EP3918357A1

EP3918357A1 - Subscriber of a communication system having a magnetic antenna

Info

Publication number: EP3918357A1
Application number: EP20702772.3A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Gerald Ulbricht; Albert Heuberger; Gerd Kilian; Ralph Oppelt
Original assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Current assignee: Fraunhofer Gesellschaft zur Forderung der Angewandten Forschung eV
Priority date: 2019-01-31
Filing date: 2020-01-29
Publication date: 2021-12-08
Also published as: US20210359425A1; DE102019201262A1; CN113490858A; WO2020157110A1

Abstract

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a subscriber of a wireless communication system, wherein the subscriber comprises a transmitting and/or receiving device and an antenna arrangement connected to the transmitting and/or receiving device, wherein the antenna arrangement comprises a magnetic antenna having a loop that is interrupted once or multiple times.

Description

Participant in a communication system with a magnetic antenna

description

Embodiments of the present invention relate to a subscriber of a communication system, and in particular, to a subscriber with a magnetic antenna. Further exemplary embodiments relate to an end point and a base station with a magnetic antenna. Some exemplary embodiments relate to an embodiment of a magnetic loop.

Conventionally, electrical antennas or electrically short antennas are used, especially in the field of sensor nodes. Is z. B. at 868 MHz an electric antenna common today, a length of about 15 cm is required as Vz lambda radiator. If shorter antennas are used, the gain of the antenna decreases. Furthermore, the handling of the devices with antennas is restricted, since the antennas used become out of tune when approaching electrically conductive or dielectric-acting objects, and thus their profit further decreases. So there are requirements for the environment of z. B. Sensor node. With electrical antennas, it is still not possible to transmit from electrically shielded environments (Faraday’s cage).

Magnetic antennas are also known [1]. Due to the high quality, magnetic antennas are very narrow-band. Therefore, magnetic antennas z. B. when approaching metallic or dielectric objects to the desired frequency. It is possible to tune the magnetic antenna by hand or to operate it in a self-tuning manner.

1 a shows a schematic view of a magnetic antenna 10 which can be tuned manually by means of a variable capacitor 12, while FIG. 1 b shows an electrical equivalent circuit diagram and FIG. 1 c shows an antenna diagram of the magnetic antenna 10 [2],

The magnetic antenna 10 comprises a primary coupling loop 14, which is fed via a 50 ohm coaxial cable 18, and a secondary resonant loop 16. The circumference of the secondary resonant loop 16 is typically less than 1/10 of the wavelength, while the primary coupling loop 14 typically has 1/5 the size of the secondary resonant loop 16. Manual tuning is common in the amateur radio sector. In the case of sensor nodes, self-tuning is desirable for ease of handling.

In order to keep the necessary tuning range as small as possible, the magnetic loop can be shortened several times, as is common in magnetic resonance imaging (MR) [3], [4]. Only the magnetic field contributes to the desired effect in the MR, hence the name “magnetic resonance”, while electrical field components are highly undesirable because they penetrate into the patient and there due to the dielectric loss of the body tissue

a) in the case of transmission, heating the patient only unnecessarily, and

b) reduce the quality of the loops when receiving, which means that the signal-to-noise ratio (S / N) becomes worse. It is often said casually "more noise is injected". However, this is not physically correct, since the operating temperature of the loop remains the same regardless of the degree of shortening. The effect is that the poorer quality (i.e. the lower resonance increase) weakens the useful signal, which results in a poorer signal-to-noise ratio (S / N).

The proportion of the electric fields essentially depends on the wire length of the coil / loop compared to the wavelength. I.e. the electric field builds up along the conductor towards the resonance capacitance, as shown in FIG. 2.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic view of a loop 22 of a magnetic antenna 20, the electrical field 24 building up along the conductor of the loop 22 towards the resonance capacitance 26.

That is why MR local antennas are almost always designed as single-loop loops. Only at very low frequencies more than one turn is used, because otherwise the operating quality suffers more due to the extremely poor LC ratio due to the then very poor intrinsic quality than electrical field components would cause to the patient during operation. At ever higher frequencies, however, the one turn of the loop (loop) is already too long compared to the wavelength, whereby the loop size cannot be reduced arbitrarily, since this must be adapted to the examined body region of the patient). Therefore, this one turn is divided by several resonance capacitances (multiple capacitive shortening). The present invention has for its object to improve the positioning options of sensor nodes of wireless communication systems.

This problem is solved by the independent claims.

Advantageous further developments can be found in the dependent claims.

Embodiments create a subscriber to a wireless communication system, the subscriber being a transmitter and / or receiver device [e.g. a transmitter, receiver or transceiver] and an antenna arrangement connected to the transmitting and / or receiving device, the antenna arrangement comprising a magnetic antenna with a single or multiple [e.g. at least twice] interrupted [e.g. divided] loop [e.g. Current loop].

In embodiments, the loop may be through one or more capacitance elements [e.g. Capacitors, capacitance diodes] interrupted [e.g. divided].

For example, the loop of the magnetic antenna can be separated by at least two capacitance elements [e.g. be interrupted at least twice].

In embodiments, the multiple interrupted loop can be interrupted by the capacitance elements in at least two segments [e.g. divided].

For example, the loop can be divided into n segments by n capacity elements, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two.

