Passive RF tag with power cycling
First Claim
1. A method of operating a passive integrated circuit when the passive integrated circuit is in communication with a radio frequency (RF) probe, the passive integrated circuit being housed in a package that includes a surface feature matching a feature of the RF probe to facilitate alignment of first and second conductive coils on the passive integrated circuit with corresponding coils on the RF probe, the method comprising:
- receiving radio frequency (RF) energy at a first frequency from the first conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when the first conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding first conductive coil on the RF probe;
conditioning the radio frequency energy to power digital circuitry in the passive integrated circuit; and
transmitting data using the second conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when reception of radio frequency energy at the first frequency using the first conductive coil has stopped, and when the second conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding second conductive coil on the RF probe.
3 Assignments
0 Petitions
Accused Products
Abstract
A passive tag embedded in a package includes multiple conductive coils. A first coil receives radio frequency (RF) energy used to power the tag. Additional coils receive and/or transmit data signals, clock signals, and carrier signals. The RF energy and other signals may be at different frequencies. An RF probe includes a first coil to emit the RF energy to power the tag. The RF probe includes additional coils corresponding to the additional coils in the tag. The RF probe may turn off the RF signal used for power during communication. The RF energy may be rectified to provide DC power to circuits in the tag, or may be used directly for adiabatic circuits. The RF probe and the package may have complementary shapes to facilitate alignment of the coils.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A method of operating a passive integrated circuit when the passive integrated circuit is in communication with a radio frequency (RF) probe, the passive integrated circuit being housed in a package that includes a surface feature matching a feature of the RF probe to facilitate alignment of first and second conductive coils on the passive integrated circuit with corresponding coils on the RF probe, the method comprising:
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receiving radio frequency (RF) energy at a first frequency from the first conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when the first conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding first conductive coil on the RF probe; conditioning the radio frequency energy to power digital circuitry in the passive integrated circuit; and transmitting data using the second conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when reception of radio frequency energy at the first frequency using the first conductive coil has stopped, and when the second conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding second conductive coil on the RF probe. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of operating a passive integrated circuit when the passive integrated circuit is in communication with a radio frequency (RF) probe, the passive integrated circuit being housed in a package that includes a surface feature matching a feature of the RF probe to facilitate alignment of first and second conductive coils on the passive integrated circuit with corresponding coils on the RF probe, the method comprising:
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receiving radio frequency energy at a first frequency from the first conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when the first conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding first conductive coil on the RF probe; conditioning the radio frequency energy to power digital circuitry in the passive integrated circuit; and receiving data using the second conductive coil having a plurality of turns affixed to the integrated circuit when reception of radio frequency energy at the first frequency from the first conductive coil has stopped, and when the second conductive coil is aligned with a corresponding second conductive coil on the RF probe. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14)
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15. A method of operating a radio frequency (RF) probe to communicate with a passive tag, the method comprising:
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aligning first and second conductive coils on the RF probe with corresponding coils on the passive tag by placing a feature of the RF probe against a matching surface feature of a package that houses the passive tag; transmitting a signal at a first frequency using the first conductive coil with a plurality of turns to provide a source of power to a first corresponding coil on the passive tag; stopping the transmission of the signal at the first frequency; and communicating with the passive tag using a signal at a second frequency transmitted from the second conductive coil with a plurality of turns to a corresponding second coil on the passive tag. - View Dependent Claims (16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification