U.S. patent application number 15/803762 was filed with the patent office on 2019-03-28 for automatic rf antenna switching for an electronic communication device.
The applicant listed for this patent is MoJoose, Inc.. Invention is credited to Daniel R. ASH, JR., Daniel R. ASH, SR., Nikolai Maslennikov, Jeremy Monroe.
Application Number | 20190097714 15/803762 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 57686126 |
Filed Date | 2019-03-28 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20190097714 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
ASH, JR.; Daniel R. ; et
al. |
March 28, 2019 |
AUTOMATIC RF ANTENNA SWITCHING FOR AN ELECTRONIC COMMUNICATION
DEVICE
Abstract
A device includes (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF)
switches, each operable with a plurality of frequency bands; an RF
coupling device; and a processor programmed to selectively control
operation of the plurality of RF switches based on an uplink signal
from an electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled
with the RF coupling device. The processor is programmed to
selectively control operation of the plurality of RF switches by
causing each of the RF switches to lock on a particular frequency
band of the plurality of frequency bands corresponding to a
frequency of the uplink signal from the electronic communication
device.
Inventors: |
ASH, JR.; Daniel R.; (Laguna
Niguel, CA) ; ASH, SR.; Daniel R.; (Sacramento,
CA) ; Maslennikov; Nikolai; (Huntington Beach,
CA) ; Monroe; Jeremy; (Ventura, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MoJoose, Inc. |
Aliso Viejo |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
57686126 |
Appl. No.: |
15/803762 |
Filed: |
November 4, 2017 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
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15204993 |
Jul 7, 2016 |
9813139 |
|
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15803762 |
|
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62190296 |
Jul 9, 2015 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/00 20130101; H04B
7/0602 20130101; H04W 72/0453 20130101; H04W 88/06 20130101; H04B
7/0802 20130101; H04B 1/006 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/08 20060101
H04B007/08; H04B 1/00 20060101 H04B001/00 |
Claims
1. A device comprising: (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF)
switches, each of said RF switches operable with a plurality of
frequency bands; (b) at least one RF coupling device; and (c) a
processor programmed to selectively control operation of said
plurality of RF switches based on an uplink signal from an
electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with
said at least one RF coupling device.
2. The device of claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to
selectively control operation of said plurality of RF switches by
causing each of said plurality of RF switches to lock on a
particular frequency band of said plurality of frequency bands.
3. The device of claim 2 wherein said particular frequency band
corresponds to a frequency of the uplink signal from the electronic
communication device.
4. The device of claim 1 wherein said processor is programmed to
detect said uplink signal from said electronic communication device
electromagnetically coupled with said RF coupling device.
5. The device of claim 1 wherein the plurality of radio frequency
(RF) switches comprises a first RF switch, and a second RF switch,
the device further comprising: an amplifier connected to the second
RF switch for amplifying an RF signal output by said second RF
switch.
6. The device of claim 5 further comprising: a gain controller
connected to an output of the amplifier, wherein said processor is
further programmed to control said gain controller based on said RF
signal output by said second RF switch.
7. The device of claim 6 wherein said plurality of radio frequency
(RF) switches further comprise a third RF switch connected to an
output of said gain controller.
8. The device of claim 7 wherein said plurality of radio frequency
(RF) switches further comprise a fourth RF switch connected to said
RF coupling device.
9. The device of claim 1 wherein the device is in an assembly
having an enclosure for holding said electronic communication
device.
10. The device of claim 9 wherein, when said electronic
communication device is in said assembly an antenna of said
electronic communication device is electromagnetic coupled with
said RF coupling device.
11. The device of claim 9, wherein the assembly comprises a
protective case for the electronic communication device.
12. The device of claim 1 wherein, prior to being locked onto said
particular frequency band, said plurality of RF switches
continuously switch through said plurality of frequency bands in
synch.
13. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of RF switches
comprise a plurality of Single-Pole N-Throw (SPNT) switches, where
N is the number of frequency bands in said plurality of frequency
bands.
14. The device of claim 13, where the plurality of frequency bands
comprise four frequency bands and wherein said plurality of RF
switches consists of four Single-Pole Four-Throw (SP4T)
switches.
15. The device of claim 1 wherein said plurality of frequency bands
comprise one or more of: 700, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, and 2100
MHz.
