Apparatus and Method for Controlling a Signal

• US 20100216414A1
• Filed: 10/25/2006
• Published: 08/26/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 11/07/2005
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Thomson Licensing (Vantiva SA)
• Inventors: Muterspaugh, Max Ward
• Granted Patent: US 8,401,482 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/83
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/01 Reducing phase shift

Abstract

The disclosed embodiments relate to an apparatus and method for controlling transmission of a signal in a communications device in order to prevent interference. An apparatus is described that includes a transmitter for transmitting a signal, an antenna coupled to the transmitter for radiating the signal in a radiated polarization pattern, and a controller for adjusting the transmitter when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization pattern. A method is also described that includes the steps of producing a signal for transmission, radiating the signal in a polarization pattern, and adjusting the production of the signal for transmission when the radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization.

Claims

1. An apparatus for controlling a signal comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal;

an antenna coupled to said transmitter for radiating said signal in a radiated polarization pattern; and

a controller for adjusting the transmitter when said radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization pattern.

2. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, further comprising a detector coupled to said controller for determining the radiated polarization pattern of said antenna.

3. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detector is part of a radiating element of said antenna.

4. The apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein said detector is part of a mechanical support for said antenna.

5. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller disables operation of said transmitter.

6. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said controller reduces transmitter power of said transmitter.

7. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is coupled to a receiver for receiving a signal.

8. The apparatus as claimed in claim 7, wherein said controller comprises a switch for alternately coupling said antenna to said transmitter and to said receiver.

9. The apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein said apparatus is included in a device for operation in a wireless data communications network.

10. A method for processing a signal for transmission, comprising the steps of:

producing a signal for transmission;

radiating said signal in a polarization pattern; and

adjusting said production of said signal for transmission when said radiated signal exhibits an undesired polarization.

11. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of adjusting further comprises preventing said signal from radiating.

12. The method of claim 10, wherein said step of adjusting further comprises producing said signal at a reduced signal level.

13. The method of claim 10, further comprising the step of indicating an error condition exists when said radiated signal exhibits undesired polarization.

14. An apparatus for controlling polarization orientation comprising:

a means for transmitting a radio communications signal in a polarization orientation;

a means for detecting said polarization orientation; and

a means for controlling said transmitting means if said polarization orientation is not a correct polarization orientation.

15. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for controlling said transmitting means further comprises a means for adjusting the signal level of said radio communications signal in said transmitting means.

16. The apparatus as claimed in claim 14, wherein said means for controlling said transmitting means further comprises a means for disabling said transmitting means.

17. An apparatus for controlling polarization orientation comprising:

a transmitter for transmitting a signal;

an antenna coupled to said transmitter for radiating said signal in a desired polarization orientation; and

a detector coupled to said antenna and to said transmitter for detecting an actual polarization orientation of said antenna and for adjusting said transmitter if said actual polarization orientation of said antenna does not match said desired polarization orientation.