Printed wiring board and wireless communication system

Abstract

A printed wiring board includes a circuit substrate on which sheets are laminated, a wireless IC element provided on the sheet, a radiator provided on the sheet, and a loop-shaped electrode defined by first planar conductors, via hole conductors, and one side of the radiator, coupled to the wireless IC element. The first planar conductors are coupled to the radiator and the second planar conductors by auxiliary electrodes.

Description

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION

1. Field of the Invention

The present invention relates to a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system, and in particular, relates to a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system, preferably for use in an RFID (Radio Frequency Identification) system.

2. Description of the Related Art

In recent years, as an information management system for articles, there has been put into practical use an RFID system where communication is established between a reader/writer generating an induction magnetic field and an RFID tag attached to an article on the basis of a non-contact method utilizing an electromagnetic field and predetermined information is transmitted. This RFID tag includes a wireless IC chip storing therein the predetermined information and processing a predetermined wireless signal and an antenna (radiator) performing transmission and reception of a high-frequency signal.

In some cases, the RFID system is used for information management for printed wiring boards embedded in various kinds of electronic devices. For example, in International Publication No. WO 2009/011144 or International Publication No. WO 2009/011154, an RFID tag is disclosed that utilizes, as an antenna, the ground electrode of a printed wiring board. In this RFID tag, a loop-shaped electrode for matching impedance is provided between a wireless IC chip and a ground electrode. Therefore, it is possible to realize an RFID tag having a simple configuration and a small signal loss.

Incidentally, while the RFID tag described in International Publication No. WO 2009/011144 or International Publication No. WO 2009/011154 has a simple configuration, the ground electrode functioning as an antenna becomes a barrier to signal transmission and reception, and the radiation characteristic of a high-frequency signal is not necessarily good.

SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION

Therefore, preferred embodiments of the present invention provide a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system, each of which has a simple configuration and a good radiation characteristic and is suitable for an RFID system.

A printed wiring board according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a wireless IC element configured to process a high-frequency signal, a circuit substrate in which the wireless IC element is mounted, a loop-shaped electrode configured to be coupled to the wireless IC element, a radiator configured to be coupled to the loop-shaped electrode, and an auxiliary electrode configured to be coupled to the loop-shaped electrode and/or the radiator.

A wireless communication system according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention includes the above-mentioned printed wiring board.

In the above-mentioned printed wiring board, the wireless IC element is coupled to the radiator through the loop-shaped electrode, and the radiator functions as an antenna. Furthermore, the wireless IC element is also coupled to the auxiliary electrode through the loop-shaped electrode and/or the radiator, and the auxiliary electrode also functions as an antenna. In this case, the loop-shaped electrode functions as an impedance-matching circuit with respect to the radiator and the auxiliary electrode. More specifically, a high-frequency signal is received in the auxiliary electrode in addition to the radiator, and the wireless IC element operates through the loop-shaped electrode, such that a response signal from the corresponding wireless IC element is radiated from the radiator and the auxiliary electrode to the outside through the loop-shaped electrode. The auxiliary electrode is provided, and hence, the radiation characteristics (a radiation gain and directivity) of a high-frequency signal are greatly improved.

According to various preferred embodiments of the present invention, it is possible to provide a printed wiring board including a simple configuration and an antenna with an excellent radiation characteristic, and the corresponding printed wiring substrate may be suitable for use in an RFID system, for example.

The above and other elements, features, steps, characteristics and advantages of the present invention will become more apparent from the following detailed description of the preferred embodiments with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

FIG. 1 is a perspective view illustrating a printed wiring board according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a perspective view illustrating a printed wiring board according to a second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 3 is a perspective view illustrating a printed wiring board according to a third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 4 is a perspective view illustrating a printed wiring board according to a fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 5 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a printed wiring board is mounted in a mother substrate.

FIG. 6 is a schematic configuration diagram of an RFID system utilizing a printed wiring substrate.

FIG. 7 is a perspective view illustrating a wireless IC chip as a wireless IC element.

FIG. 8 is a perspective view illustrating a state where a wireless IC chip is mounted, as a wireless IC element, on a feeder circuit substrate.

FIG. 9 is an equivalent circuit diagram illustrating an example of a feeder circuit.

FIG. 10 is a plan view illustrating a laminated structure of the above-mentioned feeder circuit substrate.

