MODULAR RADIO FREQUENCY HUB AND INTERCHANGEABLE MODULES

• US 20140080527A1
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Published: 03/20/2014
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rajant Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rajant Corporation
• Inventors: CROYLE, James
• Granted Patent: US 9,853,669 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/500
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers

Abstract

The present invention provides for a modular radio frequency communications assembly including a radio frequency hub and one or more radio frequency modules. Each radio frequency module includes a power and data interface for receiving power from and exchanging data with a modular radio frequency hub and a processor and memory for providing at least one of change a communications frequency, increase communications bandwidth, or add security using the one or more antennas and the power and data interface. The radio frequency hub includes two or more communications interfaces for connecting to two or more radio frequency modules, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration; A shared data and power interface for sharing data and power among the two or more radio frequency modules. A bus distributes data and power among the two or more radio frequency modules. One or more antenna interfaces are located on the RF hub or the RF modules for connecting radio frequency antennas.

Claims

1. A modular radio frequency (RF) hub, comprising:

two or more communications interfaces for connecting to two or more radio frequency modules, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration;

a shared data and power interface for sharing data and power among the two or more RF modules; and

a bus for distributing data and power among the two or more RF modules when connected to the two or more communications interfaces and the shared data and power interface.

2. The RF hub of claim 1 wherein at least a first subset of the two or more communications interfaces are located opposite at least a second subset of the two or more communications interfaces.

3. The RF hub of claim 1 further comprising one or more mounting holes for attaching the RF hub to a surface.

4. The RF hub of claim 1 further comprising one or more antenna interfaces for connecting to a radio frequency antenna.

5. The RF hub of claim 4 wherein the one or more antenna interfaces are located separate from the two or more communications interfaces.

6. A radio frequency (RF) module, comprising:

a power and data interface for receiving power from and exchanging data with a modular RF hub; and

a processor and memory for providing at least one of changing a communications frequency, increasing communications bandwidth, or adding security using the power and data interface.

7. The RF module of claim 6 wherein the processor and memory are integrated in a single board computer.

8. The RF module of claim 6 further comprising a mini-PCI express-to-mini PCI express adapter.

9. The RF module of claim 6 further comprising one or more antenna interfaces for connecting to a radio frequency antenna.

10. The RF module of claim 9 wherein the antenna interfaces are located so as to minimize interference between antennas.

11. The RF module of claim 6 further comprising a heatsink for dissipating heat generated by the processor and memory.

12. The RF module of claim 11 wherein the heatsink is integrated with a housing that encases the processor and memory.

13. The RF module of claim 6 further comprising a visual indicator for indicating a status of the RF module.

14. The RF module of claim 13 wherein the visual indicator includes a light emitting diode (LED).

15. A modular RF communications assembly, comprising:

an RF module comprising;

a power and data interface for receiving power from and exchanging data with a modular RF hub; and

a processor and memory for providing at least one of change a communications frequency, increase communications bandwidth, or add security using the one or more antennas and the power and data interface; and

an RF hub comprising;

two or more communications interfaces for connecting to two or more radio frequency modules, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration;

a shared data and power interface for sharing data and power among the two or more RF modules; and

a bus for distributing data and power among the two or more RF modules connected to the two or more communications interfaces and the shared data and power interface,

wherein one or more antenna interfaces for connecting to a radio frequency antenna are located on one of the RF hub and the RF module.