Patent Publication Number: US-2021183798-A1

Title: Contactless Communication Module

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is a continuation application of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 16/061,594, filed Jun. 12, 2018, which is a National Stage filing of International Application No. PCT/JP2016/083078, filed Nov. 8, 2016, which in-turn claims priority from Japanese Patent Application No. 2015-248654, filed Dec. 21, 2015, and from Japanese Patent Application No. 2016-093091, filed May 6, 2016, all of which are incorporated herein, by reference, in their entireties. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     Technical Field 
     The invention relates to a contactless communication module that performs communication in a contactless manner. 
     Background Art 
     In contactless communication, the communication accuracy greatly depends on design of a communication electric circuit, such as a semiconductor chip and an antenna. In particular, it is more difficult to design the communication electric circuit as the communication speed of contactless communication increases. This is because such increase reveals the influence of components of a capacitor (C) and/or an inductance (L), such as the antenna, with respect to signal quality (signal integrity). For this reason, it has become more difficult to design the electric circuit for contactless communication and the electric circuit for main functions of an electronic device on the same circuit board of the electronic device. Consequently, it is considered that the electric circuit for contactless communication is modularized and that the module is mounted on a circuit board of the electronic device. 
     A conventional contactless communication module is disclosed in Patent Document 1. The contactless communication module includes a semiconductor chip, an antenna, an island, a plurality of lead terminals, and a plastic base. The antenna is configured to be able to contactlessly communicate with an antenna of a partner communication device. The semiconductor chip includes a device for causing the antenna to conduct contactless communication. The semiconductor chip is mounted on the island and connected to the antenna and ends of the lead terminals via wires. The plastic base of a rectangular shape has upper and lower faces and four side faces. The semiconductor chip, the antenna, and the ends of the lead terminal are sealed in the plastic base. The remaining portions of the lead terminals protrude from the side faces of the plastic base. 
     CITATION LIST 
     Patent Literature 
     Patent Literature 1: Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2013-161905 
     SUMMARY OF INVENTION 
     Technical Problem 
     The contactless communication module is adapted to conduct contactless communication between the antenna of the contactless communication module and the partner communication device as disposed above the upper face of the plastic base. The antenna of the contactless communication module is located on the same plane as the island and below the semiconductor chip on the island. In other words, the antenna is remote from the upper face (communication area) of the plastic base and also remote from the partner communication device, which degrades the communication accuracy of the contactless communication module. 
     The invention is devised in view of the above circumstances, and an object of the invention is to provide a contactless communication module that with improved communication accuracy. 
     Solution to Problem 
     In order to solve the above problem, a contactless communication module according to an aspect of the invention includes a base made of an insulating resin, an antenna, a semiconductor component, an internal connection, and an external connection. A partner communication device can be disposed at a short distance from, and on one side of a first direction relative to, the base. The antenna is disposed at the base, at a first height position in the first direction such as to be able to contactlessly communicate with the partner communication device. The semiconductor component is adapted to cause the antenna to conduct contactless communication. The semiconductor component is disposed at the base, at the first height position or at a second height position on the other side of the first direction relative to the first height position. The internal connection electrically connects the antenna and the semiconductor component. The external connection includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion is provided at the base and electrically connected to the semiconductor component. The second portion protrudes out of the base or being exposed to an outside of the base. 
     Such contactless communication module provides improved communication accuracy. This is because the antenna is disposed at the same height position as, or on one side of the first direction relative to, the semiconductor component. This arrangement decreases the distance in the first direction from the antenna to a partner communication device disposed at a short distance from, and on the one side of the first direction relative to, the base. 
     The antenna may be disposed at the first height position inside the base. The semiconductor component may be disposed at the first or second height position inside the base. The first portion of the external connection may be disposed inside the base. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, as the antenna and the semiconductor component are provided inside the base, they are protected by the base. 
     The internal connection may be a metal plate, a lead wire, a cable, or a conductive wire connecting the antenna and the semiconductor component and may be provided inside the base. In this case, the internal connection may be bent or curved such that the antenna is located at the first height position inside the base and that the semiconductor component is located at the second height position inside the base. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, it is easy to dispose the antenna at the first height position and the semiconductor component at the second position, simply by bending or curving the internal connection. 
     The antenna and the internal connection may be constituted by a single metal plate and provided inside the base. The internal connection may be bent or curved such that the antenna is located at the first height position inside the base and that the semiconductor component is located at the second height position inside the base. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, it is easy to dispose the antenna at the first height position and the semiconductor component at the second position, simply by bending or curving the internal connection. 
     The contactless communication module may further include a first circuit board. The first circuit board may be a flexible or rigid flexible circuit board including the internal connection. The internal connection may be provided inside the base. The internal connection may include a first portion provided with the antenna, a second portion electrically connected to the semiconductor component, and an intermediate portion between the first and second portions of the internal connection. The intermediate portion may be curved such that the antenna is located at the first height position inside the base and that the semiconductor component is located at the second height position inside the base. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, it is easy to dispose the antenna at the first height position and the semiconductor component at the second position, simply by curving the intermediate portion of the internal connection. 
     The first circuit board may further include the external connection. Such contactless communication module has a decreased number of components because the first circuit board includes the internal connection and the external connection. 
     The antenna and the internal connection may be constituted by a single metal plate extending in a second direction and may be provided inside the base. The second direction may be orthogonal to the first direction. The semiconductor component may be connected to the internal connection on the other side of the first direction relative to the internal connection. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, it is easy to dispose the antenna at the first height position and the semiconductor component at the second position, simply by connecting the semiconductor component to the internal connection on the other side of the first direction relative to the internal connection. 
     The contactless communication module may further include a second circuit board extending in a second direction orthogonal to the first direction. The second circuit board may include the internal connection provided inside the base. The internal connection may include a first face on one side of the first direction and a second face on the other side of the first direction. The antenna may be provided on the first face of the internal connection. The semiconductor component may be mounted on the second face of the internal connection, or alternatively connected to the internal connection on the other side of the first direction relative to the second face of the internal connection. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, it is easy to dispose the antenna at the first height position and the semiconductor component at the second position, simply by mounting the semiconductor component on the second face of the internal connection or connecting the semiconductor component to the internal connection on the other side of the first direction relative to the second face of the internal connection. 
     The second circuit board may further include the external connection. Such contactless communication module has a decreased number of components because the second circuit board includes the internal connection and the external connection. 
     The contactless communication module may further include a third circuit board. The third circuit board may be provided at least partially inside the base and may be a board on which the semiconductor component is mounted. The internal connection may be connected to the third circuit board and connected via the third circuit board to the semiconductor component. 
     The third circuit board may include the external connection. 
     The base may include an accommodation hole opening to the outside of the base. The internal connection may include a projection disposed in the accommodation hole. The first portion of the external connection may include a projection disposed in the accommodation hole. The semiconductor component may be accommodated in the accommodation hole, and electrically connected in the accommodation hole to the projection of the internal connection and the projection of the first portion of the external connection. The contactless communication module of this aspect offers improved versatility. This is because applications (i.e. for reception or transmission) and/or capabilities (i.e. communication speed and/or communication range) of the contactless communication module can be changed simply by selecting a semiconductor component suitable for the application, the capabilities, etc. of the contactless communication module, inserting the semiconductor component in an accommodation hole, and electrically connecting the semiconductor component to the projection of the internal connection and the projection of the first portion of the external connection. 
     The base may further include a first protector. The first protector may be a wall of the accommodation hole and surround the semiconductor component located in the accommodation hole. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the semiconductor component in the accommodation hole is surrounded and protected by the first protector. 
     The base may have a first outer face located at the first height position. The antenna may be provided on the first outer face. The semiconductor component may be mounted on the first outer face. 
     The base may further include a second outer face located at the second height position. In this case, the semiconductor component may be mounted not on the first outer face, but on the second outer face. The base may further include a third outer face extending from the first outer face to the second outer face. 
     The antenna may be a metal film formed on the first outer face. The internal connection may be a metal film formed on at least the second and third outer faces such as to be continuous with the antenna. The semiconductor component may be directly connected to the internal connection on the second outer face. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the antenna and the internal connection can be formed with ease on the base by printing, photolithography, or other method. It should be appreciated that the internal connection may alternatively be a metal film formed on at least the second and third outer faces such as to be connected to the antenna. In this case, the antenna may preferably be of a material other than a metal film. 
     The external connection may be made of a metal film formed at least on the second outer face of the base. The first portion of the external connection may be located on the second outer face. The semiconductor component may be directly connected to the internal connection and the first portion of the external connection on the second outer face. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the external connection can be easily formed on the second outer face of the base by printing, photolithography, or other method. This aspect further facilitates mounting of the semiconductor component. This is because the semiconductor component is connectable to both the internal connection and the external connection on the second outer face. 
     The metal film may include a plated film. 
     The base may further include at least one second protector. The at least one second protector may extend in the first direction from the second outer face and may be disposed around the semiconductor component. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the second protector disposed around the semiconductor component protects the semiconductor component. 
     The base may further include at least one third protector. The third protector may extend from the third outer face along the second outer face and may be disposed around the semiconductor component. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the third protector disposed around the semiconductor component protects the semiconductor component. 
     The external connection may be a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, or a cable. 
     The contactless communication module according to any of the above aspects may further include a first conductor. The first conductor may be disposed on the other side of the first direction relative to the antenna. In the contactless communication module of this aspect, the first conductor shields signals leaked from the other side of the first direction relative to the first conductor, reducing the possibility that such leaked signals exert influence on the antenna. 
     The contactless communication module according to any of the above aspects may further include a second conductor. The second conductor may be disposed on one side of the first direction relative to the antenna and grounded. The second conductor may have an opening located on one side of the first direction relative to at least a part of the antenna. Such contactless communication module provides further improved communication accuracy. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF DRAWINGS 
         FIG. 1A  is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a contactless communication module according to a first embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 1B  is a front, top, right perspective view of the contactless communication module, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 1C  is a back, bottom, right-side perspective view of the contactless communication module, with the base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 1D  is a right-side view of the contactless communication module, with the base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 2A  is a front, top, right-side perspective view of the contactless communication module, in a state before connecting its semiconductor component to an internal connection and an external connection of the contactless communication module. 
         FIG. 2B  is a back, bottom, right-side perspective view of the contactless communication module, in the state before connecting the semiconductor component to the internal connection and the external connection. 
         FIG. 3A  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a second embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 3B  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a third embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a fourth embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 5A  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a fifth embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 5B  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a sixth embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 5C  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a seventh embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 6A  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to an eighth embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 6B  is a schematic side view of a contactless communication module according to a ninth embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 7A  is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a contactless communication module according to a tenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 7B  is a front, bottom, left side perspective view of the contactless communication module. 
         FIG. 8A  is a front, top, left side perspective view of a base of the contactless communication module. 
         FIG. 8B  is a sectional view the base of the contactless communication module, taken along a line  8 B- 8 B in  FIG. 8A , exaggerating metal complexes in the base. 
         FIG. 9A  is a schematic sectional view of a variant of the contactless communication module according to the tenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 9B  is a schematic sectional view of another variant of the contactless communication module according to the tenth embodiment of the invention. 
         FIG. 10A  is a front, top, right-side perspective view of a variant of the contactless communication module according to the first embodiment of the invention, with its base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
         FIG. 10B  is a back, bottom, right-side perspective view of the variant of the contactless communication module according to the first embodiment, with the base illustrated in broken lines to show the base as transparent. 
     
    
    
     DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS 
     The following describes first to ninth embodiments of the invention. 
     First Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 1  (also referred to hereinafter as module M 1 ) according to a first embodiment of the invention, with reference to  FIGS. 1A to 2B . The module M 1  is adapted to contactlessly communicate with a partner communication device (not shown). The Z-Z′ direction indicated in  FIGS. 1A to 1D  is the thickness direction of the module M 1  and corresponds to the first direction in the claims. The Z direction corresponds to one side of the first direction and the Z′ direction corresponds to the other side of the first direction. The Y-Y′ direction indicated in  FIGS. 1A to 1D  is the longitudinal direction of the module M 1  and corresponds to the second direction in the claims. The Y-Y′ direction is orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction. The X-X′ direction indicated in  FIGS. 1A to 1C  is the transverse direction of the module M 1 . The X-X′ direction is orthogonal to the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions. 
     The module M 1  includes a base  100  (package), at least one antenna  200 , at least one semiconductor component  300 , at least one internal connection  400 , and at least one external connection  500 . 
     The base  100  is a solid block of an insulating resin or a case of an insulating resin. The base  100  may be a three-dimensional element of polygonal shape, a column, a sphere, a hemisphere, a three-dimensional element of arc-shaped section, or others. 
     The base  100  includes a first outer face  101  on the Z-direction side and a second outer face  102  on the Z′-direction side. The first outer face  101  includes a communication area. The partner communication device can be arranged at a short distance from, and on the Z-direction side relative to, the communication area of the base  100 . For example, the second outer face  102  may be, but not limited to be, a face (mounting face) mountable on a circuit board of an electronic device (not shown) or a face (fixing face) fixable to a frame etc. of the electronic device. 
     If it is a solid block, the base  100  may further include at least one accommodation hole  110 . The accommodation hole  110  may be a bottomed hole in the first outer face  101 , opening in the Z direction and extending in the Z-Z′ direction. Alternatively, the accommodation hole  110  may be a bottomed hole in the second outer face  102 , opening in the Z′ direction and extending in the Z-Z′ direction. Still alternatively, the accommodation hole  110  may be a through-hole extending in the Z-Z′ direction from the first outer face  101  to the second outer face  102  and opening in the Z and Z′ directions. In  FIGS. 1A to 2B , the base  100  is a rectangular solid block made of an insulating resin, and it includes an accommodation hole  110  extending through the base  100 , from the first outer face  101  to the second outer face  102 . The accommodation hole  110  may be omitted. 
     The at least one antenna  200  is only required to be adapted for contactless communication with the partner communication device. For example, the antenna  200  may be adapted for contactless communication with the partner communication device via a communication scheme such as electromagnetic field coupling, magnetic field coupling, ultra-wide band (UWB), wireless LAN, and/or Bluetooth (registered trademark). The terms “to contactlessly communicate” and “contactless communication” as used herein refer to concepts including contactless proximity communication, ultra-wideband wireless communication, and narrowband wireless communication. Contactless proximity communication, which is broadband communication utilizing crosstalk of square-wave signals generating high-speed rise/fall times (high-frequency components), is adopted in electromagnetic field coupling, magnetic field coupling, and other schemes. Ultra-wide band wireless communication, which is wireless communication using a bandwidth of 500 MHz or over, is adopted in UWB etc. The narrowband wireless communication, which is wireless communication based on a modulated (narrowband) radio wave, is used in wireless LAN or Bluetooth (registered trademark). “To contactlessly communicate” and “contactless communication” as used herein may be any communication scheme via which contactless and wireless communication is conducted between an antenna of the invention and an antenna of a partner communication device. 
     If the antenna  200  is adapted for contactless communication via an electromagnetic field coupling scheme or a magnetic field coupling scheme, a communication distance in the Z-Z′ direction from the antenna  200  to the partner communication device may range from zero to several millimeters. If the antenna  200  is adapted for contactless communication via a communication scheme such as wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the communication distance from the antenna  200  to the partner communication device may range from zero to several tens of meters. It should be noted that the communication distance from the antenna  200  to the partner communication device depends on the communication scheme adopted for the antenna  200 . Even if the communication distance from the antenna  200  to the partner communication device is zero, the antenna  200  is not in contact with the corresponding antenna of the partner communication device. 
     If the antenna  200  is adapted for contactless communication via an electromagnetic field coupling scheme or a magnetic field coupling scheme, the antenna  200  is adapted to receive or transmit signals at bit rates over a wide range from a low speed of 1 Kbps to a high speed of 10 Gbps or larger. If signals are high-speed signals, the bit rate is about 1 Gbps or larger. If the antenna  200  is adapted for contactless communication via a communication scheme such as wireless LAN and/or Bluetooth (registered trademark), the antenna  200  is adapted to receive or transmits signals at a frequency of 2.4 GHz or 5 GHz. The speed of signals received or transmitted by the antenna  200  can be appropriately determined in accordance with the communication scheme adopted. The antenna  200  may be either a receiving antenna or a transmitting antenna. 
     The at least one antenna  200  may be constituted by a metal plate, a coil, a conductor, or the like. If the antenna  200  is adapted for contactless communication via an electromagnetic field coupling scheme, it is preferable to enlarge the outer size of at least a part of the antenna  200  in order to enlarge the area of the antenna  200  facing the corresponding antenna of the partner communication device. If adapted for contactless communication via a magnetic field coupling scheme, the antenna  200  may preferably be of a loop shape. The shape of the antenna  200  may be modified appropriately according to the communication scheme adopted. 
     The antenna  200  is disposed at a first height position in the Z-Z′ direction inside the base  100  to allow contactless communication with the partner communication device. The antenna  200  is disposed on the Z′-direction side relative to the communication area of the base  100 . If the base  100  is a solid block, the antenna  200  is sealed at the first height position inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100  such as to be located at the first height position. 
     If the base  100  is a case, the antenna  200  is accommodated inside the base  100  such as to be located at the first height position. In this case, one of the following configurations 1) to 3) may be adopted. 1) The antenna  200  is held on the bottom, a wall, or other part of the base  100 . 2) The antenna  200  is supported by a support provided inside the base  100 . 3) The antenna  200  is supported by the at least one internal connection  400  inside the base  100 . 
     The antenna  200  may be provided as a plurality of antennas  200 . In this case, all the antennas  200  may be receiving antennas or transmitting antennas, or alternatively at least one of the antennas  200  may be a receiving antenna or antennas and the remainder is a transmitting antenna or antennas. 
     The at least one semiconductor component  300 , which is a semiconductor element or elements, a semiconductor chip, or a semiconductor device packaged with an insulating resin, is adapted to cause the antenna  200  to conduct contactless communication (contactlessly receive or transmit signals). For example, if the antenna  200  is a receiving antenna, the semiconductor component  300  may be a comparator etc. with a hysteresis characteristic. If the antenna  200  is a transmitting antenna, the semiconductor component  300  may be a redriver etc. to control the rise time of signals to be transmitted through the antenna  200 . The semiconductor component  300  may be appropriately configured according to the communication scheme adopted and according to whether the semiconductor component  300  is used for receiving or transmitting signals through the antenna  200 . The semiconductor component  300  includes at least one first connection portion and at least one second connection portion. The first and second connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  are each an electrode, a pin, or the like. 
     The at least one semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the first height position or a second height position inside the base  100 . More specifically, the end face on the Z′-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the first or second height position inside the base  100 . The second height position is located on the Z′-direction side relative to the first height position. For example, the second height position may be located on the Z′-direction side relative to the first height position such that the antenna  200  at the first height position is located on the Z-direction side relative to the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  at the second height position. If the base  100  is a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the semiconductor component  300  is sealed at the first or second height position inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100  such as to be located at the first or second height position. 
     If the base  100  is a case, the semiconductor component  300  is accommodated inside the base  100  such as to be located at the first or second height position. In this case, the semiconductor component  300  may have one of the following configurations 1) to 3). 1) The semiconductor component  300  is held on the bottom, a wall, or other part of the base  100 . 2) The semiconductor component  300  is supported by a support provided inside the base  100 . 3) The semiconductor component  300  is supported by at least one of the at least one internal connection  400  and the at least one external connection  500 . 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the semiconductor component  300  is accommodated in the accommodation hole  110  of the base  100  such as to be located at the first or second height position. In this case, the semiconductor component  300  may be supported on the bottom of the accommodation hole  110  being a bottomed hole or supported in midair inside the accommodation hole  110 . In the latter case, the semiconductor component  300  may be supported in midair by a projection  420  of the at least one internal connection  400  and/or a projection  511  of the at least one external connection  500 , and the projection  420  and/or the projection  511  protrude into the accommodation hole  110 . 
     The semiconductor component  300  is surrounded by a first protector  110   a,  which is a loop-shaped annular wall of the accommodation hole  110 . The first protector  110   a  protects the semiconductor component  300  inside the accommodation hole  110 . The first protector  110   a  may preferably be larger in Z-Z′ direction dimension than the semiconductor component  300  supported inside the accommodation hole  110 . Alternatively, the first protector  110   a  may be substantially equal in Z-Z′ direction dimension to, or smaller in Z-Z′ direction than, the semiconductor component  300  supported inside the accommodation hole  110 . 
     The at least one internal connection  400  is only required to be adapted to electrically connect the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300 . The or each internal connection  400  may be constituted by a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, or a conductive wire, for example. The or each internal connection  400  may be connected to the antenna  200  directly, or indirectly via an electrically conductive intermediate member. Alternatively, the or each internal connection  400  may be integral with the antenna  200 . For example, the antenna  200  and the internal connection(s)  400  may be constituted by a single metal plate, such as a lead frame. The or each internal connection  400  may be connected to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  directly, or indirectly via an electrically conductive intermediate member. In the former case, the or each internal connection  400  may be of a shape conforming to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . For example, the or each internal connection  400  may be an engagement hole or an engagement recess. The or each intermediate member is a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. 
     The at least one internal connection  400  is disposed inside the base  100 . If the base  100  is a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the internal connection  400  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 . If the base  100  is a case, the internal connection  400  is accommodated inside the base  100 . If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the internal connection  400  includes an embedded portion  410  and the projection  420 . The embedded portion  410  of the internal connection  400  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 . The projection  420  of the internal connection  400  protrudes into the accommodation hole  110  and is directly or indirectly connected to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  as described above. 
     The at least one internal connection  400  may extend in a direction including a component of an orthogonal direction such that the antenna  200  is located away from the semiconductor component  300  in the direction including the component of the orthogonal direction. In this case, the antenna  200  is not located on the Z-direction side relative to the semiconductor component  300  but disposed away from the semiconductor component  300  in the direction including the component of the orthogonal direction, or alternatively disposed at a distance from the semiconductor component  300  in the orthogonal direction. The orthogonal direction is any direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction, which may be the Y-Y′ direction, the X-X′ direction, or a direction other than the Y-Y′ and X-X′ directions. 
     If the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position, the at least one internal connection  400  is bent or curved such that the antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     The internal connection  400  may be a plurality of internal connections  400 . The internal connections  400  may serve to electrically connect an antenna  200  and a semiconductor component  300 . If a plurality of the antennas  200  and a plurality of the semiconductor components  300  are provided, each internal connection  400  may electrically connect one of the antennas  200  and a corresponding one of the semiconductor components  300 , or more than one of the internal connections  400  may electrically connect an antenna  200  and a corresponding semiconductor component  300 . 
     In  FIGS. 1A to 2B , an antenna  200  and a pair of internal connections  400  are constituted by a single metal plate. The embedded portions  410  of the internal connections  400  are integrally connected to the respective ends of the antenna  200 . The antenna  200  and the embedded portions  410  of the internal connections  400  are sealed inside the base  100 . The projections  420  of the internal connections  400  protrude into the accommodation hole  110  of the base  100  and are connected to the respective first connection portions of the semiconductor component  300 . The internal connections  400  extends in a direction including a component of the Y-Y′ direction (i.e. in a direction including a component of the orthogonal direction). The internal connections  400  are bent such that the antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     In  FIGS. 1A to 2B , the semiconductor component  300  as facing upward (as shown) is connected to the internal connections  400 . However, it is also possible to connect the semiconductor component  300  as facing downward (as shown) to the internal connections  400  (such as to be located on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection  400 ). This arrangement is also applicable to the case where the base  100  is a case or a solid block without any accommodation holes  110 . In this case, the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     The at least one external connection  500  may be a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, or a cable, which serves to connect the module M 1  to an external device. The or each external connection  500  is partly held by the base  100 . The or each external connection  500  includes a first portion  510  and a second portion  520 . 
     The first portion  510  may be connected to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  directly, or indirectly via an electrically conductive intermediate member. In the former case, the first portion  510  may be of a shape conforming to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . For example, the first portion  510  may be an engaging hole or an engaging recess. The intermediate member is a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. 
     The first portion  510  is disposed inside the base  100 . If the base  100  is a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the first portion  510  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 . If the base  100  is a case, the first portion  510  is disposed inside the base  100 . If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the first portion  510  includes an embedded portion and the projection  511 . The embedded portion of the first portion  510  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 . The projection  511  of the first portion  510  protrudes into the accommodation hole  110  and is directly or indirectly connected to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  as described above. 
     The second portion  520  is disposed outside the base  100  and connectable to a circuit board or other component of the electronic device. The second portion  520  may preferably be exposed or protruded from the second outer face  102  or a side face of the base  100  to the outside of the base  100 . 
     The external connection  500  may be provided as a plurality of external connections  500 . The external connections  500  may be connected to a plurality of second connection portions of a semiconductor component  300 . If a plurality of the semiconductor components  300  is provided, the first portion  510  of each external connection  500  may be connected to a second connection portion of a corresponding semiconductor component  300 , or the first portions  510  of a plurality of the external connections  500  may be connected to second connection portions of a plurality of the semiconductor components  300 . The external connections  500  may include an external connection or connections for signal transmission, for ground, and/or for a resister. 
     In  FIGS. 1A to 2B , a plurality of external connections  500  is provided, the embedded portions of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  are sealed inside the base  100 , and the projections  511  of the first portions  510  are connected, inside the accommodation hole  110 , to the respective second connection portions of the single semiconductor component  300 . The second portions  520  of the external connections  500  protrude out of the base  100 , from the side faces on the Y′-, X-, and X′-direction sides of the base  100 . Two of the external connections  500  are used for signal transmission, and the other external connections  500  are used for ground and for a resister. 
     If the base  100  is a case or a solid block having the at least one accommodation hole  110 , the module M 1  may further include at least one island  600 . The at least one island  600  is supported in midair by the external connection  500 , inside the base  100  being a case or in the accommodation hole  110  of the base  100 . The island  600  supports in midair the semiconductor component  300  placed thereon. The semiconductor component  300  may be connected to the external connection  500  for ground via the island  600 . The island  600  may be omitted. 
     In  FIGS. 1 to 2B , an island  600  is supported in midair by the plurality of external connections  500 , inside the accommodation hole  110  of the base  100 . The semiconductor component  300  is supported in midair inside the accommodation hole  110 , by the island  600 , the projections  420  of the internal connections  400 , and the projections  511  of the external connections  500 . 
     The module M 1  may further include a first conductor S. The first conductor S is constituted by a metal plate, a plate of plastic material having an outer face covered with evaporated metal, or the like. The first conductor S is disposed inside the base  100 , on the Z′-direction side relative to the antenna  200 . If the base  100  is a solid block, the first conductor S may be held in a holding hole in the base  100  or sealed (insert-molded) inside the base  100  such as to be located on the Z′-direction side relative to the antenna  200 .  FIGS. 1 to 2B  shows the former configuration. If the base  100  is a case, the first conductor S is accommodated ins the base  100  such as to be located on the Z′-direction side relative to the antenna  200 . When the module M 1  is mounted on the circuit board of the electronic device, the first conductor S is located between the antenna  200  and the circuit board of the electronic device. The first conductor S shields signals leaked from the circuit board of the electronic device (signals leaked from the other side of the first direction relative to the first conductor S), reducing the possibility that such leaked signals exert influence on the antenna  200 . The first conductor S may be grounded. In this case, the first conductor S may be connected to the external connection  500  for grounding. The first conductor S may be omitted. 
     A method for manufacturing the module M 1  will now be described in detail. In the method discussed here, the module M 1  has the following configuration. The base  100  is a solid block with the accommodation hole  110 . The antenna  200  and a pair of the internal connections  400  are constituted by a single metal plate. Alternatively, a pair of the internal connections  400  is constituted by a metal plate, and the embedded portions of the internal connections  400  are directly connected to the antenna  200 . 
     First, the antenna  200  and the internal connections  400  are prepared, and the plurality of external connections  500  and the island  600  are also prepared. Then, a mold (not shown) is closed such that the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the first portion  510  of the external connection  500 , and the island  600  are disposed in a cavity of the mold. The step of closing the mold includes disposing the antenna  200  at a position in the cavity corresponding to the first height position, disposing in place the projections  420  of the internal connections  400  and the projections  511  of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500 , accommodating the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  in the accommodation holes of the mold, and bringing protrusions of the mold into abutment with the projections  420  of the internal connections  400 , the projections  511  of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500 , and the island  600 . Then, insulating resin is injected into the cavity to insert-mold the antenna  200 , the embedded portions  410  of the internal connections  400 , and the embedded portions of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  in the insulating resin. The insulating resin hardens to form the base  100 , and the accommodation hole  110  is formed in the base  100  conforming to the protrusions of the mold. As a result of such insert-molding, the antenna  200 , the embedded portions  410  of the internal connections  400 , and the embedded portions of the first portions  510  are sealed in the base  100 , and the antenna  200  is disposed at the first height position inside the base  100 . Also, the projections  420  of the internal connections  400 , the projections  511  of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500 , and the island  600  are disposed inside the accommodation hole  110 , and the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  protrude out of the base  100 . Then, the mold is opened to remove the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the external connections  500 , the island  600 , and the base  100 . 
     Then, the semiconductor component  300  is prepared. The semiconductor component  300  is accommodated into the accommodation hole  110  and placed onto the island  600  to be disposed at the first or second height position inside the base  100 . Then, the first connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  are connected to the projections  420  of the internal connections  400  by soldering or other means, and the second connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  are connected to the projections  511  of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  by soldering or other means. 
     In the above manufacturing method, the island  600  may be omitted. After accommodating the semiconductor component  300  in the accommodation hole  110 , a potting process may be performed to fill the accommodation hole  110  with an insulating resin. In this case, the base  100  becomes a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 . If the module M 1  includes the first conductor S, it is preferable to insert the first conductor S into the holding hole of the base  100  before or after the step of accommodating the semiconductor component  300 . Alternatively, the step of closing the mold may include disposing the first conductor S on the Z′-direction side relative to the antenna  200  inside the cavity, and the insert molding step may further include insert-molding the first conductor S in the insulating resin injected into the cavity. If the semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the second height position, the internal connections  400  to be prepared may be bent or curved in advance such that the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300  are located at the first height position and the second height position, respectively. The module M 1  is thus manufactured. 
     The module M 1  described above has technical features as follows. First, the of the module M 1  improves communication accuracy for the following reasons. The antenna  200  is located at the first height position inside the base  100  and the semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position, so that the antenna  200  is located near the communication area of the first outer face  101  of the base  100 . This arrangement allows the antenna  200  to be located at a short distance in the Z-Z′ direction to a partner communication device as disposed near and on the Z-direction side relative to the communication area. This is particularly true in a case where the antenna  200  at the first height position is located on the Z-direction side relative to the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  at the second height position. In this case, the antenna  200  is located at a shorter distance in the Z-Z′ direction to the partner communication device than the semiconductor component  300  is, further improving the communication accuracy of the module M 1 . 
     Second, it is possible to reduce the dimension in the Z-Z′ direction of the module M 1  for the following reasons. If the antenna  200  is spaced in the orthogonal direction from the semiconductor component  300 , the module M 1  has a reduced dimension in the Z-Z′ direction of smaller compared with the case where the antenna  200  is aligned in the Z-Z′ direction with the semiconductor component  300 . The same applies to a case where the antenna  200  is located at the first height position and the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. In this case, as the antenna  200  is spaced from the semiconductor component  300  in a direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction, the module M 1  has a reduced dimension in the Z-Z′ direction while improving communication accuracy of the module M 1 . 
     Third, the module M 1  offers improved versatility if the base  100  is a case or a solid block including the accommodation hole  110 . This is because applications (i.e. for reception or transmission) and/or capabilities (i.e. communication speed and/or communication range) of the module M 1  can be changed simply by selecting a semiconductor component  300  suitable for the application, the capabilities, etc. of the module M 1 , inserting the semiconductor component  300  in a case or an accommodation hole  110 , and electrically connecting the semiconductor component  300  to a projection  420  of an internal connection(s)  400  and a projection  511  of a first portion  510  of an external connection(s)  500 . 
     Fourth, if the antenna  200  and the internal connection(s)  400  are constituted by a single metal plate, it is easy to arrange the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300  at the first height position and the second height position, respectively, for the following reasons. If the base  100  is a case or a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the above arrangement of the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300  can be provided simply by bending or curving a part of the internal connection(s)  400 , connecting such internal connection(s)  400  to the semiconductor component  300 , and arranging the antenna  200 , the internal connection(s)  400 , and the semiconductor component  300  inside the base  100 . If the base  100  is a solid block including the accommodation hole  110 , the above arrangement of the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300  may be provided simply by bending or curving a part of the internal connection(s)  400 , arranging the antenna  200  and internal connection(s)  400  inside the base  100 , accommodating the semiconductor component  300  in the accommodation hole  110  of the base  100 , connecting the semiconductor component  300  to the projection 420  of the internal connection(s)  400 . Also, in a case where it is the internal connection(s)  400  that is constituted by a metal plate, the module M 1  provides substantially the same technical features as those described in this paragraph. 
     Fifth, if the antenna  200  and the internal connection(s)  400  are constituted by a single metal plate, the module M 1  has a decreased number of components. 
     Second Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 1 ′ (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 1 ′) according to a second embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 3A .  FIG. 3A  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 1 ′ is different from the module M 1  in that the module M 1 ′ does not include the island  600  but further includes a circuit board  700  (third circuit board). Otherwise the module M 1 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 1 . The module M 1 ′ will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 1  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  700  is a rigid circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or a rigid flexible circuit board. The at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the mounting face of the circuit board  700 . The mounting face of the circuit board  700  may be either a Z-direction-side face or a Z′-direction-side face of the circuit board  700 . The circuit board  700  is disposed inside the base  100  such that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position inside the base  100 . 
     If the base  100  is a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the circuit board  700  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 —such that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position. 
     If the base  100  is a case, the circuit board  700  is accommodated inside the base  100  such that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position. In this case, one of the following configurations 1) to 3) may be adopted. 1) The circuit board  700  is held on the bottom, a wall, or other part of the base  100 . 2) The circuit board  700  is supported by a support provided inside the base  100 . 3) The circuit board  700  is supported by at least one of the internal connection(s)  400  and the external connection(s)  500  inside the base  100 . 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , one of the following configurations 1) to 3) may be adopted. 1) A part of the circuit board  700  (for example, an end portion in the Y, Y′, X, and/or X′ direction) is sealed inside the base  100 , while a part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside of the base  100 , such that the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position. 2) The circuit board  700  is placed on the bottom of the accommodation hole  110  being a bottomed hole, while a part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside of the base  100 , such that the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position. 3) The circuit board  700  is supported in midair inside the base  100 , by the internal connection(s)  400  and/or the external connection(s)  500 , while a part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside of the base  100 , such that the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the first or second height position. In  FIG. 3A , configuration 1) is adopted. 
