Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna circuit. The RF front end includes a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer and a tuning capacitor to provide a function of an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit is coupled to said Balun transformer via one or more impedance elements.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for determining a location of a mobile device, a mobile device, and a location beacon system are described. In an embodiment, a method for determining a location of a mobile device involves receiving, at a dual-antenna receiver of the mobile device, a plurality of ultra wide band (UWB) signals from a group of unsynchronized beacons having a quadrilateral formation, at the mobile device, determining angle of arrival (AoA) information from the UWB signals, and at the mobile device, calculating the location of the mobile device based on the AoA information. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna circuit. The RF front end includes a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer and a tuning capacitor to provide a function of an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit is coupled to said Balun transformer via one or more impedance elements.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and a single ended antenna coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna. The RF front end includes an inductor coupled to a first terminal of a differential transmitter of said NFC module in the first transmitting path, and a capacitor coupled to a second terminal of said differential transmitter in the second transmitting path. The RF front end further includes a receiving path coupled to an input terminal of a single ended receiver of said NFC module. The RF front end does not use a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and a single ended antenna coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna. The RF front end includes an inductor coupled to a first terminal of a differential transmitter of said NFC module in the first transmitting path, and a capacitor coupled to a second terminal of said differential transmitter in the second transmitting path. The RF front end further includes a receiving path coupled to an input terminal of a single ended receiver of said NFC module. The RF front end does not use a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves detecting a system condition associated with the communications device and tuning a matching network of the communications device in response to the system condition, where the matching network includes a hybrid transformer that separates a receiver of the communications device from a transmitter of the communications device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. A differential power combiner circuit is coupled to said NFC module via output terminals of said NFC module. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit has a first terminal coupled to an output of said differential power combiner circuit via a first impedance block and a second terminal coupled to an input of said antenna circuit via a second impedance block. The NFC device is adapted to be able to operate in a powered by the field card mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods for determining a location of a mobile device, a mobile device, and a location beacon system are described. In an embodiment, a method for determining a location of a mobile device involves receiving, at a dual-antenna receiver of the mobile device, a plurality of ultra wide band (UWB) signals from a group of unsynchronized beacons having a quadrilateral formation, at the mobile device, determining angle of arrival (AoA) information from the UWB signals, and at the mobile device, calculating the location of the mobile device based on the AoA information. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A contactless communication device includes a receiver unit having differential input terminals for connecting to an antenna. The receiver unit is coupled to a transmitting device and receives an RF signal transmitted by the transmitting device. A first comparator is adapted to generate a first comparator output signal indicative of a relationship between a voltage at a positive input terminal of the receiver unit and a first reference voltage. A second comparator is adapted to generate a second comparator output signal indicative of a relationship between a voltage at a negative input terminal of the receiver unit and a second reference voltage. A first voltage regulation circuit is adapted to regulate the voltage at the positive input terminal in response to the first comparator output signal. A second voltage regulation circuit is adapted to regulate the voltage at the negative input terminal in response to the second comparator output signal.

Abstract: Embodiments of methods and systems for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling are described. In an embodiment, a method for operating a communications device that communicates via inductive coupling involves detecting a system condition associated with the communications device and tuning a matching network of the communications device in response to the system condition, where the matching network includes a hybrid transformer that separates a receiver of the communications device from a transmitter of the communications device. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna circuit. The RF front end includes a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer and a tuning capacitor. The Balun transformer has a first winding coupled to said NFC module via differential transmitter terminals of said NFC module and a second winding coupled to said tuning capacitor. A first terminal of said tuning capacitor is coupled to a receiving terminal of said NFC module. The Balun transformer and tuning capacitor provide a function of an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter.