In exemplary embodiments, the at least two segments of the multiply interrupted loop can be connected by the capacitance elements.

For example, the at least two segments of the multiply interrupted loop and the at least two capacitance elements can be connected in series. In other words, two segments of the multiply interrupted loop can each be connected by a capacitance element which is connected in series between the two segments. In exemplary embodiments, the single or multiple interrupted loop [for example the at least two segments of the loop] and the capacitance elements can form a resonant circuit.

In embodiments, the loop can form a coil.

In embodiments, the transmitting and / or receiving device may be connected to the magnetic antenna via one of the capacitance elements [e.g. the one capacitance element and the single or multiple interrupted loop [e.g. form a parallel resonant circuit with the other capacitance elements].

In embodiments, the loop can be ring-shaped or m-shaped, where m is a natural number greater than or equal to four.

For example, the loop may be quadrangular, pentagonal, hexagonal, pentagonal, octagonal, pentagonal, pentagonal, pentagonal, pentagonal, etc.

In embodiments, the magnetic antenna can be implemented on a circuit board [e.g. realized].

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement can have a tuning circuit for tuning the magnetic antenna.

In embodiments, the tuning circuit and the magnetic antenna can be implemented on the same circuit board.

In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic antenna can be a first magnetic antenna, the antenna arrangement furthermore having a second magnetic antenna, the single or multiple interrupted loop of the first magnetic antenna and a loop of the second magnetic antenna being arranged essentially orthogonally to one another.

For example, a first surface spanned by the single or multiple interrupted loop of the first magnetic antenna and a second surface spanned by the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be orthogonal to one another. For example, a main radiation direction / main reception direction of the first magnetic antenna and a main radiation direction / main reception direction of the second magnetic antenna can be orthogonal to one another.

For example, a zero point of the first magnetic antenna and a zero point of the second magnetic antenna can be different.

In embodiments, a spanned area of the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be expanded at least by a factor of two [e.g. be a factor of three, four, five or tenj smaller than a spanned area of the loop of the first magnetic antenna.

For example, the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be "flattened".

In embodiments, the loop of the second magnetic antenna cannot be round to conform to a shape of the subscriber's housing.

For example, the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be substantially rectangular.

In exemplary embodiments, the first magnetic antenna and the second magnetic antenna can be arranged adjacent to one another.

In embodiments, a conductor of the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be at least a factor of two [e.g. is three, four or five times thicker or wider than a conductor of the loop of the first magnetic antenna.

In embodiments, the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be interrupted several times.

For example, the loop of the second magnetic antenna can be interrupted by at least two capacitance elements [at least twice].

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber can be designed to deactivate one of the magnetic antennas of the antenna arrangement [for example the first magnetic antenna or the second magnetic antenna] in order to emit a radiation characteristic [for example Direction of radiation or direction of reception; eg main key] to change the antenna arrangement.

For example, the subscriber can be configured to measure a radiation characteristic [e.g. Direction of radiation or direction of reception; e.g. Main lobe] of the antenna array by deactivating one of the magnetic antennas of the antenna array [e.g. of the first magnetic antenna or the second magnetic antenna].

In embodiments, one of the magnetic antennas of the antenna arrangement can be tuned by detuning the respective magnetic antenna [e.g. the first magnetic antenna or the second magnetic antenna] can be deactivated.

In embodiments, one of the magnetic antennas of the antenna arrangement can be configured by connecting a coil in parallel to one of the capacitance elements of the loop of the respective magnetic antenna [e.g. the first magnetic antenna or the second magnetic antenna] can be deactivated.

In embodiments, the subscriber can be configured to determine a radiation ratio of the antenna arrangement by detuning the natural resonance of at least one of the two magnetic antennas [e.g. of the first magnetic antenna or the second magnetic antenna].

In embodiments, the first magnetic antenna and the second magnetic antenna may be out of phase [e.g. can be controlled by 90 °].

In embodiments, the subscriber may be configured to receive a data packet to be transmitted [e.g. the physical layer] to be divided into a plurality of sub-data packets and in order not to transmit the plurality of sub-data packets contiguously [e.g. using a time and / or frequency hopping method], the subscriber being able to be configured to change the radiation characteristic of the antenna arrangement at least once between the transmission of two sub-data packets.

For example, the subscriber can be designed to change the radiation characteristics of the antenna arrangement after each transmitted sub-data packet or after a predetermined number of sub-data packets [for example by deactivating the other magnetic antenna of the antenna arrangement]. In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber can be designed to split a data packet to be transmitted [e.g. the physical layer] into a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit the plurality of sub-data packets non-contiguously using a frequency hopping method [eg and time hopping method], the Resonance frequencies of the first magnetic antenna and the second magnetic antenna can be deliberately out of tune, so that when the plurality of sub-data packets are transmitted, a radiation characteristic [eg radiation direction; due to the frequencies defined by the frequency hopping pattern; eg main lobe] of the antenna arrangement varies.

For example, the resonance frequency of the first magnetic antenna and / or the second magnetic antenna can be detuned in a size range that corresponds to the reciprocal quality. With a quality of Q = 100, the detuning can be done in a window of no more than +/- 1%, because with even greater detuning, hardly any more power will be output.

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement can have a tuning device for tuning the magnetic antenna, the antenna arrangement being designed to automatically tune the antenna.