     The at least one internal connection  400  is connected to the circuit board  700  and connected via the circuit board  700  to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . The first portion  510  of the at least one external connection  500  is connected to the circuit board  700  and connected via the circuit board  700  to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . On the face of the circuit board  700  or inside the circuit board  700 , there are provided at least one first conductive line (not shown) and at least one second conductive line (not shown). The at least one first conductive line connects the internal connection(s)  400  and the first connection portion(s) of the semiconductor component  300 . The at least one second conductive line connects the first portion(s)  510  of the external connection  500  and the second connection portion(s) of the semiconductor component  300 . 
     If there are provided a plurality of the internal connections  400  and a single semiconductor component  300  with a plurality of the first connection portions, a plurality of the first conductive lines is provided, each of which connects one of the internal connections  400  and a corresponding one of the first connection portions of the semiconductor component  300 . If there are provided a plurality of the internal connections  400  and a plurality of the semiconductor components  300 , and if each semiconductor component  300  includes a single first connection portion, the first connection portions of the semiconductor components  300  may be respectively connected to the internal connections  400  by a plurality of the first conductive lines. If there are provided a plurality of the internal connections  400  and a plurality of the semiconductor components  300 , and if each semiconductor component  300  includes a plurality of first connection portions, the first connection portions of the semiconductor components  300  may also be respectively connected to the internal connections  400  by a plurality of the first conductive lines. 
     If there are provided a plurality of the external connections  500  and a single semiconductor component  300  with a plurality of the second connection portions, a plurality of second conductive lines is provided, each of which connects one of the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  and a corresponding one of the second connection portions of the semiconductor component  300 . If there are provided a plurality of the external connections  500  and a plurality of the semiconductor components  300 , and if each semiconductor component  300  includes a single second connection portion, the second connection portions of the semiconductor components  300  may be respectively connected to the external connections  500  by a plurality of the second conductive lines. If there are provided a plurality of the external connections  500  and a plurality of the semiconductor components  300 , and if each semiconductor component  300  includes a plurality of second connection portions, the second connection portions of the semiconductor components  300  may be respectively connected to the external connections  500  by a plurality of the second conductive lines. 
     A method for manufacturing the module M 1 ′ will now be described in detail. In the method discussed here, the module M 1 ′ discussed here has the following configuration. The base  100  is a solid block with the accommodation hole  110 . The antenna  200  and a pair of the internal connections  400  are constituted by a single metal plate. Alternatively, a pair of the internal connections  400  is constituted by a metal plate, and the embedded portions of the internal connections  400  are directly connected to the antenna  200 . 
     First, the antenna  200  and the internal connections  400  are prepared as described above, and a plurality of the external connections  500  and the circuit board  700  are also prepared. The internal connections  400  and the external connections  500  are connected to the circuit board  700  by soldering or other means. Then, a mold (not shown) is closed such that the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the first portions  510  of the external connections  500 , and the circuit board  700  are disposed in a cavity of the mold. The step of closing the mold includes disposing the antenna  200  at a position in the cavity corresponding to the first height position, accommodating the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  in the accommodation holes of the mold, and bringing a protrusion of the mold into abutment with a part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700 . Then, insulating resin is injected into the cavity to insert-mold the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the circuit board  700 , and the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  in the insulating resin. The insulating resin hardens to form the base  100 , and the accommodation hole  110  is formed in the base  100  conforming to the protrusion of the mold. As a result of such insert-molding, the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the circuit board  700 , and the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  are sealed in the base  100 , and the antenna  200  is disposed at the first height position inside the base  100 . A part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside, and the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  protrudes out of the base  100 . Then, the mold is opened to remove the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , the external connections  500 , the circuit board  700 , and the base  100 . 
     Then, the semiconductor component  300  is prepared. The semiconductor component  300  is accommodated into the accommodation hole  110  and mounted onto the circuit board  700 . Consequently, the semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the first or second height position inside the base  100 , the first connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  is connected via the circuit board  700  to the internal connections  400 , and the second connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  is connected via the circuit board  700  to the first portions  510  of the external connections  500 . Then, a potting process may be performed to fill the accommodation hole  110  with an insulating resin, in a similar manner to the method for manufacturing the module M 1 . If the at least one semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the second height position, the internal connections  400  to be prepared may be bent or curved in advance such that the antenna  200  and the semiconductor component  300  are located at the first height position and the second height position, respectively. The module M 1 ′ is thus manufactured. 
     The module M 1 ′ described above has the first to fifth technical features of the module M 1 . 
     Third Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 1 ″ (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 1 ″) according to a third embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 3B .  FIG. 3B  indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 1 ″ differs from the module M 1 ′ in that the module M 1 ″ includes a circuit board  700 ′ (third circuit board) in place of the external connection  500  and the circuit board  700 . Otherwise the module M 1 ″ has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 1 ′. The module M 1 ″ will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 1 ′ and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  700 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the circuit board  700 , except that the end portion on the Y′-direction side of the circuit board  700 ′ protrudes out of the base  100 . The circuit board  700 ′ includes an external connection  710 ′. The external connection  710 ′ includes a first portion  711 ′ and a second portion  712 ′. The first portion  711 ′ is a part of the circuit board  700 ′ that is located inside the base  100 . The second portion  712 ′ is an end portion of the circuit board  700 ′ that protrudes out of the base  100 . On the face of the circuit board  700 ′ or inside the circuit board  700 ′, there is provided at least one first conductive line (not shown). The at least one first conductive line of the circuit board  700 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the first conductive line of the circuit board  700 . On the face of the external connection  710 ′ or inside the external connection  710 ′, there is further provided at least one second conductive line (not shown). The at least one second conductive line of the external connection  710 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the second conductive line of the circuit board  700  except for the following differences. The at least one second conductive line of the external connection  710 ′ is connected to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  and includes an end portion located outside the base  100 . This end portion of the at least one second conductive line is provided on or in the second portion  712 ′. The second portion  712 ′ may be connected to the circuit board of the electronic device directly, or indirectly via a cable or other means like. In the latter case, the first outer face  101  of the base  100  may be fixed to the casing of the electronic device with an adhesive or other means. 
     A method for manufacturing the module M 1 ″ will now be described in detail. The antenna  200  and a pair of the internal connections  400  are prepared in a similar manner to the method for manufacturing the module M 1 ′. The circuit board  700 ′ is also prepared. The internal connections  400  are connected to the circuit board  700 ′ by soldering or other means. Then, a mold (not shown) is closed such that the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , and the circuit board  700 ′ excluding the second portion  712 ′ are disposed in a cavity of the mold. The step of closing the mold includes disposing the antenna  200  at a position in the cavity corresponding to the first height position, accommodating the second portion  712 ′ of the circuit board  700 ′ in the accommodation hole of the mold, and bringing a protrusion of the mold into abutment with a part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700 ′. Then, insulating resin is injected into the cavity to insert-mold the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , and the circuit board  700 ′ excluding the second portion  712 ′ in the insulating resin. The insulating resin hardens to form the base  100 , and the accommodation hole  110  is formed in the base  100  conforming to the protrusion of the mold. As a result of such insert-molding, the antenna  200 , the internal connections  400 , and the circuit board  700 ′ excluding the second portion  712 ′ are sealed inside the base  100 , and the antenna  200  is disposed at the first height position inside the base  100 . A part of the mounting face of the circuit board  700  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside, and the second portion  712 ′ of the circuit board  700 ′ protrudes out of the base  100 . Then, the mold is opened to remove the antenna  200 , the internal connection  400 , the circuit board  700 ′, and the base  100 . 
     In the method for manufacturing the module M 1 ″, the step of mounting the semiconductor component  300  may preferably include mounting the semiconductor component  300  on the circuit board  700 ′, instead of mounting it on the circuit board  700 . Alternatively, the method for manufacturing the module M 1 ″ may include the following steps 1) and/or 2) similarly to the method for manufacturing the module M 1 : 1) A potting process may be performed to fill the accommodation hole  110  with an insulating resin. 2) If the module M 1 ″ includes the first conductor S, the first conductor S may be held by the base  100 . The module M 1 ″ is thus manufactured. 
     The module M 1 ″ described above has the first to fifth technical features of the module M 1 . Additionally, the module M 1 ″ has a further reduced number of components because the circuit board  700 ′ includes the external connection  710 ′. 
     Fourth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 2  (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 2 ) according to a fourth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 4 .  FIG. 4  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 2  is different from the module M 1  in that the module M 2  does not include the island  600  but includes a circuit board  800  (first circuit board) in place of the internal connection  400 . Otherwise the module M 2  has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 1 . The module M 2  will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 1  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  800  is a flexible circuit board or a rigid flexible circuit board. The circuit board  800  includes an internal connection  810 . The internal connection  810  includes a first portion  811 , a second portion  812 , and an intermediate portion  813 . The at least one antenna  200  is provided on the first portion  811 . The antenna  200  is constituted by a metal plate, a coil, a conductor, etc. The second portion  812  is electrically connected to the semiconductor component  300 . Specifically, the semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the second portion  812 . The mounting face of the second portion  812  may be either the Z-direction-side face or the Z′-direction-side face of the second portion  812 . On or inside the internal connection  810  there is provided at least one first conductive line (not shown). The at least one first conductive line of the internal connection  810  has substantially the same configuration as that of the first conductive line of the circuit board  700 , except that the at least one first conductive line of the internal connection  810  connects the antenna  200  and the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . 
     The second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is connected to the first portion  510  of the at least one external connection  500 . That is, the at least one external connection  500  is connected via the circuit board  800  to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . On the face of the circuit board  800  or inside the circuit board  800 , there is provided at least one second conductive line (not shown). The at least one second conductive line of the circuit board  800  has substantially the same configuration as that of the second conductive line of the circuit board  700 . The intermediate portion  813  is curved such that the at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     If the base  100  is a solid block with no accommodation holes  110 , the circuit board  800  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 —such that the at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     If the base  100  is a case, the circuit board  800  is accommodated inside the base  100  such that the at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position and such that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. In this case, one of the following configurations 1) to 3) may be adopted. 1) The first portion  811  of the circuit board  800  is held on the wall or other part of the base  100 , and the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is held on the bottom, a wall, or other part of the base  100 . 2) The first portion  811  of the circuit board  800  is supported by a first support inside the base  100 , and the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is supported by a second support inside the base  100 . 3) The first portion  811  of the circuit board  800  is held on a wall of the base  100 , the first support, or other part, and the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is supported by the at least one external connection  500  inside the base  100 . 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the circuit board  800  is sealed inside the base  100 —in other words, insert-molded inside the base  100 —such that the at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the end face on the Z′-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. In this case, one of the following configurations 1) to 3) may be adopted. 1) A part of the mounting face of the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  constitutes the bottom of the accommodation hole  110 . 2) The second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is placed on the bottom of the accommodation hole  110  being a bottomed hole, and a part of the mounting face of the second portion  812  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside of the base  100 . 3) The second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is supported in midair inside the accommodation hole  110 , by the at least one external connection  500 , and a part of the mounting face of the second portion  812  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside of the base  100 . In  FIG. 4 , configuration 1) is adopted. 
