Low-cost S-UMTS based distress transmitters for personal use

• US 20050026590A1
• Filed: 05/14/2004
• Published: 02/03/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/01/2003
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Original Assignee: Agilent Technologies, Inc.
• Inventors: De Win, Wouter
• Application Number:
  US10/845,731
• Publication Number:
  US 20050026590A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/404.100
• CPC Class Codes: G08B 25/016 Personal emergency signalling and security systems emergency non-personal manually actuated alarm activators G08B25/12
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/034 Portable transmitters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 11/04 with alarm systems, e.g. fire, police or burglar alarm systems
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 4/90 Services for handling of emergency or hazardous situations, e.g. earthquake and tsunami warning systems [ETWS]
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 76/50 for emergency connections
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A communication device for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission includes a first communication means arranged for mobile communication according to a first protocol, and an S-UMTS communication means arranged for sending an S-UMTS distress signal. The first communication means and the S-UMTS communication means share hardware components which are arranged to be reconfigured for mobile communication according to the first protocol or for sending an S-UMTS distress signal.

Claims

1. A communication device for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission, comprising:

A first communication means arranged for mobile communication according to a first protocol, and

An S-UMTS communication means arranged for sending an S-UMTS distress signal,

wherein the first communication means and the S-UMTS communication means share hardware components which are arranged to be reconfigured for mobile communication according to the first protocol or for sending an S-UMTS distress signal.

2. Communication device as in claim 1, wherein the first protocol is T-UMTS, the first communication means and the S-UMTS communication means at least partially sharing an extended RF module arranged for use with both T-UMTS and S-UMTS, a reconfigurable baseband component and a reconfigurable dual protocol stack, both arranged for T-UMTS signal transceiving and S-UMTS distress signal transmission.

9. Communication device as in claim 1 that, when configured for the S-UMTS communication means, reuses existing high power amplifier at a lower input back off wherein the average output power is increased.

10. Communication device as in claim 1, wherein the S-UMTS communication means are arranged to transmit a recorded voice message containing positioning information along with the distress alert message.

3. A communication-device for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission, comprising:

A baseband module designed for generating the necessary baseband waveform for transmitting an S-UMTS based distress signal, and

An RF-module arranged for converting the baseband waveform generated by said baseband module to the appropriate frequency band used for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission.

4. Communication device as in claim 3, further comprising a first communication means being a GPS module, wherein a switch is provided to select operation mode to receiving GPS signals or transmitting an S-UMTS distress signal.

5. Communication device as in claim 3, further comprising a first operational means being a battery operated handheld computer.

6. Communication device as in claim 3 integrated into a motorised vehicle.

7. Communication device as in claim 6, wherein the on-board electronics and/or computer are used in order to provide an S-UMTS communication means arranged for sending an S-UMTS distress signal.

8. Communication device as in claim 3 wherein the RF-module comprises a high power amplifier that operates at low input back off.

11. A communication device for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission, comprising:

a baseband module designed for generating the necessary baseband waveform for transmitting an S-UMTS based distress signal,

an RF-module arranged for converting the baseband waveform generated by the baseband module to the appropriate frequency band used for S-UMTS based distress signal transmission, and

a first communication means being a GPS module, wherein a switch is provided to select operation mode to receiving GPS signals or transmitting an S-UMTS distress signal.