Radio communication device capable of communication in a plurality of communication systems

• US 5,640,686 A
• Filed: 05/12/1995
• Issued: 06/17/1997
• Est. Priority Date: 05/13/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Lenovo Innovations Ltd Hong Kong (Lenovo Group Ltd.)
• Original Assignee: NEC Corporation
• Inventors: Norimatsu, Hidehiko
• Primary Examiner(s): Eisenzopf, Reinhard J.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Nguyen, Lee
• Application Number:
  US08/440,215
• Time in Patent Office: 767 Days
• Field of Search: 455/74, 455/89, 455/33.1, 455/54.1, 455/115, 455/90, 455/93, 379/58, 379/59
• US Class Current: 455/74
• 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 1/0057 using diplexing or multiplexing filters for selecting the desired band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A radio communication device which is capable of effecting communications in different communication systems and is highly advantageous economically has a main communication unit capable of effecting communications in a first digital cellular communication system (GSM), and an additional unit to be attached to said main communication unit for effecting communications in a second digital cellular communication system (PCN) which differs from said first digital cellular communication system. The main communication unit includes variable-bandwidth filters compatible with both GSM and PCN. The additional unit comprises a power amplifier, and the main communication unit has a power amplifier. Switching can be made between these power amplifiers to make the radio transmission device compatible with both GSM and PCN. The radio communication device has many components shared by GSM and PCN and hence is highly economical.

Claims

1. A radio communication device comprising:

a main communication unit capable of effecting communications in a first digital cellular communication system; and

an additional unit attachable to said main communication unit for effecting communications in a second digital cellular communication system which differs from said first digital cellular communication system;

said main communication unit including a first component having a function which is the same as a function of said additional unit, and other components compatible with both said first digital cellular communication system and said second digital cellular communication system;

the arrangement being such that switching is made from said first component to said additional unit when said additional unit is attached to said main communication unit, and thereby said radio communication device is capable of switching communication to said second digital cellular communication system;

said main communication unit including;

a transmission system including a power amplifier as said first component compatible with said first digital cellular communication system;

a variable-bandwidth filter having a bandwidth variable depending on said first digital cellular communication system and said second digital cellular communication system; and

a central processing unit having a protocol which can be changed depending on said first digital cellular communication system and said second digital cellular communication system; and

said additional unit including;

a power amplifier compatible with said second digital cellular communication system;

the arrangement being such that switching can be made between said power amplifier in said transmission system and said power amplifier of said additional unit.

2. A radio communication device according to claim 1, wherein said main communication unit comprises:

a detector for detecting when said additional unit is attached to said main communication unit;

the arrangement being such that when a detected is outputted from said detector, said central processing unit varies the bandwidth of said variable-bandwidth filter and changes the protocol of the central processing unit, and effects switching between said power amplifier in said transmission system and said power amplifier of said additional unit.

3. A radio communication device according to claim 1, wherein said bandwidth of said filter is variable depending on GSM and PCN, said protocol of said central processing unit can be changed depending on GSM and PCN, said power amplifier in said transmission system is compatible with GSM, and said power amplifier of said additional unit is compatible with PCN.

4. A radio communication device according to claim 2, wherein said bandwidth of said filter is variable depending on GSM and PCN, said protocol of said central processing unit can be changed depending on GSM and PCN, aid power amplifier in said transmission system is compatible with GSM, and said power amplifier of said additional unit is compatible with PCN.