JP2011249936A - Proximity antenna and radio communication device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To prevent, by using a method other than a method of attaching magnetic material, a coupling characteristic from deteriorating due to a conductor placed in the vicinity of a noncontact IC card.SOLUTION: A proximity antenna comprises an antenna part 13 for performing radio communication with an external communication device by magnetic coupling, and a conductive plate 14a placed in the vicinity of the antenna part 13 but in an insulated state with the antenna part 13. The conductive plate 14a includes an opening OP and a linear slit SL spanning from the opening OP to an edge of the conductive plate 14a. The antenna part 13 is placed at a position not overlapping with the opening OP in planar view but at a position overlapping at least a part of the slit SL in planar view.

Description

  The present invention relates to a proximity antenna and a wireless communication device, and more particularly to a proximity communication antenna for a non-contact type IC card and a wireless communication device equipped with the non-contact type IC card.

  The use of communication devices of a type called a non-contact type IC card such as MIFARE (registered trademark) and Felica (registered trademark) is expanding. A non-contact type IC card has a function of performing near field communication with an external communication device called a reader / writer. Specifically, an IC chip with a proximity antenna (coupling coil) and a memory It consists of. The non-contact type IC card transmits / receives data in the memory to / from an external communication device by magnetic coupling via a proximity antenna. Conventionally, the card type that constitutes one communication device independently has been the mainstream, but in recent years, the number of cases in which it is installed in a device having another application such as a mobile phone is increasing.

  In the case where they are mounted together, the parts constituting the non-contact type IC card and the parts that are not are arranged adjacent to each other. In some cases, a conductor is disposed in the vicinity of the non-contact type IC card. In such a case, the magnetic field is weakened by the eddy current generated in the conductor, and the coupling between the non-contact type IC card and the external communication device is performed. The characteristics may deteriorate. For example, metal may be used for the case of a mobile phone. If a non-contact IC card function is mounted on such a mobile phone, the magnetic field is weakened by the eddy current generated in the case, and the cup Ring characteristics deteriorate.

  Patent Document 1 discloses a technique for suppressing a decrease in coupling characteristics due to a conductor when a conductor is present in the vicinity of the reader / writer as described above. In this technique, a magnetic material is attached to the surface of the reader / writer on the conductor side. As a result, the magnetic field reaching the conductor is reduced, and therefore the degradation of the coupling characteristics is suppressed.

JP 2002-298095 A

  However, the effect of suppressing a decrease in coupling characteristics due to a magnetic material is not so good, and a technique that can more effectively suppress the decrease in coupling characteristics is required. In particular, a non-contact type IC card is required to be miniaturized unlike a reader / writer, so it is not preferable to use an additional member such as a magnetic material.

  Accordingly, one of the objects of the present invention is to provide a proximity antenna and wireless communication that can suppress a decrease in coupling characteristics due to a conductor disposed in the vicinity of a non-contact IC card by a method other than a method of attaching a magnetic material. To provide equipment.

  In order to achieve the above object, a proximity antenna according to the present invention includes an antenna pattern for performing wireless communication with an external communication device by magnetic coupling, and a conductive plate installed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern in a state insulated from the antenna pattern. The conductive plate has an opening and a slit from the opening to the end of the conductive plate, and the antenna pattern does not overlap with the opening in plan view, It arrange | positions in the position which overlaps with at least one part of a slit seeing planarly.

  A proximity antenna according to another aspect of the present invention includes an antenna pattern for performing wireless communication with an external communication device by magnetic coupling, and a conductive plate installed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern in a state of being insulated from the antenna pattern. A slit having a constant width or narrowing toward the inside is provided at an end of the conductive plate, and the antenna pattern is disposed at a position overlapping with at least a part of the slit in plan view. It is characterized by that.

  According to the present invention, an eddy current that generates a magnetic field in a direction that strengthens the magnetic field generated between the proximity antenna and the external communication device flows around the slit or the opening. Therefore, it is possible to suppress a decrease in coupling characteristics due to the conductive plate disposed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern.

  In each of the proximity antennas, the conductive plate may further include a magnetic member disposed between the antenna pattern and the external communication device, and disposed on the opposite side of the conductive plate with the antenna pattern interposed therebetween. The conductive plate may further include a magnetic member disposed on the opposite side of the external communication device with the antenna pattern interposed therebetween and disposed on the opposite side of the antenna pattern with the conductive plate interposed therebetween. . In this way, the coupling characteristics are improved as compared with the case where no magnetic member is used.

