Wireless module and wireless card

0001The present invention relates to a wireless module and a wireless card for use in a thin-layer electronic device involved in non-contact data-communication.

0002The functional portion of the thin-layer electronic device of this type consists of a wireless module and an antenna, which is a discrete member and connected to the wireless module with a solder or the like. The functional portion consisting of the wireless module and the antenna is incorporated in the card base member which is formed by a molding method or by a laminating method. In this manner, a card is formed.

0003The wireless module comprises a module substrate and an electronic part such as an LSI (hereinafter, referred to as "LSI") mounted on the module substrate.

0004However, the wireless module conventionally used does not have an antenna incorporated therein, so that the non-contact data communication cannot be attained.

0005Hence, to inspect the LSI of the wireless module, an antenna must be connected to the wireless module with a solder or the like. Therefore, disadvantageously long time is required for inspecting the LSI.

0006The LSI is conventionally positioned on an upper surface of the antenna or in the vicinity of the antenna.

0007However, if the LSI is positioned on the upper surface of the antenna, the LSI is easily broken along the antenna. If the LSI is positioned in the vicinity of the antenna, the LSI is mistakenly operated by the magnetic field generated from the antenna.

0008The present invention has been made in view of the aforementioned circumstances. An object of the present invention is to provide a wireless module and a wireless card which makes it possible to attain data communication by itself and to prevent breakage and misoperation of the electronic part.

0009The wireless module of the present invention comprises: <ul id="ul0001" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a module base on which an electronic part is to be mounted; and</li><li>an antenna mounted on the module base and connected to the electronic part via terminals arranged at both ends thereof, for attaining non-contact data communication.</li></ul>

0010Another wireless module of the present invention comprises: <ul id="ul0002" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a module base on which an electronic part is to be mounted; and</li><li>an antenna mounted on the module base in the form of a coil wound a plurality of times and connected to the electronic part via the terminals arranged at both ends of the antenna, for attaining non-contact data communication,    in which the antenna (coil tiers) is divided into two portions each having a plurality of tiers in the vicinity of the electronic part; the electronic part is positioned between the two divided portions of the antenna, and the terminals of the electronic part are respectively connected to each of terminals of the antenna via a conductive body.</li></ul>

0011A wireless card of the present invention comprises: <ul id="ul0003" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a wireless module including <ul id="ul0004" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a module base on which an electronic part is to be mounted; and</li><li>an antenna mounted on the module base and connected to the electronic part via terminals arranged at both ends thereof, for attaining non-contact data communication; and</li><li>a card base on which the wireless module is to be mounted.</li></ul></li></ul>

0012Another wireless card of the present invention comprises: <ul id="ul0005" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a wireless module including <ul id="ul0006" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>a module base on which an electronic part is to be mounted; and</li><li>an antenna mounted on the module base and connected to the electronic part via terminals arranged at both ends thereof, for attaining non-contact data communication; and</li><li>a card base on which the wireless module is to be mounted,    in which the antenna (coil tiers) is divided into two portions each having a plurality of tiers in the vicinity of the electronic part; the electronic part is positioned between the two divided portions of the antenna, and the terminals of the electronic part are respectively connected to each of terminals of the antenna via conductive bodies.</li></ul></li></ul>

0013In the present invention, the wireless module has an electronic part and an antenna mounted together on a module base. It is therefore possible to effect non-contact data communication by using the wireless module alone.

0014In the present invention, both terminals of the antenna are positioned in the vicinity of the electronic part so as to give a square or a circular shape after they are sealed. It is therefore possible to enhance the strength.

0015In the present invention, the antenna portion consisting of coil tiers positioned in the vicinity of the electronic part is divided into halves and the electronic part is positioned between the divided antenna portions. It is therefore to cancel out the magnetic fields generated by the antenna at both sides of the electronic part.

0016A first electrode is provided on the back surface of the electronic part and the first electrode is electrically connected to one of the terminals of the antenna with a conductive adhesive agent; and a second electrode is provided on the front surface of the electronic part and the second electrode is electrically connected to the other terminal of the antenna by a connecting member. It is possible to reduce the number of the connecting member between the electronic part and the antenna.

0017This summary of the invention does not necessarily describe all necessary features so that the invention may also be a sub-combination of these described features.

