DEVICE FOR CONTROLLING THE OPERATION OF A RADIOCOMMUNICATION ELECTRONIC MODULE, AND CORRESPONDING ELECTRONIC CIRCUIT

• US 20110021159A1
• Filed: 12/01/2008
• Published: 01/27/2011
• Est. Priority Date: 12/03/2007
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Sierra Wireless Incorporated
• Original Assignee: Sierra Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Pauly, Frédéric, Du, Chieng Kieng
• Granted Patent: US 8,838,039 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/68
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/028 switching on or off only a part of the equipment circuit blocks
• CPC Class Codes: Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication networks

Abstract

A device is provided for controlling operation of a radiocommunication electronic module using a control signal. The device includes a circuit for switching the control signal between a high logic state and a low logic state or vice versa, and a circuit for controlling the switching circuit. The control circuit generates a control signal. The module includes an activation input receiving the control signal. The control circuit includes: a first input receiving a first signal representative of a supply voltage; and a second input receiving a second signal from the module.

Claims

1. A device for controlling operation of a radiocommunication electronic module by a control signal, said device comprising:

means for switching said control signal between a high logic state and a low logic state, or vice versa, and

means for controlling said means for switching, said means for controlling generating a control signal, said module comprising an activation input receiving said control signal, wherein said means for controlling include;

a first input receiving a first signal representative of a supply voltage; and

a second input receiving a second signal coming from said module.

2. The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for controlling include means for detecting a pulse, which blocks said means for switching as long as said means for detecting do not indicate that a pulse is received on at least one of said first and second inputs.

3. The device according to claim 2, wherein said means for detecting include an OR logic gate receiving said first and second signals, and delivering said control signal.

4. The device according to claim 1, wherein said means for switching include:

a latch receiving on a first latch input said control signal and delivering at a latch output said control signal; and

a feedback, which connects the latch output a second latch input of said latch.

5. The device according to claim 4, wherein said feedback includes an inverter.

6. The device according to claim 1, wherein the device further comprises means for generating a pulse using said first signal.

7. The device according to claim 6, wherein said means for generating include:

means for slowing down said first signal, delivering a first slowed signal; and

means for comparing said first slowed signal with a determined threshold, said means for comparing delivering a pulse according to a result of the comparison.

8. The device according to claim 7, wherein said means for comparing include an inverter.

9. An electronic circuit comprising a device for controlling according to claim 1.

10. An assembly comprising:

a radiocommunication electronic module having an operation controlled by a control signal, wherein said module comprises;

an activation input receiving said control signal;

means for generating a signal, called second signal; and

means for executing a set of commands, said set of commands comprising at least one AT command belonging to the group comprising;

a command that activates said means for generating;

a command that programs a real time clock internal to said module; and

a command that turns off said module at a software level, and

a device, which comprises;

means for switching said control signal between a high logic state and a low logic state, or vice versa; and

means for controlling said means for switching, said means for controlling comprising;

a first input receiving a first signal representative of a supply voltage; and

a second input receiving said second signal.