Satellite communications adapter for cellular handset

• US 6,529,707 B1
• Filed: 01/04/2000
• Issued: 03/04/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dent, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US09/477,360
• Time in Patent Office: 1,155 Days
• Field of Search: 455/553, 455/427, 455/13.1, 342/359, 244/158.R
• US Class Current: 455/13.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• 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 dual mode telephone is used with a satellite communication adapter. A cellular-type handportable phone is equipped with a connector for the attachment of accessories. This connector provides a satellite communications adapter accessory access to the handset'"'"'s signal processing resources which may operate in an alterative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing. The processing translates the satellite signals into voice or data, and vice-versa.

Claims

1. A satellite communications adapter means comprising:

directional antenna means;

transmit/receive connection means for connecting said antenna to receiving circuits and transmitting circuits;

receive downconverting means for receiving satellite signals via said transmit/receive connection means and for converting said signals into a form for connection to a handset using a flexible cable, and for remote processing of said downconverted received satellite signals; and

transmit modulation and amplifying means for receiving modulating signals, from said handset using said flexible cable, which have been remotely processed into satellite signals and for amplifying said signals for transmission using said directional antenna to said satellite, wherein said signal form suitable for connection to said handset comprises signals related to the amplitude of received satellite signals and signals containing information on the phase of said received satellite signals.

2. A satellite communications adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said handset is a cellular telephone handset further adapted to connect to said flexible cable.

3. A satellite communications adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said transmit/receive connection means is a frequency duplexing filter.

4. A satellite communications adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said transmit/receive connection means is a transmit-receive switch operated by a time-duplex timing control circuit.

5. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said amplitude and phase related signals are digital signals produced by amplitude and phase analog-to-digital converters.

6. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said amplitude related signals are receiver AGC signals.

7. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said phase related signals are receiver intermediate frequency signals.

8. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset connected to said adapter using said flexible cable include I,Q modulating signals.

9. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset connected to said adapter using said flexible cable include frequency changing signals.

10. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signal form suitable for connection to said handset is a serial digital bit stream.

11. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset connected to said adapter using said flexible cable constitute a serial digital bit stream.

12. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset are connected to said adapter using said flexible cable and said signal forms suitable for connection to said handset are digital bit streams transmitted to and from said handset in alternate bursts using time duplex along a single wire or a wire pair.

13. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset connected to said adapter using said flexible cable and said signal form suitable for connection to said handset are digital bit streams transmitted to and from said handset in alternate bursts using time duplex along a single wireline pair.

14. A satellite communication adapter means according to claim 1, wherein said signals from said handset connected to said adapter using said flexible cable and said signal form suitable for connection to said handset are digital bit streams transmitted to and from said handset in alternate bursts using time duplex along an optical fiber.

15. A satellite communications device according to claim 1, further comprising:

cellular converter circuits for generating a radio call signal for a cellular phone upon receipt of a call via either the satellite network or the public switched telephone network.