AU2010292977A1 - Antenna configuration method and apparatus - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to the field of data transmission. In one form, the invention relates to a method of and/or system adapted for coupling an antenna to a device, comprising associating a tag with an antenna, the antenna having predetermined characteristics, coupling the antenna to the device, enabling communication between the tag and the device, the communication providing information related to the characteristics.

Description

WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 ANTENNA CONFIGURATION METHOD AND APPARATUS FIELD OF INVENTION The present invention relates to the field of data transmission. In one form, the invention relates to amplifiers and the transmission pf data 5 modulated signals between various devices, including loads and/or antennas. In another form, the invention relates to the filters and/or matching circuits connected between an amplifier and a load and their ability to pass modulated signals. In another form, the invention relates to the filters and/or matching circuits 10 used between a transmitter's power amplifier and an antenna and their ability to pass modulated signals In another, form, the invention relates to the field of Radio Frequency Identification (RFID), and the transmission of data from a tag to an interrogator. In another form, the present invention is suitable for transmitting data via a 15 single antenna. It will be convenient to hereinafter describe the invention in relation to transmission between a RFID tag and an interrogator, however it should be appreciated that the present invention is not limited to that use only. BACKGROUND ART 20 Throughout this specification the use of the word "inventor" in singular form may be taken as reference to one (singular) inventor or more than one (plural) inventor of the present invention. The inventor has realised that it is not uncommon to connect a number of antennas to one device, such as a reader. In order to ensure optimum operation, 25 the device needs to be 'matched' to the characteristics of the antenna. Typically, matching is done manually. Failure to provide this 'matching' has been found to reduce the operational effectiveness of the device and / or antennas. In order to address this problem, some devices provide specific ports for connection of specific antennas. These ports have. been designed to work 30 optimally with a specific antenna and therefore only that specific antenna should be connected to that port. However, it has been found that people installing the devices and antennas do not always install the antennas to the correct port.

WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 2 In a situation where an antenna different to the specific antenna is required to be connected, there are further problems associated with matching the antenna to the port(s). Furthermore, manual tuning of each port and antenna is considered to be 5 undesirable, especially due the. large number of antennas often used in one location and the relatively high risk of human error in tuning and/or connecting readers and antennas together. It is to be appreciated that any discussion of documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the present 10 invention. Further, the discussion throughout this specification comes about due - to the realisation of the inventor and/or the identification of certain related art problems .by the inventor. Moreover, any discussion of material such as documents, devices, acts or knowledge in this specification is included to explain the context of the invention in terms of the inventor's knowledge and experience 15 and, accordingly, any such discussion should not be taken as an admission that any of the material forms part of the prior art base or the common general knowledge in the relevant art in Australia, or elsewhere, on or before the priority date of the disclosure and claims herein. SUMMARY OF INVENTION 20 An object of the present invention is to provide an improved device and antenna coupling method and/or apparatus. It is an object of the embodiments described herein to overcome or alleviate at least one of the above noted drawbacks of related art systems or to at least provide a useful alternative to related art systems. 25 The present invention relates to an improvement on the data transmission method and apparatus disclosed in co-pending applications based on W02007/030864, the disclosure of which is herein incorporated by reference, in which, in order to pass phase modulated signals with relatively high data rates through relatively high Q narrow bandwidth circuits,. the centre (resonant) 30 frequency of the circuit is adjusted (shifted) to substantially match the instantaneous frequency of the phase modulated signal In other words, the tuning is 'moved' for relatively short periods of time during the modulated phase transitions. In one embodiment, this has been found to result in the ability to get WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 3 the relatively fast PJM phase transitions (see W01999/034526, the disclosure of which is also herein incorporated by reference) into the interrogator's antenna for transmission to a transponder or othei remote device. Nonetheless, the inventors also have realised that the 'shifts' of frequency 5 and the period over which the shifts occur may be different for different antennas. Thus there is a need to 'adjust' each port to each coupled antenna. In a first aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided a method of and/or system adapted for coupling an antenna to -a device, comprising the steps of associating a tag with an antenna, the antenna having predetermined 10 characteristics, coupling the antenna to the device, enabling communication between the tag and the device, the communication providing information related to the characteristics. In another aspect of embodiments described herein there is provided an antenna adapted .to be coupled to a device, the antenna comprising a tag 15 associated with the antenna, the antenna having predetermined characteristics, the tag being adapted to communicate with the device information related to the characteristics. In yet a further aspect of embodirments described herein there is- provided a system comprising at least one antenna, each antenna having at least one tag 20 associated therewith, a device' adapted to have the least one antenna coupled thereto and communication means enabling communication between the tag and the device, the communication providing information related to antenna characteristics. Other aspects and preferred forms are disclosed in the specification and/or 25 defined in the appended claims, forming a part of the description of the invention. In essence, embodiments of the present invention stem from the realization that a data storage device,. such as a tag(s) or memory chip, may be associated with an antenna, the data storage device being adapted to provide data related to adjustment of a device to which the antenna is coupled. 30 Alternatively, the antenna may be adjusted and/or the device and the antenna are adjusted. For example, once an antenna is coupled to a reader, the reader receives the data and then makes or initiates the adjustment according to the WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 4 data. In one example, the adjustment data may be a value, whici proviaes a measure of adjustment. The tag may also be used to provide a test of communication between the antenna, tag and/or reader. 5 Advantages provided by the present invention comprise the following: * Specific antenna characteristic information may be stored in the tag; * Specific antenna feature information may be stored in the tag. Features may include, inter alia, LEDs, audible capability and/or user operated buttons; 10 * Specific reader feature and/or characteristic information may be stored and/or read by the tag; 0 there is no specific order in which antennas need to be coupled to a device; e no specific port configuration required for an antenna connection; 15 e Can determine antenna location and/or activity based on tag and/or reader communication * Can determine multiple antenna configuration based on tag or reader communication; e Communication of the antenna and/or reader information, in one, 20 embodiment, is made via wireless, such as' RFID and/or existing communication channels thus reducing the need for 'wired' or additional communication channel(s). The present invention is applicable to various forms of devices, readers, interrogators, RFID equipment, amplifiers and/or transmitters where frequency 25 selective circuits, matching circuit, filters or antennas are connected to their output. The present invention is applicable to, but not limited to, various forms of tag(s), readers) and/or interrogator(s). Thus, the nature of the data transmitted according to the present invention is not essential and the tag, reader and/or 30 interrogator whether active and/or passive is not essential to the present invention. Throughout this specification, 'tag' is intended to include, without limitation, a data storage device of any type and./ or configuration, a chip, WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 5 memory, identification device, transponder; RFID tag; a tag, any form of readable. device, whether the reading is wireless or wired. The tag may be rendered in any technology which enables the provision of data when required. For example, and without limitation, the identification device may be an ASIC, chip, an ASIC with an 5 associated antenna assembly, electronic circuitry included in a printed antenna structure, logic means or a tuned antenna, Further scope of applicability of embodiments of the present invention will become apparent from the detailed description given hereinafter. However, it should be understood that the detailed. description and specific examples, while 10 indicating preferred embodiments of the invention, are given by way of Illustration only, since various changes and modifications within the spirit and scope of the disclosure herein will become apparent to those skilled in the art from this detailed description. BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 15 Further disclosure, objects, advantages and aspects of preferred and other embodiments of the -present application may -be better understood by those skilled in the relevant art by reference to the following description of embodiments taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, which are given by way of illustration only, and thus are not limitative of the disclosure herein, and in which: 20 Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention; and Figure 2 illustrates another embodiment of the present invention. DETAILED DESCRIPTION Figure 1 illustrates one embodiment of the present invention, in which there is an antenna 1, tag 2, and reader 3. The antenna 1 is coupled to port 4 or 25 the reader 3. In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, when the antenna 1 is coupled to the port 4, the reader 3 and tag 2 can communicate with each other. In this communication, information regarding port 4 configuration and/or characteristics of the antenna are relayed to the reader 3. The reader 3 can then make adjustments to its internal circuitry, settings, software and/or to the 30 associated port 4, and/or the coupled antenna 1, if necessary. The various adjustments are disclosed in, for example, W02007/030864 or would be known to those skilled in the art. Other adjustments may include control of the operation of devices, MUX, receiver and/or transmitter settings, antenna switching. The WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 6 adjustments may relate to, without limitation, any one of, or any combination of, electrical settings, such as signal adjustments, shift and/or change in frequency, phase, amplitude, bandwidth, modulation and/or data rate. In Figure 2, a second antenna 5 is provided, overlapping 8 antenna 1. The 5 second antenna 5 also has a tag 6 associated with antenna 5 and is connected to port 7 of the reader 3. The reader 3 may be configured to determine that the antennas 1, 5 are overlapping or any other antenna configuration and/or arrangement. Alternatively, the tags 2, 6 may be located on the antennas 1,5 in a proximate manner in which case the tags 2, 6 may be powered by either antenna 10 1 or 5, and therefore 'read' by a single port 4 or 7. In such a -case, the antennas 1,5 can be determined to be in an overlapping or proximate configuration. In a further alternative, an indication may be provided in the case that a reader 3 receives a signal from more than one antenna tag 2,6, indicating that antennas 1,5 are in relatively close or overlapping proximity. Thus, tags 2 and 6 may 15 communicate with the reader 3 to convey that the antennas 1,5 are overlapping or proximate each other. Tag 6 may also provide configuration information related to port 4 and/or 7 to the.reader. Again, various adjustments may be made to reader 3 to accommodate the proximate and/or overlapping antennas 1,5 so that the reader 3 'sees' only one (combined) antenna land 5. Other adjustments 20 may be made, for example in accordance with the disclosure of W02007/030864. In various aspects of invention, the reader may be adjusted to a coupled antenna, the antenna may be adjusted to the reader or the antenna and reader are adjusted to each other's characteristics and/or features. In accordance with an aspect of invention, the communication path may be 25 wireless and/or wired. One or more tag(s) may also be powered passively, for example powered by an antenna or powered actively. While this invention has been described in connection with specific embodiments thereof, it will be understood. that it is capable of further modification(s). This application is intended to cover any variations uses or 30 adaptations of the invention following in general, the principles of the invention and including such departures from the present disclosure as come within known or customary practice within the art to which the invention pertains and as may be applied to the essential features hereinbefore set forth.

WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 7 As the present invention may be embodied in several forms without departing from the spirit of the essential characteristics of the invention, It should be understood that the above described embodiments are not to limit the present invention unless otherwise specified, but rather should be construed broadly 5 within the spirit and scope of the invention as defined in the appended claims. The described embodiments are to be considered in all respects as illustrative only and not restrictive. - Various modifications and equivalent arrangements are intended to be included within the spirit and scope of the invention and appended claims. 10 Therefore, the specific embodiments are to be understood to be illustrative of the many ways in which the principles of the present invention may be practiced. In the following claims, means-plus-function clauses are intended to cover structures as performing the defined function and not only structural equivalents, but also equivalent structures. For example, although a nail and a screw may not be 15 structural equivalents in that a nail employs a cylindrical surface to secure wooden parts together, whereas a screw employs a helical surface to secure wooden parts together, in the environment of fastening wooden parts, a nail and a screw are equivalent structures. It should be noted that where the terms "server", "secure server" or similar 20 terms are used herein, a communication device is described that may be used in a communication system, unless the context otherwise requires, and should not be construed to limit the present invention to any particular communication device type. Thus, a communication device may include, without limitation, a bridge, router, bridge-router (router), switch, node, or other communication device, which 25 may or may not be secure. It should also be noted that where a flowchart 'is used herein to demonstrate various aspects of the Invention, it should not be construed to limit the present invention to any particular logic flow or logic implementation. The described logic may be partitioned into different logic blocks (eg, programs, 30 modules, functions, or subroutines) without changing the overall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention. Often, logic elements may be added, modified, omitted, performed in a different order, or implemented using different, logic constructs (eg, logic gates, looping primitives, conditional WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 8 logic, and other logic constructs) without changing the overall results or otherwise departing from the true scope of the invention. Various embodiments of the invention may be embodied in many different forms, including computer program logic for -use with a processor (eg, a 5 microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, or general purpose computer), programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device (eg, a Field Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) or other PLD), 'discrete components, integrated circuitry (eg, an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC)), or any other means including any combination thereof. In an exemplary embodiment of 10 the present invention, predominantly allof the communication between users and the server is implemented as a set of computer program instructions that is converted into a computer executable form, stored as such in a computer readable medium, and executed by a microprocessor under the control of an operating system. 15 Computer program logic implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be embodied in various forms, including a source code form, a computer executable form, and various intermediate forms (eg, forms generated by an assembler, compiler, linker, or locator). Source code may include a series of computer program instructions implemented in any of various 20 programming languages (eg, an object code, an assembly language, or a high level language such as Fortran, C, C++, JAVA, or HTML) for use with various operating systems or operating environments. The source code may define and use various data structures and communication messages. The source code may be in a computer executable form (eg, via an interpreter), or the source code may 25 be converted (e.g., via a translator, assembler, or compiler) into a computer executable form.. The computer program may-be fixed in any form (eg, source code form, computer executable form, or an intermediate form) either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory 30 device (eg, a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (eg, a CD-ROM or DVD-ROM), a PC card (eg, PCMCIA card), or other memory device. The computer program may be fixed in any form in a signal that is WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 9 transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (eg, Bluetooth), networking technologies, and inter-networking technologies. The computer program may be 5 distributed in any form as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (eg, shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (e.g., on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (eg, the Internet or World Wide Web). 10 Hardware logic (including programmable logic for use with a programmable logic device) implementing all or part of the functionality where described herein may be designed using traditional manual methods, or may be designed, captured, simulated, or documented electronically using various tools, such as Computer Aided Design (CAD), a hardware description language (e.g., VHDL or 15 AHDL), or a PLD programming language (e.g., PALASM, ABEL, or CUPL). Programmable logic may be fixed either permanently or transitorily in a tangible storage medium, such as a semiconductor memory device (e.g., a RAM, ROM, PROM, EEPROM, or Flash-Programmable RAM), a magnetic memory device (e.g., a diskette or fixed disk), an optical memory device (e.g., a CD-ROM 20 or DVD-ROM), or other memory device. The programmable logic may be fixed in a signal that is transmittable to a computer using any of various communication technologies, including, but in no way limited to, analog technologies, digital technologies, optical technologies, wireless technologies (eg, Bluetooth), networking technologies, and internetworking technologies. The programmable 25 logic may be distributed as a removable storage medium with accompanying printed or electronic documentation (eg, shrink wrapped software), preloaded with a computer system (eg, on system ROM or fixed disk), or distributed from a server or electronic bulletin board over the communication system (eg, the Internet or World Wide Web). 30 "Comprises/comprising" and "includes/including" when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps or components but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, Integers, steps, components or groups thereof. Thus, unless the WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 10 context clearly requires otherwise, throughout the description and the claims, the words 'comprise', 'comprising', 'includes', 'including' and the like are to be construed in an inclusive sense as opposed to an exclusive or exhaustive sense; that is to say, in the sense of "Including, but not limited to".

