Systems and methods for breakaway RFID tags
First Claim
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1. A trackable printed circuit board (PCB), comprising:
- a main circuit area which is manufactured through a PCB process including a plurality of processing steps, wherein the plurality of processing steps include one or more assembly steps for assembling multiple components onto the main circuit area;
a breakaway radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the breakaway RFID tag is configured to be scanned during the PCB process when the breakaway RFID tag is attached to the main circuit area and store information associated with the plurality of processing steps; and
a breakable portion connecting the main circuit area and the RFID tag, wherein the breakable portion is configured to allow the breakaway RFID tag to be detached from the main circuit area.
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Abstract
A breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it comprises part of a Printed Circuit Board Assembly (PCB). Thus, the breakaway RFID tag can be used to track the PCB as it migrates through a manufacturing process. In one embodiment, the RFID tag can be assembled first and then used to track the PCB as it is populated with components and installed into larger assemblies and ultimately into the end device. Once the PCB is installed into a larger assembly or the end device, the breakaway RFID tag is configured such that it can be broken off and attached to the outside of the larger assembly or end device.
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Citations
19 Claims
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1. A trackable printed circuit board (PCB), comprising:
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a main circuit area which is manufactured through a PCB process including a plurality of processing steps, wherein the plurality of processing steps include one or more assembly steps for assembling multiple components onto the main circuit area; a breakaway radio frequency identification (RFID) tag, wherein the breakaway RFID tag is configured to be scanned during the PCB process when the breakaway RFID tag is attached to the main circuit area and store information associated with the plurality of processing steps; and a breakable portion connecting the main circuit area and the RFID tag, wherein the breakable portion is configured to allow the breakaway RFID tag to be detached from the main circuit area. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12)
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13. A method for manufacturing a printed circuit board (PCB), comprising:
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fabricating a breakaway radio frequency identification (RFID) tag of the PCB, wherein the breakaway RFID tag includes a printed antenna and an RFID transponder integrated circuit (IC); manufacturing a main circuit area of the PCB through a PCB process including a plurality of processing steps, wherein manufacturing the main circuit area further includes scanning the breakaway RFID tag after each of the plurality of processing steps and storing information associated with the plurality of processing steps using the breakaway RFID tag; and manufacturing a breakable portion of the PCB which connects the main circuit area and the breakaway RFID tag, wherein the breakable portion is configured to allow the breakaway RFID tag to be detached from the main circuit area. - View Dependent Claims (14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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Specification