     A method for manufacturing the module M 2  will now be described in detail. In the method discussed here, the base  100  is a solid block with the accommodation hole  110 . First, the circuit board  800  is prepared, on the first portion  811  of which the antenna  200  is provided. A plurality of the external connections  500  are also prepared. The external connections  500  are connected to the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  by soldering or other means. 
     Then, a mold (not shown) is closed such that the antenna  200 , the circuit board  800 , and the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  are disposed in a cavity of the mold. The step of closing the mold includes disposing the antenna  200  at a position in the cavity corresponding to the first height position, accommodating the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  in the accommodation holes of the mold, and bringing a protrusion of the mold into abutment with a part of the mounting face of the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800 . Then, insulating resin is injected into the cavity to insert-mold the antenna  200 , the circuit board  800 , and the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  in the insulating resin. The insulating resin hardens to form the base  100 , and the accommodation hole  110  is formed in the base  100  conforming to the protrusion of the mold. As a result of such insert-molding, the antenna  200 , the circuit board  800 , and the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  are sealed in the base  100 , and the antenna  200  is disposed at the first height position inside the base  100 . The part of the mounting face of the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800  is exposed through the accommodation hole  110  to the outside, and the second portions  520  of the external connections  500  protrude out of the base  100 . Then, the mold is opened to remove the antenna  200 , the circuit board  800 , the external connections  500 , and the base  100 . 
     Then, the semiconductor component  300  is prepared. The semiconductor component  300  is accommodated in the accommodation hole  110  and mounted on the second portion  812  of the circuit board  800 . Consequently, the semiconductor component  300  is disposed at the second height position inside the base  100 , the first connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  are connected to the first conductive lines of the internal connection  810  of the circuit board  800 , and the second connection portions of the semiconductor component  300  is connected to the first portions  510  of the external connections  500  through the second conductive lines of the circuit board  800 . Then, a potting process may be performed to fill the accommodation hole  110  with an insulating resin. If the module M 2  includes the first conductor S, the first conductor S may be held by the base  100  similarly to the method for manufacturing the module M 1 . The module M 2  is thus manufactured. 
     The module M 2  described above has the first to fourth technical features of the module M 1 . 
     Fifth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 3  (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 3 ) according to a fifth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 5A .  FIG. 5A  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 3  is different from the module M 1  in that the module M 3  includes at least one antenna  200 ′ and at least one internal connection  400 ′ in place of the at least one antenna  200  and the at least one internal connection  400 . Otherwise the module M 3  has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 1 . The module M 3  will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 1  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The at least one antenna  200 ′ and the at least one internal connection  400 ′ are constituted by a single metal plate (e.g., a lead frame). In  FIG. 5A , a pair of internal connections  400 ′ (only one of them is shown) is integrally connected to the respective ends of the antenna  200 ′. 
     The at least one antenna  200 ′ and the at least one internal connection  400 ′ are disposed inside the base  100 , in a similar manner to the antenna  200  and the internal connection  400  of the module M 1 . The at least one antenna  200 ′ is located at the first height position. The at least one internal connection  400 ′ extends in the Y-Y′ direction, and accordingly the antenna  200  is located away from the semiconductor component  300  in the Y-Y′ direction (a direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction). 
     The at least one semiconductor component  300  is located inside the base  100  at the second height position, which is on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection(s)  400 ′. In this case, the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. The first connection portion(s) of the semiconductor component  300  is connected to the internal connection(s)  400 ′ directly, or indirectly via an intermediate member(s). The or each intermediate member is a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the accommodation hole  110  may be a bottomed hole in the second outer face  102 , opening in the Z′ direction. Alternatively, the accommodation hole  110  may be a through-hole extending from the first outer face  101  to the second outer face  102  and opening in the Z and Z′ directions. In either case, the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located on the Z′-direction side relative to the at least one internal connection  400 ′ inside the accommodation hole  110  and connected to the projection  420 ′ of the at least one internal connection  400 ′ directly or indirectly via an intermediate member. In this case, the or each internal connection  400 ′ includes an embedded portion  410 ′ and a projection  420 ′. The or each embedded portion  410 ′ is sealed inside the base  100 . The or each projection  420 ′ protrudes into the accommodation hole  110  and is connected to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  as described above. 
     The module M 3  may further include the island  600  and/or the first conductor S. The module M 3  is manufactured in a similar manner to the module M 1 . The module M 3  has the first to fifth technical features of the module M 1 . 
     Sixth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 3 ′ (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 3 ′) according to a sixth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 5B .  FIG. 5B  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 3 ′ is different from the module M 3  in that the module M 3 ′ does not include the island  600  but further includes a circuit board  700  (third circuit board). Otherwise the module M 3 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 3 . The module M 3 ′ will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 3  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  700  of the module M 3 ′ has substantially the same configuration as the circuit board  700  of the module M 1 ′. The mounting face of the circuit board  700  of the module M 3 ′ is the Z′-direction-side face of the circuit board  700 . The at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the mounting face of the circuit board  700 . The internal connection(s)  400 ′ is connected to the Z-direction-side face (the face opposite to the mounting face) of the circuit board  700  and connected via the circuit board  700  to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . As such, the semiconductor component  300  is connected to the internal connection(s)  400 ′ via the circuit board  700 , on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection(s)  400 ′, to be located at the second height position of the base  100 . 
     The module M 3 ′ may further include the first conductor S. The module M 3 ′ is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the module M 1 ′. The module M 3 ′ has the first to fifth technical features of module M 1 . 
     Seventh Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 3 ″ (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 3 ″) according to the seventh embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 5C .  FIG. 5C  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to in  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 3 ″ differs from the module M 3 ′ in that the module M 3 ″ includes a circuit board  700 ′ (third circuit board) in place of the external connection  500  and the circuit board  700 . Otherwise the module M 3 ″ has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 3 ′. The module M 3 ″ will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 3 ′ and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  700 ′ of the module M 3 ″ has substantially the same configuration as the circuit board  700 ′ of the module M 1 ″. The circuit board  700 ′ includes an external connection  710 ′. The external connection  710 ′ includes a first portion  711 ′ and a second portion  712 ′. If the second portion  712 ′ is connected to the circuit board of the electronic device indirectly via a cable or other means, the first outer face  101  of the base  100  may be fixed to the casing of the electronic device with an adhesive or other means. The mounting face of the circuit board  700 ′ of the module M 3 ″ is the Z′-direction-side face of the circuit board  700 ′. The at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the mounting face of the circuit board  700 ′. The at least one internal connection  400 ′ is connected to the Z-direction-side face (the face opposite to the mounting face) of the circuit board  700 ′ and connected via the circuit board  700 ′ to the first connection portion(s) of the semiconductor component  300 . As such, the semiconductor component  300  is connected to the internal connection(s)  400 ′ via the circuit board  700 , on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection(s)  400 ′, to be located at the second height position of the base  100 . 
     The module M 3 ″ may further include the first conductor S. The module M 3 ″ is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the module M 1 ″. The module M 3 ″ has the first to fifth technical features of the module M 1 . Additionally, the module M 3 ″ has a further reduced number of components because the circuit board  700 ′ includes the external connection  710 ′. 
     Eighth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 4  (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 4 ) according to an eighth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 6A .  FIG. 6A  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions are illustrated as in  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 4  is different from the module M 2  in that the module M 4  includes a circuit board  800 ″ (second circuit board) in place of the circuit board  800 . Otherwise the module M 4  has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 2 . The module M 4  will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 2  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  800 ″ of the module M 4  is a rigid circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or a rigid flexible circuit board. The circuit board  800 ″ of the module M 4  has substantially the same configuration as the circuit board  800  of the module M 2 , except that the circuit board  800 ″ extends in the Y-Y′ direction. The circuit board  800 ″ is disposed inside the base  100  in substantially the same manner to the circuit board  800  of the module M 2 . The circuit board  800 ″ includes an internal connection  810 ″. The internal connection  810 ″ includes a first portion  811 ″ and a second portion  812 ″. The first portion  811 ″ has a Z-direction-side face  811   a ″ (the first face in the claims), on which the at least one antenna  200  is provided. The at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position inside the base  100 . 
     The mounting face  812   a ″ (the second face in the claims) of the circuit board  800 ″ is the Z′-direction-side face of the second portion  812 ″ of the internal connection  810 ″ of the circuit board  800 ″. The at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the mounting face  812   a ″ of the second portion  812 ″ of the internal connection  810 ″. Alternatively, the at least one semiconductor component  300  may be disposed on the Z′-direction side relative to the mounting face  812   a ″ of the second portion  812 ″ of the internal connection  810 ″ and connected to the circuit board  800 ″ indirectly via an intermediate member(s). The or each intermediate member is a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. As such, the at least one semiconductor component  300  is connected to the internal connection  810 ″, on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection  810 ″, to be located at the second height position inside the base  100 . In this case, the end face on the Z-direction side of the at least one semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. 
     As described above, since the circuit board  800 ″ extends in the Y-Y′ direction, the antenna  200  is disposed away from the semiconductor component  300  in the Y-Y′ direction (the direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction). The at least one external connection  500  of the module M 4  has substantially the same configuration as that of the external connection  500  of the module M 2 . 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the accommodation hole  110  may be a bottomed hole in the second outer face  102 , opening in the Z′ direction, or may alternatively be a through-hole extending from the first outer face  101  to the second outer face  102  and opening in the Z-Z′ direction. In either case, the at least one semiconductor component  300  is connected to the second portion  812 ″ on the Z′-direction side relative to the second portion  812 ″ of the internal connection  810 ″ inside the accommodation hole  110 . 
     The module M 4  may further include the first conductor S. The module M 4  is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the module M 2 . The module M 4  has substantially the same technical features as module M 2 . 
     Ninth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 4 ′ (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 4 ′) according to a ninth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIG. 6B .  FIG. 6B  also indicates the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1D . 
     The module M 4 ′ differs from the module M 4  in that the module M 4 ′ includes a circuit board  800 ′″ (second circuit board) in place of the external connection  500  and the circuit board  800 ″. Otherwise the module M 4 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the module M 4 . The module M 4 ′ will now be described focusing on the differences from the module M 4  and omitting overlapping descriptions. 
     The circuit board  800 ′″ of module M 4 ′ is a rigid circuit board, a flexible circuit board, or a rigid flexible circuit board. The circuit board  800 ′″ of the module M 4 ′ has substantially the same configuration as the circuit board  800 ′ of the module M 2 ′″, except that the circuit board  800 ′″ extends in the Y-Y′ direction. The circuit board  800 ′″ includes an internal connection  810 ′″ and an external connection  820 ′″. In the circuit board  800 ′″, the internal connection  810 ′″ and the external connection  820 ′″ excluding the second portion  822 ′ are disposed inside the base  100 . The internal connection  810 ′″ includes a first portion  811 ′″ and a second portion  812 ′″. The at least one antenna  200  is provided on the Z-direction-side face  811   a ′″ of the first portion  811 ′″ (the first face in the claims). The at least one antenna  200  is located at the first height position inside the base  100 . 
     A mounting face  812   a ′″ of the circuit board  800 ′″ (the second face of the claims) is the Z′-direction-side face of the second portion  812 ′″ of the internal connection  810 ′″ of the circuit board  800 ′″. The at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the mounting face  812   a ′″ of the second portion  812 ′″ of the internal connection  810 ′″. Alternatively, the at least one semiconductor component  300  may be disposed on the Z′-direction side relative to the mounting face  812   a ′″ of the second portion  812 ′″ of the internal connection  810 ′″ and connected to the circuit board  800 ′″ indirectly via an intermediate member(s). The or each intermediate member is a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. As such, the at least one semiconductor component  300  is connected to the internal connection  810 ″, on the Z′-direction side relative to the internal connection  810 ′″, to be located at the second height position inside the base  100 . 
