EP1854213A2

EP1854213A2 - Electronic module

Info

Publication number: EP1854213A2
Application number: EP06707102A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Andreas Ullmann; Alexander Knobloch; Merlin Welker; Walter Fix
Original assignee: PolyIC GmbH and Co KG
Current assignee: PolyIC GmbH and Co KG
Priority date: 2005-03-01
Filing date: 2006-02-21
Publication date: 2007-11-14
Also published as: WO2006092215A3; WO2006092215A2; US20080265965A1; DE102005009819A1; US7843342B2

Abstract

The invention relates to an electronic module (10) with organic components. The electronic module comprises a clock generator (2) with n serially-wired organic circuit elements (21) each made from organic components. The output of the nth organic circuit element of the clock generator (2) is connected to the input of the first organic circuit element of the clock generator (2). The outputs of two or more organic circuit elements (21) of the clock generator are connected to the inputs of a first electronic circuit (4) of the electronic module (10), for tapping of two or more clock signals (31 to 35), such that, at the output of a first circuit element (21), a first clock signal is tapped for the first electronic circuit (4) and at the output of the second circuit element different to the first circuit element (21), a second clock signal is tapped for the first electronic circuit (4), which is phase-shifted relative to the first clock signal.

Description

electronics assembly

The invention relates to an electronic assembly with organic components, in particular an RFID transponder (RFID = Radio Frequency Identification).

RFID transponders are increasingly being used to provide goods, articles or security products with electronically readable information. They are thus used, for example, as an electronic barcode for consumer goods, as a luggage tag for identifying luggage, or as a security element incorporated in the cover of a passport, which stores authentication information.

RFID transponders usually consist of two components, an antenna and a silicon chip. The RF carrier signal transmitted by the base station is coupled into the antenna resonant circuit of the RFID transponder. Additional information is modulated by the silicon chip on the signal fed back to the base station. The modulation is controlled by an implemented in digital circuit technology on the silicon chip I D-code generator. In this case, the circuit clock for the electronic circuits on the silicon chip is derived directly from the frequency of the radio signal received by the antenna.

The digital circuits of the silicon chip are thus operated synchronously to the radio carrier frequency.

In order to reduce the manufacturing costs for RFID transponders, it has been proposed to use organic integrated circuits based on organic field-effect transistors in RFID transponders. Thus, for example, WO 99/30432 proposes to use in an RFID transponder an integrated circuit constructed essentially of organic material, which performs the function of an I D code generator. For carrier frequencies of greater than 10 MHz, in particular in the 13.56 MHz range which is particularly interesting for RFID transponders and in the UHF range beyond 900 MHz, it is currently not possible to use organic circuits of RFID transponders, as is the case with silicon RFID tags. Transponder usual to operate synchronously to the radio carrier frequency. Due to the limited carrier mobility and the resulting switching times, organic logic circuits are currently too slow to operate at such high switching frequencies in synchronism with the carrier frequency.

Further, a variety of clock generators are known, which provide a clock signal for the operation of logic circuits, in particular of processors. Such clock generators usually have a resonant circuit from which the clock signal is derived.

The invention is based on the object of specifying an improved electronic assembly with organic components.

The object of the invention is achieved by an electronic assembly with organic components, in particular by an RFID transponder having a clock generator and a first electronic circuit, wherein the clock generator n serially connected in series organic switching elements, each of organic components, in particular organic Field effect transistors are constructed, wherein the output of the nth organic switching element of the clock generator with the input of the first organic

Switching element of the clock generator is connected, and wherein the outputs of two or more of the organic switching elements of the clock generator to respective inputs of the first electronic circuit for tapping two or more clock signals are connected, so that at the output of a first of the switching elements, a first clock signal for the first electronic circuit is tapped and at the output of a second, different from the first switching element switching element, a second, compared to the first clock signal phase-shifted clock signal for the first electronic circuit is tapped.

As a clock generator so an assembly of organic components is used, which generates a periodically circulating signal. At two or more points of the chain, output signals for the first electronic circuit are tapped, which, due to their properties (phase offset), allow to reduce the component cost for implementing the function of the first circuit or to generate complex data signals with little component expenditure, which would otherwise only be achieved by means of more complex logic modules, such as counters or decoder circuits could be generated.

Particular advantages arise when using the invention in the field of RFID transponder. Within the organic circuit of the RFID transponder, a separate, independent of the radio carrier frequency circuit clock is generated by the clock generator. The organic circuit of the RFID transponder is then operated with this specially generated clock asynchronous to the carrier frequency of the radio link. The output of the circuit is then used to modulate the radio signal. This allows the carrier frequency completely asynchronous clocking of the organic circuit part of the RFID transponder.