16. A device comprising: (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF)
switches, each of said RF switches operable with a plurality of
frequency bands, wherein the plurality of RF switches comprises a
first RF switch, and a second RF switch; (b) at least one RF
coupling device; and (c) a processor programmed to selectively
control operation of said plurality of RF switches based on an
uplink signal from an electronic communication device
electromagnetically coupled with said at least one RF coupling
device, (d) an amplifier connected to the second RF switch for
amplifying an RF signal output by said second RF switch; (e) a gain
controller connected to an output of the amplifier, wherein said
processor is further programmed to control said gain controller
based on said RF signal output by said second RF switch, wherein
said processor is programmed to selectively control operation of
said plurality of RF switches by causing each of said plurality of
RF switches to lock on a particular frequency band of said
plurality of frequency bands, wherein said particular frequency
band corresponds to a frequency of the uplink signal from the
electronic communication device.
17. The device of claim 16, wherein said processor is programmed to
detect said uplink signal from said electronic communication device
electromagnetically coupled with said RF coupling device.
18. The device of claim 16 wherein said plurality of RF switches
further comprise a third RF switch connected to an output of said
gain controller.
19. The device of claim 18 wherein said plurality of RF switches
further comprise a fourth RF switch connected to said RF coupling
device.
20. The device of claim 20 wherein said plurality of frequency
bands comprise one or more of: 700, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, and 2100
MHz.
Description
RELATED APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 15/204,993, filed Jul. 7, 2016, and titled
"Automatic RF Antenna Switching For An Electronic Communication
Device," which claims priority from co-pending U.S. Provisional
patent application No. 62/190,296, tiled "Automatic Antenna
Switch," filed Jul. 9, 2015, the entire contents of both of which
are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all
purposes.
[0002] This application is also related to co-owned and co-pending
U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/216,985, filed Mar. 17, 2014,
titled "Sleeve With Electronic Extensions For A Cell Phone,"
published as US 20140199950 on Jul. 17, 2014, issued as U.S. Pat.
No. 9,124,679 on Sep. 1, 2015, the entire contents of which are
hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all purposes.
[0003] U.S. Ser. No. 14/216,98 is a continuation of International
Application No. PCT/US2012/056708, filed Sep. 21, 2012, which
claims the benefit of the following, the entire contents of each of
which are hereby fully incorporated herein by reference for all
purposes: (i) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/238,894, filed
Sep. 21, 2011, titled "Inductively coupled signal booster for a
wireless communication device and in combination therewith," now
U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,314, issued Aug. 21, 2012, and which claims
priority from provisional patent application No. 61/385,386, filed
Sep. 22, 2010; and (ii) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/590,053, filed Aug. 20, 2012, titled "Combination hand-held
phone and radar system," now U.S. Pat. No. 8,519,885, issued Aug.
27, 2013, which is a Continuation-In-Part (CIP) of U.S. application
Ser. No. 13/238,894; and (iii) U.S. patent application Ser. No.
13/591,152, filed Aug. 21, 2012, titled "Smart channel selective
repeater," now U.S. Pat. No. 8,559,869, issued Oct. 15, 2013, which
is a CIP of application Ser. No. 13/238,894 and Ser. No.
13/590,053; and (iv) U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/591,171,
filed Aug. 21, 2012, titled "Isolation enhancement between planar
antenna elements," now U.S. Pat. No. 8,560,029, issued Oct. 15,
2013, which is a CIP of application Ser. No. 13/238,894 filed on
Sep. 21, 2011, and Ser. No. 13/590,053, filed on Aug. 21, 2012, and
Ser. No. 13/591,152, filed on Aug. 21, 2012.
COPYRIGHT NOTICE
[0004] A portion of the disclosure of this patent document contains
material which is subject to copyright protection. The copyright
owner has no objection to the facsimile reproduction by anyone of
the patent document or the patent disclosure, as it appears in the
Patent and Trademark Office patent file or records, but otherwise
reserves all copyright rights whatsoever.
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
[0005] This invention relates generally to antennas, and, more
particularly, to automatic RF switching for an electronic
communications device.
BACKGROUND
[0006] Electronic communications devices such as mobile phones and
the like provide communications functionality in accordance with
one or more cellular telephone systems. These telephone systems may
include Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM) systems,
Universal Mobile Telephone System (UMTS) systems, Code Division
Multiple Access (CDMA) systems, Advanced Wireless Services (AWS)
systems, and others. Certain frequency bands of the radio frequency
spectrum have been allocated to electronic communications devices,
and these telephone systems operate at different frequencies within
those allocations.
[0007] In cellular telephone communication systems a mobile device
such as a mobile phone is sometimes referred to as a mobile
station. Mobile devices/stations communicate in such systems via
so-called base stations. Communications from a base station to a
mobile device may be referred to as a downlink (DL) communication,
and communication in the other direction, from a mobile device to a
base station, may be referred to as an uplink communication. A
particular telephone system typically has different downlink and
uplink frequencies.
