Network of electronic devices assembled on a flexible support and communication method
First Claim
1. A system, comprising:
- a flexible first layer; and
first circuits fixed to the flexible first layer, wherein the first circuits are configured to communicate with each other using a mutual coupling without contact,wherein the mutual coupling without contact comprises magnetic coupling circuitry comprising;
an antenna for each of the first circuits;
a magnetic generator; and
a passive line made of a pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material that extend in or on the flexible first layer and is magnetically coupled to the antenna for each of the first circuits;
wherein the pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material for said passive line are coupled to the magnetic generator to form a closed magnetic loop circuit;
wherein the magnetic generator applies an AC signal at a first frequency to the pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material to supply power to the first circuits, the first circuits communicating with each other using a second frequency different from the first frequency.
1 Assignment
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Accused Products
Abstract
An embodiment of a network of electronic devices is formed on a flexible substrate by a plurality of electronic devices assembled on the flexible substrate. The electronic devices have an embedded antenna for mutual coupling of a wireless type. Each electronic device is formed by a chip or a complex system integrating a transceiver circuit coupled to the embedded antenna and a functional part coupled to the transceiver circuit and including at least one element chosen in the group comprising: a sensor, an actuator, an interface, an electrode, a memory, a control unit, a power-supply unit, a converter, an adapter, a digital circuit, an analog circuit, an RF circuit, a microelectromechanical system, an electrode, a well, a cell, a container for liquids. The flexible support may be a substrate of plastic material that incorporates the electronic devices or a garment having smart buttons that house the electronic devices.
35 Citations
25 Claims
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1. A system, comprising:
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a flexible first layer; and first circuits fixed to the flexible first layer, wherein the first circuits are configured to communicate with each other using a mutual coupling without contact, wherein the mutual coupling without contact comprises magnetic coupling circuitry comprising; an antenna for each of the first circuits; a magnetic generator; and a passive line made of a pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material that extend in or on the flexible first layer and is magnetically coupled to the antenna for each of the first circuits; wherein the pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material for said passive line are coupled to the magnetic generator to form a closed magnetic loop circuit; wherein the magnetic generator applies an AC signal at a first frequency to the pair of parallel extending strips of ferromagnetic material to supply power to the first circuits, the first circuits communicating with each other using a second frequency different from the first frequency. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17, 18, 19)
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20. A system, comprising:
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a flexible first layer; and first circuits fixed to the flexible first layer, wherein the first circuits are configured to communicate with each other using a mutual coupling without contact, wherein the mutual coupling without contact comprises magnetic coupling circuitry comprising; an antenna for each of the first circuits; a first line of ferromagnetic material having a first end and a second end, the first line of ferromagnetic material extending in or on the flexible first layer and being magnetically coupled to the antenna for each of the first circuits; and a second line of ferromagnetic material having a first end and a second end, the second line of ferromagnetic material extending in or on the flexible first layer; wherein the first end of the first line is magnetically coupled to the second end of the second line, and wherein the second end of the first line is magnetically coupled to the first end of the second line to form a closed magnetic loop circuit; a magnetic generator coupled between the second end of the first line and the first end of the second line, wherein said magnetic generator applies an AC signal at a first frequency to the first and second lines to supply power to the first circuits, said first circuits communicating with each other of the first and second lines using a second frequency different from the first frequency. - View Dependent Claims (21, 22, 23, 24, 25)
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Specification