Near field coupling devices and associated systems and methods

摘要

A near-field coupling device that may facilitate communications with a transponder is provided. The near-field coupling device may include a ground plane, a dielectric substrate, one or more conductive strips and a terminating load. The conductive strips together with the ground planes form coupling elements. The near-field coupling device further includes one or more switching elements for selectively connecting and disconnecting the coupling elements with a transceiver. The connected coupling elements define a total characteristic impedance. Using the switching element, the ratio between the total characteristic impedance of the connected coupling elements and the terminating load may be changed in order to adjust the distribution of an electromagnetic field along the coupling elements according to the type and position of the transponder to be processed.

主权项

1. A near field coupler system comprising:
a transceiver; and a near field coupler in electrical communication with the transceiver, the near field coupler configured to transmit wireless signals to a targeted transponder, the near field coupler comprising:
a dielectric substrate having a first surface and a second surface;a ground plane adjacent to the second surface of the dielectric substrate;radiating elements disposed on the first surface of the dielectric substrate, wherein:
the radiating elements are coupled to the ground plane through one or more terminating resistors;a first radiating element of the radiating elements defines a first impedance;a second radiating element of the radiating elements defines a second impedance;the first impedance, in isolation, is different from the second impedance, in isolation; andat least one switching element coupled to each of the radiating elements, wherein the at least one switching element is:
configured to be in electrical communication with the transceiver; andconfigured to selectively activate one or more radiating elements among the radiating elements to provide selective wireless communications between the transceiver and the one or more of the radiating elements to communicate with the targeted transponder having an unknown orientation relative to the radiating elements.