FIG. 11 is a pattern diagram illustrating a radiation electric field intensity in the first preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 12 is a pattern diagram illustrating a radiation electric field intensity in the second preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 13 is a pattern diagram illustrating a radiation electric field intensity in the third preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 14 is a pattern diagram illustrating a radiation electric field intensity in the fourth preferred embodiment of the present invention.

FIG. 15 is a pattern diagram illustrating a radiation electric field intensity in a comparative example.

FIG. 16 is a graph illustrating a communication distance in a predetermined frequency band in each of the first to fourth preferred embodiments of the present invention and the comparative example.

FIG. 17A is a perspective view illustrating a first example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, FIG. 17B is a perspective view illustrating a second example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, and FIG. 17C is a perspective view illustrating a third example of a modification of the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS

Hereinafter, preferred embodiments of a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system according to the present invention will be described with reference to accompanying drawings. In addition, in each drawing, a same symbol will be assigned to a common component or a common portion, and the redundant description thereof well be omitted.

First Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 1, a printed wiring board 1A according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention includes a circuit substrate 11 in which two insulating sheets 11a and 11b (and a plurality of sheets not illustrated, if necessary or desired) are laminated. On the sheet 11a, first planar conductors 21a and 21b and second planar conductors 22a and 22b are located, and the terminal electrodes of a wireless IC element 50 are electrically connected to ends of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, which face each other. A radiator 31 having a wide area is located on the sheet 11b.

The other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and two corner portions of the radiator 31 are electrically connected to each other through via hole conductors 32a and 32b. A loop-shaped electrode 20 is defined by the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, the via hole conductors 32a and 32b, and one side of the radiator 31. The second planar conductors 22a and 22b extend from the other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b preferably in L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configurations along the side surface of the sheet 11a, end portions thereof face each other through a slit 27, and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b function as auxiliary electrodes.

The wireless IC element 50 processes a high-frequency signal, and the detail thereof will be described in detail with reference to FIG. 7 to FIG. 10.

In the printed wiring board 1A having the above-mentioned configuration, as the loop-shaped electrode 20, the first planar conductors 21a and 21b are coupled to the radiator 31 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b. Therefore, a high-frequency signal, radiated from a reader/writer in an RFID system and received in the radiator 31 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b, is supplied to the wireless IC element through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, and the wireless IC element 50 operates. On the other hand, a response signal from the wireless IC element 50 is transmitted to the radiator 31 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and radiated to the reader/writer.

The loop-shaped electrode 20 functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the radiator 31 to be coupled to each other, and functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b to be coupled to each other. It is possible for the first planar conductors 21a and 21b to achieve impedance matching, by adjusting the electrical lengths thereof, the electrode widths thereof, or the like. In addition, so as to obtain a maximum radiation characteristic, it is desirable that the total length of the first planar conductor 21a plus the second planar conductor 22a and the total length of the first planar conductor 21b plus the second planar conductor 22b preferably are approximately λ/4 with respect to wavelength λ of a communication frequency, for example.

In addition, the second planar conductors 22a and 22b extend along the edge portion of the radiator 31, and are capacitively coupled to the radiator 31 in a lamination direction. In this way, the second planar electrodes 22a and 22b functioning as auxiliary electrodes are capacitively coupled to the edge portion of the radiator 31, in which a high-frequency signal intensively flows owing to an edge effect, and hence, while it is possible to cause the radiator 31 to have directivity in the normal direction of the main surface of the radiator 31, it is possible to cause the second planar electrodes 22a and 22b to function as a matching circuit. In particular, when the length of each of the second planar conductors 22a and 22b is less than or equal to approximately λ/4, for example, a communication distance also becomes long. In addition, such an advantageous effect is true for a second preferred embodiment, a third preferred embodiment, and a fourth preferred embodiment, described later.

In the printed wiring substrate 1A according to the first preferred embodiment, a radiation electric field intensity schematically illustrated in FIG. 11 is obtained. In addition, a communication distance in a 750 MHz to 1050 MHz band is as illustrated in FIG. 16 plotted with black quadrangles.

Incidentally, as a comparative example, FIG. 15 illustrates the radiation electric field intensity of a printed wiring board where only the second planar conductors 22a and 22b are omitted, and a communication distance in the same frequency band is illustrated in FIG. 16 plotted with black rhombuses. In the present first preferred embodiment, compared with the comparative example, a radiation gain is enhanced and a directional characteristic is improved.

Second Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 2, a printed wiring board 1B according to a second preferred embodiment includes a circuit substrate 11 in which two insulating sheets 11a and 11b (and a plurality of sheets not illustrated, if necessary) are laminated. On the sheet 11a, first planar conductors 21a and 21b are located, and the terminal electrodes of the wireless IC element are electrically connected to ends of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, which face each other. On the sheet 11b, a radiator 31 having a wide area and third planar conductors 23a and 23b are located.

The other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and two corner portions of the radiator 31 are electrically connected to each other through via hole conductors 32a and 32b. A loop-shaped electrode 20 is defined by the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, the via hole conductors 32a and 32b, and one side of the radiator 31. The third planar conductors 23a and 23b extend from both end portions of the radiator 31 in L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configurations along the side surface of the sheet 11b, end portions thereof face each other through a slit 27, and the third planar conductors 23a and 23b function as auxiliary electrodes.

In the printed wiring board 1B having the above-mentioned configuration, as the loop-shaped electrode 20, the first planar conductors 21a and 21b are coupled to the radiator and the third planar conductors 23a and 23b. Therefore, a high-frequency signal, radiated from a reader/writer in an RFID system and received in the radiator and the third planar conductors 23a and 23b, is supplied to the wireless IC element through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, and the wireless IC element 50 operates. On the other hand, a response signal from the wireless IC element 50 is transmitted to the radiator 31 and the third planar conductors 23a and 23b through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and radiated to the reader/writer.

The loop-shaped electrode 20 functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the radiator 31 to be coupled to each other, and functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the third planar conductors 23a and 23b to be coupled to each other. It is possible for the first planar conductors 21a and 21b to achieve impedance matching, by adjusting the electrical lengths thereof, the electrode widths thereof, or the like. In addition, so as to obtain a maximum radiation characteristic, it is desirable that the total length of the first planar conductor 21a, the via hole conductor 32a, and the third planar conductor 23a and the total length of the first planar conductor 21b, the via hole conductor 32b, and the third planar conductor 23b preferably are approximately λ/4, for example, with respect to the wavelength λ of the communication frequency.

In the printed wiring substrate 1B according to the second preferred embodiment, a radiation electric field intensity schematically illustrated in FIG. 12 is obtained. In addition, a communication distance in a 750 MHz to 1050 MHz band is as illustrated in FIG. 16 plotted with black triangles. In the present second preferred embodiment, compared with the above-mentioned comparative example, a radiation gain is enhanced.

Third Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 3, a printed wiring board 1C according to a third preferred embodiment includes a circuit substrate 11 in which two insulating sheets 11a and 11b (and a plurality of sheets not illustrated, if necessary) are laminated. On the sheet 11a, first planar conductors 21a and 21b and fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b are located, and the terminal electrodes of the wireless IC element 50 are electrically connected to ends of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, which face each other. On the sheet 11b, a radiator 31 having a wide area and fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b are located.

The other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and two corner portions of the radiator 31 are electrically connected to each other through via hole conductors 32a and 32b. A loop-shaped electrode 20 is configured using the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, the via hole conductors 32a and 32b, and one side of the radiator 31. The fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b extend from the other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b in L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configurations along the side surface of the sheet 11a, end portions thereof face each other through a slit 27, and the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b function as auxiliary electrodes. The fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b extend from both end portions of the radiator 31 in L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configurations along the side surface of the sheet 11b, and end portions thereof face each other through a slit 28. In addition to this, the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b are electrically connected to the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b through via hole conductors 33a and 33b and function as auxiliary electrodes.

In the printed wiring board 1C having the above-mentioned configuration, as the loop-shaped electrode 20, the first planar conductors 21a and 21b are coupled to the radiator 31, the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b, and the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b. Therefore, a high-frequency signal, radiated from a reader/writer in an RFID system and received in the radiator 31, the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b, and the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b, is supplied to the wireless IC element 50 through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, and the wireless IC element 50 operates. On the other hand, a response signal from the wireless IC element 50 is transmitted to the radiator 31, the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b, and the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and radiated to the reader/writer.

