High-frequency electric field coupler, communication system, and communication apparatus

• US 8,008,985 B2
• Filed: 09/29/2008
• Issued: 08/30/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 10/15/2007
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Corporation (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Washiro, Takanori
• Primary Examiner(s): Takaoka; Dean O
• Application Number:
  US12/240,447
• Publication Number:
  US 20090096556A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,065 Days
• Field of Search: 333/24.R, 333/202, 333/204, 333/236, 333/246, 343/749, 343/752, 343/829, 343/850, 343/852
• US Class Current: 333/24.00R
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/36 Structural form of radiating elements, e.g. cone, spiral, umbrella; Particular materials used therewithH01Q1/08, H01Q1/14 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 11/08 Helical antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 7/00 Loop antennas with a substantially uniform current distribution around the loop and having a directional radiation pattern in a plane perpendicular to the plane of the loop
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/00 Near-field transmission systems, e.g. inductive or capacitive transmission systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/22 Capacitive coupling
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/77 for interrogation

Abstract

A high-frequency electric field coupler is provided for use in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling. The coupler includes a coupling electrode and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of an electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency. The coupling electrode is a linear conductor in the form of a coil.

Claims

1. A high-frequency electric field coupler used in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling, comprising:

a coupling electrode; and

a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency,

wherein;

the coupling electrode is formed by a coiled linear conductor;

the resonance unit is a short stub having a length equivalent to one half of the used wavelength and having a terminating end shorted to ground; and

the coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor is connected to a position of the short stub substantially at the center thereof and shorted to ground at an end thereof.

2. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication circuit unit processing a high-frequency signal for data transmission; and

a high-frequency electric field coupler performing electric field coupling with a party to communicate provided opposite to the same at an ultra short distance,

wherein;

the high-frequency electric field coupler includes

a coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency; and

the length of the coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor is determined such that there is a phase difference of about 180 degrees between input and output signals which are a high-frequency signal input from one end of the linear conductor and a resultant signal output from another end of the same, respectively.

3. A high-frequency electric field coupler used in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling, comprising:

a coupling electrode; and

a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency,

wherein;

the coupling electrode is formed by a coiled linear conductor; and

the length of the coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor is determined such that there is a phase difference of about 180 degrees between input and output signals which are a high-frequency signal input from one end of the linear conductor and a resultant signal output from another end of the same, respectively.

4. A high-frequency electric field coupler used in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling, comprising:

a coupling electrode; and

a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency,

wherein;

the coupling electrode is formed by a coiled linear conductor; and

the surface of the linear conductor is coated with an insulation layer.

5. A high-frequency electric field coupler used in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling, comprising:

a coupling electrode; and

a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency,

wherein;

the coupling electrode is formed by a coiled linear conductor; and

the linear conductor is wound around a core bar.

6. A high-frequency electric field coupler used in a contactless communication system propagating high frequency signals in a wide band utilizing electric field coupling, comprising:

a coupling electrode; and

a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency,

wherein;

the coupling electrode is formed by a coiled linear conductor; and

the linear conductor is fixed with a resin after being wound in the form of a coil.

7. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication circuit unit processing a high-frequency signal for data transmission; and

a high-frequency electric field coupler performing electric field coupling with a party to communicate provided opposite to the same at an ultra short distance,

wherein;

the high-frequency electric field coupler includes

a coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency; and

the surface of the linear conductor is coated with an insulation layer.

8. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication circuit unit processing a high-frequency signal for data transmission; and

a high-frequency electric field coupler performing electric field coupling with a party to communicate provided opposite to the same at an ultra short distance,

wherein;

the high-frequency electric field coupler includes

a coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency; and

the linear conductor is wound around a core bar.

9. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication circuit unit processing a high-frequency signal for data transmission; and

a high-frequency electric field coupler performing electric field coupling with a party to communicate provided opposite to the same at an ultra short distance,

wherein;

the high-frequency electric field coupler includes

a coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency; and

the linear conductor is fixed with a resin after being wound in the form of a coil.

10. A communication apparatus comprising:

a communication circuit unit processing a high-frequency signal for data transmission; and

a high-frequency electric field coupler performing electric field coupling with a party to communicate provided opposite to the same at an ultra short distance,

wherein;

the high-frequency electric field coupler includes

a coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor and a resonance unit operating to increase the amplitude of electrical charge accumulated at the coupling electrode at a predetermined resonance frequency;

the resonance unit is a short stub having a length equivalent to one half of the used wavelength and having a terminating end shorted to ground; and

the coupling electrode formed by a coiled linear conductor is connected to a position of the short stub substantially at the center thereof and shorted to ground at an end thereof.