0018The invention can be more fully understood from the following detailed description when taken in conjunction with the accompanying drawings, in which: <ul id="ul0007" list-style="none" compact="compact"><li>FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a wireless module according to a first embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a first installment example of an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a reel base to be used in manufacturing the wireless module;</li><li>FIG. 4 is a plan view showing a wireless card in which the wireless module of FIG. 1 is to be installed;</li><li>FIG. 5 is a side cross-sectional view showing a wireless card;</li><li>FIG. 6 is a side cross-sectional view showing a second installment example of an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 7 is a plan view showing a third installment example of an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 8 is a plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module of FIG. 7 mounted thereon;</li><li>FIG. 9 is a plan view showing a fourth installment example an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module of FIG. 9 mounted thereon;</li><li>FIG. 11 is a plan view showing a fifth installment example of an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 12 is a plan view showing a sixth installment example of an LSI and an antenna on a module substrate;</li><li>FIG. 13 is a plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module of FIG. 12 mounted thereon;</li><li>FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a wireless module according to a second embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing an installment example of an LSI and an antenna in the wireless module of FIG. 14;</li><li>FIG. 16 is a plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module of FIG. 15 mounted thereon;</li><li>FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a wireless module according to a third embodiment of the present invention;</li><li>FIG. 18 is a plan view showing a wireless card in which the wireless module of FIG. 17 is to be installed; and</li><li>FIG. 19 is a side cross-sectional view showing a wireless card of FIG. 18.</li></ul>

0019Now, the present invention will be explained with reference to an embodiment shown in FIGS. 1 to 5.

0020FIG. 1 is a plan view showing a wireless module M.

0021The wireless module M has a module substrate 1 as a base. The module substrate 1 is formed of a glass epoxy of 0.2 mm thick. An antenna 2 is mounted on the lower surface of the module substrate 1. The antenna 2 is arranged in the form of a coil wound a plurality of times and integrally attached to the module substrate 1.

0022FIG. 2 is a side cross-sectional view showing a first installment example of an LSI 3 and the antenna 2 on the wireless module M.

0023A device hole 5 is formed through the module substrate 1. An electronic part, an LSI 3 is placed in the device hole 5. Both terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 are connected to the LSI 3 by way of conductive metal wires 6, 6. The LSI 3 and the metal wires 6, 6 are sealed with a resin agent 4. The terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 are respectively abutted against each of the sides of the LSI 3.

0024The antenna 2 (coil tiers) is arranged in a bundle form until it approaches the LSI 3 and then divided symmetrically into right and left portions (each having uniform numbers of tiers) to avoid overlapping the LSI 3.

0025Therefore, the metal wires 6, 6 connected to the LSI at one end is connected at the other end to terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 so as to sandwich the antenna tiers. Since the metal wires 6, 6 and both terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 are abutted against LSI 3, the resin-sealed shape of them can be reduced in size.

0026FIG. 3 is a plan view showing a reel base 21 for use in manufacturing the wireless module M.

0027The reel base 21 is formed of a glass epoxy substrate of 0.2 mm thick and 35 mm width.

0028The wireless module M is formed as follows: the LSI 3, the antenna 2, and the metal wires 6, 6 are mounted on the reel base 21 so that two module substrates 1 can be juxtaposed on the reel base 21 in the width direction. Then, the LSI 3 and the metal wires 6, 6 are sealed with the resin agent 4. Thereafter, the reel base 21 is punched out in accordance with an outline shape of the module substrate.

0029FIGS. 4 and 5 respectively show a plan view and a cross-sectional view of a wireless card K.

0030The wireless card K has a card base 11 incorporating a wireless module M manufactured as described above therein.

0031The card base 11 consists of front and back sheet materials 12, 13 and a resin layer 14 interposed between the front and back sheet materials 12, 13. The wireless module M is embedded in the resin layer 14. The front and back sheet materials 12, 13 are polyethylene terephthalate (PET) sheets of 100 µm in thickness and respectively adhered onto the front and back surfaces of the resin layer 14 with an adhesive agent 14.

0032According to this embodiment, the LSI 3 and the antenna 2 are mounted on the module substrate 1 of the wireless module M. It is therefore possible to effect non-contact data communication by using the wireless module alone.

0033Hence, LSI 3 can be inspected by using the wireless module alone. More specifically, LSI 3 can be inspected without connecting an antenna externally to the wireless module, unlike in the conventional case. This means that the inspection of LSI can be made simpler.

0034Both terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 are respectively arranged on each of both sides of LSI 3. Therefore, after sealing with the resin agent 4, the sealed shape of both terminals and the antenna takes a symmetrical form such as a square or a circle. As a result, the strength against bending can be improved.