The loop-shaped electrode 20 functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the radiator 31 to be coupled to each other, and functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50, the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b, and the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b to be coupled to one another. It is possible for the first planar conductors 21a and 21b to achieve impedance matching, by adjusting the electrical lengths thereof, the electrode widths thereof, or the like. In addition, so as to obtain a maximum radiation characteristic, it is desirable that the total length of the first planar conductor 21a, the fourth planar conductor 24a, the via hole conductor 33a, and the fifth planar conductor 25a and the total length of the first planar conductor 21b, the fourth planar conductor 24b, the via hole conductor 33b, and the fifth planar conductor 25b preferably are approximately λ/4 with respect to the wavelength λ of the communication frequency, for example.

In the printed wiring substrate 1C according to the third preferred embodiment, a radiation electric field intensity schematically illustrated in FIG. 13 is obtained. In addition, a communication distance in a 750 MHz to 1050 MHz band is as illustrated in FIG. 16 plotted with black circles. In the present third preferred embodiment, compared with the above-mentioned comparative example, a radiation gain is enhanced and a directional characteristic is improved.

Fourth Preferred Embodiment

As illustrated in FIG. 4, a printed wiring board 1D according to a fourth preferred embodiment includes a circuit substrate 11 in which two insulating sheets 11a and 11b (and a plurality of sheets not illustrated, if necessary) are laminated. On the sheet 11a, first planar conductors 21a and 21b and a sixth planar conductor 26 are located, and the terminal electrodes of the wireless IC element 50 are electrically connected to ends of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, which face each other. On the sheet 11b, a radiator 31 having a wide area is located.

The other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and two corner portions of the radiator 31 are electrically connected to each other through via hole conductors 32a and 32b. A loop-shaped electrode 20 is defined by the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, the via hole conductors 32a and 32b, and one side of the radiator 31. The sixth planar conductor extends from the other end portions of the first planar conductors 21a and 21b along the side surface of the sheet 11a, is defined as one electrode having an L-shaped or substantially L-shaped configuration, and functions as an auxiliary electrode.

In the printed wiring board 1D having the above-mentioned configuration, as the loop-shaped electrode 20, the first planar conductors 21a and 21b are coupled to the radiator and the sixth planar conductor 26. Therefore, a high-frequency signal, radiated from a reader/writer in an RFID system and received in the radiator 31 and the sixth planar conductor 26, is supplied to the wireless IC element 50 through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b, and the wireless IC element 50 operates. On the other hand, a response signal from the wireless IC element 50 is transmitted to the radiator 31 and the sixth planar conductor 26 through the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and radiated to the reader/writer.

The loop-shaped electrode 20 functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the radiator 31 to be coupled to each other, and functions as a matching circuit for impedance, by causing the wireless IC element 50 and the sixth planar conductor 26 to be coupled to each other. It is possible for the first planar conductors 21a and 21b to achieve impedance matching, by adjusting the electrical lengths thereof, the electrode widths thereof, or the like.

In the printed wiring substrate 1D according to the fourth preferred embodiment, a radiation electric field intensity schematically illustrated in FIG. 14 is obtained. In addition, a communication distance in a 750 MHz to 1050 MHz band is as illustrated in FIG. 16 plotted with *. In the present fourth preferred embodiment, compared with the above-mentioned comparative example, a directional characteristic is improved.

Next, a wireless communication system (RFID system) utilizing the above-mentioned printed wiring board 1A will be described. In addition, it is clear that it is possible to use the printed wiring boards 1B to 1D.

As illustrated in FIG. 5, in the printed wiring board 1A, an IC circuit component 41 is mounted in the inner region of the second planar conductors 22a and 22b, and the printed wiring board 1A is mounted on a mother substrate 45. The mother substrate 45 is preferably built into an electronic device such as a computer, and a number of an IC circuit component 46, a chip type electronic component 47, and the like are mounted in the mother substrate 45.

The printed wiring board 1A capable of establishing communication with a reader/writer is preferably mounted in the mother substrate 45, and hence, it is possible to manage the mother substrate 45 on the basis of various types of information stored in the wireless IC element 50, at the manufacturing stage of the mother substrate 45 or in the storage management thereof. As illustrated in FIG. 6, when the mother substrates 45 equipped with the printed wiring boards 1A are placed on a conveyor 40 and sequentially carried on a production line, the mother substrate 45 passes below an antenna 49 connected to a processing circuit 48 in the reader/writer or the antenna 49 is put close to the intended mother substrate 45, thereby allowing the processing circuit 48 to acquire necessary information.