The resulting in this arrangement periodic output signals are optimally adapted to the switching speed of organic circuits and can therefore be optimally used as clock signals, for example, for the organic circuit of an RFID transponder. The frequency and phase of the clock signals is essentially only dependent on the structure of the clock generator assembly described above (length of the chain, component geometry, etc.), but not on the carrier frequency of the radio link of the RFID transponder.

Advantageous developments of the invention are designated in the subclaims.

The first electronic circuit is preferably a logic circuit constructed of organic components. As already stated above, the Output signals of the clock generator optimally adapted to the switching speed of organic circuits, so that the two or more derived from the clock generator clock signals can be used to implement a variety of functions that would otherwise be only a considerably higher component cost or not feasible.

In accordance with a preferred embodiment of the invention, the first electronic circuit here has one or more logic gates constructed from organic components, which logically link the supplied two or more clock signals and thereby generate one or more output signals for a second electronic circuit, which likewise preferably has one is constructed of organic components logic circuit. In this way, by simple circuits with only a few logic gates more complex signals, such as asymmetric signals can be obtained, otherwise only by consuming circuits or - due to the limited

Charge carrier mobility and resulting switching times of organic devices - could not be generated in organic circuit technology. Thus, for example, it is possible to generate in this way data signals or addressing signals for organic logic circuits with a very high switching clock and very little delay, which could otherwise be generated at least not with such a high switching cycle and / or delay with organic components , The invention can therefore also be used to improve and accelerate the information processing by organic digital circuits.

Preferably, two clock signals are tapped to switching elements of the clock generator, which are each other INT (n / 2) switching elements away from each other, wherein n is preferably even to choose. In this way, two clock signals can be generated that are 90 ° out of phase with each other.

According to a preferred embodiment of the invention, in the first electronic circuit, second clock signals are linked by a NOR or an AND gate to generate an asymmetrical pulse-shaped output signal. The pulse width of the pulses of the output signal are in this case determined by the number of arranged between the tapping of the clock signals organic switching elements, so that the relative position of the two tapping points to each other is chosen so that there is the desired pulse width of the pulses of the output signal. The asymmetric signals generated in this way make it easier to distinguish the useful signal from the unavoidable noise in a radio transmission, so that the use of a clock signal produced in this way results in advantages in the operation of an RFID transponder.

According to another preferred embodiment of the invention, the outputs of three or more of the organic switching elements of the clock generator are connected to respective inputs of the first electronic circuit for tapping off three or more clock signals phase-shifted with respect to one another. The first electronic circuit comprises two or more organic gates constructed of logic gates which combine the three or more clock signals to produce two or more output signals having non-overlapping pulses. These output signals can be used, for example, for addressing memory locations. The addressing signals can be generated here with very low component cost. The three or more clock signals phase-shifted with respect to one another are thus linked, for example, in pairs by a logic gate, and the number of electronic switching elements arranged between the respective tapping points of the clock signals are selected such that the two or more output signals have non-overlapping pulses.

To generate more complex addressing or data signal, the first electronic circuit is constructed as a two-stage or multi-stage logic circuit, which can be implemented with very low component complexity very complex waveforms, which are used for example as I D information of an RFID transponder can.

The generation of these more complex signals directly from the combination of several phase-shifted clock signals has compared to the usual used classical generation of such signals by means of counter and decoder circuits the advantage that it requires significantly fewer components than these relatively expensive modules. This reduces the space required and thus increases the yield of the organic circuits.

The electronic assembly according to the invention can be used to perform a variety of functions and is not limited to the application in an RFID transponder. Particular advantages arise here, if the electronic assembly is made in the form of a flexible film element that serves as a security element for securing documents of value, such as banknotes or passports or the security of goods.

In the following we will exemplify the invention with reference to several embodiments with the aid of the accompanying drawings.

Fig. 1 shows a functional representation of an electronic assembly according to the invention.

Fig. 2 shows a functional representation of an electronic assembly according to the invention for a further embodiment of the invention.

3 shows a circuit diagram of a clock generator module for an electronic module according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

4 shows a circuit diagram of a clock generator module for an electronic module according to FIG. 1 or FIG. 2.