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement can also have an electrical antenna.

In embodiments, the sending and / or receiving device may be a sending device [e.g. Transmitter], a receiving device [e.g. Receiver] or a transceiver.

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber can be designed to communicate in the ISM band.

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber can be an end point of the communication system.

In embodiments, the end point can be a sensor node or an actuator node.

In embodiments, the end point can be battery powered. In embodiments, the end point can have an energy harvesting element for electrical energy generation.

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber can be a base station of the communication system.

Further exemplary embodiments create a communication system with at least two of the subscribers described here.

For example, the at least two participants may be one or more endpoints [e.g. a plurality of endpoints] and one or more base stations. Of course, the at least two participants can also be at least two end points or base stations.

Further exemplary embodiments provide a method for operating a subscriber of a communication system, the subscriber having an antenna arrangement, the antenna arrangement having a magnetic antenna with a single or multiple interrupted loop. The method comprises a step of sending and / or receiving communication signals using the magnetic antenna.

Embodiments of the present invention provide a subscriber (e.g. an end point) to a communication system with a magnetic antenna.

With the magnetic antennas addressed in exemplary embodiments, (1) the size of participants in a communication system, such as of sensor nodes, can be reduced, (2) the independence from the environment can be created by the automatic tuning, and / or (3) can be transmitted / received (better) from (partially) electrically shielded environments.

Embodiments of the present invention are described in more detail with reference to the accompanying figures. Show it:

1a is a schematic view of a magnetic antenna that can be tuned by hand using a variable high-voltage capacitor,

1b is an electrical equivalent circuit diagram of the magnetic antenna shown in Fig. 1a, 1 c shows an antenna diagram of the magnetic antenna shown in FIG. 1 a;

Fig. 2 is a schematic view of a magnetic antenna and an electrical

Magnetic antenna field,

3a shows a schematic view of a subscriber of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3b is a schematic view of a participant of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention,

3c is a schematic view of an end point of a communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention,

4 is a schematic view of a magnetic antenna,

5 shows a schematic view of a magnetic antenna with a multiple interrupted (e.g. capacitively shortened) loop, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

6 shows a schematic view of a magnetic antenna with a loop which is interrupted several times, the loop being octagonal in accordance with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention,

7 shows a schematic view of an antenna arrangement with a first magnetic antenna and a second magnetic antenna, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, and

8 shows a flowchart of a method for operating a subscriber

Communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention.

In the following description of the exemplary embodiments of the present invention, elements that are the same or have the same effect are provided with the same reference symbols in the figures, so that their description is interchangeable. 3a shows a schematic view of a subscriber 100

Communication system, according to an embodiment of the present invention. The subscriber 100 comprises a transmitting and / or receiving device 102 (e.g. one

Transmitter) and one connected to the transmitting and / or receiving device 102

Antenna arrangement 104, wherein the antenna arrangement 104 exhibits a magnetic antenna 106 with a loop 108 that is simply (i.e. only once) interrupted.

3b shows a schematic view of a subscriber 100 of a

Antenna arrangement 104, wherein the antenna arrangement 104 has a magnetic antenna 106 with a loop 108 that is interrupted several times.

In the following, exemplary embodiments of the antenna arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 3b with the magnetic antenna 106 with the multi-interrupted loop are primarily described. However, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described below are equally applicable to the antenna arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 3a with the magnetic antenna 106 with the simply interrupted loop.

In embodiments, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 can be separated by capacitance elements 110, e.g. Resonance capacities (resonance capacitors), be interrupted. For example, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106, as shown in FIG. 3b for illustration, can be interrupted twice (e.g. capacitively shortened) by two capacitance elements 110. However, it should be pointed out that, in the case of exemplary embodiments, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 can also be interrupted multiple times by a different number of capacitance elements 110. For example, in exemplary embodiments, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 can be divided into n segments (or parts or sections) by n capacitance elements 110, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two. The segments or portions of the loop between the respective capacitance elements 110 are referred to here as segments.

In exemplary embodiments, the segments of the multiply interrupted loop 108 can be connected by the capacitance elements 110. In detail, two segments of the multiply interrupted loop can each be connected by a capacitance element which is connected in series between the two segments. In other words, the Segments of the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 and the capacitance elements 110 are alternately connected in series to form a loop.

The transmitting and / or receiving device 102 can be connected to the magnetic antenna 106 via one of the capacitance elements 110. The one capacitance element on one side and the multiply interrupted loop 108 with the other (or other) capacitance elements on the other side can form a parallel resonant circuit (e.g. from the point of view of the transmitting and / or receiving device 102).

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement 102 can furthermore have a tuning device for tuning the magnetic antenna 106. The tuning device can be designed to automatically tune the magnetic antenna 106.

Due to the geometric shape of the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106, the radiation energy from the magnetic antenna 106 is not emitted uniformly in all directions of a plane. Rather, the antenna pattern of the magnetic antenna 106 shown in Fig. 3b has zeros, i.e. there are areas (e.g. points) in the antenna diagram where the radiation energy of the magnetic antenna is practically zero. In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement 104 can therefore have a second magnetic antenna, as will be explained in more detail below with reference to FIG. 7, or else an additional electrical antenna. The second magnetic antenna and / or the additional electrical antenna can be arranged such that the zeros of the magnetic antenna 106 are compensated for.