[0008] Each system may have a number of variations. For example,
GSM includes GSM-850 (sometimes called GSM-800) and GSM-1900, both
used in the United States and many other countries in the Americas.
GSM-850 uses 824-849 MHz to send information from the mobile
station to the base station (uplink) and 869-894 MHz for the other
direction (downlink). GSM-1900 uses 1,850-1,910 MHz to send
information from the mobile station to the base station (uplink)
and 1,930-1,990 MHz for the other direction (downlink).
[0009] In order for an electronic communications device to operate
reliably in a particular frequency band, antennas are required that
may be precisely tuned to operate in the desired frequency
band.
[0010] A typical electronic communications device can communicate
using more than one telephone system and thus over more than one
frequency. As such, a typical electronic communications device will
require multiple antennas, each of which may be tuned to an
appropriate frequency band. For example, Apple, Inc. sells various
models of its iPhone 6, including GSM Models supporting:
[0011] UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz)
and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz); and CDMA Models supporting
CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz);
UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz); GSM/EDGE
(850, 900, 1800, 1900 MHz). Two other models (Models A1586, A1524)
support: CDMA EV-DO Rev. A and Rev. B (800, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100
MHz); UMTS/HSPA+/DC-HSDPA (850, 900, 1700/2100, 1900, 2100 MHz);
TD-SCDMA 1900 (F), 2000 (A); and GSM/EDGE (850, 900, 1800, 1900
MHz).
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0012] Other objects, features, and characteristics of the present
invention as well as the methods of operation and functions of the
related elements of structure, and the combination of parts and
economies of manufacture, will become more apparent upon
consideration of the following description and the appended claims
with reference to the accompanying drawings, all of which form a
part of this specification.
[0013] FIGS. 1 and 2 are block diagrams of RF switching systems
according to exemplary embodiments hereof.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PRESENTLY PREFERRED EXEMPLARY
EMBODIMENTS
[0014] Glossary and Abbreviations
[0015] As used herein, unless used otherwise, the following terms
or abbreviations have the following meanings:
[0016] AWS means Advanced Wireless Services;
[0017] GSM means Global System for Mobile Communications;
[0018] LNA means low-noise amplifier;
[0019] RF means radio frequency;
[0020] SP4T means Single-Pole Four-Throw (RF switch);
[0021] SP5T means Single-Pole Five-Throw (RF switch);
[0022] SP6T means Single-Pole Six-Throw (RF switch);
[0023] UMTS means Universal Mobile Telephone System; and
[0024] e-UTRA (or EUTRA) means evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio
Access.
[0025] A "mechanism" refers to any device(s), process(es),
routine(s), service(s), or combination thereof. A mechanism may be
implemented in hardware, software, firmware, using a
special-purpose device, or any combination thereof. A mechanism may
be integrated into a single device or it may be distributed over
multiple devices. The various components of a mechanism may be
co-located or distributed. The mechanism may be formed from other
mechanisms. In general, as used herein, the term "mechanism" may
thus be considered to be shorthand for the term device(s) and/or
process(es) and/or service(s).
DESCRIPTION
[0026] FIG. 1 is a block diagram of an RF switching system 100
according to exemplary embodiments hereof. The RF switching system
100 may be included in an assembly such as, e.g., described in U.S.
Published Application No. 20140199950 (U.S. Pat. No. 9,124,679),
describing, inter alia, a radio frequency (RF) coupling device that
may be positioned in an enclosure of an assembly for
electromagnetic coupling with at least one antenna of an electronic
communication device (e.g., a mobile phone) when the communication
device is in the enclosure of the assembly.
[0027] As shown in FIG. 1, a donor antenna 102 is connected to RF
switch 104. RF switch 104 is preferably a single-pole N-throw
(SPNT) switch, where N is the number of frequencies or frequency
bands to be covered by the RF switching system 100. In a presently
preferred embodiment, the system operates with four (4) frequency
bands (750, 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz) and the RF switch 104 is a
single-pole four-throw (SP4T) switch. For the remainder of this
description the system 100 is described with reference to a
four-band system. Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize
and appreciate, upon reading this description, that an RF switching
system 100 may be used with a different number of frequency bands,
in which case the value N for the SPNT switches will differ
accordingly. Output of the RF switch 104 is provided to four
duplexer filters 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, and 106-4, for the 750, 850,
1900, and 2100 MHz bands, respectively. As should be understood,
the number of duplexer filters corresponds to the number of
frequency bands covered by the RF switching system 100. The
duplexer filters 106-1, 106-2, 106-3, and 106-4 are connected to a
second antenna (SP4T) switch 108.