0035The antenna 2 is arranged in a bundle form until it approaches the LSI 3 and is then divided symmetrically into right and left portions (each having a uniform number of tiers) to avoid overlapping the LSI 3. It follows that magnetic fields generated from the antenna 2 at both sides of the LSI 3 are canceled out each other, preventing misoperation of LSI 3.

0036Since the LSI 3 is installed by inserting it into the device hole 5, the resultant structure can be reduced by the thickness (0.2 mm) of the module substrate 1.

0037FIG. 6 shows a second installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2 on the module substrate 1.

0038In this example, the LSI 3 and the antenna 2 are mounted on the upper surface of the module substrate 1. As a result, the resultant structure is formed thicker by the thickness of the module substrate 1, as compared to that of the first installment example.

0039FIG. 7 shows a third installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2.

0040In this example, the antenna 2 is arranged in a coil form wound an even number of times (6 times). The antenna coil tiers are divided into right and left halves (three tiers) in the vicinity of the LSI 3. In this embodiment, unlike the first installment example, the antenna 2 is not arranged in a bundle form but arranged in the half-divided form (each having three tiers) before approaching the LSI 3. The LSI 3 are arranged on a solid pattern 7 which is not electrically connected to the antenna 2 and therefore free from effects of antenna 2.

0041FIG. 8 is a fourth installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2.

0042In this example, the antenna 2 is arranged in a coil form wound an odd number of times (five times). A pattern 2A serving as a mounting base for LSI is formed on a third round tier. The LSI 3 is mounted on the pattern 2A and fixed thereon with an insulating adhesive agent.

0043FIG. 10 is a plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module M of FIG. 9 mounted thereon;

0044FIG. 11 is a fifth installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2. Both terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna are arranged at a far distance around the LSI 3. As a result, the LSI sealed with the resin agent 4 results in a rectangular form.

0045FIG. 12 is a sixth installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2.

0046In this example, the LSI 3 is arranged diagonally to the horizontal line so as to appear diamond-shaped and so as to allow a pair of corner portions of LSI facing each other to correspond to the winding shape of the antenna coil tiers. The both terminals 2a, 2b of the antenna 2 are positioned in the vicinity of both sides of one of another pair of corner portions of the LSI 3 so as to sandwich the antenna coil tiers. It follows that the resin-sealed shape of the LSI 3 with the resin agent 4 takes a square, improving the bending strength over the resin-sealed shape of FIG. 11.

0047FIG. 14 is a plan view showing a wireless module M according to a second embodiment of the present invention.

0048FIG. 15 is a side cross-sectional view showing an installment example of the LSI 3 and the antenna 2.

0049In this example, a contact electrode 3a serving as a first electrode is provided on the back surface of the LSI 3. The contact electrode 3a is electrically connected to one of terminals 2a of the antenna 2 with a conductive adhesive agent 9. Furthermore, a pad 3b serving as a second electrode is provided on the upper surface of the LSI 3. The pad 3b is connected to one of terminals 2b of the antenna 2 with a metal wire 10 serving as a conductive connecting member. In this way, a wireless module M attaining wireless communication is formed.

0050In this example, it is possible to lower latent malfunctions by reducing the connecting portions with a metal wire 10, thereby improving reliability of the LSI 3.

0051FIG. 16 is plan view showing a wireless card with the wireless module M of FIG. 14 mounted thereon.

0052FIG. 17 is a plan view showing a wireless module M according to a third embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, a coil antenna 8 serving as an auxiliary antenna is provided on the antenna 2 mounted on the module substrate 1 of the wireless module M. The coil antenna 8 is larger than the antenna 2. Both ends of the coil antenna 8 are electrically connected to the antenna 2 of the wireless module M with a solder or a conductive paste. As the coil antenna 8, a wind coil is used.

0053According to the embodiment, the antenna can be formed larger. It is therefore possible to extend a communication distance, drastically.

0054FIGS. 18 and 19 are respectively a plan view and a side cross-sectional view of a wireless card K in which a wireless module M of FIG. 17 is installed.

0055A card base 11 of the wireless card K consists of frond and back sheet materials 12, 13 and a resin layer 14 interposed between the front and back sheet materials 12, 13, similarly to the case shown in FIG. 5. The wireless module M of FIG. 17 and the coil antenna 8 are embedded in the resin layer 14.