulate and contact the antenna and the integrated circuit.

5. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 4 wherein the integrated circuit includes a modulator configured to communicate using backscatter communications.

6. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 4 further comprising a power source coupled with the integrated circuit and the ground plane.

7. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 4 further comprising an encapsulant configured to form a housing with the substrate to encapsulate and contact the antenna and the integrated circuit.

8. A remote intelligent communication device comprising:

an insulative substrate;

a conductive layer over the insulative substrate and having outer peripheral edges;

a dielectric layer over the conductive layer;

an antenna over a surface of the dielectric layer and having outer peripheral edges received within the periphery of the device; and

transponder circuitry over the surface of the dielectric layer and configured to communicate using backscatter communications.

9. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 8 wherein the outer peripheral edges of the antenna are received within the confines of the outer peripheral edges of the conductive layer.

10. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 8 further comprising transponder circuitry conductively bonded with the antenna.

11. The remote intelligent communication device according to claim 8 further comprising:

a power source having a ground terminal; and

at least one conductive connection configured to electrically couple the conductive layer and the ground terminal.

12. An electronic communication device configured to receive electronic signals comprising:

a housing comprising a substrate and an encapsulant;

an integrated circuit provided within the housing and comprising transponder circuitry operable to communicate an identification signal responsive to receiving a polling signal;

an antenna provided within the housing and being coupled with the transponder circuitry;

a ground plane provided within the housing and being spaced from the antenna and configured to shield some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflect others of the electronic signals towards the antenna; and

a node configured to electrically couple the ground plane with a terminal of a power source.

13. The electronic signal communication device according to claim 12 wherein the ground plane has a first side facing away from the antenna and configured to shield the electronic signals from the antenna, and a second side facing the antenna and configured to reflect the electronic signals to the antenna.

14. The electronic signal communication device according to claim 12 wherein the electronic signal communication device comprises a remote intelligent communication device.

15. The electronic signal communication device according to claim 12 wherein the electronic signal communication device comprises a radio frequency identification device.

16. The electronic signal communication device according to claim 12 further comprising a power source within the housing and coupled with the integrated circuit and the ground plane.

17. The electronic signal communication device according to claim 12 wherein the housing has a thickness less than about 0.090 inches.

18. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

an integrated circuit including a receiver, a modulator and a processor, the integrated circuit being configured to implement radio frequency identification device communications;

an antenna operably coupled with the integrated circuit and configured to at least one of transmit and receive electronic signals; and

a conductive layer spaced from and configured to interact with the antenna and being substantially electrically insulated from the antenna.

19. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 18 further comprising a dielectric layer intermediate the antenna and the conductive layer.

20. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 18 further comprising a power source having at least two terminals, and the conductive layer being coupled with at least one of the terminals.

21. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 18 wherein the antenna defines a plane, wherein the conductive layer is substantially planar, and wherein the conductive layer is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the antenna.

22. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 18 wherein the radio frequency identification device has a thickness less than about 0.090 inches.

23. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

an integrated circuit comprising transponder circuitry operable to communicate an identification signal using backscatter communications responsive to receiving a polling signal;

an antenna coupled with the transponder circuitry; and

a ground plane spaced apart from the antenna and substantially electrically insulated from the antenna.

24. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 23 further comprising a dielectric layer intermediate the antenna and the ground plane.

25. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 23 further comprising a power source having at least two terminals, and the ground plane being coupled with the integrated circuit and one of the terminals.

26. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 23 wherein the antenna defines a plane, wherein the ground plane is substantially planar, and wherein the ground plane is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the antenna.

27. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 23 wherein the radio frequency identification device has a thickness less than about 0.090 inches.

28. A radio frequency identification device configured to receive electronic signals, comprising:

transponder circuitry configured to communicate using backscatter communications;

an antenna operably coupled with the transponder circuitry; and

a ground plane spaced apart from the antenna and substantially electrically insulated from the antenna and configured to shield some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflect others of the electronic signals towards the antenna.

29. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 28 wherein the antenna defines a plane, wherein the ground plane is substantially planar, and wherein the ground plane is substantially parallel to the plane defined by the antenna.

30. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 28 further comprising a dielectric layer intermediate the antenna and the ground plane.

31. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 28 further comprising a housing configured to encapsulate and contact the transponder circuitry, the antenna and the ground plane, and the housing having a thickness less than about 0.090 inches.

32. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 31 wherein the housing comprises a substrate and an encapsulant.

33. A radio frequency identification device comprising:

a substrate;

a conductive layer over at least a portion of the substrate;

a dielectric layer over the conductive layer;

an antenna over the dielectric layer;

an integrated circuit electrically coupled with the antenna; and

a battery having a ground terminal electrically coupled with the integrated circuit, the conductive layer being electrically coupled with the ground terminal.

34. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 33 wherein the ground plane is positioned to shield some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflect others of the electronic signals toward the antenna.

35. The radio frequency identification device according to claim 33 further comprising an encapsulant forming a substantially void-free housing with the substrate.

36. A radio frequency identification device comprising;

an insulative substrate having a support surface;

a ground plane over the support surface of the insulative substrate, the ground plane having outer peripheral edges;

a dielectric layer over substantially the entire ground plane;

a conductive trace upon the dielectric layer, the conductive trace forming at least one antenna having outer peripheral edges provided within the confines of the outer peripheral edges of the ground plane and the antenna being configured to at least one of transmit and receive electronic signals, the ground plane being positioned with respect to the antenna to shield some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflect others of the electronic signals toward the antenna;

an integrated circuit supported by the substrate over the dielectric layer and including transponder circuitry and a processor, the transponder circuitry being coupled with the antenna and comprising a modulator and a receiver, the modulator being configured to communicate an identification signal using backscatter communications responsive to receiving a polling signal at the receiver, the processor being configured to process the polling signal;

a battery supported by the substrate over the dielectric layer and having a power terminal and a ground terminal individually electrically coupled with the integrated circuit, the ground plane being electrically coupled with the ground terminal; and

a cured encapsulant over the conductive trace, the integrated circuit, the battery and a portion of the dielectric layer, the encapsulant and the insulative substrate forming a substantially void-free housing.

37. A method of forming a remote intelligent communication device comprising:

providing a substrate having a conductive layer on a support surface thereof;

forming a dielectric layer over the conductive layer;

forming a conductive connection through the dielectric layer and connected to the ground plane;

forming an antenna over the dielectric layer and substantially electrically insulating the antenna from the ground plane; and

conductively bonding an integrated circuit to the conductive connection and the antenna.

38. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 37 wherein the conductive bonding of the integrated circuit to the conductive connection and the antenna comprises a single bonding step.

39. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 37 wherein the forming of the conductive connection and the antenna comprises printing conductive material in a common printing step.

40. A method of forming a remote intelligent communication device comprising:

providing a substrate and a power source;

forming a ground plane over the substrate;

forming an antenna supported by the substrate and spaced from the ground plane;

conductively bonding an integrated circuit and the antenna; and

electrically coupling the ground plane with the power source to electrically ground the ground plane.

41. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 40 further comprising conductively bonding the integrated circuit with the ground plane.

42. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 40 further comprising forming a housing to encapsulate and contact the antenna and the integrated circuit.

43. A method of forming a remote intelligent communication device comprising:

providing a substrate;

forming a ground plane over the substrate;

providing an insulating layer over the ground plane;

printing an antenna upon the insulating layer over and substantially electrically insulating the antenna from the ground plane; and

forming a housing to encapsulate and contact the antenna.

44. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 43 further comprising printing at least one conductive connection through the insulating layer while printing the antenna.

45. The method of forming a remote intelligent communication device according to claim 43 wherein the forming the housing comprises encapsulating the antenna and a portion of the insulating layer.

46. A method of forming a radio frequency identification device comprising:

providing a substrate including a conductive layer;

forming a dielectric layer over the conductive layer;

forming an antenna over a surface of the dielectric layer;

providing an integrated circuit configured to communicate using radio frequency identification device communications over the surface of the dielectric layer;

coupling the integrated circuit with the antenna; and

encapsulating the antenna and integrated circuit into a substantially void-free mass.

