MOBILE WIRELESS COMMUNICATIONS DEVICE WITH SELECTIVE LOAD SWITCHING FOR ANTENNAS AND RELATED METHODS

• US 20130005398A1
• Filed: 09/11/2012
• Published: 01/03/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 02/29/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Malikie Innovations Limited (Key Patent Innovations Limited)
• Original Assignee: Blackberry Limited
• Inventors: Qi, Yihong, Man, Ying Tong, Jarmuszewski, Perry
• Granted Patent: US 8,462,057 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/553.1
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/243 with built-in antennas
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/005 adapting radio receivers, transmitters andtransceivers for operation on two or more bands, i.e. frequency ranges
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/006 using switches for selecting the desired band H04B1/0057 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0067 with one or more circuit blocks in common for different bands
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3838 Arrangements for reducing RF exposure to the user, e.g. by changing the shape of the transceiver while in use
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/026 Details of the structure or mounting of specific components

Abstract

A mobile wireless communications device may include a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry. The device may further include a controller for selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers, and for selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers. Moreover, the controller may also be for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.

Claims

1. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:

a plurality of antennas;

a plurality of wireless transceivers;

signal processing circuitry; and

a controller for

selectively switching said signal processing circuitry to a desired one of said wireless transceivers,

selectively switching a desired one of said antennas to the desired one of said wireless transceivers, and

selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of said antennas to an unused one of said wireless transceivers.

7. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein said antennas are connected to a signal ground;

and wherein said controller is also for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of said antennas to the signal ground.

8. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprising a portable housing;

and wherein at least one of said plurality of antennas is mounted within said portable housing.

9. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 further comprising a portable housing;

and wherein at least one of said plurality of antennas is mounted outside said portable housing.

10. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein each of said plurality of antennas is for operating over a different operating frequency band.

11. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 1 wherein at least one of said wireless transceivers comprises a cellular wireless transceiver.

2. The mobile wireless communications device of claim further comprising a plurality of loads;

and wherein said controller is also for selectively switching at least one other one of said antennas to at least one of said loads.

3. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of loads comprises a plurality of impedance elements.

4. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 3 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) carrying said plurality of wireless transceivers and said plurality of impedance elements.

5. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of loads comprises a respective set of loads for each of said antennas.

6. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 2 wherein said plurality of loads have different loading characteristics.

12. A mobile wireless communications device comprising:

a plurality of antennas, each for operating over a different operating frequency band;

a plurality of wireless transceivers;

signal processing circuitry;

a plurality of loads having different loading characteristics; and

a controller for

selectively switching said signal processing circuitry to a desired one of said wireless transceivers,

selectively switching a desired one of said antennas to the desired one of said wireless transceivers,

selectively switching at least one other one of said antennas to at least one of said loads, and

selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of said antennas to an unused one of said wireless transceivers.

13. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 12 wherein said plurality of loads comprises a plurality of impedance elements.

14. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 12 further comprising a printed circuit board (PCB) carrying said plurality of wireless transceivers and said plurality of impedance elements.

15. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 12 wherein said plurality of loads comprises a respective set of loads for each of said antennas.

16. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 12 wherein at least one of said wireless transceivers comprises a cellular wireless transceiver.

17. The mobile wireless communications device of claim 12 wherein said antennas are connected to a signal ground;

and wherein said controller is also for selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of said antennas to the signal ground.

18. A method for operating a mobile wireless communications device comprising a plurality of antennas, a plurality of wireless transceivers, and signal processing circuitry, the method comprising:

selectively switching the signal processing circuitry to a desired one of the wireless transceivers;

selectively switching a desired one of the antennas to the desired one of the wireless transceivers; and

selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of the antennas to an unused one of the wireless transceivers.

19. The method of claim 18 wherein the mobile wireless communications device further comprises a plurality of loads;

and further comprising selectively switching at least one other one of the antennas to at least one of the loads.

20. The method of claim 19 wherein the plurality of loads have different loading characteristics.

21. The method of claim 18 wherein each of the plurality of antennas is for operating over a different operating frequency band.

22. The method of claim 18 wherein at least one of the wireless transceivers comprises a cellular wireless transceiver.

23. The method of claim 18 wherein the antennas are connected to a signal ground;

and further comprising selectively connecting and disconnecting the at least one other one of said antennas to the signal ground.