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber 100 of the communication system can of course not only be designed to send signals by means of the magnetic antenna 106 to other subscribers of the communication system, but also to receive signals from other subscribers of the communication system by means of the magnetic antenna 106. For this purpose, the subscriber 100 can have, for example, a receiving device (e.g. a receiver) which is connected to the antenna arrangement 104. Of course, subscriber 100 may also have a combined transceiver (e.g., a transceiver) 102.

In exemplary embodiments, the subscriber 100 (or the subscriber's communication system) can be designed to communicate in the ISM band (ISM = Industrial, Scientific and Medical Band), ie to send and / or receive signals in the ISM band. In exemplary embodiments, subscriber 100 (or the subscriber's communication system) can be designed to transmit data based on the telegram splitting method. In the telegram splitting method, data, such as a telegram or data packet, is divided into a plurality of sub-data packets (or sub-data packets, or sub-packets) and the sub-data packets are used in time and / or frequency hopping pattern in time and / or distributed in frequency (ie non-contiguously) from one subscriber to another subscriber (for example from the base station to the end point, or from the end point to the base station) of the communication system, the subscriber who receives the sub-data packets combining them again ( or combined) to get the data packet. Each of the sub-data packets contains only a part of the data packet. The data packet can also be channel-coded, so that not all sub-data packets, but only a part of the sub-data packets, are required for error-free decoding of the data packet.

In embodiments, the communication system may be a personal area network (PAN) or a low power wide area network (LPWAN).

The subscriber 100 of the communication system shown in FIG. 3b can be a base station of the communication system. Alternatively, the subscriber 100 of the communication system shown in FIG. 3b can also be an end point of the communication system, as will be explained below with reference to FIG. 3c.

3c shows a schematic view of a subscriber 100 of the communication system, the subscriber 100 being an end point, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 3 c, the end point 100 can be a sensor node in exemplary embodiments. For example, in the case of a sensor node, the end point 100 may have a sensor 114, such as a temperature sensor, pressure sensor, moisture sensor or any other sensor, the signals sent by the sensor node 100 being dependent on a sensor signal provided by the sensor. For example, the sensor can have a microprocessor 112, which processes the sensor signal provided by the sensor in order to generate, based on the sensor signal, data which are transmitted by the transmission device (for example transmission and reception device) 102, for example based on the telegram Splitting transmission method. Of course, the end point 100 can also be an actuator account, the actuator node having an actuator 114. In this case, the processor 1 12 can be designed, for example, to control the actuator 114 based on a received signal or received data.

In embodiments, endpoint 100 may be battery powered. Alternatively or additionally, the end point 100 can have an energy harvesting element for electrical energy generation.

Detailed exemplary embodiments of the magnetic antenna 106 or the antenna arrangement 104 with the magnetic antenna 106 are described below.

1. Execution of the loop (English IOOP)

Exemplary embodiments relate to magnetic antennas (e.g. for sensor nodes or also for base stations) for the transmission and / or reception case. The magnetic antennas can be tuned automatically.

1.1. Use of magnetic antennas on sensor nodes

A magnetic antenna 106 has a single or multi-turn current loop 108. When received, an alternating magnetic field induces a voltage in loop 108 (law of induction, [5]), in the case of transmission, a current flowing in loop 108 generates a magnetic field (law of Biot-Savart, [6]). If the magnetic antenna 106 is only to be operated at a frequency or a range of small relative bandwidth, the efficiency of the magnetic antenna 106 can be significantly increased by means of a resonance capacitance. The current flow in loop 108 increases in proportion to the increase in resonance (expressed by the quality factor Q), i.e. double Q causes double current flow (and thus double magnetic field) with the same power fed in. It is therefore desirable to achieve the highest possible Q-factor, which is equivalent to the fact that both the loop 108 and the capacitance must have the lowest possible losses. As a rule, the losses in loop 108 predominate due to the finite conductivity of the metal used (mostly Cu).

FIG. 4 shows a schematic view of such a magnetic antenna 106. As already mentioned, the magnetic antenna 106 comprises the loop 108 with one or more turns and the resonance capacitance 110 (C0). The magnetic antenna 106 can be coupled to the transmitting and / or receiving device 102 (see FIG. 3), for example, via the parallel resonant circuit formed from resonance capacitance 110 and loop 108 (coil).

The magnetic antenna 106 has the advantage of high antenna quality with a small design.

In addition, the magnetic antenna 106 has the advantage that it can be adapted to different environmental conditions, e.g. through automatic voting.

Embodiments of the present invention thus relate to a sensor node with a magnetic antenna. The magnetic antenna can be tuned automatically.

1.2 Multiple shortening of the loop (English of the magnetic antenna

FIG. 5 shows a schematic view of a magnetic antenna 106 with a multiply interrupted (eg capacitively shortened) loop 108. As shown by way of example in FIG. 5, the loop 108 can be configured by four capacitance elements 110 (4C0), such as resonance capacitors (eg resonance capacitors) ), divided into four segments. However, it should be noted that the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 can also be divided into a different number of segments. In embodiments, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106 can be divided into n segments by n capacitance elements 110, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two.

In embodiments, the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna can be divided into equidistant segments. The subdivision of the loop 108 into equidistant segments has the advantage that the lowest E field shares are achieved overall. Of course, the loop can also be divided into non-equidistant segments.

