Pulse unveils compact NFC stamp antenna

Electronic components supplier Pulse is introducing its new NFC (near field communication) stamp antenna for mobile phones and portable wireless devices at electronica 2010, stand B6.323. This very small 15mm x 20mm x 5mm antenna can be integrated with a main antenna so they both fit inside a 40mm x 21mm x 5mm module, enabling both 13.56 MHz NFC communication and frequency ranges of 824-960MHZ and 1710-2170MHz for wireless connectivity using GSM and WCDMA in the same device.

"Despite its small size, our new NFC antennas open many possibilities for additional mechanical integration of speakers for audio, cameras, camera windows, flash, LEDs, and other options to the antenna module within these devices and can be tailored for each customer's design," explained Maritta Timosaari, director of sales and marketing for Pulse Mobile Products Division. "Application possibilities for near field communications are almost endless because it enables the exchange of data from modules in close proximity within devices such as mobile phones. For example, the phones can be used to read RFID tags for payments, ticketing, security identification, diagnostics, etc."

Pulse's NFC stamp antenna is especially well suited to function with small RFID (radio frequency identification) tags. It can read tags with diameters ranging from 15mm to 65mm at distances ranging from 5mm to 20mm, which cannot be read with a large loop antenna (size 110x42mm). When comparing the performance with rectangular tags measuring up to 86x53mm, the performance is comparable to that of a large loop antenna (size 110x42mm).

The NFC antenna operates at a frequency of 13.56 MHz, has an H-field of 1.5A/m, and a return loss of -25dB. The main antenna is a penta-band antenna. For the 824-960MHz frequency range it has an efficiency of 58 percent/-2.35dB peak, 27/48 percent/-5.7/-3.1dB band edges, and a return loss of -5.2dB. In the 1710-2170 MHz frequency range it has efficiencies of 59 percent/ -2.3 dB peak and 40/45 percent/ -3.9/-3.4dB band edges with a return loss of -5.1dB. Both antennas have an impedance of 50 ohms and have operating temperatures ranging from -40 to +85 degrees Celsius. The separate NFC antenna can be integrated in the device back cover with a snap-fit structure also available.

The NFC antennas are RoHS compliant. They are packaged in trays or as requested by the customer. Engineering samples are available. More information can be found on the NFC Stamp Antenna data sheet.

The NFC antenna and other Pulse antennas will be on display at electronica, Munich, Germany, November 9-12, 2010, in Hall B6.323.