  In each of the proximity antennas described above, the area of a portion of the slit that overlaps the antenna pattern in plan view may be 30% to 110% of the outer area of the antenna pattern. This makes it possible to obtain good coupling characteristics.

  Further, in each of the proximity antennas, the width of the slit is not less than the length of the inner periphery of the antenna pattern in the slit width direction and not more than the length of the outer periphery of the antenna pattern in the slit width direction. It is good as well. This also makes it possible to obtain good coupling characteristics.

  In each of the proximity antennas, at least a portion of the end side of the conductive plate where the slit is provided may be bent in a direction away from the external communication device. This makes it possible to obtain good coupling characteristics even when the proximity antenna is inclined with respect to the external communication device.

In each of the proximity antennas, the conductive plate may be made of a material that is paramagnetic or diamagnetic and has a conductivity of 1 × 10 ⁷ S / m or more. This makes it possible to obtain good coupling characteristics.

  In each of the proximity antennas, the proximity antenna constitutes a part of a non-contact type IC card mounted on a wireless communication device, and the conductive plate is a housing of the wireless communication device. Also good. According to this, the fall of the coupling characteristic by the housing | casing of a radio | wireless communication apparatus being a conductor can be suppressed.

  Also, in each of the proximity antennas, the proximity antenna constitutes a part of a non-contact type IC card mounted on a wireless communication device, and the wireless communication device includes a circuit board including a communication circuit and a ground layer. The conductive plate may be the ground layer. According to this, it is possible to suppress a decrease in coupling characteristics due to the ground layer being included in the circuit board of the wireless communication device.

  A wireless communication device according to the present invention includes any one of the proximity antennas described above.

  According to the present invention, it is possible to suppress a decrease in coupling characteristics due to the conductive plate disposed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern by a method other than the method of attaching the magnetic material.

It is a figure which shows the system configuration | structure of the short-distance communication system by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a top view of the antenna part by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. FIG. 2A is a perspective view of a mobile phone according to the first embodiment of the present invention. (B) is the sectional view on the AA 'line of (a). FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3A enlarged in the vicinity of an opening and a slit. (A) is a figure which shows the spiral coil which comprises the proximity type | mold antenna by the 1st Embodiment of this invention, and the electrically conductive board by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) is a figure which shows the example at the time of using the electrically conductive board which does not have an opening part and a slit. (A) and (b) are the figures which show the result of having simulated the magnetic field near the proximity type antenna and conductive plate by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A)-(h) is a figure which shows the electrically conductive board and antenna pattern which were used for the simulation for showing the optimal value of the width | variety of the slit by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. It is a figure which shows the result of the simulation for showing the optimal value of the width | variety of the slit by the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view of the mobile telephone used with the short-distance communication system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (B) is the DD 'sectional view taken on the line of (a). It is explanatory drawing for demonstrating the angle used by the simulation for showing the directivity expansion effect of a coupling characteristic. (A) is a figure which shows typically the system configuration | structure of the short-distance communication system by the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (B) is a figure which shows typically the system configuration | structure of the short-distance communication system by the modification of the 2nd Embodiment of this invention. (A) (b) is a figure which shows typically the system configuration | structure of the short-distance communication system by the modification of the 3rd Embodiment of this invention. (A) is a perspective view which shows the 1st modification of the mobile telephone shown in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) is the EE 'sectional view taken on the line of (a). (A) is a perspective view which shows the 2nd modification of the mobile telephone shown in the 1st Embodiment of this invention. (B) is the FF 'sectional view taken on the line of (a).

  Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of the present invention will be described in detail with reference to the accompanying drawings.

  FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a system configuration of a short-range communication system 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention. As shown in FIG. 1, a short-range communication system 1 includes a cellular phone 10a (wireless communication device) having a proximity antenna 11, an IC chip 12, and a main body 15, a reader / writer having a proximity antenna 21 and a CPU 22. 20 (external communication device). The proximity antenna 11 and the IC chip 12 mounted on the mobile phone 10a are components of a non-contact type IC card.

  The short-range communication system 1 is, for example, MIFARE (registered trademark) or Felica (registered trademark), and uses a reader / writer 20 to read and write data stored in a memory (not shown) in the IC chip 12. It is.