     As the circuit board  800 ′″ extends in the Y-Y′ direction as described above, the antenna  200  is disposed away from the semiconductor component  300  in the Y-Y′ direction (a direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction). 
     The external connection  820 ′″ of the circuit board  800 ′″ of the module M 4 ′ has substantially the same configuration as that of the external connection  820 ′ of the circuit board  800 ′ of the module M 2 ′″. The external connection  820 ′″ includes a first portion  821 ′″ and a second portion  822 ′″. The first portion  821 ′″ is a part of the external connection  820 ′″ that is located inside the base  100 . The second portion  822 ′″ is a part of the external connection  820 ′ that protrudes out of the base  100 . 
     If the base  100  has the accommodation hole  110 , the accommodation hole  110  may be a bottomed hole in the second outer face  102 , opening in the Z′ direction. Alternatively, the accommodation hole  110  may be a through-hole extending from the first outer face  101  to the second outer face  102  and opening in the Z-Z′ direction. In either case, the at least one semiconductor component  300  is connected to the second portion  812 ′″ on the Z′-direction side relative to the second portion  812 ′″ of the internal connection  810 ′″ in the accommodation hole  110 . 
     The module M 4 ′ may further include the first conductor S. The module M 4 ′ is manufactured in substantially the same manner as the module M 2 ′″. The module M 4 ′ has technical features similar to module M 2 ′″. 
     Tenth Embodiment 
     The following describes a contactless communication module M 5  (also referred to hereinafter as a module M 5 ) according to a tenth embodiment of the invention with reference to  FIGS. 7A to 9B .  FIGS. 7A to 8A  also indicate the Z-Z′, Y-Y′, and X-X′ directions in a similar manner to  FIG. 1A .  FIGS. 8B to 9B  indicate the Z-Z′ and Y-Y′ directions. 
     The module M 5  includes a base  100 ′, at least one antenna  200 ″, at least one semiconductor component  300 , at least one internal connection  900 , and at least one external connection  1000 . 
     The base  100 ′ is a solid block of an insulating resin. The base  100 ′ includes a first outer face  101 ′. The first outer face  101 ′ is the entire region or a partial region (hereinafter referred to as a first region) of the Z-direction-side face of the base  100 ′ (see  FIGS. 7A to 8B ) and is located at the first height position in the Z-Z′ direction. The first outer face  101 ′ includes a communication area. A partner communication device can be disposed at a short distance from, and on the Z-direction side relative to, the communication area of the base  100 ′. 
     The base  100 ′ may further include a second outer face  102 ′. The second outer face  102 ′ may be any outer face located at the second height position of the base  100 ′. The second height position is located on the Z′-direction side relative to the first height position. 
     The second outer face  102 ′ may serve as a second region, which is different from the first region of the Z-direction-side face of the base  100 ′. In this case, the base  100 ′ may preferably further include a thick portion  110 ′ and a thin portion  120 ′. The thick portion  110 ′ may be provided at any position of the base  100 ′. For example, the thick portion  110 ′ may be an end portion on the Y-direction side of the base  100 ′ as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 8B , or alternatively the thick portion  110 ′ may be an intermediate portion in the Y-Y′ direction of the base  100 ′. The Z-direction-side face of the thick portion  110 ′ may serve as the first outer face  101 ′. The thick portion  110 ′ has such a dimension in the Z-Z′ direction that the first outer face  101 ′ is located at the first height position in the Z-Z′ direction. The thin portion  120 ′ may be provided at any portion that is different from the thick portion  110 ′ of the base  100 ′. The Z direction-side face of the thin portion  120 ′ may serve as the second outer face  102 ′. The thin portion  120 ′ has a dimension in the Z-Z′ direction that is smaller than that of the thick portion  110 ′ such that the second outer face  102 ′ is located at the second height position in the Z-Z′ direction. 
     The thin portion  120 ′ may be provided on the base  100 ′ so as to be located next to the thick portion  110 ′. For example, if the thick portion  110 ′ is the end portion on the Y-direction side of the base  100 ′, the thin portion  120 ′ may be an end portion on the Y′-direction side of the base  100 ′ as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 8B  or may be an intermediate portion in the Y-Y′ direction of the base  100 ′. If the thick portion  110 ′ is the intermediate portion of the base  100 ′, the thin portion  120 ′ may be an end portion on the Y- or Y′-direction side of the base  100 ′. 
     The base  100 ′ may further include a third outer face  103 ′. The third outer face  103 ′ may serve as a third region, which is different from the first and second regions of the Z-direction-side face of the base  100 ′. The third outer face  103 ′ extends obliquely or orthogonally from the first outer face  101 ′ to the second outer face  102 ′. The third outer face  103 ′ may be a flat face, an arc-shaped face, or a face with projections and depressions. In  FIGS. 7A to 8B , the third outer face  103 ′ is a flat face obliquely extending from the first outer face  101 ′ to the second outer face  102 ′. 
     The base  100 ′ may further include a fourth outer face  104 ′. The fourth outer face  104 ′ may be at least a partial region of the Z′-direction-side face (back face) of the base  100 ′. The fourth outer face  104 ′ may be, but is not limited to, e.g. a mounting face mountable on a circuit board or other part of an electronic device (not shown) or a fixing face fixable to a frame or other part of the electronic device. The base  100 ′ may further include at least one fifth outer face  105 ′. The or each fifth outer face  105 ′ may preferably a side face of the base  100 ′ extending from at least one of the first outer face  101 ′ and the second outer face  102 ′ to the fourth outer face  104 ′. The fifth outer face  105 ′ may be a flat face, an arc-shaped face, or a face with projections and depressions. In  FIGS. 7A to 8B , a plurality of fifth outer faces  105 ′ of arc-shape is provided, extending from the second outer face  102 ′ to the fourth outer face  104 ′. 
     In the base  100 ′ of another aspect, as shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B , the second outer face  102 ′ may be at least a partial region of the Z′-direction-side face (back face) of the base  100 ′. In this case, the second outer face  102 ′ may be, but is not limited to, e.g. a mounting face mountable on a circuit board or other part of an electronic device (not shown) or a fixing face fixable to a frame or other part of the electronic device. In this case, the third outer face  103 ′ may preferably be, for example, a side face of the base  100 ′ or a wall with a hole or cutout (not shown) in the base  100 ′ and may extend from the first outer face  101 ′ to the second outer face  102 ′. The third outer face  103 ′ may also be a flat face, an arc-shaped face, or a face with projections and depressions. The base  100 ′ of this aspect may also include a thick portion and a thin portion. 
     It is possible to omit the second outer face  102 ′, the third outer face  103 ′, the fourth outer face  104 ′, the fifth outer face  105 ′, the thick portion  110 ′ and/or the thin portion  120 ′ described above. 
     The at least one antenna  200 ″ is provided on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′ such as to be able perform contactless communication with the partner communication device, and is located at the first height position. The antenna  200 ″ may adapted for communication with a partner communication device by substantially the same communication schemes as the schemes for the antenna  200  of the module M 1 . 
     The at least one antenna  200 ″ may be constituted by a metal plate, a coil, a conductor, or the like. 
     Alternatively, the at least one antenna  200 ″ may be a metal film formed on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects described above. Such antenna  200 ″ may be formed on the first outer face  101 ′ by drawing with a printing machine, such as an inkjet printing machine. Alternatively, such antenna  200 ″ may be formed on the first outer face  101 ′ by sputtering, electroless plating, or evaporation, followed by removal of the unnecessary part of the metal film (the part other than the antenna  200 ″) by laser or chemical etching. 
     Alternatively, the at least one antenna  200 ″ may be a plated film (metal film) formed on first plating catalysts  130 ′ on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. The first plating catalysts  130 ′ are formed on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′, in a shape conforming to the antenna  200 ″. In this case, metal complexes M are dispersed in the base  100 ′ as shown in  FIG. 8B . Part of the metal complexes M on the first outer face  101 ′, i.e. the metal complexes M corresponding to the shape of the antenna  200 ″, are activated by a laser. The activated metal complexes M serve the first plating catalysts  130 ′. On top of the first plating catalysts  130 ′, the antenna  200 ″ is formed by electroless plating. For the convenience of illustration, the metal complexes M are exaggerated in size in  FIG. 8B . The metal complexes are not shown in  FIGS. 9A and 9B . Also, the first plating catalysts  130 ′ and the antenna  200 ″ may be formed by a known method for producing molded interconnect devices (MIDs). 
     It is possible to modify the shape of the antenna  200 ″ as appropriate according to the communication scheme adopted. In  FIGS. 7A to 8B , the antenna  200 ″ has a loop shape. A plurality of the antennas  200 ″ may be provided. In this case, all the antennas  200 ″ may be receiving antennas or transmitting antennas, or alternatively at least one of the antennas  200 ″ may be a receiving antenna or antennas and the remainder is a transmitting antenna or antennas. 
     The at least one semiconductor component  300  may have substantially the same configuration to that of the semiconductor component  300  of the first embodiment. The semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the first outer face  101 ′ or the second outer face  102 ′ of the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. For example, if the at least one semiconductor component  300  is mounted on the second outer face  102 ′, the antenna  200 ″ on the first outer face  101 ′ may be located on the Z-direction side relative to the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. In this case, the first outer face  101 ′ may preferably be located on the Z-direction side relative to the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. 
     The at least one internal connection  900  may have any configuration adapted to electrically connect the antenna  200 ″ to the semiconductor component  300 . 
     The at least one internal connection  900  may be constituted by a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, or the like. In this case, the at least one internal connection  900  may be provided on, inside, or outside the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. 
     Alternatively, the at least one internal connection  900  may be a metal film formed on the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. In this case, the at least one internal connection  900  may be configured as described below, in cases A) to C) described below. 
     A) The antenna  200 ″ and the semiconductor component  300  are provided on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′ (see  FIG. 9A ). B) The antenna  200 ″ is provided on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′, and the semiconductor component  300  is provided on the second outer face  102 ′, which is the second region of the Z-direction-side face of the base  100 ′ ( FIGS. 7A to 8B ). C) The antenna  200 ″ is provided on the first outer face  101 ′ of the base  100 ′, and the semiconductor component  300  is provided on the second outer face  102 ′, which is at least the partial region of the Z′-direction-side face of the base  100 ′ (See  FIG. 9B ). 
     In case A), the internal connection  900  may preferably be formed on the first outer face  101 ′. In case B) or C), one of the following configurations a) or b) is adopted. a) The internal connection  900  is formed on the second outer face  102 ′ and the third outer face  103 ′. b) The internal connection  900  is formed on the first outer face  101 ′, the second outer face  102 ′, and the third outer face  103 ′. 
     The internal connection  900 , being a metal film, formed on one or more of the outer faces of the base  100 ′, by the same method as that for the antenna  200 ″ being a metal film. The internal connection  900  may be continuous with the antenna  200 ″ if being a metal film or may be connected to the antenna  200 ″ if made of a material other than a metal film. In the former case, the antenna  200 ″ and the at least one internal connection  900  are constituted by a single metal film. 
     Alternatively, the at least one internal connection  900  may be a plated film (metal film) formed on second plating catalysts  140 ′ of an outer face of the base  100 ′. The at least one internal connection  900  and the second plating catalysts  140 ′ may be configured as follows in cases A) to C) described above. 