As illustrated in FIG. 7, the wireless IC element 50 may also be a wireless IC chip 51 processing a high-frequency signal, and alternatively, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the wireless IC element 50 may also include the wireless IC chip 51 and a feeder circuit substrate 65 including a resonant circuit having a predetermined resonance frequency.

The wireless IC chip 51 illustrated in FIG. 7 includes a clock circuit, a logic circuit, a memory circuit, and the like, and stores therein necessary information. In the back surface of the wireless IC chip 51, input-output terminal electrodes 52 and 52 and mounting terminal electrodes 53 and 53 are provided. The input-output terminal electrodes 52 and 52 are electrically connected to the above-mentioned first planar conductors 21a and 21b through metal bumps or other suitable members. In addition, Au, solder, or the like may be used as the material of the metal bump.

When, as illustrated in FIG. 8, the wireless IC element 50 is configured using the wireless IC chip 51 and the feeder circuit substrate 65, it is possible to provide various types of feeder circuits (including a resonant circuit/matching circuit) in the feeder circuit substrate 65. For example, as illustrated as an equivalent circuit in FIG. 9, the feeder circuit may be a feeder circuit 66 including inductance elements L1 and L2, which have inductance values different from each other and are magnetically coupled to each other (indicated by mutual inductance M) with an opposite phase. The feeder circuit has a predetermined resonance frequency, and achieves impedance matching between the impedance of the wireless IC chip 51 and a radiator or the like. In addition, the wireless IC chip and the feeder circuit 66 may be electrically connected to each other (e.g., through a DC connection) or coupled to each other through an electromagnetic field.

The feeder circuit 66 transmits a high-frequency signal, which is sent out from the wireless IC chip 51 and has a predetermined frequency, to a radiator or the like through the above-mentioned loop-shaped electrode, and supplies a high-frequency signal received in the radiator or the like to the wireless IC chip 51 through the loop-shaped electrode. Since the feeder circuit 66 has the predetermined resonance frequency, it is easy to achieve impedance matching with the radiator or the like and it is possible to shorten the electrical length of the loop-shaped electrode.

Next, the configuration of the feeder circuit substrate 65 will be described. As illustrated in FIG. 7 and FIG. 8, the input-output terminal electrodes 52 of the wireless IC chip 51 are connected to feeding terminal electrodes 142a and 142b located on the feeder circuit substrate 65 and the mounting terminal electrodes 53 thereof are connected to mounting terminal electrodes 143a and 143b, through metal bumps or the like.

As illustrated in FIG. 10, the feeder circuit substrate 65 is obtained by lamination, pressure-bonding, and firing ceramic sheets 141a to 141h including dielectric or magnetic bodies. In this regard, however, insulation layers configuring the feeder circuit substrate 65 are not limited to the ceramic sheets, and, for example, may also be thermosetting resin such as liquid crystal polymer or resin sheets such as thermoplastic resins. On the sheet 141a at an uppermost layer, the feeding terminal electrodes 142a and 142b, the mounting terminal electrodes 143a and 143b, and via hole conductors 144a, 144b, 145a, and 145b are located. On each of the sheets 141b to 141h in the second layer to the eighth layer, wiring electrodes 146a and 146b are arranged to configure the inductance elements L1 and L2 and via hole conductors 147a, 147b, 148a, and 148b are formed, if necessary or desired.

By laminating the above-mentioned sheets 141a to 141h, the inductance element L1 is provided such that the wiring electrode 146a is connected in a spiral shape owing to the via hole conductor 147a, and the inductance element L2 is provided such that the wiring electrode 146b is connected in a spiral shape owing to the via hole conductor 147b. In addition, capacitance is generated between the lines of the wiring electrodes 146a and 146b.

An end portion 146a-1 of the wiring electrode 146a on the sheet 141b is connected to the feeding terminal electrode 142a through the via hole conductor 145a, and an end portion 146a-2 of the wiring electrode 146a on the sheet 141h is connected to the feeding terminal electrode 142b through the via hole conductors 148a and 145b. An end portion 146b-1 of the wiring electrode 146b on the sheet 141b is connected to the feeding terminal electrode 142b through the via hole conductor 144b, and an end portion 146b-2 of the wiring electrode 146b on the sheet 141h is connected to the feeding terminal electrode 142a through the via hole conductors 148b and 144a.