  Communication between the mobile phone 10a as a non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 is realized by short-range communication by magnetic coupling. More specifically, the reader / writer 20 constantly supplies a current to the proximity antenna 21, and a magnetic field is generated around the proximity antenna 21 by this current. When the proximity antenna 11 enters this magnetic field, an electromotive force is generated in the proximity antenna 11 by magnetic coupling, and the IC chip 12 is activated using this electromotive force as a power source. At the time of reading, the IC chip 12 generates a current according to data stored in an internal memory (not shown) and passes the current to the proximity antenna 11. As a result, the magnetic field changes, and the current flowing through the proximity antenna 21 also changes. The CPU 22 reads data stored in the IC chip 12 from the change in current. At the time of writing, the CPU 22 changes the current passed through the proximity antenna 21 based on the write data. As a result, the magnetic field changes and the current flowing through the proximity antenna 11 also changes. The IC chip 12 detects write data from the change in current and writes it to the internal memory.

  The mobile phone 10a also functions as a mobile station device that constitutes a mobile communication system. The function as a mobile station apparatus is mainly realized by the main body unit 15. The main unit 15 has a function of communicating with a base station (not shown), a voice input / output function, an image input / output function, and the like.

  As shown in FIG. 1, the proximity antenna 11 includes an antenna unit 13 and a conductive plate 14a.

  FIG. 2 is a plan view of the antenna unit 13. As shown in the figure, the antenna unit 13 includes a substrate 30 and an antenna pattern 31 formed on the surface of the substrate 30. Although FIG. 2 illustrates an example in which a three-turn rectangular planar spiral coil is used as the antenna pattern 31, the configuration of the antenna pattern 31 is not limited to this. Both end portions 31a and 31b of the antenna pattern 31 are connected to the IC chip 12 shown in FIG. 1 (not shown).

Regarding the antenna pattern 31, in the present invention, the terms outer area S _OUTER and inner diameter area S _INNER may be used. The outer area S _OUTER means the area of the region surrounded by the outer periphery of the antenna pattern 31, and the inner shape area S _INNER means the area of the region surrounded by the inner periphery of the antenna pattern 31. For example, in the example of FIG. 2, the lateral length and the longitudinal length of the outer periphery are L _OX and L _OY , respectively, and therefore the outer area S _OUTER = L _OX × L _OY . Further, the lateral length and longitudinal length of the inner circumference are L _IX and L _IY , respectively, and therefore, the inner shape area S _INNER = L _IX × L _IY .

  Returning to FIG. The conductive plate 14 a is a conductive plate constituted by a part of the casing 14 of the mobile phone 10 a and is installed in parallel with the antenna unit 13. The conductive plate 14a and the antenna unit 13 are insulated from each other. The reader / writer 20 is disposed to face the conductive plate 14a.

  In FIG. 1, the antenna unit 13 is inside the housing 14, and thus the conductive plate 14 a is drawn between the antenna unit 13 and the proximity antenna 21. 14 may be arranged so that the antenna unit 13 is located between the conductive plate 14 a and the proximity antenna 21. Here, the conductive plate 14a is assumed to be a part of the housing 14, but a ground layer (not shown) formed on the mother board (described later) of the mobile phone 10a may be used as the conductive plate 14a. Instead of using the components of the mobile phone 10a as a mobile phone, a conductive plate may be provided exclusively for the function as a non-contact type IC card and used as the conductive plate 14a.

  FIG. 3A is a perspective view of the mobile phone 10a. FIG. 3B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line AA ′ of FIG. FIG. 4 is an enlarged view of FIG. 3A enlarged in the vicinity of a slit SL and an opening OP described later. Although FIG. 3A is not a cross-sectional view, the conductive plate 14a is hatched in the same manner as the cross-sectional view of FIG. 3B for easy understanding. This is the same in the following figures.

  As shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, the casing 14 of the mobile phone 10a is a substantially rectangular parallelepiped, and an LCD 50 and a keypad 51 are provided on one of its six surfaces. In addition to the antenna unit 13 and the IC chip 12 (not shown in FIG. 3), a multilayer substrate 52, a battery 53, and a camera 54 are provided inside the mobile phone 10a. The multilayer substrate 52 constitutes a mother board of the mobile phone 10a, and various electronic circuits including a communication circuit and a ground layer are formed on the surface and inside thereof. The lens of the camera 54 is exposed on the back surface of the housing 14. Each part other than the antenna part 13 and the IC chip 12 corresponds to the main body part 15 shown in FIG.