47. The method of forming a radio frequency identification device according to claim 46 further comprising grounding the conductive layer.

48. The method of forming a radio frequency identification device according to claim 46 wherein the encapsulating comprises:

flowing a flowable encapsulant over the antenna and integrated circuit; and

curing the encapsulant.

49. A method of forming a radio frequency identification device comprising:

providing an insulative substrate having a support surface;

providing a ground plane over substantially the entire support surface;

providing a dielectric layer over the ground plane;

forming a via through the dielectric layer;

printing a conductive trace over the dielectric layer, the printing of the conductive trace forming first and second antennas and a conductive connection, the conductive connection being formed within the via and connected with the ground plane;

conductively bonding an integrated circuit with the first and second antennas and the conductive connection, the integrated circuit including a modulator configured to communicate an electronic backscatter signal and a receiver configured to receive an electronic signal;

conductively bonding a battery having a power terminal and a ground terminal with the conductive trace, the bonding electrically connecting the power terminal and the ground terminal of the battery with the integrated circuit;

electrically connecting the ground plane with the ground terminal of the battery using the conductive connection;

encapsulating the conductive trace, the integrated circuit, the battery and at least a portion of the dielectric layer using a flowable encapsulant;

curing the encapsulant; and

forming a substantially void-free housing including the cured encapsulant and the substrate.

50. A method of forming an electronic signal communication device comprising:

providing a substrate having a support surface;

providing a conductive layer adjacent at least a portion of the support surface;

providing a dielectric layer over the conductive layer;

providing an antenna over the dielectric layer;

coupling an integrated circuit with the antenna; and

encapsulating the antenna, the dielectric layer, and the integrated circuit within encapsulant material, wherein the encapsulant material contacts the antenna, the integrated circuit and at least a portion of the dielectric layer.

51. The method of forming an electronic signal communication device according to claim 50 wherein the encapsulating comprises:

flowing encapsulant material over the antenna, dielectric layer, and integrated circuit; and

curing the encapsulant into a substantially solid mass.

52. The method of forming an electronic signal communication device according to claim 50 wherein the electronic signal communication device comprises a radio frequency identification device.

53. The method of forming an electronic signal communication device according to claim 50 wherein the electronic signal communication device comprises a remote intelligent communication device.

54. The method of forming an electronic signal communication device according to claim 50 further comprising:

providing a power source; and

coupling the conductive layer with the power source.

55. The method of forming an electronic signal communication device according to claim 50 further comprising providing the conductive layer adjacent substantially the entire support surface.

56. A method of operating a radio frequency identification device comprising:

providing an antenna;

coupling an integrated circuit with the antenna;

using the antenna, transmitting backscatter signals and receiving electronic signals;

processing the electronic signals using the integrated circuit;

shielding some of the electronic signals from the antenna using a ground plane;

reflecting others of the electronic signals towards the antenna using the ground plane; and

substantially electrically insulating the antenna from the ground plane.

57. The method of operating a radio frequency identification device according to claim 56 further comprising electrically grounding the ground plane.

58. A method of communicating comprising:

providing a radio frequency identification device having a processor, transponder circuitry, an antenna, and a conductive layer spaced and substantially electrically insulated from the antenna;

receiving a plurality of electronic signals using the antenna and transponder circuitry;

processing the electronic signals using the processor; and

using the conductive layer, shielding some of the electronic signals from the antenna and reflecting others of the electronic signals towards the antenna.

59. The method of communicating according to claim 58 further comprising grounding the conductive layer.

60. The method of communicating according to claim 58 further comprising:

supplying operational power to the integrated circuit using a power source; and

grounding the conductive layer using the power source.

61. The method of communicating according to claim 58 further comprising generating an identification signal responsive to the processing.

62. The method of communicating accord to claim 58 wherein the processing compries detecting a predefined code within the electronic signal.