Abstract: A contactless communication device includes a receiver unit having differential input terminals for connecting to an antenna. The receiver unit is coupled to a transmitting device and receives an RF signal transmitted by the transmitting device. A first comparator is adapted to generate a first comparator output signal indicative of a relationship between a voltage at a positive input terminal of the receiver unit and a first reference voltage. A second comparator is adapted to generate a second comparator output signal indicative of a relationship between a voltage at a negative input terminal of the receiver unit and a second reference voltage. A first voltage regulation circuit is adapted to regulate the voltage at the positive input terminal in response to the first comparator output signal. A second voltage regulation circuit is adapted to regulate the voltage at the negative input terminal in response to the second comparator output signal.

Abstract: A device for inductively coupled communications includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. The device includes an RF front end coupled between said NFC module and said antenna circuit. The RF front end includes a balanced to unbalanced (Balun) transformer and a tuning capacitor. The Balun transformer has a first winding coupled to said NFC module via differential transmitter terminals of said NFC module and a second winding coupled to said tuning capacitor. A first terminal of said tuning capacitor is coupled to a receiving terminal of said NFC module. The Balun transformer and tuning capacitor provide a function of an electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter of the NFC device is coupled to the NFC module via output terminals of said NFC module. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit is coupled to said EMC filter via one or more impedance elements. The NFC device is adapted to be able to operate in one of a reader mode, a battery supplied card mode, and a powered by the field card mode.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal according to data to be transmitted, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. An electromagnetic compatibility (EMC) filter of the NFC device is coupled to the NFC module via output terminals of said NFC module. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit is coupled to said EMC filter via one or more impedance elements. The NFC device is adapted to be able to operate in one of a reader mode, a battery supplied card mode, and a powered by the field card mode.

Abstract: A near field communication (NFC) device capable of operating by being powered by the field includes an NFC module for generating an electromagnetic carrier signal and modulating the carrier signal, and an antenna circuit coupled to and driven by said NFC module with the modulated carrier signal. A differential power combiner circuit is coupled to said NFC module via output terminals of said NFC module. A powered by the field circuit of the NFC device is adapted to harvest energy from an external field to power said NFC device. The power by the field circuit has a first terminal coupled to an output of said differential power combiner circuit via a first impedance block and a second terminal coupled to an input of said antenna circuit via a second impedance block. The NFC device is adapted to be able to operate in a powered by the field card mode.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mixer of a Near field communication (NFC) receiver device and a method for operating a mixer of an NFC receiver device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a mixer of an NFC receiver device includes an input unit from which an input signal is received, a sample and hold circuit configured to sample the input signal and to store electrical charge based on the sampled input signal in order to generate a differential output signal, a control unit configured to switch the sample and hold circuit between different operational modes based on whether the input signal is a single-ended input signal or a differential input signal, and a differential output unit from which the differential output signal is output. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a mixer of a Near field communication (NFC) receiver device and a method for operating a mixer of an NFC receiver device are disclosed. In an embodiment, a mixer of an NFC receiver device includes an input unit from which an input signal is received, a sample and hold circuit configured to sample the input signal and to store electrical charge based on the sampled input signal in order to generate a differential output signal, a control unit configured to switch the sample and hold circuit between different operational modes based on whether the input signal is a single-ended input signal or a differential input signal, and a differential output unit from which the differential output signal is output. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system for generating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value that corresponds to a radio frequency (RF) signal are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for generating an RSSI value that corresponds to an RF signal involves obtaining an attenuation factor code in response to applying an automatic gain control (AGC) operation to the RF signal, obtaining an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) code in response to applying an ADC operation to a signal that results from the AGC operation, and combining the attenuation factor code and the ADC code to generate an RSSI value. Other embodiments are also described.

Abstract: Embodiments of a method and a system for generating a received signal strength indicator (RSSI) value that corresponds to a radio frequency (RF) signal are disclosed. In an embodiment, a method for generating an RSSI value that corresponds to an RF signal involves obtaining an attenuation factor code in response to applying an automatic gain control (AGC) operation to the RF signal, obtaining an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) code in response to applying an ADC operation to a signal that results from the AGC operation, and combining the attenuation factor code and the ADC code to generate an RSSI value. Other embodiments are also described.