  The housing 14 is made of a conductive metal, and the conductive plate 14a is formed using the back surface of the housing 14 (the surface opposite to the surface on which the LCD 50 and the keypad 51 are provided among the six surfaces). The conductive plate 14a has an opening OP and a slit SL extending from the opening OP to the end of the conductive plate 14a.

Hereinafter, the length and width of the slit SL are represented as L _SL and W _SL , respectively, and the area of the opening _OP is represented as S _OP . Further, the length of the conductive plate 14a in the extending direction of the slit SL is expressed as L _CP , and the length of the conductive plate 14a in the direction orthogonal to the extending direction of the slit SL is expressed as L _CO . The length L _SL of the slit SL is, as shown in FIG. 3 (a), defined as the length from the center point of the opening OP to the end of the conductive plate 14a.

As shown in FIG. 3, the lens of the camera 54 is disposed in the opening OP. Therefore, the shape and area S _OP of the opening OP are set so that the lens of the camera 54 can be disposed in the opening OP. On the other hand, the width W _{SL of the} slit SL is optimized in consideration of the relationship with the size of the antenna pattern 31. This point will be described in detail later.

  Note that the interior of the slit SL may be an empty space as shown in FIGS. 3A and 3B, or may be filled with a nonconductive material such as an insulating resin. If it is filled with a non-conductive substance, the strength of the housing 14 can be ensured accordingly. In FIG. 3, the lens of the camera 54 and the opening OP are drawn so as to be exactly the same size. However, if there is a gap between the lens and the conductive plate 14a, the gap is also non-insulating resin or the like. It may be filled with a conductive material.

  FIGS. 3A, 3B and 4 also show the installation position of the antenna unit 13. In particular, as shown in FIG. 4, the antenna unit 13 is arranged at a position where the antenna pattern 31 and at least a part of the slit SL overlap each other when seen in a plan view.

  With the above configuration, even if there is a conductive plate 14a which is a conductor, the coupling characteristics between the mobile phone 10a as a non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 do not deteriorate, but there is no conductive plate 14a. Coupling characteristics are improved compared to the case. This will be specifically described below.

  FIG. 5A is a view showing a spiral coil and a conductive plate 14a constituting the proximity antenna 21. FIG. A line with an arrow shown in the figure indicates an eddy current flowing through the conductive plate 14a. As indicated by this line, when approaching the proximity antenna 21, eddy currents V1 and V2 flow through the conductive plate 14a. The eddy current V1 is a current that flows along the edge of the conductive plate 14a, and the eddy current V2 is a current that flows from both sides of the slit SL to the periphery of the opening OP. V1 and V2 are not current values but identification codes for identifying currents.

  Here, as a comparative example, FIG. 5B shows an example in which a conductive plate 14a having no opening OP and no slit SL is used. As understood from comparison between this comparative example and FIG. 5A, the eddy current V2 is a current that flows through the conductive plate 14a only when the opening OP and the slit SL exist. In other words, since there is the slit SL, the eddy current V1 cannot go around the edge of the conductive plate 14a and bypasses the slit SL. As a result, an eddy current V2 reverse to the eddy current V1 is generated.

  Since the eddy current flowing through the conductive plate 14a is generated by the magnetic field generated from the proximity antenna 21, the eddy current V1 flows in the direction of generating a magnetic field that weakens this magnetic field. On the other hand, since the eddy current V2 flows in the opposite direction to the eddy current V1, the eddy current V2 is a current that generates a magnetic field in a direction that intensifies the magnetic field generated from the proximity antenna 21. Accordingly, the eddy current V2 flows, rather, the magnetic field is strengthened, and the coupling characteristics are improved compared to the case where the conductive plate 14a is not provided, as well as the case where the conductive plate 14a is not provided with the opening OP and the slit SL. Become.

  6A and 6B are diagrams showing the results of simulating the magnetic field near the proximity antenna 21 and the conductive plate 14a. FIG. 6A shows the magnetic field of the cross section taken along the line BB ′ of FIG. 5A, and FIG. 6A shows the magnetic field of the CC ′ cross section of FIG. 5B.