[0028] Output of RF switch 108 is provided to amplifier 110 and the
amplifier 110 is connected via a gain controller 112 to a third
antenna (SP4T) switch 114. The gain controller 112 may be a step
attenuator voltage control. Output from the third SP4T RF switch
114 is provided to four duplexer filters 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, and
116-4, for 750, 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz bands, respectively. The
duplexer filters 116-1, 116-2, 116-3, and 116-4 are connected to a
fourth SP4T RF switch 118. The fourth SP4T RF switch 118 is
connected to one or more connect probes 120. The connect probe(s)
120 is/are preferably positioned in the assembly such that when a
cell phone (CP) or the like is in the assembly the connect probe(s)
120 is/are substantially adjacent at least one antenna (AT) of the
cell phone. The connect probe(s) 120 thereby connect the donor
antenna 102 with the cell phone antenna (AT).
[0029] As should be appreciated, a mobile device such as a cell
phone may have more than one antenna, and the antenna system 100
may, correspondingly, include more than one connect probe 120.
Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize and appreciate,
upon reading this description, that the position of the connect
probes 120 in the assembly will depend on the position(s) of the
antenna(s) of the mobile device. The connect probe(s) 120 may be
formed, e.g., as described in U.S. Patent Publication 20140199950
and/or U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,314.
[0030] The antenna system 100 further includes a fifth RF switch
122 (in the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 the fifth RF switch
comprises a single-pole five-throw (SP5T) antenna) switch connected
to the probe(s) 120. The fifth RF switch 122 is connected to uplink
filters (collectively denoted 124 in the drawing). There is
preferably at least one uplink filter for each downlink frequency
band being handled by the system 100. In the exemplary embodiment
of FIG. 1 there are five uplink filters corresponding,
respectively, to five uplink bands 2100 MHz, 1900 MHz, 850 MHz, 750
MHz, and 750 MHz in band 13.
[0031] A coupler 130 is electrically connected to the line between
the amplifier 110 and the switch 114.
[0032] Output from the uplink filters 124 and output from the
coupler 130 are provided to a sixth RF switch, a single-pole
six-throw (SP6T) RF switch 126. In the exemplary embodiment in FIG.
1, there are five (5) outputs from the fifth RF switch 122, and so,
with the output from the coupler 130, the sixth RF switch requires
six (6) inputs and is preferably a single-pole six-throw (SP6T) RF
switch.
[0033] An RF detector 128 is connected the sixth RF switch 126, and
output of the RF detector 128 is provided to microprocessor 132.
The processor 132 may comprise software (e.g., firmware) 134 to
control operation thereof and of the antenna system 100. In
particular, the processor 132 (e.g., using firmware 134) may
control each of the RF switches 104, 108, 114, and 118 as well as
the gain controller 112.
[0034] In operation of the antenna system 100, the system is
preferably connected to a cell phone or the like (i.e., antenna
probe(s) 120 of the system 100 are coupled with one or more
antennae (AT) of a cell phone (CP)). The RF switches 104, 108, 114,
and 118 cycle or switch, in synch, through the downlink frequencies
that the antenna system 100 is configured to handle. In the
exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the downlink frequency bands are
750, 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz bands, and so the four RF switches
104, 108, 114, and 118 cycle, in synch, through those frequency
bands. By the term "cycle, in synch" we mean that each of the four
RF switches 104, 108, 114, and 118 is tuned to the same frequency
band at substantially the same time.
[0035] In operation, the cell phone (CP) connected to the antenna
will use its own mechanisms to select an appropriate frequency band
from a base station (BS) within which to operate. The base station
may tell the phone a frequency to use. Typically the cell phone
(CP) will cycle through the various bands to find the one with the
strongest signal. The phone then uses a pilot signal to notify the
base station (BS) of the frequency it (the phone) has selected.
[0036] Switches 122 and 126 continuously cycle through each uplink
band to allow signal to the RF detector at a rate which is fast
enough to detect a pilot signal. When the phone selects a frequency
band and sends a pilot signal back to the base station (BS) using
the selected frequency (FS) that pilot signal is passed (via
coupler 136) to RF switch 122 and through the appropriate uplink
filter 124 to RF switch 126. When a signal is sent, the RF detector
128 will detect the signal and its frequency and provide that
information to the processor 132. The processor 132 (using firmware
134) then signals each of the four RF switches 104, 108, 114, and
118 to lock on to the selected frequency (FS).