1 shows an electronic assembly 10, which is a flexible, multilayer film body with one or more electrical functional layers. The electrical functional layers of the film body consist of

(organic) conductive layers, organic semiconductive layers and / or organic insulation layers, which are arranged, at least partially in a structured form, one above the other. In addition to these electrical functional layers The multilayer film body optionally also comprises one or more carrier layers, protective layers, decorative layers, adhesion-promoting layers or adhesive layers. The electrically conductive functional layers preferably consist of a conductive, structured metallization, preferably of gold or silver. However, it can also be provided that these

Functional layers are formed of an inorganic electrically conductive material, for example, indium-tin oxide or a conductive polymer, for example of polyaniline or polypyrene. The organic semiconducting functional layers consist, for example, of conjugated polymers, such as polythiophenes, polythlenylenevinylenenes or polyflorene derivatives, which are applied as a solution by spin-coating, raking or printing. Also suitable as the organic semiconductor layer are so-called "small molecules", ie oligomers such as sexithiophene or pentacene, which are vapor-deposited by a vacuum technique.These organic layers are preferably applied in a patterned pattern by a printing process (gravure printing, screen printing, pad printing) For example, the organic materials provided for the layers are in the form of soluble polymers, the term "polymer" also including oligomers and "small molecules" as already described above.

The electrical functional layers of the film body are in this case designed so that they realize the clarify the following functions.

According to a first embodiment of the invention, the electronic assembly 10 is used as an RFID transponder.

From a functional point of view, the electronic assembly 10 has an antenna resonant circuit 11, a rectifier 12, a modulator 13, an electronic circuit 4 and a clock generator 2 for this purpose. The rectifier 12 provides the supply voltage for the modulator 13, the electronic circuit 4 and the clock generator 2. The clock generator 2 provides the switching clock for the electronic circuit 4 and supplies the electronic circuit 4 further to a plurality of clock signals 31 to 35, which are out of phase with each other. The electronic circuit generates the control signal for the modulator 13 and provides, for example, the function of an ID code generator or a control module, which exchanges authorization or identification information by controlling the modulator 13 via the air interface with a corresponding base station via a specific communication protocol.

As indicated in Fig. 1, the clock generator 2 consists of an annular arrangement of similar organic switching elements 21, which are each constructed of organic components. As shown in FIG. 2, the output of one of the organic switching elements 21 is connected to the input of the subsequent organic switching element 21 and the input of the organic switching element 21 is connected to the output of the preceding organic switching element 21.

The organic switching elements 21 are preferably in each case an inverter constructed from organic components. Examples of the circuitry realization of such an annular arrangement of uniform organic switching elements are shown in FIGS. 3 and 4.

Thus, Fig. 4 illustrates an annular arrangement of five inverter circuits, each consisting of a resistor 91 and an organic field effect transistor 92 are constructed. In this case, the circuit has a connection 94 for the supply voltage and a clock connection 93.

FIG. 3 shows an annular arrangement of series-connected organic switching elements, each formed by four organic field-effect transistors 81 and 82. The circuit according to FIG. 3 has a terminal 83 for a positive operating voltage, a terminal 85 for a negative operating voltage, a ground terminal 84 and a clock output with the terminals 87 and 86. In the circuit according to FIG. 3, field-effect transistors 81 are used and 82 are used, which have different conductive current channels. Of the

Switchover process is done by applying a negative gate voltage to the field effect transistor with the less conductive current channel and simultaneous Applying a positive gate voltage to the organic field effect transistor with the better conductive current channel.

The clock frequency of a clock signal tapped at the clock generator 2 according to FIG. 1 is thus determined solely by the number of organic switching elements 21 as well as by the switching speed of the organic components 21, which essentially consist of the circuit-type design (see FIG. 3, FIG ) and the structure of the organic field-effect transistors used for this purpose.

The clock signals 31 to 35, which are supplied to the respective assemblies 41 to 45 of the electronic circuit 4, are tapped here at the outputs of different organic switching elements 21. Thus, the clock signals 31 to 35 are tapped at the tapping points 22 to 26. The clock signals 31 to 35 thus have the same clock frequency but have a different phase position which is determined by the number of organic switching elements 21 arranged between the respective tap points.