  6 (a) and 6 (b) show that the lighter the portion, the stronger the magnetic field. As understood from both figures, a strong magnetic field is generated around the slit SL which does not exist when the opening OP and the slit SL are not provided. This is caused by the eddy current V2 described above. The use of the conductive plate 14a provided with the opening OP and the slit SL improves the coupling characteristics because this magnetic field is generated.

  Next, a simulation result of coupling efficiency generated between the mobile phone 10 as a non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 is shown. Table 1 shows specific values of the parameters for the conductive plates 14a of the three patterns (a) to (c) used in this simulation. In the table, a symbol (mm or the like) shown below each parameter indicates a unit of each parameter. This is the same for each table described later. Of the three patterns, pattern (a) is an example where the conductive plate 14a is not used. The pattern (b) is an example in which the opening OP and the slit SL are removed from the conductive plate 14a.

  Note that, in this simulation and each of the following simulations, unless otherwise specified, the size of the proximity antenna 21 is 110 mm square, the distance between the proximity antenna 21 and the antenna portion 13 is 30 mm, and the thickness of the conductive plate 14a is The thickness was 35 μm. Further, the arrangement of the conductive plate 14a is determined so that the center point of the proximity antenna 21 and the center point of the inner periphery of the antenna pattern 31 coincide with each other in plan view.

  Table 2 shows the result of the simulation for each pattern shown in Table 1. As understood from this result, in the pattern (c) having the slit SL, the coupling efficiency is greatly increased as compared with the other patterns. Therefore, it can be said that the coupling characteristics between the mobile phone 10a as the non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 are improved.

As described above, by providing the opening OP and the slit SL in the conductive plate 14a, the coupling characteristics between the mobile phone 10a as the non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 are improved. The degree is influenced by the width W _SL of the slit SL, the material of the conductive plate 14a, and the like. Therefore, hereinafter, these optimum values will be described with reference to simulation results.

7A to 7H are diagrams showing the conductive plate 14a and the antenna pattern 31 used in the simulation for showing the optimum value of the width W _SL of the slit SL. However, only the vicinity of the slit SL and the opening OP is shown for the conductive plate 14a, and only the outer periphery and the inner periphery are schematically shown for the antenna pattern 31. Here, the opening OP is a square. As shown in the figure, in this simulation, the width W _SL of the slit _SL was used as a change parameter, and the change tendency of the coupling efficiency with respect to the change of the width W _SL was confirmed.

Table 3 shows specific values of _WSL and other parameters. (A) to (h) in the table correspond to FIGS. 7 (a) to (h).

FIG. 8 is a diagram showing the results of simulation. In FIG. 8, the horizontal axis is parameter S1 / S2, and the vertical axis is coupling efficiency (dB). The parameter S1 is the area of the slit SL overlapping with the antenna pattern 31 in plan view (= W _SL × L _OY . The hatched area in FIG. 4), and the parameter S2 is the outer area S _{OUTER of the} antenna pattern 31. (= L _OX × L _OY )

As shown in FIG. 8, the maximum value of the coupling efficiency is about −22 dB. The value of the coupling efficiency is preferably −24 dB or more, which is 2 dB smaller than the maximum value, and more preferably −23 dB or less which is 1 dB smaller. When FIG. 8 is seen from this viewpoint, the value of the coupling efficiency exceeds −24 dB when S1 / S2 is approximately 0.35 or more and 1.1 or less, and is approximately 0.45 or more and 0.9 or less. More than -23dB. Therefore, the area W _SL × L _OY of the portion of the slit SL that overlaps with the antenna pattern 31 in plan view is preferably 35% to 110% of the outer area S _OUTER of the antenna pattern 31, and 45% It can be said that it is particularly preferable that the content is 90% or less. Further, considering that S _OUTER = L _OX × L _OY , the width W _{SL of the} slit SL is preferably 35% to 110% of the lateral length L _OX of the outer periphery of the antenna pattern 31. It can be said that it is particularly preferable to set it to 45% or more and 90% or less.

From another viewpoint, it can be said that the width W _{SL of the} slit SL is preferably not less than the lateral length L _IX of the inner periphery of the antenna pattern 31 and not more than the length L _OX of the outer periphery in the slit width direction. In FIG. 7, (e) to (g) correspond to this case. By doing so, it is considered that the magnetic field generated from the eddy current V2 is efficiently taken into the antenna pattern 31 and the coupling efficiency is increased.