[0037] For example, suppose that the antenna system 100 is
connected to a cell phone (CP) and that the phone receives a signal
from a base station (BS) using the 850 MHz frequency band. If the
phone selects that 850 MHz frequency band then the phone will send
a signal back to the base station. The signal from the phone to the
base station will be picked up by the coupler 136 and passed
through the RF switch 122 and through the appropriate uplink filter
(in this case 850 MHz) to the switch 126. The RF detector will
detect the 850 MHz signal and so inform the processor 132. This
will cause the processor to signal each of the four RF switches
104, 108, 114, and 118 to lock on to the selected frequency (850
MHz).
[0038] The amplifier 110 may amplify the downlink signal (from the
base station to the phone, via the probe(s)). Since the output from
the amplifier 110 is an input to the switch 126 (via coupler 130),
the RF detector will detect the amplified signal from the amplifier
110. Based on this detection, the processor may control the gain
controller 112 to adjust (reduce or increase) the power of that
signal. It should be appreciated that when the phone has signaled a
selected frequency (FS) then the frequency of the signal picked up
by the coupler will be (or become) that selected frequency (since
the switches 104 and 108 will be locked on to that frequency. In
order to protect the phone and to prevent oscillation and feedback,
the uplink signal may thus be monitored using RF detector 128 to
control gain controller 112.
[0039] The exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1 operates with four (4)
frequency bands (e.g., 750, 850, 1900, and 2100 MHz). As noted,
however, implementations may be used and operated with a different
number of frequency bands (e.g., with fewer or more frequency
bands).
[0040] In the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 1, the RF switches 104,
108, 114, and 118 cycle, in synch, through the supported frequency
bands, and then, based on a pilot signal from the phone, the RF
switches lock onto the appropriate/selected frequency. In other
embodiments the RF switches may be in an idle mode (using little or
no power) until the attached phone's pilot signal causes them to be
locked on to a particular frequency.
[0041] As described, the uplink signal from the connected mobile
device (e.g., cell phone CP) determines which frequency band to
boost. The uplink signal is monitored, e.g., every second, to
detect the frequency that has been chosen by the phone (the phone
preferably picks the strongest signal it receives on the
downlink).
[0042] When not in use for a call, the system goes into a standby
mode in which the system goes into a low current mode.
[0043] FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an RF switching system 200
according to exemplary embodiments hereof. The RF switching system
200 of FIG. 2 supports ten (10) frequency bands. In this exemplary
embodiment the frequency bands are logically grouped into two wide
bands, low frequency (LF) bands (e.g., under 1 GHz) and
high-frequency (HF) bands (e.g., over 1 GHz). As will be
appreciated, such a system supports ten e-UTRA bands (e.g., e-UTRA
bands 1-5, 7, 8, 13, 17, 20, respectively 2100, 1900, 1800, 1700,
850, 2600, 900, 700, 700, 800 MHz). In the case of these ten e-UTRA
bands, the five low-frequency bands (ordered from lowest to highest
frequency) are 13 (700 MHz, uplink 777-787 MHz, downlink 746-756
MHz), 17 (700 MHz, uplink 704-716 MHz, downlink 734-746 MHz), 20
(800 MHz), 5 (850 MHz), and 8 (900 MHz), and the five
high-frequency bands (also ordered from lowest to highest
frequency) are 4 (1,700 MHz), 3 (1,800 MHz), 2 (1,900 MHz), 1
(2,100 MHz), and 7 (2,600 MHz).
[0044] Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize and
appreciate, upon reading this description, that a different
boundary (other than 1 GHz) may be selected to group LF and HF
bands.
[0045] The RF switching system 200 includes two donor antennae, a
LF band donor antenna 202-1 and HF band donor antenna 202-2.
[0046] The LF band donor antenna 202-1 is connected to an RF switch
204-1. RF switch 204-1 is preferably a single-pole N-throw (SPNT)
switch, where N is the number of frequencies or frequency bands to
be covered by the LF bands of RF switching system 200. In the
exemplary embodiment of the RF switching system 200 shown in FIG.
2, there are five LF bands and RF switch 204-1 is single-pole
five-throw (SP5T) RF switch. For the remainder of this description
the system 200 is described with reference to a five-LF-band system
(and a five-HF-band system).
