System for local wireless transmission of signals at frequencies above 900 MHz

• US 5,272,525 A
• Filed: 03/07/1991
• Issued: 12/21/1993
• Est. Priority Date: 03/07/1991
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Thomson Licensing SA (Vantiva SA)
• Original Assignee: Recoton Corporation
• Inventors: McGreevy, William T., Borchardt, Robert L.
• Primary Examiner(s): Powell, Mark R.
• Application Number:
  US07/665,772
• Time in Patent Office: 1,020 Days
• Field of Search: 358/83, 358/186, 358/188, 358/254
• US Class Current: 348/729
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0096 where a full band is frequency converted into another full band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/18 Input circuits, e.g. for coupling to an antenna or a transmission line coupling networks between antennas or lines and receivers independent of the nature of the receiver H03H
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/26 for superheterodyne receivers multiple frequency-changing H03D7/16
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 5/38 Transmitter circuitry for the transmission of television signals according to analogue transmission standards H04N5/14 takes precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04R 2420/07 Applications of wireless loudspeakers or wireless microphones

Abstract

A wireless local transmission system includes a separate transmitter and receiver. The transmitter converts an audio signal and/or an audio and video signal into a modulated signal within the 902-928 MHz frequency band and transmits the modulated signal to the receiver which reconverts the modulated signal to a frequency band below 900 MHz for use by a radio or television receiver.

Claims

1. A receiver apparatus for receiving local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz, comprising:

a receiving antenna;

amplifier means for amplifying signals at frequencies above 900 MHz received at an amplifier input thereof to produce amplified signals, said amplifier means having an output for providing said amplified signals;

antenna coupling means for coupling said receiving antenna with said amplifier input;

tunable tank circuit means coupled with the output of said amplifier means for passing amplified signals within a selectable one of a plurality of predetermined pass bands above 900 MHz to thereby produce tuned signals, said tunable tank circuit means comprising a first inductor coupled in parallel with a first varactor diode, said first inductor and said first varactor diode being coupled with the output of said amplifier means to receive the amplified signals, said tunable tank circuit means further comprising a second inductor coupled in parallel with a second varactor diode, said second inductor being inductively coupled with said first inductor, and tuning selector means operative to apply selectively variable voltages across said first and second varactor diodes;

downconverter means coupled with said second inductor and said second varactor diode to receive the tuned signals for downconverting the tuned signals to thereby produce downconverted signals within a predetermined frequency band below 900 MHz; and

output means for providing said downconverted signals at an output of said receiver means.

2. A receiver apparatus for receiving local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz, comprising:

a receiving antenna;

amplifier means for amplifying signals at frequencies above 900 MHz received at an amplifier input thereof to produce amplified signals;

said amplifier means having an output for providing said amplified signals;

antenna coupling means for coupling said receiving antenna with said amplifier input;

tunable tank circuit means for passing amplified signals within a selectable one of a plurality of predetermined pass bands above 900 MHz to thereby produce tuned signals, the tunable tank circuit means comprising a first inductor coupled in parallel with a first varactor diode, said first inductor and said first varactor diode being coupled with the output of said amplifier means to receive the amplified signals, and tuning selector means for applying a selectively variable voltage across said first varactor diode, downconverter means coupled with said tank circuit means to receive said tuned signals for downconverting said tuned signals to thereby produce downconverted signals within a predetermined frequency band below 900 MHz, said downconverter means comprising local oscillator means for producing a local oscillation voltage at a predetermined frequency, said local oscillator means including a second varactor diode operative to adjust the predetermined frequency of the local oscillator voltage in accordance with a tuning voltage applied thereacross, and mixing means having a first input coupled with said tank circuit means to receive said tuned signals and a second input coupled with said local oscillator means to receive said local oscillation voltage therefrom for producing the downconverted signals at frequencies determined by the difference in frequency between sad tuned signals and said local oscillation voltage, said tuning selector means being operative to apply the tuning voltage across said second varactor diode such that the frequency of said local oscillation voltage is selected to maintain the frequencies of the downconverted signals within said predetermined frequency band below 900 MHz; and

output means for providing said downconverted signals at an output of said receiver means.

3. The receiver apparatus of claim 2, wherein said mixing means comprises diode mixing means.

4. The receiver apparatus of claim 2, wherein said tuning selector means is operative to apply the tuning voltage across said second varactor diode such that the frequency of said oscillation voltage is selected to maintain the frequencies of the downconverted signals within a predetermined television band less than 900 MHz.

5. A receiver apparatus for receiving local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz, comprising:

a receiving antenna;

amplifier means for amplifying signals at frequencies above 900 MHz received at an amplifier input thereof to produce amplified signals;

said amplifier means having an output for providing said amplified signals;

antenna coupling means for coupling said receiving antenna with said amplifier input;

tank circuit means for selecting frequencies provided at the output of said amplifier means which are within a predetermined pass band of said amplified signals to thereby produce tuned signals, said tank circuit means comprising a first inductor coupled in parallel with a first varactor diode, said first inductor and said first varactor diode being coupled with the output of said amplifier means to receive the amplified signals, said tank circuit means further comprising a second inductor coupled with a second varactor diode, said second inductor being inductively coupled with said first inductor;

downconverter means coupled with said second inductor and said second varactor diode to receive said tuned signals for downconverting said tuned signals to thereby produce downconverted signals within a predetermined frequency band below 900 MHz; and

output means for providing said downconverted signals at an output of said receiver means.