Next, Table 4 shows specific values of the material of the conductive plate 14a, its conductivity C _14a , and other parameters that were simulated in the simulation for showing the preferred material of the conductive plate 14a. In this simulation, using the conductive plate 14a made of various materials, the changing tendency of the coupling efficiency with respect to the difference in conductivity of each material was confirmed.

According to the result of simulation (not shown), the coupling efficiency increases as the conductivity C _14a increases, except for one point where the material is Fe (conductivity C _14a = 1.030 × 10 ⁷ S / m). It is shown that the conductivity is stable when the conductivity is 1 × 10 ⁷ S / m or more. On the other hand, it is understood that the coupling efficiency when the material is Fe is greatly reduced as compared with the case where other materials having substantially the same conductivity are used. This is considered to be because Fe is a ferromagnetic material (the other material is a paramagnetic material or a diamagnetic material). Thus, as the conductive plate 14a, paramagnetic or diamagnetic, and conductivity _{C 14a} can be said that it is preferable to use a material is 1 × ¹⁰ 7 S / m or more.

As described above, the coupling characteristics between the mobile phone 10a as the non-contact type IC card and the reader / writer 20 include the relationship between the width W _{SL of the} slit SL and the size of the antenna pattern 31, the conductive plate 14a is affected by the material. Selecting these specific values as described above makes it possible to obtain optimum coupling characteristics.

  FIG. 9A is a perspective view of a mobile phone 10b used in the short-range communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 9B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line DD ′ of FIG. The short-range communication system according to this embodiment is different from the short-range communication system 1 according to the first embodiment in that a mobile phone 10b is used instead of the mobile phone 10a, and other points are the same as those in the first embodiment. The form is the same. The mobile phone 10b is different from the mobile phone 10a according to the first embodiment in that it has a conductive plate 14b instead of the conductive plate 14a. Hereinafter, the configuration and the like of the mobile phone 10b according to the present embodiment will be described in detail with a focus on differences from the first embodiment. In the following description and drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

As shown in FIG. 9 (a) (b), the conductive plate 14b, in addition to the back, extends to each side of the width W _B amount corresponding housing 14 from the rear. In other words, the end side of the conductive plate 14b in the direction away from the reader / writer 20 (FIG. 1) is bent by an amount corresponding to the bending width W _B. The slit SL is also extended to the side surface and provided to the end of the conductive plate 14 b, and is therefore bent in a direction away from the reader / writer 20.

  By using the conductive plate 14b whose end side is bent in this way, the directivity of the coupling characteristic can be widened. Hereinafter, detailed description will be given with reference to simulation results.

  FIG. 10 is an explanatory diagram for explaining the angle θ used in the simulation. The cross-sectional view of the mobile phone 10b shown in the figure is an inclination of the cross-sectional view shown in FIG. In an actual use scene, as shown in FIG. 10, the mobile phone 10b and the proximity antenna 21 of the reader / writer 20 are not necessarily parallel and are arranged with an inclination of an angle θ (≠ 0 °). become. In this simulation, the angle θ was used as a change parameter, and the change tendency of the coupling efficiency with respect to the change of the angle θ was confirmed.

The purpose of this simulation is to show the effect of using the conductive plate 14b whose end is bent. Therefore, a simulation was performed for each of the bending widths W _B = 0 mm and 3 mm. In short, the conductive plate 14b with W _B = 0 mm is the conductive plate 14a shown in the first embodiment. For comparison, a case where the conductive plate 14b does not exist (when the casing 14 of the mobile phone 10b including a portion corresponding to the conductive plate 14b is made of a non-conductive material) is also shown. A simulation was performed.

Table 5 shows specific values of each parameter in this simulation. In this simulation, the arrangement of the antenna unit 13 in the mobile phone 10b when the conductive plate 14b is not present is the same position as that when the conductive plate 14b is present. Further, the arrangement of the mobile phone 10b with respect to the proximity antenna 21 matches the center point of the proximity antenna 21 and the center point of the inner periphery of the antenna pattern 31 in plan view, and further, the minimum distance D ₁ (see FIG. 10) was determined to be a constant value.

According to the simulation results (not shown), when the bending width W _B is 3mm, particularly when the angle θ is 60 ° or more, the coupling efficiency to increase the angle θ as compared with the other It shows that the degree of decrease is small. This indicates that the directivity of the coupling characteristic is widened by using the conductive plate 14b whose end is bent.