[0047] Output of the RF switch 204-1 is provided to five antenna
matching circuits 206-A, 206-B, 206-C, 206-D, and 206-E, e.g., for
the 13 (700 MHz), 17 (700 MHz), 20 (800 MHz), 5 (850 MHz), and 8
(900 MHz) bands, respectively. The five antenna matching circuits
206-A, 206-B, 206-C, 206-D, and 206-E are each connected to a
second SP5T switch 210-1 via a corresponding bandpass filter 208-A,
208-B, 208-C, 208-D, and 208-E.
[0048] Antenna matching circuits 206-A, 206-B, 206-C, 206-D, and
206-E match the antenna(s) with a corresponding selected bandpass
filter.
[0049] As should be understood, the number of bandpass filters
connected to the RF switch 204-1 corresponds to the number of LF
frequency bands covered by the RF switching system 200.
[0050] Output of RF switch 210-1 is provided to amplifier 212-1,
and the amplifier 212-1 is connected via directional coupler 214-1
to gain controller (e.g., step attenuator voltage control) 218-1
which is connected to a third (SP5T) RF switch 220-1. Output from
the third SP5T RF switch 220-1 is provided to five duplexer filters
222-A, 222-B, 222-C, 222-D, and 222-E, for the LF bands (e.g., the
13 (700 MHz), 17 (700 MHz), 20 (800 MHz), 5 (850 MHz), and 8 (900
MHz) bands, respectively). The duplexer filters 222-A, 222-B,
222-C, 222-D, and 222-E are connected to a fourth SP5T RF switch
224-1.
[0051] Each duplexer filter 222-A, 222-B, 222-C, 222-D, and 222-E
is also connected to a corresponding Schottky diode detector 216-A,
216-B, 216-C, 216-D, and 216-E, and the Schottky diode detectors
are connected to a voltage comparator 226-2. The output signal of
voltage comparator 226-2 (denoted E1) indicates mobile activity in
an LF band, and is provided to microprocessor 232.
[0052] The fourth SP5T RF switch 224-1 is connected to one or more
LF connect probes (or probe antennas) 228-1.
[0053] The LF connect probe(s) 228-1 is/are preferably positioned
in the assembly such that when a cell phone (CP) or the like is in
the assembly the connect probe(s) 228-1 is/are substantially
adjacent at least one LF antenna (LF AT) of the cell phone. The
connect probe(s) 228-1 thereby connect the LF donor antenna 204-1
with the cell phone's native LF antenna (LF AT). Note that the cell
phone may use the same antenna structure for LF and HF bands, or it
may have separate LF and HF native antennae.
[0054] The directional coupler 214-1 (electrically connected to the
line between the amplifier 212-1 and gain controller 218-1) is
connected to a Schottky diode detector 216-1 which connects to
voltage comparator 226-1. As explained below, a comparable
connection from the HF components is also provided to the voltage
comparator 226-1 (via Schottky diode detector 216-2), and the
output signal on voltage comparator 226-1 (denoted C), indicative
of an oscillation alarm, is provided as input to the microprocessor
232.
[0055] Similar to the LF components, the HF band donor antenna
202-2 is connected to an RF switch 204-2, preferably a single-pole
N-throw (SPNT) switch, where N is the number of frequencies or
frequency bands to be covered by the LF bands of HF switching
system 200. In the exemplary embodiment of the RF switching system
200 shown in FIG. 2, there are five HF bands and RF switch 204-2 is
single-pole five-throw (SP5T) RF switch. Those of ordinary skill in
the art will realize and appreciate, upon reading this description,
that an RF switching system 200 may be used with a different number
of LF and HF frequency bands, in which case the value N for the
SPNT switches on the LF and HF paths will differ accordingly. It
should also be appreciated that the system 200 may have a different
number of LF and HF bands.
[0056] Output of the RF switch 204-2 is provided to antenna
matching circuits 206-F, 206-G, 206-H, 206-I, and 206-J, e.g., for
the HF bands (e.g., the 4 (1,700 MHz), 3 (1,800 MHz), 2 (1,900
MHz), 1 (2,100 MHz), and 7 (2,600 MHz) bands, respectively). As
should be understood, the number of antenna matching circuits
connected to the HF RF switch 204-2 corresponds to the number of HF
frequency bands covered by the RF switching system 200. The five
antenna matching circuits 206-F, 206-G, 206-H, 206-I, and 206-J are
each connected to a second SP5T switch 210-2 via a corresponding
bandpass filter 208-F, 208-G, 208-H, 208-I, and 208-J.