     In case A), the second plating catalysts  140 ′ are formed on the first outer face  101 ′ in a shape conforming to the internal connection  900 , and the internal connection  900  is formed on the second plating catalysts  140 ′ on the first outer face  101 ″. In case B) or C), one of the following configurations c) or d) is adopted. c) The second plating catalysts  140 ′ are formed on the second outer face  102 ′ and the third outer face  103 ′ in accordance with the shape of the internal connection  900 , and the internal connection  900  is formed on the second plating catalysts  140 ′ of the second outer face  102 ′ and the third outer face  103 ′. d) The second plating catalysts  140 ′ are formed on the first outer face  101 ′, the second outer face  102 ′, and the third outer face  103 ′ in accordance with the shape of the internal connection  900 , and the internal connection  900  is formed on the second plating catalysts  140 ′ of the first outer face  101 ′, the second outer face  102 ′, and the third outer face  103 ′. In any case, it is preferable that the second plating catalysts  140 ′ be continuous with the first plating catalysts  130 ′, and that the internal connection  900  be continuous with the antenna  200 ″. In other words, it is preferable that the first plating catalysts  130 ′ and the second plating catalysts  140 ′ be formed as one set of plating catalysts, and the antenna  200 ″, and that the internal connection  900  be formed by one plated film. The internal connection  900 , being a plated film, may be connected to the antenna  200 ″ if made of a material other than a plated film. The second plating catalysts  140 ′ are formed on one or more of the outer faces of the base  100 ′ by the same method as that for the first plating catalysts  130 ′, and the internal connection  900  being a plated film or films, is formed on the second plating catalysts  140 ′ by the same method as that for the antenna  200 ″ being a plated film. 
     The internal connection  900  of any of the above aspects includes a first portion and a second portion. The first portion of the internal connection  900  is connected to, or continuous with, the antenna  200 ″. The second portion of the internal connection  900  is connected to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . In the internal connection  900  of any of the above aspects may optionally be routed to an outer face of the base  100 ′ as long as the first portion is connected to, or continuous with, the antenna  200 ″ while the second portion is connected to the first connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . The second plating catalysts  140 ′ may optionally be formed on an outer face of the base  100 ′ in accordance with the shape of the internal connection  900 . 
     The internal connection  900  of any of the above aspects may extend in a direction including a component of the orthogonal direction such that the antenna  200 ″ is located away from the semiconductor component  300  in a direction including the component of the orthogonal direction. In this case, the antenna  200 ″ is not disposed on the Z-direction side relative to the semiconductor component  300  but disposed away from the semiconductor component  300  in a direction including a component of the orthogonal direction or disposed at a distance from the semiconductor component  300  in the orthogonal direction. The orthogonal direction may be any direction orthogonal to the Z-Z′ direction, which may be the Y-Y′ direction, the X-X′ direction, or a direction other than the Y-Y′ and X-X′ directions. 
     The internal connections  900  of any of the above aspects may be provided as a plurality of the internal connections  900  similarly to the internal connections  400 . The second plating catalysts  140 ′ may be provided as a plurality of sets of the second plating catalysts  140 ′, in accordance with the number of the internal connections  900 . In  FIGS. 7A to 8B , a pair of internal connections  900  is provided as plated films, which are formed such as to be continuous with first and second ends, respectively, of the loop-shaped antenna  200 ″. Also, the second plating catalysts  140 ′ are provided in two sets, which sets are continuous with first and second ends, respectively, of the set of the first plating catalysts  130 ′. In short, the pair of internal connections  900  connects the single loop-shaped antenna  200 ″ and the single semiconductor component  300 . 
     The at least one external connection  1000  is only required to be connected to the semiconductor component  300  and connectable to an external device. The at least one external connection  1000  includes a first portion  1100  and a second portion  1200 . The first portion  1100  is connected to a second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300 . The second portion  1200  is connectable to a circuit board or other part of the electronic device located outside the base  100 ′. 
     The at least one external connection  1000  may be constituted by a terminal, a pin, a lead wire, a cable, a conductive wire, or the like. In this case, the or each external connection  1000  may be provided on, inside, or outside the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. 
     Alternatively, the at least one external connection  1000  may be a metal film. In this case, the at least one external connection  1000  may have any of the following configurations in cases A) to C) described above. 
     In case A), one of the following configurations e) or f) is adopted. e) The external connection  1000  may preferably be formed on the first outer face  101 ′. In this case, the first portion  1100  is located on the first outer face  101 ′. The second portion  1200  is located on the first outer face  101 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. f) The external connection  1000  may preferably be formed on the first outer face  101 ′ (front face of the base  100 ′), the second outer face  102 ′ (back face of the base  100 ′), and the third outer face  103 ″ (side face of the base  100 ′) as shown in  FIG. 9A . In this case, the first portion  1100  is located on the first outer face  101 ′. The second portion  1200  is located on the second outer face  102 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. 
     In case B), one of the following configurations g) or h) is adopted. g) The external connection  1000  may preferably be formed on the second outer face  102 ′. In this case, the first portion  1100  is located on the second outer face  102 ′. The second portion  1200  is located on the second outer face  102 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. h) The external connection  1000  may preferably be formed on the second outer face  102 ′ (a part of the front face of the base  100 ′), the fourth outer face  104 ′ (back face of the base  100 ′), and the fifth outer face  105 ′ (the side face of the base  100 ′) as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 8A . In this case, the first portion  1100  is located on the second outer face  102 ′. The second portion  1200  is located on the fourth outer face  104 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. 
     In case C), the external connection  1000  may preferably be formed on the second outer face  102 ′. In this case, the first portion  1100  is located on the second outer face  102 ′. The second portion  1200  is located on the second outer face  102 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. 
     The external connection  1000  described above is formed on one or more of the outer faces of the base  100 ′ by the same method as that for the antenna  200 ″ if being a metal film. 
     Alternatively, the at least one external connection  1000  may be provided as a plated film or films (metal film or films) formed on third plating catalysts  150 ′ of an outer face of the base  100 ′. The at least one external connection  1000  and the third plating catalysts  150 ′ may be configured as follows in cases A) to C) described above. 
     In case A), one of the following configurations i) or j) is adopted. i) The third plating catalysts  150 ′ are formed on the first outer face  101 ′ in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000 . The external connection  1000  has the same configuration as that of e), except that the external connection  1000  is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ of the first outer face  101 ′. j) The third plating catalysts  150 ′ are formed on the first outer face  101 ′ (front face of the base  100 ′), the second outer face  102 ′ (back face of the base  100 ′), and the third outer face  103 ′ (side face of the base  100 ′) in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000 . The external connection  1000  has the same configuration as that of the f), except that the external connection  1000  is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ of the first outer face  101 ′, the second outer face  102 ′, and the third outer face  103 ′. 
     In case B), one of the following configurations k) or l) is adopted. k) The third plating catalysts  150 ′ are formed on the second outer face  102 ′ in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000 . The external connection  1000  has the same configuration as that of g), except that the external connection  1000  is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ of the second outer face  102 ′. l) The third plating catalysts  150 ′ are formed on the second outer face  102 ′ (a part of the front face of the base  100 ′), the fourth outer face  104 ′ (back face of the base  100 ′), and the fifth outer face  105 ′ (side face of the base  100 ′) in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000  as shown in  FIGS. 7A to 8A . The external connection  1000  has the same configuration as that of h), except that the external connection  1000  is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ of the second outer face  102 ′, the fourth outer face  104 ′, and the fifth outer face  105 ′. 
     In case C), the third plating catalysts  150 ′ are formed on the second outer face  102 ′ in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000 . The external connection  1000  may be configured similarly to the external connection  1000  being a metal film in case C), except that the external connection  1000  is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ of the second outer face  102 ′. 
     The third plating catalysts  150 ′ of any of the above aspects are formed on one or more of the outer faces of the base  100 ′ by the same method as that for the first plating catalysts  130 ′. Then, the external connection  1000  being a plated film is formed on the third plating catalysts  150 ′ by the same method as that for the antenna  200 ″ being a plated film. 
     The external connection  1000  according to any of the above aspects may optionally be routed on an outer face of the base  100 ′ as long as the first portion  1100  is connected to the second connection portion of the semiconductor component  300  and the second portion  1200  is connectable to an external device. The second portion  1200  may be provided on a side face of the base  100 ′. The third plating catalysts  150 ′ may optionally be formed on the outer face of the base  100 ′ in accordance with the shape of the external connection  1000 . 
     The external connections  1000  of any of the above aspects may be provided as a plurality of the external connections  1000  similarly to the external connections  500 . The external connections  1000  may include an external connection or connections for signal transmission, for ground, and/or for a resister. The third plating catalysts  150 ′ may be provided as a plurality of sets of the third plating catalysts  150 ′, in accordance with the number of the external connections  1000 . 
     In  FIGS. 7A to 7B , the plurality of external connections  1000  are formed on the second outer face  102 ′, the fourth outer face  104 ′, and the fifth outer face  105 ′ of the base  100 ′. The first portions  1100  of the external connections  1000  are located on the second outer face  102 ′ and connected to the respective second connection portions of the single semiconductor component  300 . The second portions  1200  of the external connections  1000  are located on the fourth outer face  104 ′ and exposed to the outside of the base  100 ′. 
     The base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects may further include at least one second protector  160 ′. The at least one second protector  160 ′ is a wall extending in the Z-Z′ direction from the second outer face  102 ′ of the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects and is disposed around the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. The or each second protector  160 ′ may preferably be larger in Z-Z′ direction dimension than the dimension the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. However, the or each second protector  160 ′ may be substantially equal in Z-Z′ direction dimension to, or smaller in Z-Z′ direction than, the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. The or each second protector  160 ′ protects the semiconductor component  300 . In  FIGS. 7A to 8A , two second protectors  160 ′ are provided, extending in the Z-Z′ direction from the second outer face  102 ′. In  FIGS. 9A to 9B , the second protector  160 ′ are not shown. The second protector  160 ′ may be omitted. 
     If the Z-direction-side face of the base  100 ′ includes the first outer face  101 ′, the second outer face  102 ′, and the third outer face  103 ′, the base  100 ′ may further include at least one third protector  170 ′. The at least one third protector  170 ′ is a wall extending from the third outer face  103 ′ along the second outer face  102 ′ of the base  100 ′ and is disposed around the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. The or each third protector  170 ′ may be integral with the second outer face  102 ′, or extend such as to be in contact with the second outer face  102 ′, or be disposed in spaced relation to the second outer face  102 ′ in the Z-Z′ direction. The height position of the end face on the Z-direction side of the or each third protector  170 ′ may preferably be located on the Z-direction side relative to the height position of the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. Alternatively, the height position of the end face on the Z-direction side of the or each third protector  170 ′ may be located at the same height position as, or on the Z′-direction side relative to, the end face on the Z-direction side of the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. The or each third protector  170 ′ protects the semiconductor component  300 . In  FIGS. 7A to 8A , two third protectors  170 ′ are provided, extending from the third outer face  103 ′ along the second outer face  102 ′. The third protector  170 ′ may be omitted. 
     The module M 5  may further include at least one island  600 ′. The at least one island  600 ′ may preferably be provided on the first outer face  101 ′ or the second outer face  102 ′ of the base  100 ′ of any of the above aspects. The at least one island  600 ′ may be constituted by a metal plate, or a metal film (including a plated film), similarly to the antenna  200 ″. Mounted on the island  600 ′ is the semiconductor component  300 . The island  600 ′ may be omitted. 
     The module M 5  may further include the first conductor S, similarly to the module M 1 . 
     The module M 5  described above has the following technical features. First, the module M 5  has the same features as the first and second technical features of the module M 1 . 
     Second, the module M 5  offers improved versatility. This is because applications (i.e. for reception or transmission) and/or capabilities (i.e. communication speed and/or communication range) of the module M 5  can be changed simply by selecting a semiconductor component  300  suitable for the application, the capabilities, etc. of the module M 5 , mounting the semiconductor component  300  on the first outer face  101 ′ or the second outer face  102 ′ of the base  100 ′, and connecting the semiconductor component  300  to the internal connection(s)  900  and the external connection(s)  1000 . 
     Third, it is easy to arrange the antenna  200 ″ and the semiconductor component  300  on the first outer face  101 ′ (at the first height position) and the second outer face  102 ′ (at the second height position), respectively, for the following reason. The antenna  200 ″ is provided on the first outer face  101 ′. The semiconductor component  300  can be disposed at the second height position simply by mounting the semiconductor component  300  on the second outer face  102 ′. 
     Fourth, if the antenna  200 ″, the internal connection(s)  900 , and the external connection(s)  1000  are constituted by a single metal plate formed on the base  100 ′, the module M 5  has a decreased number of components. 
     Fifth, if constituted by a single metal plate formed on the base  100 ′, the antenna  200 ″, the internal connection  900 (s), and the external connection(s)  1000  are can be patterned freely on the base  100 ′. 
     Sixth, if the antenna and/or the internal connection(s) are constituted by a metal plate, a mold is required for forming the antenna and/or the internal connection(s). However, if the antenna  200 ″, the internal connection(s)  900 , and the external connection(s)  1000  are a metal film on the base  100 ′, they can be fabricated without a mold. Therefore, it is possible to pursue cost reduction of the module M 5 . 
     The contactless communication modules described above are not limited to the above embodiments but may be modified in any manner within the scope of the claims. 
     The contactless communication module according to any of the above aspects may further include a second conductor. The second conductor is constituted by a metal plate, a plate of plastic material having an outer face covered with evaporated metal, or the like. The second conductor is grounded and disposed on the Z-direction side relative to the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″, i.e. between the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″ and the antenna of a partner communication device. More specifically, the second conductor is provided on the first outer face  101  or  101 ′ of the base  100  or  100 ′ or inside the base  100  such as to be located on the Z-direction side relative to the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″. The second conductor has an opening, which is located on the Z-direction side relative to at least a part of the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″. If the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″ of any of the above aspects is adapted to transmit signals by an electromagnetic field coupling scheme, an electromagnetic field radiated from the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″ spreads toward the grounded second conductor. As the second conductor has the opening as described above, the electromagnetic field flowing from the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″ to the second conductor propagates easily through the opening to the antenna of the partner communication device located on the Z-direction side relative to the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″. It is thus possible to flow the electromagnetic field radiated from the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″ in a desired direction (in the direction toward the antenna of the partner communication device). If the antenna of any of the above aspects is adapted to receive signals by an electromagnetic field coupling scheme, an electromagnetic field outputted from the antenna of the partner communication device spreads toward the grounded second conductor. As the second conductor has the opening as described above, the electromagnetic field flowing from the antenna of the partner communication device propagates easily through the opening to the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″. It is thus possible to flow the electromagnetic field outputted from the antenna of the partner communication device in a desired direction (in the direction toward the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″). If a part (antenna body) of the antenna is larger in outer size than other parts (see  FIG. 10A ), the opening may be provided in the second conductor such as to surround the antenna body. In other words, the opening may be larger in outer size than the antenna body, and the antenna body may be disposed inside the opening in plan position. As such, the electromagnetic field radiated from the antenna body propagates easily through the opening to the antenna of the partner communication device, and the electromagnetic field outputted from the antenna of the partner communication device propagates easily through the opening to the antenna body. The configurations of the second conductor described above is not limited to the case where an electromagnetic field coupling scheme is adopted for the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″, but applicable to the case where electromagnetic waves other than electromagnetic fields are radiated from the antenna  200 ,  200 ′, or  200 ″. 
     The contactless communication module M 1  may be configured to include a metal case S′ in place of the first conductor S. As an example of such configuration, a contactless communication module M 1 ′″ is shown in  FIGS. 10A and 10B . The contactless communication module M 1 ′″ has substantially the same configuration as that of the contactless communication module M 1 , except that the first conductor S is replaced with the metal case S′. The metal case S′ of the contactless communication module M 1 ′″ receives at least the portion of the base  100  in which the antenna  200  is embedded. This means that the metal case S′ surrounds the antenna  200 . The metal case S′ includes a first plate S 1 ′, a second plate S 2 ′, a third plate S 3 ′, and a fourth plate S 4 ′. The third plate S 3 ′ couples the X-direction end of the first plate S 1 ′ with the X-direction end of the second plate S 2 ′. The fourth plate S 4 ′ couples the X′-direction end of the first plate S 1 ′ with the X′-direction end of the second plate S 2 ′. The third plate S 3 ′ and the fourth plate S 4 ′ may or may not be each provided with a cutout. The first plate S 1 ′ is disposed on the first outer face  101  of the base  100 ″ such as to be located on the Z-direction side relative to at least the part of the antenna  200 . The first plate S 1 ′ functions as the second conductor described above. The first plate S 1 ′ has an opening S 1   a′.  The opening S 1   a ′ of the first plate S 1 ′ is provided on the Z-direction side relative to at least the part of the antenna  200 . In  FIG. 10A , the opening S 1   a ′ is disposed on the Z-direction side relative to the substantially rectangular antenna body of the antenna  200 . This means that the antenna body is located inside the opening S 1   a ′ when viewed from the Z-direction side. The second plate S 2 ′ is disposed on the second outer face  102  of the base  100 ″ such as to be located on the Z′-direction side relative to at least the part of the antenna  200 . The second plate S 2 ′ functions as the first conductor described above. 
     The metal case S′ may further include a connection portion S 5 ′. The connection portion S 5 ′ may be connected to a ground line of the circuit board of the electronic device. A through-hole  120  may be made in the base  100 ″ of the contactless communication module M 1 ′″. The through-hole  120  extends in the Z-Z′ direction through a portion of the base  100 ″ inside the antenna  200 . The through-hole  120  may have any shape. In  FIG. 10A , the through hole  120  has a T-shape. A plurality of tabs  210  extend from the antenna  200 , each protruding from a wall of the through-hole  120  into the through-hole  120 . In  FIG. 10A , the tabs  210  protrudes from the respective walls on the X-, X′-, and Y-direction sides of the through-hole  120 . The tabs  210  are coupled to a coupling member before the antenna  200  is insert-molded in the base  100 . After the insert molding, the tabs  210  and the coupling member are disposed inside the through-hole  120  of the base  100 . Subsequently, the tabs  210  are cut off from the coupling member and remain in a state in which the tabs  210  protrude into the through-hole  120 . It should be appreciated that any of the contactless communication modules described above other than the contactless communication module M 1  may also include the metal case S′ in place of the first conductor S. Also, any of the contactless communication modules described above other than the contactless communication module M 1 ′″ may have the through hole  120  and include the a antenna  200  with the tabs  210  protruding from the through-hole  120 . The metal case S′ may be provided in any of the modules other than the contactless communication module M 1 ′″. If the metal case S′ is provided in the module M 5 , it is preferable that the metal case S′ be out of contact with the antenna  200 ″, the internal connection(s)  900 , and/or the external connection(s)  1000 , by intervening an insulator therebetween. 
     The internal connection(s) of the contactless communication module M 1 ′ or M 1 ″ may be constituted by the entirety of, or a part of, a flexible circuit board or a rigid flexible circuit board (first circuit board). In this case, the antenna  200  is provided on the first portion of the internal connection(s). The internal connection(s) may be curved such that the antenna  200  is located at the first height position and that the semiconductor component  300  is located at the second height position. The first circuit board may include the external connection(s). The internal connection(s) of the contactless communication modules M 1 ′ or M 1 ″ may be constituted by a multilayer board having a plurality of layers laminated in the first direction. The layers may include a first layer and a second layer. The first layer may be configured such that the antenna is provided thereon such as to be located at the first height position. The second layer may be configured such that the semiconductor component is mounted thereon such as to be located at the second height position. Between the first and second layers there may or may not be provided a plurality of layers. 
     The antenna of the invention is not limited to antennas for contactless communication but may be applicable to antennas for contactless charging. If the antenna of the invention is an antenna for contactless charging, the semiconductor component of the invention may be a semiconductor element, a semiconductor chip, or a plastic packaged semiconductor device for causing the antenna to perform contactless power transfer (contactless power transmission or contactless power reception). The remaining configuration of the module of the invention is similar to the configuration of the modules described above. 
     It should be appreciated that the above embodiments and variants of the contactless communication module are described above by way of examples only. The materials, shapes, dimensions, numbers, arrangements, and other configurations of the constituents of the contactless communication module may be modified in any manner if they can perform similar functions. The configurations of the embodiments and the variants described above may be combined in any possible manner. The first direction of the invention may be freely defined. The second direction of the invention may be freely defined as long as the second direction is orthogonal to the first direction of the invention. 
     REFERENCE SIGNS LIST 
     M 1 , M 1 ′, M 1 ″, M 1 ′″: contactless communication module 
       100 : base
           101 : first outer face     102 : second outer face     110 : accommodation hole     200 : antenna     300 : semiconductor component     400 : internal connection     500 : external connection
             510 : first portion     520 : second portion         600 : island     700 : circuit board (third circuit board)     700 ′: circuit board (third circuit board)
             710 ′: external connection
                 711 ′: first portion     712 ′: second portion   
               
           S: first conductor   S′: metal case
           S 1 ′: first plate (second conductor)
               S 1   a′:  opening   
               S 2 ′: second plate (first conductor)   
               
     M 2 : contactless communication module 
       100 : base
           101 : first outer face     102 : second outer face     110 : accommodation hole     200 : antenna     300 : semiconductor component     800 : circuit board (first circuit board)
             810 : internal connection
                 811 : first portion     812 : second portion     813 : intermediate portion             500 : external connection
             510 : first portion     520 : second portion           
     M 3 , M 3 ′, M 3 ″: contactless communication module 
       100 : base
           101 : first outer face     102 : second outer face     110 : accommodation hole     200 ′: antenna     300 : semiconductor component     400 ′: internal connection     500 : external connection
             510 : first portion     520 : second portion         700 : circuit board (third circuit board)     700 ′: circuit board (third circuit board)
             710 ′: external connection
                 711 ′: first portion     712 ′: second portion   
               
               
     M 4 , M 4 ′: contactless communication module 
       100 : base
           101 : first outer face     102 : second outer face     110 : accommodation hole     200 ′: antenna     300 : semiconductor component     800 ″: circuit board (second circuit board)
             810 ″: internal connection     811 ″: first portion
                 811   a ″: Z-direction-side face (first face) of first portion   
                 812 ″: second portion
                 812   a ″: mounting face (second face)   
               
             500 : external connection
             510 : first portion     520 : second portion         800 ′″: circuit board (second circuit board)
             810 ′″: internal connection     811 ′″: first portion
                 811   a ′″: Z-direction-side face (first face) of first portion   
                 812 ′″: second portion
                 812   a ′″: mounting face (second face)   
                 820 ′″: external connection
                 821 ′″: first portion     822 ′″: second portion   
               
               
     M 5 : contactless communication module 
       100 ′: base
           101 ′: first outer face     102 ′: second outer face     103 ′: third outer face     104 ′: fourth outer face     105 ′: fifth outer face     110 ′: thick portion     120 ′: thin portion     130 ′: first plating catalysts     140 ′: second plating catalysts     150 ′: third plating catalysts     160 ′: second protector     170 ′: third protector       

       200 ″: antenna 
       300 : semiconductor component 
       600 ′: island 
       900 : internal connection 
       1000 : external connection
           1100 : first portion     1200 : second portion