Multiple mode RF communication system

• US 20080218427A1
• Filed: 03/09/2007
• Published: 09/11/2008
• Est. Priority Date: 03/09/2007
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Delphi Technologies, Inc. (BorgWarner Incorporated)
• Inventors: Dobosz, Paul J., Wills, Archie Carlisle, Wills, Elizabeth C.
• Application Number:
  US11/716,203
• Publication Number:
  US 20080218427A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 343/858
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits

Abstract

A multiple mode communications transceiver includes an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF energy and a first circuit selectively coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving FM modulated signals for terrestrial based communications. The transceiver also includes at least a second circuit selectively coupled to the antenna for transmitting and receiving satellite signals and a control circuit for selecting which of the first and second circuits are employed by the transceiver for the reception and transmission of information.

Claims

1. A multiple mode communications transceiver comprising:

an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF energy;

a first circuit selectively coupled to said antenna for transmitting and receiving FM modulated signals for terrestrial based communications;

a second circuit selectively coupled to said antenna for transmitting and receiving satellite signals; and

a control circuit for selecting which of said first and second VHF circuits are employed by said transceiver.

2. The transceiver as defined in claim 1 wherein said first and second circuits are VHF frequency circuits which share common circuit elements.

3. The transceiver as defined in claim 2 wherein said common circuit elements include an RF preamplifier.

4. The transceiver as defined in claim 3 wherein said common circuit elements include an RF power amplifier.

5. The transceiver as defined in claim 4 wherein said common circuit elements include an RF oscillator.

6. The transceiver as defined in claim 5 wherein said control circuit includes a microprocessor and a user interface circuit.

7. The transceiver as defined in claim 1 and further including a GPS receiver coupled to said second circuit for transmitting information identifying the location of said transceiver.

8. The transceiver as defined in claim 1 wherein said control circuit includes a user interface and display.

9. The transceiver as defined in claim 8 wherein said control circuit includes a microprocessor.

10. A multiple mode communications transceiver comprising:

an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF energy;

an oscillator for generating predetermined RF frequency signals related in frequency to signals to be received and transmitted;

an RF converter selectively coupled to said antenna and to said oscillator for amplifying and converting received signals to a common intermediate frequency;

a first demodulator coupled to said converter for detecting signals received from terrestrial based transmitters;

a second demodulator coupled to said converter for detecting signals received from communication satellites;

an audio output circuit coupled to at least one of said demodulators for reproducing audio information contained in received signals;

a source of audio signals to be transmitted;

a first modulator selectively coupled to said oscillator and to said source for generating modulated RF signals for communication with terrestrial based receivers;

a second modulator selectively coupled to said oscillator for providing signals for transmitting to communication satellites; and

an RF amplifier selectively coupled to said first and second modulators and to said antenna for transmitting signals from said transceiver.

11. The communication transceiver as defined in claim 10 and further including a control circuit coupled to said demodulators and modulators for controlling the modulation employed depending upon the detection of available received signals from one of terrestrial and communication satellite sources.

12. The communication transceiver as defined in claim 11 wherein said control circuit includes a microprocessor and a user interface for selectively controlling the modulation employed.

13. The communication transceiver as defined in claim 12 wherein said transceiver operates in the VHF frequency band.

14. The communication transceiver as defined in claim 13 wherein said transceiver operates in the LMR, MVR, and LEO communication satellite frequency bands.

15. The transceiver as defined in claim 10 and further including a GPS receiver coupled to said second modulator for transmitting information identifying the location of said transceiver.

16. A multiple mode communications transceiver comprising:

an antenna for receiving and transmitting RF energy;

a first RF amplifier selectively coupled to said antenna for amplifying received signals;

a second RF amplifier selectively coupled to said antenna for transmitting signals;

a first VHF circuit selectively coupled to said first and second RF amplifiers for transmitting and receiving FM modulated signals for terrestrial based communications;

a second VHF circuit selectively coupled to said first and second RF amplifiers for transmitting and receiving satellite signals; and

a control circuit for selecting which of said first and second VHF circuits are employed by said transceiver.

17. The transceiver as defined in claim 16 wherein said first and second circuits are VHF frequency circuits which share common circuit elements.

18. The transceiver as defined in claim 17 wherein said common circuit elements include an RF preamplifier.

19. The transceiver as defined in claim 18 wherein said common circuit elements include an RF oscillator.

20. The transceiver as defined in claim 16 and further including a GPS receiver coupled to said second circuit for transmitting information identifying the location of said transceiver.