[0057] Output of RF switch 210-2 is provided to amplifier 212-2,
and the amplifier 212-2 is connected via directional coupler 214-3
to gain controller (e.g., step attenuator voltage control) 218-2
which is connected to RF (SP5T) switch 220-2. Output from the SP5T
RF switch 220-2 is provided to five duplexer filters 222-F, 222-G,
222-H, 222-I, and 222-J, for the five HF bands (e.g., the 4 (1,700
MHz), 3 (1,800 MHz), 2 (1,900 MHz), 1 (2,100 MHz), and 7 (2,600
MHz) bands, respectively). The duplexer filters 222-F, 222-G,
222-H, 222-I, and 222-J are connected to SP5T RF switch 224-2.
[0058] Each duplexer filter 222-F, 222-G, 222-H, 222-I, and 222-J
is also connected to a corresponding Schottky diode detector 216-F,
216-G, 216-H, 216-I, and 216-J, and the Schottky diode detectors
are connected to a voltage comparator 226-3. The output signal of
voltage comparator 226-3 (denoted E2) indicates mobile activity in
an HF band, and is provided to microprocessor 232.
[0059] The SP5T RF switch 224-2 is connected to one or more HF
connect probes (or probe antennas) 228-2.
[0060] The HF connect probe(s) 224-2 is/are preferably positioned
in the assembly such that when a cell phone (CP) or the like is in
the assembly the connect probe(s) 228-2 is/are substantially
adjacent at least one HF antenna (AT) of the cell phone. The
connect probe(s) 228-2 thereby connect the HF donor antenna 204-2
with the cell phone's native HF antenna (HF AT). As noted, a cell
phone may use the same antenna structure for LF and HF bands, or it
may have separate LF and HF native antennae.
[0061] The LF and HF connect probes/probe antennas 228-1 and 228-2
may be formed, e.g., as described in U.S. Patent Publication
20140199950 and/or U.S. Pat. No. 8,248,314.
[0062] The directional coupler 214-3, electrically connected to the
line between the amplifier 212-2 and gain controller 218-2, is
connected to a Schottky diode detector 216-2 which connects to
voltage comparator 226-1. As explained above, a comparable
connection from the LF components is also provided to the voltage
comparator 226-1 (via Schottky diode detector 216-1), and the
output signal of voltage comparator 226-1 (denoted C), indicative
of an oscillation alarm, is provided as input to the microprocessor
232.
[0063] A directional coupler 214-2 is electrically connected to the
line between the RF switch 224-1 and the LF connect probe(s) 228-1.
Similarly, a directional coupler 214-3 is electrically connected to
the line between the RF switch 224-2 and the HF connect probe(s)
228-2. The directional coupler 214-2 is connected to Schottky diode
detector 216-3 which connects to voltage comparator 226-4.
Similarly, directional coupler 214-3 is connected to Schottky diode
detector 216-4 which connects to voltage comparator 226-4. The
output signal of voltage comparator 226-4 (denoted G) is indicative
of mobile activity (instant), and is provided to the microprocessor
232.
[0064] The amplifier 212-1 is controlled by signal(s) (denote B1)
from the microprocessor 232. The amplifier 212-2 is controlled by
signal(s) (denote B2) from the microprocessor 232.
[0065] The gain controller 218-1 is controlled by signal(s) (denote
D1) from the microprocessor 232. The gain controller 218-2 is
controlled by signal(s) (denote D2) from the microprocessor
232.
[0066] The switches 204-1, 204-2, 210-1, 210-2, 220-1, 220-2,
224-1, and 224-2 are controlled by signal(s) (denoted A) from the
microprocessor 232.
[0067] In an exemplary implementation, the microprocessor 232 is an
Atmel picoPower 8-bit AVR RISC-based microcontroller (ATtiny88)
with 8 KB Flash Memory (4 kWords) and an internal 4 MHz RC
oscillator. In this implementation, six pins are used for the
signal(s) "A" to control the switches. The microprocessor
preferably runs firmware 234 to support operation of the system
200.
[0068] In operation of RF switching system 200, a connected cell
phone's uplink (UL) activity is used for actual downlink (DL)
frequency band identification and filter setup. A cell phone is
connected to the RF switching system 200 if/when one or both of the
probe antennas 128-1, 128-2 are operatively connected to the
cellphone's native antennas (e.g., using near-field coupling). In
preferred implementations, the antenna systems 100, 200 are
incorporated in a case for the cellphone, where the case holds the
probe antennas 128-1, 128-2 substantially adjacent the cellphone's
native antennas.