In the above-mentioned feeder circuit 66, since the inductance elements L1 and L2 are wound in directions opposite to each other, magnetic fields generated in the inductance elements L1 and L2 cancel each other out. Since the magnetic fields cancel each other out, it is necessary to lengthen the wiring electrodes 146a and 146b to some extent, so as to obtain a desired inductance value. Since this results in lowering a Q value, the steepness of a resonance characteristic disappears. Therefore, a wider bandwidth is obtained in the vicinity of a resonance frequency.

When the perspective plane of the feeder circuit substrate 65 is seen, the inductance elements L1 and L2 are provided at left and right different positions. In addition, the directions of the magnetic fields generated in the inductance elements L1 and L2 are opposite to each other. Therefore, when the feeder circuit 66 is coupled to the loop-shaped electrode 20, a reversed current is excited in the loop-shaped electrode 20, and it is possible to cause a current to be generated in the radiator 31 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b. Accordingly, due to a potential difference due to the current, it is possible to cause the radiator 31 and the second planar conductors 22a and 22b to operate as an antenna.

By incorporating a resonance/matching circuit in the feeder circuit substrate 65, it is possible to significantly reduce and prevent a characteristic fluctuation due to an external article, and it is possible to prevent a communication quality from being deteriorated. In addition, if the wireless IC chip 51 configuring the wireless IC element 50 is disposed so as to face toward a center side in the thickness direction of the feeder circuit substrate 65, it is possible to prevent the wireless IC chip 51 from being destroyed and it is possible to enhance a mechanical strength as the wireless IC element 50.

Additional Preferred Embodiments

In addition, a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system according to the present invention are not limited to the above-mentioned preferred embodiments, and it should be understood that various modifications may occur insofar as they are within the scope thereof.

FIG. 17A illustrates a first example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this first example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the second planar conductors 22a and 22b are provided on an intermediate layer located between the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and the radiator 31, and ends of the second planar conductors 22a and 22b are connected to the via hole conductors 32a and 32b.

FIG. 17B illustrates a second example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this second example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b are provided on an intermediate layer located between the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and the radiator 31, and the other ends of the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b connected to the first planar conductors 21a and 21b are connected to the other ends of the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b through the via hole conductors 33a and 33b.

FIG. 17C illustrates a third example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In this third example of a modification of a preferred embodiment of the present invention, the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b are provided on the same layer as the radiator 31, ends thereof are connected to the radiator 31 and the via hole conductors 32a and 32b, the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b are provided on an intermediate layer located between the first planar conductors 21a and 21b and the radiator 31, and the other ends of the fourth planar conductors 24a and 24b are connected to the other ends of the fifth planar conductors 25a and 25b through the via hole conductors 33a and 33b.

As described above, preferred embodiments of the present invention are useful for a printed wiring board and a wireless communication system, for example, and in particular, preferred embodiments of the present invention have a simple configuration and are superior in terms of an excellent radiation characteristic.

While preferred embodiments of the present invention have been described above, it is to be understood that variations and modifications will be apparent to those skilled in the art without departing from the scope and spirit of the present invention. The scope of the present invention, therefore, is to be determined solely by the following claims.

Claims

1. A printed wiring board comprising: a wireless IC element configured to process a high-frequency signal;a circuit substrate including at least two stacked insulating sheets, wherein the wireless IC element is mounted;a loop-shaped electrode connected to the wireless IC element, mounted on one of the insulating sheets, and in or on and across the circuit substrate;a planar-shaped radiator mounted in or on another one of said insulating sheets and connected to the loop-shaped electrode; anda line-shaped auxiliary electrode mounted in or on said another one of said insulating sheets and connected to at least one of the loop-shaped electrode and the planar-shaped radiator; whereinthe line-shaped auxiliary electrode is provided along an edge portion of the circuit substrate so as to at least partially surround the planar-shaped radiator in plan view;the planar-shaped radiator and the line-shaped auxiliary electrode functions as an antenna; andthe loop-shaped electrode function as an impedance matching circuit for the planar-shaped radiator and the line-shaped auxiliary electrode to enhance the radiation gain and improve directional characteristics of the antenna.

2. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the line-shaped auxiliary electrode extends along an edge portion of the planar-shaped radiator and is capacitively coupled to the planar-shaped radiator.

3. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element and the planar-shaped radiator are provided on respective different layers of the circuit substrate;the loop-shaped electrode includes a first planar conductor, provided on a layer on which the wireless IC element is provided, and connected to a terminal of the wireless IC element, and a first interlayer conductor connecting the first planar conductor and the planar-shaped radiator to each other; andthe line-shaped auxiliary electrode includes a second planar conductor connected to the first planar conductor or the first interlayer conductor.

4. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element and the planar-shaped radiator are provided on respective different layers of the circuit substrate;the loop-shaped electrode includes a first planar conductor, provided on a layer on which the wireless IC element is provided, and connected to a terminal of the wireless IC element, and an interlayer conductor connecting the first planar conductor and the planar-shaped radiator to each other;the line-shaped auxiliary electrode includes a second planar conductor provided on a layer different from the layer on which the wireless IC element is provided; andthe third planar conductor is connected to the planar-shaped radiator.

5. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element and the planar-shaped radiator are provided on respective different layers of the circuit substrate;the loop-shaped electrode includes a first planar conductor, provided on the layer on which the wireless IC element is provided, and connected to a terminal of the wireless IC element, and a first interlayer conductor connecting the first planar conductor and the planar-shaped radiator to each other;the line-shaped auxiliary electrode includes a second planar conductor, a third planar conductor provided on a layer different from the second planar conductor, and an interlayer conductor connecting the second planar conductor and the third planar conductor to each other; andthe second planar conductor is connected to the first planar conductor, the first interlayer conductor, or the planar-shaped radiator.

6. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element and the planar-shaped radiator are provided on respective different layers of the circuit substrate;the loop-shaped electrode includes a first planar conductor, provided on a layer in which the wireless IC element is provided, and connected to a terminal of the wireless IC element, and an interlayer conductor connecting the first planar conductor and the planar-shaped radiator to each other;the line-shaped auxiliary electrode is provided on the layer on which the wireless IC element is provided, and includes a second planar conductor having a loop shape; andthe second planar conductor is connected to the first planar conductor or the first interlayer conductor.

7. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element is a wireless IC chip that processes a high-frequency signal.

8. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the loop-shaped electrode matches impedance by coupling the wireless IC element and the planar-shaped radiator to each other.

9. The printed wiring board according to claim 3, wherein the loop-shaped electrode matches impedance by coupling the wireless IC element and the second planar conductor to each other.

10. The printed wiring board according to claim 3, wherein the second planar conductor is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped.

11. The printed wiring board according to claim 3, wherein a length of the second planar conductor is approximately λ/4, where λ is a wavelength of a communication frequency.

12. The printed wiring board according to claim 3, further comprising at least two first planar conductors and at least two second planar conductors, wherein a total length of a first of the at least two first planar conductors plus a second of the at least two second planar conductors and a total length of a second of the at least two first planar conductors plus a second of the at least two second planar conductors are approximately λ/4, where λ is a wavelength of a communication frequency.

13. The printed wiring board according to claim 3, wherein the printed wiring board includes a plurality of layers, and the second planar conductor is located on a layer between a layer including the first planar conductor and another layer including the planar-shaped radiator.

14. The printed wiring board according to claim 4, wherein the loop-shaped electrode matches impedance by coupling the wireless IC element and the second planar conductor to each other.

15. The printed wiring board according to claim 4, wherein the second planar conductor is L-shaped or substantially L-shaped.

16. The printed wiring board according to claim 4, further comprising: at least two first planar conductors, at least two second planar conductors, and at least two interlayer conductors; whereina total length of a first of the at least two first planar conductors, a first of the at least two interlayer conductors, and a first of the at least two second planar conductors, and a total length of a second of the at least two first planar conductors, a second of the at least two interlayer conductors, and a second of the at least two second planar conductors are approximately λ/4, where λ is a wavelength of a communication frequency.

17. The printed wiring board according to claim 1, wherein the wireless IC element includes a wireless IC chip that processes a high-frequency signal and a feeder circuit substrate including a feeder circuit having a predetermined resonance frequency.

18. A wireless communication system comprising the printed wiring board according to claim 1.

19. The wireless communication system according to claim 18, wherein the printed wiring board is mounted on a mother substrate.

20. The wireless communication system according to claim 18, wherein the wireless communication system is a radio frequency identification system.