The lower electrical fields or the multiple capacitive shortening have the advantage that dielectric material in the direct vicinity of the antenna detunes the resonance frequency accordingly less.

Furthermore, the lower electrical fields or the multiple capacitive shortening have the advantage that dielectric, lossy material in the direct vicinity of the antenna reduces its quality factor less. Furthermore, the lower electrical fields or the multiple capacitive shortening have the advantage that the voltage at the resonance capacitances turns out to be correspondingly lower (for example, half the voltage with a double shortening, but then also twice the capacitance value). This is particularly advantageous if one or more of the resonance capacitances are to be designed to be tunable, since the tuning elements can then have a lower dielectric strength

In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic antenna 106 (or the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) can be capacitively shortened several times.

In embodiments, there are several capacitors 110 in series in the magnetic loop.

1.3 Special execution of the loop of the magnetic antenna

Loops 108 with a round shape have the best ratio of conductor length to spanned (or enclosed) area. However, the space utilization on a usually rectangular circuit board (conductor tracks) is not optimal.

Shapes with more than four corners, especially the octagonal shape, offer advantages here. Although the area-to-circumference ratio deteriorates and thus the quality of the magnetic antenna 106, the efficiency of the magnetic antenna 106 increases for a given rectangular circuit board area, since the spanned (or enclosed) area becomes larger. Fig. 6 shows a symmetrical version (the loop 108) of the magnetic antenna 106, but asymmetrical versions (the loop 108) are also conceivable in which, for. B. The upper and lower sections (e.g. segments of loop 108) are longer.

In detail, FIG. 6 shows a schematic view of a magnetic antenna 106 with a loop 108 interrupted several times, the loop 108 being octagonal.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 6, the loop 108 can be divided into eight segments by (for example eight) capacitance elements 110, the eight segments being square, so that the loop 108 has an octagonal shape. However, it should be noted that the loop 108 can also be divided into a different number of segments and / or can have a different shape. The loop 108 of the magnetic In exemplary embodiments, the antenna may be m-shaped, where m is a natural number greater than or equal to four, such as 4, 5, 7, 8, 9, 10, 11 or 12.

In embodiments, the magnetic antenna 106 may be implemented on a printed circuit board (PCB).

In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic antenna 106 (or the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) can have partial sections (or segments) that are not round.

In exemplary embodiments, a routing of the segments of the magnetic antenna 106 (or the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) in the regions (or in the locations) can be straight with components.

In exemplary embodiments, the magnetic antenna 106 (or the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) can have a polygonal shape or more than four corners.

Such a magnetic antenna 106 has the advantage that the layout is easier to transfer to different layout programs.

Such a magnetic antenna 106 also has the advantage that it is easier to place the components, since the line routing (the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) is straight at the locations with the components.

In some embodiments, the diagonally extending sides (segments of the loop 108 of the magnetic antenna 106) can have an arcuate shape instead of an angular shape in order to enlarge the area somewhat and to optimally utilize the board area. In return, you would lose the advantages of easier component placement and simple layout.

Although the antenna arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 6 has a magnetic antenna 106 with a multiple interrupted loop 108, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described also apply to an antenna arrangement 104 with a magnetic antenna 106 with a single interrupted loop 108 (cf. 3a) are applicable.

1 .4. The loop is realized on a circuit board In embodiments, the loop can be realized on a printed circuit board (PCB).

In exemplary embodiments, the voting circuit can be implemented on the same circuit board.

2. Multiple antennas

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement 104 can have a plurality of magnetic antennas.

This has the advantage that the zero point (e.g. points in the antenna diagram at which the radiation energy of the magnetic antenna is practically zero) of a magnetic antenna can be avoided.

2.1 Kreuzfeldloop with diversity

In the case of exemplary embodiments, two magnetic antennas can be used, the two magnetic antennas being as orthogonal as possible (e.g. essentially).

2.2 Plate pressed second loop (English IOOP) to come out of zero

In order to get the housing as flat as possible, the second magnetic antenna (or the loop of the second magnetic antenna) can be “flattened”. With loops that are not round, the resistance of the winding increases in comparison to the spanned (or enclosed) surface, which reduces the quality. Since the flattened loop (English Ioop) spans a smaller area, its radiation efficiency drops. Although this increases the quality somewhat, it does not contribute to the radiation. In order to at least partially compensate for the first goods-reducing effect, a wider conductor (less losses) can be used.

FIG. 7 shows a schematic view of an antenna arrangement 104 with a first magnetic antenna 106 and a second magnetic antenna 112, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention.

The first magnetic antenna 106 comprises a multi-interrupted loop 108. As is shown by way of example in FIG. 7, the loop 108 of the first magnetic antenna can pass through four capacitance elements 110, can be divided into four segments. However, it should be noted that the loop 108 of the first magnetic antenna 106 can also be divided into a different number of segments. In embodiments, the loop 108 of the first magnetic antenna 106 can be divided into n segments by n capacitance elements 110, where n is a natural number greater than or equal to two.

The second magnetic antenna 112 also comprises a loop 114, wherein the loop 108 of the first magnetic antenna 106 and the loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 112 can be arranged substantially orthogonally to one another.

As shown by way of example in FIG. 7, an area spanned by the loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 112 runs orthogonally to an area spanned by the loop 108 of the first magnetic antenna 106, i detail in FIG First magnetic antenna 106 spanned area parallel to the xy plane defined by the coordinate system, while the area spanned by loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 112 runs parallel to the z-axis of the coordinate system.

In embodiments, a spanned (or enclosed) area of loop 114 of second magnetic antenna 112 may be at least a factor of two (e.g., a factor of three, four, five, or ten) smaller than a spanned (or enclosed) area of loop 108 the first magnetic antenna 106.

In other words, the loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 112 may be "flattened".

As is also indicated in FIG. 7, in exemplary embodiments a conductor of the loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 1 12 can be at least a factor of two (eg by a factor of three, four or five) thicker or wider than a conductor of the loop 108 the first magnetic antenna 106.

Of course, the loop 114 of the second magnetic antenna 112 can also be interrupted several times, for example by at least two capacitance elements.

In exemplary embodiments, the antenna arrangement 104 can have a second loop 114, which is as orthogonal as possible. In embodiments, a wire gauge / width of the second loop 114 may be larger (than a wire gauge / width of the first loop 108), but the second loop 114 may be flatter (than the first loop 108).

Although the antenna arrangement 104 shown in FIG. 7 has magnetic antennas with multiple interrupted loops, it should be pointed out that the exemplary embodiments described can also be applied to an antenna arrangement with magnetic antennas with single interrupted loops.

2.3 Combined magnetic / electrical antenna to come from zero

In order to avoid the zero point (e.g. points in the antenna diagram at which the radiation energy of the magnetic antenna is practically zero) of the magnetic antenna 106, an electrical antenna can be integrated on the circuit board (e.g. PCB) in addition to the magnetic antenna 106, e.g. in the form of a PCB F antenna, as an "extension" of loop 108 (e.g. the magnetic ring / octagon).

In embodiments, an electrical and a magnetic antenna (e.g. on a printed circuit board (e.g. PCB)) can be combined.

2.4. Switching the leaning

If several magnetic loops (or magnetic antennas) are connected together, a new zero point results from a different direction.

Therefore, the use of several magnetic loops (or several magnetic antennas) only makes sense if the unused loop (s) (or magnetic antenna (s)) can be switched off.

2.4.1. Switch off by interrupting the resonance current

In exemplary embodiments, the current flow of the unwanted magnetic antenna can be interrupted, for example by means of a switch. However, since each switch has a certain residual capacity, this ultimately amounts to a severe detuning of the resonance frequency.

2.4.2. Switch off with additional inductance (L) In embodiments, one or more resonance capacitors can be provided with a coil in parallel. At the original resonance frequency of the loop, these form a parallel resonant circuit that interrupts the current flow in it.

2.4.3. Change control ratio

In exemplary embodiments, by slightly detuning the natural resonance of one of the two loops, the tuning of the loops and thus the main emission direction and thus the zero point can be shifted, since the loops then emit to different extents with the driving powers remaining unchanged. The non-emitted part of the slightly detuned loop is reflected back and absorbed in the transmitter.

2.4.4. Phase-shifted control from mag. LOOPS

The zero point of a loop depends on its structure in three-dimensional space. This does not change if, for example, only the capacitance of a resonance capacitance is changed. With planar loops there is always a slope in which they do not penetrate any B field lines, namely if they run in the plane of the loop. But even with a three-dimensional loop (or curved B-lines), e.g. in the case of a slightly bent circular ring which does not run exactly in one plane, there is always a position in which field lines which penetrate from one side and from the other side of the loop keep the balance. This leads to compensation, i.e. a zero. Even orthogonal loops would have a zero point at 45 ° if their signals were only directly connected together. In order to avoid this, their received signals can be merged with a 90 ° phase offset, because then geometrical cancellation of the time signals is no longer possible.

In the case of exemplary embodiments, a plurality of magnetic loops can be driven out of phase.

In the case of exemplary embodiments, a plurality of self-tuned magnetic loops can be driven out of phase.

2.5. Variation of the radiation ratio over the hop number In connection with the telegram splitting transmission method [7], transmission diversity (i.e. transmission with different antennas) can be carried out per telegram, since with the telegram splitting transmission method each sub-data packet (hops) is transmitted on a different antenna / with different strengths on the Antennas is possible.

This has the advantage that the transmission security of a telegram can be increased.

In exemplary embodiments, different sub-data packets (hops) can therefore be emitted to different intensities on different antennas, so that different sub-data packets with different antenna zeros are sent.

2.5.1. Execution of the loop in which the zero parts depend on the frequency

In exemplary embodiments, more or less orthogonal loops with different resonance frequencies, the signals of which can be decoupled, for example

Combiner (Engl, combinier) are summarized, are used. If the resonance frequencies are close together, the loops must already have good geometric orthogonality (i.e. magnetic decoupling). Otherwise there is a loss of quality and resonance rejection. Therefore, the resonance frequency is intentionally detuned somewhat. Different sub-data packets (hops) are on different frequencies and are therefore emitted by the loops with different resonances to different extents, which makes the zero point mag. Antenna shifted in each case.

In exemplary embodiments, the radiation ratio of the magnetic antennas changes over the frequency.

In exemplary embodiments, the zero point of the antenna shifts over the frequency.

3. Further examples

8 shows a flowchart of a method 200 for operating a subscriber of a communication system, according to an exemplary embodiment of the present invention. The method 200 comprises a step 202 of transmitting and / or receiving communication signals using a magnetic antenna of an antenna arrangement of the subscriber of the communication system, the magnetic antenna having a single or multiple interrupted loop. Embodiments of the present invention create (eg self-tuning) magnetic antennas for e.g. B. Sensor node. With the loT, the internet of things, the number of wirelessly communicating sensor nodes is growing. This places ever increasing demands on a small form factor and easy handling. These requirements can only be met with difficulty with existing electrical antennas. Embodiments of the present invention make it possible to use magnetic antennas in sensor nodes and thus to meet the aforementioned requirements.

Although some aspects have been described in connection with an apparatus, it goes without saying that these aspects also represent a description of the corresponding method, so that a block or a component of an apparatus can also be understood as a corresponding method step or as a feature of a method step. Analogously, aspects that have been described in connection with or as a method step also represent a description of a corresponding block or detail or feature of a corresponding device. Some or all of the method steps can be performed by a hardware apparatus (or using a hardware device). Apparatus), such as a microprocessor, a programmable computer or an electronic circuit. In some embodiments, some or more of the most important process steps can be performed by such an apparatus.

Depending on the specific implementation requirements, exemplary embodiments of the invention can be implemented in hardware or in software. The implementation can be carried out using a digital storage medium, for example a floppy disk, a DVD, a Blu-ray disc, a CD, a ROM, a PROM, an EPROM, an EEPROM or a FLASH memory, a hard disk or another magnetic or optical memory are carried out, on which electronically readable control signals are stored, which can interact with a programmable computer system in such a way or interaction that the respective method is carried out. The digital storage medium can therefore be computer-readable.

Some exemplary embodiments according to the invention thus comprise a data carrier which has electronically readable control signals which are able to interact with a programmable computer system in such a way that one of the methods described herein is carried out. In general, exemplary embodiments of the present invention can be implemented as a computer program product with a program code, the program code being effective to carry out one of the methods when the computer program product runs on a computer.

The program code can, for example, also be stored on a machine-readable medium.

Other embodiments include the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein, the computer program being stored on a machine readable medium.

In other words, an exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a computer program which has a program code for performing one of the methods described here when the computer program runs on a computer.

A further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data carrier (or a digital storage medium or a computer-readable medium) on which the computer program for carrying out one of the methods described herein is recorded. The data carrier, the digital storage medium or the computer-readable medium are typically objective and / or non-transitory or non-temporary.

A further exemplary embodiment of the method according to the invention is thus a data stream or a sequence of signals which represents the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein. The data stream or the sequence of signals can, for example, be configured to be transferred via a data communication connection, for example via the Internet.

A further exemplary embodiment comprises a processing device, for example a computer or a programmable logic component, which is configured or adapted to carry out one of the methods described herein. Another embodiment includes a computer on which the computer program for performing one of the methods described herein is installed.

A further exemplary embodiment according to the invention comprises a device or a system which is designed to transmit a computer program for carrying out at least one of the methods described herein to a receiver. The transmission can take place electronically or optically, for example. The receiver can be, for example, a computer, a mobile device, a storage device or a similar device. The device or the system can comprise, for example, a file server for transmitting the computer program to the recipient.

In some embodiments, a programmable logic device (e.g., a field programmable gate array, an FPGA) can be used to perform some or all of the functionality of the methods described herein. In some embodiments, a field programmable gate array may cooperate with a microprocessor to perform one of the methods described herein. In general, in some embodiments, the methods are performed by any hardware device. This can be a universally replaceable hardware such as a computer processor (CPU) or hardware specific to the method, such as an ASIC.

For example, the devices described herein can be implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

The devices described herein, or any components of the devices described herein, may be implemented at least partially in hardware and / or in software (computer program).

For example, the methods described herein can be implemented using a hardware apparatus, or using a computer, or using a combination of a hardware apparatus and a computer.

The methods described herein, or any components of the methods described herein, can be performed, at least in part, by hardware and / or software. The above-described embodiments are merely illustrative of the principles of the present invention. It is to be understood that modifications and variations in the arrangements and details described herein will be apparent to those skilled in the art. Therefore, it is intended that the invention be limited only by the scope of the following claims and not by the specific details presented with the description and explanation of the embodiments herein.

bibliography

[1] https://ainrron.com/2015/07/24/home-made-high-power-magnetic-Ioop-antennas/ [2] http://www.aa5tb.com/loop.htmI

[3] http://bio.groups.et.byu.net/SurfaceCoiI_buiId.phtmI

[4] https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/mrm.1910160203

[5] https://de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Elektromagnetische_lnduktion

[6] htps: //de.wikipedia.org/wiki/Biot-Savart-Gesetz

[7] DE 10 2011 082 098 B4

Claims

1. A subscriber (100) of a wireless communication system, the subscriber (100) having a transmitting and / or receiving device (102) and an antenna arrangement (104) connected to the transmitting and / or receiving device (102), the antenna arrangement (104) has a magnetic antenna (106) with a single or multiple interrupted loop (108).

2. Participant (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the loop (108) is interrupted by one or more capacitance elements (110).

3. Participant (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the multiply interrupted loop (108) is interrupted by the capacitance elements (110) in at least two segments.

4. Participant (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the at least two segments of the multiply interrupted loop (108) are connected by the capacitance elements (110).

5. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 4, wherein the single or multiple interrupted loop (108) and the capacitance elements (110) form a resonant circuit.

6. Participant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loop (108) forms a coil.

7. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 2 to 5, wherein the transmitting and / or receiving device (102) with the magnetic antenna (106) via one of the capacitance elements (1 10) is connected.

8. Participant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the loop (108) is ring-shaped or m-shaped, wherein m is a natural number greater than or equal to four.

9. subscriber (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic antenna (106) is implemented on a circuit board.

10. Participant (100) according to the preceding claim, wherein the antenna arrangement (104) has a tuning circuit for tuning the magnetic antenna (106), wherein the tuning circuit and the magnetic antenna (106) are implemented on the same circuit board.

11. Participant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the magnetic antenna (106) is a first magnetic antenna (106), wherein the antenna arrangement (104) further comprises a second magnetic antenna (112), the single or multiple interrupted Loop (108) of the first magnetic antenna (106) and a loop (114) of the second magnetic antenna (112) are arranged substantially orthogonally to one another.

12. Participant (100) according to claim 1 1, wherein a spanned area of the loop (1 14) of the second magnetic antenna (1 12) is at least two times smaller than a spanned area of the loop (108) of the first magnetic antenna (106).

13. participant (100) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 12, wherein the loop (1 14) of the second magnetic antenna (1 12) is not round to adapt to a shape of the housing of the participant (100).

14. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 13, wherein the first magnetic antenna (106) and the second magnetic antenna (1 12) are arranged adjacent to each other.

15. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 14, wherein a conductor of the loop (114) of the second magnetic antenna (112) is at least a factor of two thicker or wider than a conductor of the loop (108) of the first magnetic Antenna (106).

16. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 1 1 to 15, wherein the loop (1 14) of the second magnetic antenna (1 12) is interrupted several times.

17. Participant (100) according to one of claims 1 1 to 16, wherein the participant (100) is designed to deactivate one of the magnetic antennas (106, 12) of the antenna arrangement (104) in order to have a radiation characteristic of the antenna arrangement (104 ) to change.

18. The subscriber (100) according to claim 17, wherein one of the magnetic antennas (106, 12) of the antenna arrangement (104) is deactivated by detuning the respective magnetic antenna (106, 112).

19. Participant (100) according to claim 17, wherein one of the magnetic antennas (106, 12) of the antenna arrangement (104) is deactivated by connecting a coil in parallel to one of the capacitance elements (1 10) of the loop of the respective magnetic antenna (106, 12).

20. Subscriber (100) according to one of claims 11 to 16, wherein the subscriber (100) is designed to change a radiation ratio of the antenna arrangement (104) by detuning the natural resonance of at least one of the two magnetic antennas (106, 112).

21. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 11 to 20, wherein the first magnetic antenna (106) and the second magnetic antenna (112) are driven out of phase.

22. Subscriber (100) according to one of claims 17 to 21, wherein the subscriber (100) is designed to divide a data packet to be transmitted into a plurality of sub-data packets and to transmit the plurality of sub-data packets non-contiguously, wherein the subscriber (100) is designed to change the radiation characteristic of the antenna arrangement (104) at least once between the transmission of two sub-data packets.

23. The subscriber (100) according to one of claims 11 to 22, wherein the subscriber (100) is designed to divide a data packet to be transmitted into a plurality of sub-data packets and around the plurality of sub-data packets using a frequency hopping method to be sent, the resonance frequencies of the first magnetic antenna (106) and the second magnetic antenna (112) being deliberately out of tune, so that when the plurality of sub-data packets are emitted due to the Frequency hopping pattern defined frequencies a radiation characteristic of the antenna arrangement (104) varies.

24. The subscriber (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna arrangement (104) has a tuning device for tuning the magnetic antenna (106), the antenna arrangement (104) being designed to automatically tune the magnetic antenna (106).

25. Participant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the antenna arrangement (104) further comprises an electrical antenna.

26. Participant (100) according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the transmitting and / or receiving device (102) is a transmitting device, a receiving device or a transceiver.

27. Participant (100) according to one of the preceding claims, wherein the participant (100) is trained to communicate in the ISM band.

28. The subscriber (100) according to one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the subscriber (100) is an end point of the communication system.

29. The subscriber (100) according to claim 28, wherein the end point is a sensor node or actuator node.

30. Participant (100) according to any one of claims 28 to 29, wherein the end point is battery operated.

31. subscriber (100) according to one of claims 28 to 30, the end point having an energy harvesting element for electrical energy production.

32. Subscriber (100) according to any one of claims 1 to 27, wherein the subscriber (100) is a base station of the communication system.

33. Communication system with the following features:

at least two participants (100) according to one of the preceding claims 1 to

32

34. Method (200) for operating a subscriber (100) of a communication system, the subscriber (100) having an antenna arrangement (104), the antenna arrangement (104) being a magnetic antenna (106) with a single or multiple interrupted loop (108 ), the method (200) comprising:

Sending and / or receiving (202) communication signals using the magnetic antenna (106).

35. Computer program for performing the method according to the preceding claim, if the computer program runs on a computer or microprocessor.