[0069] When the connected cell phone (CP) uses its own mechanisms
to detect and select an appropriate frequency band from a base
station (BS, not shown in FIG. 2) within which to operate. As
previously noted, the base station may tell the phone a frequency
to use. Typically the cell phone (CP) will cycle through the
various bands to find the one with the strongest signal. The phone
then uses a pilot signal to notify the base station (BS) of the
frequency it (the phone) has selected.
[0070] The phone's pilot signal causes the system 200 to transition
from a sleep or standby mode (in which the circuitry is mostly
powered down) to an operative mode. The uplink signal from the
phone corresponds to the downlink signal to be amplified.
[0071] With reference again to the RF switching system 200 in FIG.
2, when the phone emits a pilot signal in a particular frequency
(SF), the output signal of voltage comparator 226-4, indicative of
mobile activity, will be provided to the processor 232, initiating
further processing by firmware 234. The phone's selected frequency
(SF) will either be LF or HF. For the sake of this description,
assume that F is LF. The phone's pilot signal will thereby cause
the output signal of voltage comparator 226-2 (E1, provided to
processor 232) to indicate mobile activity in an LF band.
[0072] Once the processor determines which frequency the phone has
selected, the switches 204-1, 204-2, 210-1, 210-2, 220-1, 220-2,
224-1, and 224-2 are controlled by signal(s) (A) from the
microprocessor 232 to lock onto that signal and to turn on only the
required components in the path for that selected frequency. Thus,
e.g., if the phone picks an 850 MHz frequency, then microprocessor
232 signals switches 204-1, 210-1, 220-1, and 224-1 to lock onto
the 850 MHz band. Downlink signals then pass through switch 204-1,
antenna matching circuitry 206-D, band filter 208-D, switch 210-1,
amplifier 212-1, gain controller 218-1, switch 220-1, duplexer
filter 222-D, switch 224-1, and probe 228-1, to the cell phone's
native LF antenna.
[0073] The amplifier 212-1 is controlled by the microprocessor 232
using signal B1, and the gain controller 218-1 is controlled by
signal(s) (D1) from the microprocessor 232. If the system detects
oscillation, the signal (C) sent to the microprocessor 232 will
cause the microprocessor 232 to instruct the attenuator 218-1 (via
signal D1) to reduce the gain until the oscillation stops.
[0074] Similar operation occurs on the HF component if the phone
emits a HF pilot signal.
[0075] Those of ordinary skill in the art will realize and
appreciate, upon reading this description, that the low-power
operation of the system 200 can be used even if the circuitry is
not split into low and high frequency components.
[0076] While the exemplary embodiment of FIG. 2 shows a system
supporting ten frequency bands (five low and five high), those of
ordinary skill in the art will realize and appreciate, upon reading
this description, that different numbers of frequency bands may be
supported. Furthermore, there is no requirement that the number of
low frequency bands (five in the embodiments shown) be the same as
the number of high frequency bands, and different numbers of low
and high frequency bands are contemplated herein. There is also no
requirement that the circuitry for the low (or high) frequency
bands support more than one frequency band. Thus, in general, the
system may support L low-frequency bands (L.gtoreq.0) and H
high-frequency bands (H.gtoreq.0). In the exemplary embodiments
shown in FIG. 2, L=H=5.
[0077] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase "at
least some" means "one or more," and includes the case of only one.
Thus, e.g., the phrase "at least some ABCs" means "one or more
ABCs", and includes the case of only one ABC.
[0078] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase "based
on" means "based in part on" or "based, at least in part, on," and
is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the phrase "based on factor X" means
"based in part on factor X" or "based, at least in part, on factor
X." Unless specifically stated by use of the word "only", the
phrase "based on X" does not mean "based only on X."
[0079] As used herein, including in the claims, the phrase "using"
means "using at least," and is not exclusive. Thus, e.g., the
phrase "using X" means "using at least X." Unless specifically
stated by use of the word "only", the phrase "using X" does not
mean "using only X."
[0080] In general, as used herein, including in the claims, unless
the word "only" is specifically used in a phrase, it should not be
read into that phrase.
[0081] It should be appreciated that the words "first" and "second"
in the description and claims are used to distinguish or identify,
and not to show a serial or numerical limitation. Similarly, the
use of letter or numerical labels (such as "(a)", "(b)", and the
like) are used to help distinguish and/or identify, and not to show
any serial or numerical limitation or ordering.
[0082] While the invention has been described in connection with
what is presently considered to be the most practical and preferred
embodiments, it is to be understood that the invention is not to be
limited to the disclosed embodiment, but on the contrary, is
intended to cover various modifications and equivalent arrangements
included within the spirit and scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *