Antenna sharing for wirelessly powered devices

• US 8,682,261 B2
• Filed: 01/28/2010
• Issued: 03/25/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 02/13/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Qualcomm, Inc.
• Inventors: Ozaki, Ernest T., Toncich, Stanley S.
• Primary Examiner(s): GONZALES, APRIL GUZMAN
• Application Number:
  US12/695,901
• Publication Number:
  US 20100222010A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,517 Days
• Field of Search: 455/101, 455/73, 455/552.1, 455/104, 455/575.7, 455/129, 455/562.1, 455/343.1, 340/10.1
• US Class Current: 455/82
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/20 using microwaves or radio frequency waves
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/60 responsive to the presence of foreign objects, e.g. detection of living beings
• CPC Class Codes: H02J 50/80 involving the exchange of data, concerning supply or distribution of electric power, between transmitting devices and receiving devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/26 using coils
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 5/72 for local intradevice communication

Abstract

Exemplary embodiments include an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation in a broadcast radiation band and a near-field radiation band to generate a Radio Frequency (RF) signal. A coupling element couples the RF signal to a first port and at least one additional port, which may be a second port and a third port. A wireless power receiver on the first port includes a rectifier for converting the RF signal to a DC signal when the antenna couples to radiation in the near-field radiation band in a coupling-mode region of the antenna. A near-field communication transceiver includes circuitry for communicating information on the antenna in the near-field radiation band when the coupling element couples the second port to the RF signal. A broadcast receiver on the third port includes circuitry for receiving and tuning the broadcast radiation band when the coupling element couples the third port to the RF signal.

Claims

1. An apparatus, comprising:

an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation in a broadcast radiation band and a near-field radiation band to generate a Radio Frequency (RF) signal;

a coupling element including a common port selectively coupled to a first port or a second port, the common port operably coupled to the antenna to receive the RF signal;

a broadcast receiver operable at the broadcast radiation band and coupled to the second port;

a wireless power receiver operable at the near-field radiation band and coupled to the first port when the coupling element couples the first port to the common port; and

the wireless power receiver comprising a matching circuit coupled to the first port when the coupling element couples the first port to the common port.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the coupling element comprises a single-pole-three-throw switch for selectively coupling the common port to one of the first port, the second port, or the third port.

3. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the coupling element comprises:

a single-pole-two-throw switch for selectively coupling the common port to a near-field signal or the second port, the near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

a directional coupler for coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

4. The apparatus of claim 3, wherein a main line of the directional coupler is coupled to the first port and a coupled port of the directional coupler is coupled to the third port.

5. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the coupling element comprises:

a diplexer operably coupled to the common port for combining or separating a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

a single-pole-two-throw switch for selectively coupling the near-field signal to the third port or the first port.

6. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the coupling element comprises:

a diplexer operably coupled to the common port for combining or separating a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal in the near-field radiation band; and

a directional coupler for coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the coupling element comprises a triplexer operably coupled to the common port for combining or separating the broadcast radiation band on the second port, a near-field radiation signal in the near-field radiation band on the third port and a wireless power signal in the near-field radiation band on the first port.

8. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the broadcast radiation band comprises an FM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 88 to 108 MHz or an AM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 540 to 1600 KHz and the near-field radiation band comprises radiation in a frequency band centered around about 13.56 MHz.

9. The apparatus of claim 1, additionally comprising a third port and further comprising:

a Near-Field Communication (NFC) transceiver operably coupled to the third port and comprising circuitry for communicating information on the antenna in the near-field radiation band when the coupling element couples the third port to the common port; and

the broadcast receiver operably coupled to the second port and comprising circuitry for receiving and tuning the broadcast radiation band from the RF signal when the coupling element couples the second port to the common port.

10. The apparatus of claim 9, wherein:

the NFC transceiver provides a broad bandwidth in the near-field radiation band to optimize NFC communications.

11. A method, comprising:

with an antenna, receiving electromagnetic radiation in a broadcast radiation band and a near-field radiation band to generate a Radio Frequency (RF) signal;

selectively coupling a common port to a first port or a second port, the common port operably coupled to the antenna to receive the RF signal;

operating a wireless power receiver at the near-field radiation band when the first port is coupled to the common port, the wireless power receiver configured to provide an impedance match; and

receiving a signal at the broadcast radiation band when the second port is coupled to the common port.

12. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the selectively coupling comprises selectively coupling common port to one of the first port, the second port, or the third port.

13. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the selectively coupling comprises:

selectively coupling the common port to a near-field signal or the second port; and

directionally coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

14. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the selectively coupling comprises:

diplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

selectively coupling the near-field signal to the third port or the first port.

15. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the selectively coupling comprises:

diplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

directionally coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

16. The method of claim 15, wherein directionally coupling comprises coupling the near-field signal to the first port on a main line of a directional coupler and coupling the near-field signal to the third port on a coupled port of the directional coupler.

17. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the selectively coupling comprises triplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port, a near-field radiation signal in the near-field radiation band on the third port and a wireless power signal in the near-field radiation band on the first port.

18. The method of claim 11, wherein the broadcast radiation band comprises an FM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 88 to 108 MHz or an AM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 540 to 1600 KHz and the near-field radiation band comprises radiation in a frequency band centered around about 13.56 MHz.

19. The method of claim 11, additionally comprising a third port and the method further comprising:

transmitting, receiving, or a combination thereof, information on the antenna in the near-field radiation band when the third port is coupled to the common port; and

receiving a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band when the second port is coupled to the common port.

20. The method of claim 19, additionally comprising

converting a near-field radiation signal in the near-field radiation band to a DC signal;

and

wherein the transmitting, receiving, or a combination thereof, information on the antenna further comprises providing a broad bandwidth in the near-field radiation band to optimize NFC communications.

21. A wireless power receiver, comprising:

an antenna for receiving electromagnetic radiation in a broadcast radiation band and a near-field radiation band to generate a Radio Frequency (RF) signal;

means for selectively coupling a common port to a first port or a second port, the common port operably coupled to the antenna to receive the RF signal;

means for receiving the near-field radiation band when the first port is coupled to the common port, the means for receiving the near-field radiation band configured to provide an impedance match; and

means for receiving the broadcast radiation band when the second port is coupled to the common port.

22. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the means for selectively coupling comprises means for selectively coupling the common port to one of the first port, the second port, or the third port.

23. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the means for selectively coupling comprises:

means for selectively coupling the common port to a near-field signal or the second port; and

means for directionally coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

24. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the means for selectively coupling comprises:

means for diplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

means for selectively coupling the near-field signal to the third port or the first port.

25. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the means for selectively coupling comprises:

means for diplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port and a near-field signal corresponding to the near-field radiation band; and

means for directionally coupling the near-field signal to the third port and the first port.

26. The wireless power receiver of claim 25, wherein the means for directionally coupling comprises a main line means for coupling the near-field signal to the first port and a coupled port means for coupling the near-field signal to the third port.

27. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and wherein the means for selectively coupling comprises means for triplexing to combine or separate a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band on the second port, a near-field radiation signal in the near-field radiation band on the third port and a wireless power signal in the near-field radiation band on the first port.

28. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, wherein the broadcast radiation band comprises an FM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 88 to 108 MHz or an AM radiation band with radiation in frequencies of about 540 to 1600 KHz and the near-field radiation band comprises radiation in a frequency band centered around about 13.56 MHz.

29. The wireless power receiver of claim 21, additionally comprising a third port and further comprising:

means for transmitting, receiving, or a combination thereof, information on the antenna when the third port is coupled to the common port; and

means for receiving a signal corresponding to the broadcast radiation band when the second port is coupled to the common port.

30. The wireless power receiver of claim 29, additionally comprising

means for converting a near-field radiation signal in the near-field radiation band to a DC signal;

and

wherein the means for transmitting, receiving, or a combination thereof, information on the antenna further comprises means for providing a broad bandwidth in the near-field radiation band to optimize NFC communications.

31. A method of sharing a signal, the method comprising:

receiving a Radio Frequency (RF) signal at a receiving coil;

selectively connecting a common port of a coupling circuit to either a first port connected to a data receiver or to a second port connected to a wireless power receiver;

converting at least one radiation band of the RF signal to a direct current signal;

providing an impedance match at an operational frequency in the at least one radiation band; and

outputting the direct current signal to power or charge an electronic device.

32. The method of claim 31, wherein selectively connecting the common port of the coupling circuit comprises activating a throw switch.

33. The method of claim 31, additionally comprising receiving the RF signal via a third port connected to a second data receiver, and wherein selectively connecting the common port further comprises selectively connecting the receiving coil to at least one of the first, second or third ports.

34. The method of claim 33, wherein selectively connecting the common port comprises controlling a switch and a directional coupler so as to connect the receiving coil to at least one of the first, second or third ports.

35. The method of claim 33, wherein selectively connecting the common port comprises controlling a switch and a diplexer to connect the receiving coil to at least one of the first, second or third ports.

36. A method of sharing a coil, the method comprising:

wirelessly receiving a signal at a coil;

converting the signal via a power receiver to a direct current signal to power or charge an electronic device;

providing an impedance match via the power receiver;

receiving the signal via a communications receiver; and

selectively coupling the coil to one of the power receiver or the communications receiver.

37. The method of claim 36, additionally comprising receiving the signal via a second communications receiver, and wherein selectively coupling further comprises selectively coupling the coil to at least one of the communications receiver, the power receiver, or the second communications receiver.

38. The method of claim 36, wherein the communications receiver comprises a near-field radiation communications transceiver.