  As described above, according to the short-range communication system according to the present embodiment, since the mobile phone 10b having the conductive plate 14b with the bent end is used, the directivity of the coupling characteristic can be widened. It is possible.

  FIG. 11A is a diagram schematically showing a system configuration of a short-range communication system according to the third embodiment of the present invention. The short-range communication system according to this embodiment is different from the short-range communication system 1 according to the first embodiment in that the magnetic sheet 40 is used, and the other points are the same as those in the first embodiment. Hereinafter, detailed description will be made focusing on differences from the first embodiment. In the following description and drawings, the same components as those in the first embodiment are denoted by the same reference numerals.

  As shown in FIG. 11A, in the present embodiment, the magnetic sheet 40 is disposed on the opposite side of the conductive plate 14a with the antenna pattern 31 in between. The magnetic sheet 40 is a magnetic member formed by forming a magnetic material such as iron oxide, chromium oxide, cobalt, and ferrite into a sheet shape, and is affixed to the surface of the antenna pattern 31 via an insulating paste (not shown). The The magnetic sheet 40 is substantially the same as or slightly larger than the antenna pattern 31, and is smaller than the conductive plate 14a.

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 11A, the magnetic field generated from the conductor 14 a generated in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 is confined in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 by the magnetic sheet 40 after passing through the antenna pattern 31. Thereby, the coupling efficiency is improved.

  Table 6 shows each parameter of the short-range communication system 1 used in the simulation for showing the effect of the magnetic sheet 40. The magnetic sheet 40 has a size of 7 mm × 7 mm which is the same size as the substrate 30 of the antenna unit 13. Table 7 shows an example of the result of simulating the coupling efficiency (dB) with the same configuration except for the magnetic sheet 40 for each of the cases where the magnetic sheet 40 is used and not used. As is apparent from Table 7, the coupling efficiency (dB) is improved by using the magnetic sheet 40.

  As described in the first embodiment, the antenna pattern 31 may be disposed outside the casing 14 of the mobile phone 10a, that is, on the reader / writer 20 side of the conductive plate 14a. FIG. 11B shows an arrangement example of the magnetic sheet 40 in this case. As shown in the figure, the magnetic sheet 40 in this case is disposed on the opposite side of the antenna pattern 31 with the conductive plate 14a interposed therebetween. In this case, the magnetic sheet 40 is affixed to the surface of the conductive plate 14a via an insulating paste (not shown).

  According to the configuration shown in FIG. 11B, the magnetic field generated from the conductor 14 a that is generated in the direction opposite to the antenna pattern 31 is confined in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 by the magnetic sheet 40. Thereby, the coupling efficiency is improved.

  Table 8 shows an example of the result of simulating the coupling efficiency (dB) with the configuration other than the magnetic sheet 40 being the same for each of the case where the magnetic sheet 40 is used and the case where the magnetic sheet 40 is not used in the example of FIG. Is shown. The parameters used in this simulation are the same as those shown in Table 6. As is clear from Table 8, also in the example of FIG. 11B, the coupling efficiency (dB) is improved by using the magnetic sheet 40.

  As described above, according to the short-range communication system according to the present embodiment, since the magnetic sheet 40 is used, the coupling efficiency (dB) can be improved as compared with the case where the magnetic sheet 40 is not used. It is possible.

  In the above embodiment, the magnetic sheet 40 is disposed at the position farthest from the reader / writer 20, but the magnetic sheet 40 may be disposed at the position closest to the reader / writer 20. 12A and 12B show specific examples of such an arrangement. FIG. 12A shows an example in which the antenna pattern 31 is arranged on the reader / writer 20 side of the conductive plate 14a. According to this, as in the configuration of FIG. 15A, the magnetic field generated from the conductor 14a. What is generated in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 is confined in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 by the magnetic sheet 40 after passing through the antenna pattern 31. Therefore, the coupling efficiency is improved. FIG. 12B shows an example in which the conductive plate 14a is arranged with the antenna pattern 31 on the reader / writer 20 side. According to this, as in the configuration of FIG. A magnetic field generated in a direction opposite to the antenna pattern 31 is confined in the direction of the antenna pattern 31 by the magnetic sheet 40. Therefore, the coupling efficiency is improved.

  As mentioned above, although preferable embodiment of this invention was described, this invention is not limited to such embodiment at all, and this invention can be implemented in various aspects in the range which does not deviate from the summary. Of course.