Claims (18)

1. A method of coupling an antenna to a device, the method comprising the steps of: 5 associating a tag with an antenna, the antenna having predetermined characteristics, coupling the antenna to the device enabling communication between the tag and the device, the communication providing information related to the characteristics. 10

2. A method as claimed in claim 1, further comprising the step of adjusting any one, or any combination of, device, antenna, tag in accordance with the information. 15

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication provides data enabling adjustment of the device to the antenna.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 or 2, wherein the communication provides data enabling adjustment of the antenna to the device. 20

5. A method as claimed in any one of claims to 4, wherein the* coupling is electrical coupling.

6. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 5, wherein a plurality of 25 antenna is coupled to the device, each antenna having a tag associated with each respective antenna.

7. A method as claimed in claim 6, wherein at least two of the antennas are at least partially overlapping. 30

8. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 7, wherein the information relates- to any one of, or any combination of, electrical settings, such as signal adjustment(s), shift and/or change in frequency, phase, amplitude, bandwidth, WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 12 modulation and/or data rate or control of the operation of device(s), MUX, receiver and/or transmitter settings, antenna switching.

9. A method as claimed in claim 8, wherein the shifts in frequency are as 5 disclosed in W02007/030864.

10. A method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 9, further wherein the tag includes information of one or more features of'an antenna and/or reader. 10

11. An antenna adapted to be coupled to a device, the antenna comprising a tag associated with the antenna, the antenna having predetermined characteristics, the tag being adapted to communicate with the device information related to the characteristics. 15

12. An antenna as claimed in claim 11, wherein the antenna is adjustable in response to the-communication.

13. An antenna as claimed in claim 11, wherein the antenna is adjustable to suit the device. 20

14. A system comprising: at least one antenna, each antenna having at least one tag associated therewith, a device adapted to have the least one antenna coupled thereto and 25' communication means enabling communication between the tag and the device, the communication providing information related to antenna characteristics.

15. Apparatus adapted to enable coupling an antenna to a device, said 30 apparatus including: processor means adapted to operate in accordance with a predetermined instruction set, said apparatus, in conjunction with said instruction set, being adapted to perform the method as claimed in any one of claims 1 to 10. 35 WO 2011/029141 PCT/AU2010/001164 13

16. A computer program product including: a computer usable medium having computer. readable program code and computer readable system code embodied on said medium for operating with a data processing system, said computer program product including: 5 computer readable code within said computer usable medium for enabling coupling of an antenna to a device.

17. A method as herein disclosed. 10

18. An apparatus, system and/or device as herein disclosed.