Device for controlling discharge of a charge capacitor in a transponder

• US 5,608,406 A
• Filed: 06/20/1996
• Issued: 03/04/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 01/12/1995
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Texas Instruments, Inc.
• Inventors: Eberth, Gerhard, Schuermann, Josef H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Sotomayor, John B.
• Application Number:
  US08/667,343
• Time in Patent Office: 257 Days
• Field of Search: 342/42, 342/44, 342/45, 342/50, 342/51
• US Class Current: 342/51
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/758 using a signal generator powered by the interrogation signal
• CPC Class Codes: G01S 13/767 Responders; Transponders teaching or practice apparatus for gun-aiming or gun-laying using reflecting targets or active targets F41G3/26
• CPC Class Codes: G06K 19/0723 the record carrier comprising an arrangement for non-contact communication, e.g. wireless communication circuits on transponder cards, non-contact smart cards or RFIDs

Abstract

A transponder device (10) includes a discharge circuit (18) to control the discharge of voltage from a charge capacitor (14). The discharge circuit (18) prevents transmission of a data telegram by the transponder device (10) until a voltage of the charge capacitor (14) reaches a threshold voltage level. The threshold voltage level is sufficient to ensure that a complete transmission of the data telegram is performed. Upon reaching the threshold voltage level, a transponder analog and digital circuit (19) initiates transmission of the data telegram. A control logic circuit (32) activates a counter (36) upon the start of the data telegram transmission. The counter (36) generates a control signal that is used to bypass the discharge circuit in order that the charge capacitor (14) can be connected directly to the transponder analog and digital circuit (19). In this manner, sufficient voltage is available at the beginning and end of the data telegram transmission in order to avoid deterioration of the data telegram transmission signal.

Claims

1. A transponder device, comprising:

a charge capacitor operable to store voltage in response to an interrogation signal;

a transponder analog and digital circuit operable to transmit a data telegram in response to a discharge of said voltage stored in said charge capacitor; and

a discharge circuit operable to prevent said charge capacitor from discharging prior to said voltage reaching a threshold voltage level.

2. The transponder device of claim 1, wherein said discharge circuit allows said voltage to discharge from said charge capacitor when said voltage exceeds said threshold voltage level.

3. The transponder device of claim 2, wherein said discharge circuit prevents said charge capacitor from discharging said voltage when said voltage falls below said threshold voltage level.

4. The transponder device of claim 1, further comprising:

a control logic circuit operable to generate a control signal to disable said discharge circuit.

5. The transponder device of claim 4, wherein said control logic circuit includes a counter, said counter being activated when said voltage exceeds said threshold voltage level.

6. The transponder device of claim 5, wherein said counter generates a control signal operable to disable said discharge circuit.

7. The transponder device of claim 6, wherein said control signal disables said discharge circuit when said voltage falls below said threshold voltage level.

8. The transponder of claim 1, wherein said discharge circuit includes a plurality of diodes, said plurality of diodes establishing said threshold voltage level.

9. The transponder device of claim 8, wherein said discharge circuit is operable to adjust said threshold voltage level by connecting or disconnecting at least one of said plurality of diodes.

10. The transponder device of claim 1, further comprising:

a voltage limiter operable to limit said voltage stored by said charge capacitor.

11. A device for controlling discharge of a charge capacitor in a transponder, comprising:

a discharge circuit operable to prevent the charge capacitor from discharging prior to a voltage of the charge capacitor reaching a threshold voltage level, said threshold voltage level being associated with an operating voltage level for the transponder.

12. The device of claim 11, wherein said discharge circuit includes at least one diode, said diode establishing said threshold voltage level.

13. The device of claim 11, wherein said discharge circuit is operable to receive a control signal, said control signal operable to disable said discharge circuit and allow the charge capacitor to discharge.

14. The device of claim 11, wherein said discharge circuit is operable to receive a trim signal, said trim signal operable to adjust said threshold voltage level.

15. The device of claim 14, wherein said trim signal connects or disconnects portions of said discharge circuit in order to adjust said threshold voltage level.

16. The device of claim 11, wherein said discharge circuit is operable to allow said charge capacitor to discharge when said voltage exceeds said threshold voltage level.

17. The device of claim 16, wherein said discharge circuit is operable to prevent discharging of the charge capacitor when said voltage falls below said threshold voltage level.