6. A receiver apparatus for receiving local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz, comprising:

a housing including an enclosure and a base for supporting said housing at rest on an object, the enclosure having an upwardly facing surface;

a quarter wave receiving antenna having a first antenna coupler at an extremity thereof;

receiver means for amplifying a signal having a frequency greater than 900 MHz and downconverting said signal to frequencies less than 900 MHz, said receiver means having a receiver input for receiving said signal;

said receiver means being supported within said enclosure;

a first antenna coupling means for releasably coupling with said first antenna coupler of said quarter wave receiving antenna and supporting said quarter wave receiving antenna vertically above the upwardly facing surface of said enclosure, said first antenna coupling means including a socket supported by said housing;

said first antenna coupling means including means for coupling said first antenna coupler with said receiver input;

a directional receiving antenna having a directional antenna coupler;

a supporting mast having a mounting member configured to fit within the socket of said first antenna coupler for supporting said supporting mast above the upwardly facing surface of said enclosure;

said supporting mast including means for rotationally supporting said directional receiving antenna thereon such that said directional receiving antenna may be rotated to face towards a source of said local wireless signal transmissions for optimizing the reception thereof; and

a second antenna coupling means for coupling with said directional antenna coupler;

said second antenna coupling means being supported by said housing and including means for coupling said directional antenna coupler with said receiver input.

7. The receiver apparatus of claim 6, wherein the mounting member of said supporting mast is configured to mount rotationally within the socket of said first antenna coupler such that said supporting mast and said directional receiving antenna are rotationally mounted on said housing;

8. The receiver apparatus of claim 7, wherein the mounting member comprises a projecting pin having an outer surface configured to fit closely within said socket such that the outer surface of said projecting pin produces frictional resistance to rotation thereof in said socket for maintaining a selected rotational attitude of said supporting mast with respect to said housing.

9. The receiver apparatus of claim 7, wherein said socket is positioned with respect to said housing to mount said supporting mast vertically such that a horizontal direction of said directional antenna may be selected by rotating said supporting mast in said socket.

10. The receiver apparatus of claim 9, wherein said means for rotationally supporting said directional receiving antenna on said supporting mast is operative to rotate said directional receiving antenna in a vertical plane and includes means for releasably fixing said directional receiving antenna in a selected rotational position in said vertical plane.

11. The receiver apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first antenna coupling means is mounted within said enclosure.

12. The receiver apparatus of claim 11, further comprising a circuit board mounted on said housing within said enclosure, said first antenna coupling means being mounted on said circuit board, at least a portion of said receiver means including said receiver input terminal being mounted on said circuit board.

13. The receiver apparatus of claim 6, wherein said first antenna coupler includes a first threaded connector and said first antenna coupling means includes a second threaded connector configured to mate with said first threaded connector to effect an electrical connection therewith.

14. The receiver apparatus of claim 13, wherein the socket of said first antenna coupling means is mounted within said enclosure and is disposed to receive the mounting member of said supporting mast vertically therein, said socket having a central axis, said second threaded connector being positioned on the central axis of said socket such that the first antenna coupler of said quarter wave receiving antenna is positioned within said socket for mating the first threaded connector with the second threaded connector, the second threaded connector being disposed to support said quarter wave receiving antenna vertically above the upwardly facing surface of the enclosure.

15. The receiver apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for coupling said first antenna coupler with said receiver input forms an electrical connection between said first antenna coupler and said receiver input.

16. The receiver apparatus of claim 6, wherein said means for coupling said directional antenna coupler with said receiver input forms an electrical connection between said directional antenna coupler and said receiver input.

17. A receiver apparatus for receiving local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz, comprising:

a housing;

first antenna means for receiving said local wireless signal transmissions;

first antenna coupling means supported by said housing for releasably coupling with said first antenna means and releasably supporting said first antenna means;

second antenna means for receiving said local wireless signal transmissions;

said second antenna means comprising directional antenna means and support means for supporting said directional antenna means in one of a plurality of selectable attitudes;

second antenna coupling means supported by said housing for releasably coupling with said second antenna means;

receiver means for amplifying said local wireless signal transmissions at frequencies above 900 MHz and downconverting said local wireless signal transmissions;

said receiver means having a receiver input for receiving said local wireless signal transmissions; and

means for coupling at least one of said first and second antenna coupling means with said receiver input.

18. The receiver apparatus of claim 17, wherein said housing includes an enclosure having an upwardly facing surface, and said first antenna coupling means is operative to support said first antenna means above the upwardly facing surface of said enclosure.

19. The receiver apparatus of claim 18, wherein said first antenna means comprises a quarter wave receiving antenna having first and second extremities and a first antenna coupler at the first extremity thereof and wherein said first antenna coupling means is operative to releasably couple with said first antenna coupler to thereby support said first antenna means above the upwardly facing surface of said enclosure.

20. The receiver of claim 17, wherein said housing includes an enclosure having an upwardly facing surface, said first antenna coupling means includes a socket supported by said housing and having an open socket extremity facing upwardly, and wherein said support means includes a supporting mast having a mounting member configured to fit within said socket such that said supporting mast extends upwardly therefrom above the upwardly facing surface of said enclosure to support said directional antenna means above said surface.

21. The receiver of claim 20, wherein said support means includes means for rotationally supporting said directional antenna means for positioning said directional antenna means in said one of a plurality of selectable attitudes.