  For example, FIG. 13A is a perspective view showing a first modification of the mobile phone 10a shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 13B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line EE ′ of FIG. In this modification, the mobile phone 10a does not have a camera. Accordingly, the conductive plate 14a does not have the opening OP but has only the slit SL. Even if it does in this way, since the eddy current V2 mentioned above flows because slit SL exists, the fall of the coupling characteristic by the electroconductive board 14a can be suppressed.

  FIG. 14A is a perspective view showing a second modification of the mobile phone 10a shown in the first embodiment of the present invention. FIG. 14B is a cross-sectional view taken along the line FF ′ of FIG. In this modification, the housing 14 is an insulator such as plastic, and the conductive plate 14 a is configured by a metal plate fitted on the back surface of the housing 14. Even in this case, the conductive plate 14a can be configured. In addition, the conductive plate 14a may be produced by attaching or printing a conductive foil or a conductive plate.

  Further, in each of the above embodiments, only a straight line having a constant width is given as an example of the slit, but the slit SL does not necessarily have to be a straight line having a constant width. For example, a curved shape may be used, or a shape that narrows toward the inside of the conductive plate (such as a trapezoidal shape or a wedge shape) may be used.

  In each of the above embodiments, the conductive plate 14a and the antenna unit 13 are insulated from each other. However, when the conductive plate 14a is constituted by a ground layer, the conductive plate 14a and the antenna are connected via a ground end. The part 13 may be electrically connected.

  In each of the embodiments described above, an example in which a non-contact IC card is mounted on a mobile phone has been described. However, the present invention is not applied only to a mobile phone, and is widely applied to communication devices including wireless communication devices in general. Is possible.

DESCRIPTION OF SYMBOLS 1 Short-distance communication system 10a, 10b Cellular phone 11 Proximity antenna 12 IC chip 13 Antenna part 14 Case 14a, 14b Conductive plate 15 Main part 20 Reader / writer 21 Proximity antenna 30 Substrate 31 Antenna patterns 31a, 31b Both ends 40 Magnetic sheet 51 Keypad 52 Multilayer substrate 53 Battery 54 Camera OP Opening SL Slit

Claims (11)

An antenna pattern for wireless communication with an external communication device by magnetic coupling;
A conductive plate installed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern in an insulated state from the antenna pattern;
The conductive plate has an opening and a slit from the opening to the end of the conductive plate,
The proximity antenna is characterized in that the antenna pattern is not overlapped with the opening in a plan view but is disposed at a position overlapping with at least a part of the slit in a plan view. An antenna pattern for wireless communication with an external communication device by magnetic coupling;
A conductive plate installed in the vicinity of the antenna pattern in an insulated state from the antenna pattern;
The end of the conductive plate is provided with a slit having a certain width or narrowing toward the inside,
The proximity antenna, wherein the antenna pattern is arranged at a position overlapping with at least a part of the slit in plan view. The conductive plate is disposed between the antenna pattern and the external communication device,
The proximity antenna according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic member disposed on an opposite side of the conductive plate with the antenna pattern interposed therebetween. The conductive plate is disposed on the opposite side of the external communication device across the antenna pattern,
The proximity antenna according to claim 1, further comprising a magnetic member disposed on an opposite side of the antenna pattern with the conductive plate interposed therebetween. 5. The area of a portion of the slit that overlaps with the antenna pattern in a plan view is 35% or more and 110% or less of the outer area of the antenna pattern. 6. The proximity antenna described in 1. The width of the slit is not less than the length of the inner periphery of the antenna pattern in the slit width direction and not more than the length of the outer periphery of the antenna pattern in the slit width direction. The proximity antenna according to claim 5. The proximity antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 6, wherein at least a portion of the end of the conductive plate where the slit is provided is bent in a direction away from the external communication device. The proximity according to any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the conductive plate is made of a material that is paramagnetic or diamagnetic and has an electrical conductivity of 1 x 10 ⁷ S / m or more. Type antenna. The proximity antenna constitutes a part of a non-contact type IC card mounted on a wireless communication device,
The proximity antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conductive plate is a casing of the wireless communication device. The proximity antenna constitutes a part of a non-contact type IC card mounted on a wireless communication device,
The wireless communication device has a circuit board including a communication circuit and a ground layer,
The proximity antenna according to any one of claims 1 to 8, wherein the conductive plate is the ground layer.   A wireless communication device comprising the proximity antenna according to claim 1.

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