Fig. 2 shows a clock generator 5 and an electronic circuit 6. The clock generator 5 is composed of n organic switching elements 51 which, as indicated in Fig. 2, are linked together in a ring shape. The organic switching elements can, as already explained with reference to FIGS. 1, 3 and 4, be constructed. At a first tapping point 52, a first clock signal 71 is tapped off and supplied to the electronic circuit 6. At a second tapping point 53, a second clock signal 72 is tapped off and supplied to the electronic circuit 6. As shown in Fig. 2, the clock signals 71 and 72 are periodic clock signals which are out of phase with each other. 2 shows a representation of the time profile of the signal level V of the respective clock signal, which is plotted against time t. The clock signals 71 and 72 are thus periodic, rectangular, binary signals, which are phase-shifted by 90 ° to each other. The electronic circuit 6 is a logic gate, for example an AND or NOR gate. By the combination of the two clock signals 71 and 72, a pulse-shaped output signal 73 is generated by the electronic circuit, whose pulse width on the one hand of the type of logical operation (AND, NOR one hand, OR, NAND on the other hand) and the spacing of Abgriffspunkte 52 and 53rd is determined. The phase position of this pulse signal is determined by the position of the tapping points 52 and 53 and by the type of connection.

By applying this principle of operation, very complex data and addressing signals can be generated. If a plurality of mutually phase-shifted clock signals are tapped at different tapping points of the clock generator 5 and each pairwise as shown in Fig. 2 are linked together, as a result, several output signals, such as eight output signals are generated, which consist of non-overlapping pulses and, for example, for driving a memory element can be used. Subsequent linking of these output signals in a subsequent logic circuit makes it possible to generate even more complex output signals from this output signal, as used for example for addressing in more complex memory circuits. Another possibility is to generate an individualized data signal containing, for example, the identification information of an RFID transponder by an individualized logical combination of signals generated in a first logic stage with non-overlapping pulses. This signal can then be used directly for controlling a modulator.

Claims

Claims:

1. Electronic assembly (10) with organic components, characterized in that the electronic assembly (10) has a clock generator (2, 5) with n series-connected organic switching elements (21, 51), each of organic components, in particular organic field effect Transistors, constructed such that the output of the nth organic switching element (21, 51) of the clock generator is connected to the input of the first organic switching element (21, 51), that the outputs (22 to 25, 52, 53) of two or more of the organic

Switching elements (21, 51) of the clock generator to respective inputs of a first electronic circuit (4, 6) of the electronic assembly for tapping two or more clock signals are connected, so that at the output (52) of a first of the switching elements (51), a first clock signal for the first electronic circuit (6) is tapped off and at the output of a second, different from the first switching element switching element (51) a second, compared to the first clock signal phase-shifted clock signal for the first electronic circuit (6) is tapped.

2. Electronic assembly (10) according to claim 1, characterized in that the first electronic circuit (4, 6) is a built-up of organic components logic circuit.

3. Electronic assembly according to claim 2, characterized in that the first electronic circuit comprises one or more built-up of organic components logic gate, the two supplied or logically link more clock signal and thereby generate one or more output signals for a second electronic circuit.

4. Electronic assembly according to claim 3, characterized in that the second electronic circuit is a built-up of organic components logic circuit.

5. Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first and the second switching element INT (n / 2) switching elements are removed from each other.

6. Electronic assembly according to claim 5, characterized in that n is greater than or equal to 11 and odd.

7. Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that in the first electronic circuit (6) two of the clock signals by a

NOR or an AND gate for generating an asymmetric pulse-shaped output signal are linked, wherein the pulse width of the pulses of the output signal by the number of arranged between the Abgriffpunkten (52, 53) of the clock signals organic switching elements (51) is determined.

8. The electronic assembly according to claim 1, wherein the outputs of three or more of the organic switching elements of the clock generator are connected to respective inputs of the first electronic circuit for tapping three or more clock signals out of phase with each other, and the first electronic circuit is two or more composed of organic components logic gates, the three or link more clock signals to produce two or more output signals having non-overlapping pulses.

9. Electronic assembly according to claim 8, characterized in that the three or more mutually phase-shifted clock signals are each paired by a logic gate, wherein the number of arranged between the respective tapping points of the clock signals organic switching elements is selected so that the two or more Output signals have non-overlapping pulses.

10. Electronic component according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the first electronic circuit is a two- or multi-stage logic circuit.

11. Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the one or more output signals of the first electronic circuit of the second electronic circuit are supplied as data signals.

12. Electronic assembly according to one of claims 1 to 10, characterized in that the second electronic circuit has a memory unit and the one or more output signals of the first electronic circuit of the second electronic circuit are supplied as an addressing signal.

13. Electronic assembly (10) according to any one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic assembly (10) is an RFID transponder, which further comprises an antenna resonant circuit (11), a rectifier (12) and a digital Control circuit, wherein the clock generator (2) is connected to a clock input of the digital control circuit.

14. Electronic assembly according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the electronic assembly is a flexible film element, which serves as a security element in particular for value documents and goods.