Method and apparatus for automatically identifying a function module in a modular transceiver system

• US 6,584,303 B1
• Filed: 02/17/2000
• Issued: 06/24/2003
• Est. Priority Date: 08/20/1997
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Nokia Solutions and Networks US LLC (Nokia Corporation)
• Original Assignee: Nokia Corporation
• Inventors: Land, Timothy, Kingswood, Andrew Christopher
• Primary Examiner(s): Urban, Edward F.
• Assistant Examiner(s): Gesesse, Tilahun
• Application Number:
  US09/506,538
• Time in Patent Office: 1,223 Days
• Field of Search: 455/90, 455/575, 455/571, 455/572, 455/573, 455/574, 455/550, 455/556, 455/557, 455/73, 455/78, 455/88, 455/561, 455/349
• US Class Current: 455/73
• CPC Class Codes: H03G 3/3047 for intermittent signals, e.g. burst signals
• 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 1/401 for selecting or indicating operating mode
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 52/52 using AGC [Automatic Gain Control] circuits or amplifiers
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/08 Access point devices

Abstract

A functional module is provided for connection in a modular transceiver system in a radio communication network. The functional module has an input for receiving input signals at an RF frequency, an RF signal processor for receiving and processing the input signals, an ID generating circuit for generating an ID signal which characterises the functional module, and an ID port for transmitting the ID signal to an interrogation circuit. A self-configuring transceiver module for receiving and acting on the ID signal is also provided.

Claims

1. A self configuring transceiver module, for use in a modular transceiver system of a radio communication network operating at an RF frequency within an RF frequency range, the transceiver module comprising:

an RF unit for generating and receiving RF signals in the RF frequency range;

an ID port for receiving an identification signal from a connected functional module, said identification signal characterising said functional module;

detection circuitry for identifying the nature of the functional module from the identification signal and for configuring the transceiver system in response thereto; and

an interrogation circuit for generating an interrogation signal and an output for transmitting the interrogation signal to the connection functional module, said interrogation signal being generated at a frequency which is less than {fraction (1/10)} of the RF frequency signal.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein the interrogation signal and the identification signal are conveyed by a common interconnect.

3. A system according to claim 2, wherein the common interconnect is coaxial cable.

4. A system according to claim 2, wherein the RF signals are also conveyed by the common interconnect.

5. A system according to claim 1, which comprises a power source for generating the interrogation signal.

6. In combination, a self-configuring transceiver system according to claim 1 and a functional module connected thereto which is a power amplification module.

7. In combination, a self-configuring transceiver system according to claim 1 and a functional module connected thereto, wherein the functional module is a filter module.

8. In combination a functional module connected to a self configuring transceiver module, for use in a radio communication network operating at an RF frequency within a RF frequency range, said functional module comprising:

an input for receiving input signals at the RF frequency;

an RF signal processor connected to said input for receiving and processing said input signals;

an ID generating circuit for generating an identification signal characterising the functional module;

an ID port for transmitting the identification signal to an interrogation circuit in the transceiver module, and

said self configuring transceiver module comprising;

an RF unit for generating and receiving RF signals in the RF frequency range;

an ID port for receiving the identification signal from the connected functional module, said identification signal characterising said functional module;

detection circuitry for identifying the nature of the functional module from the identification signal and for configuring the transceiver module in response thereto; and

an interrogation circuit for generating an interrogation signal and an output for transmitting the interrogation signal to the connected functional module, said interrogation signal being generated at a frequency which is less than {fraction (1/10)} of the RF frequency signal.

9. A combination according to claim 8, wherein said functional module comprises a power source for generating the identification signal.

10. A method for automatically identifying a functional module in a modular transceiver system, said system operating within an RF frequency range, the method comprising the steps of:

supplying to the functional module checking signal at a checking frequency outside said RF frequency range, said checking frequency being less than {fraction (1/10)} of an operating RF frequency within the RF frequency range;

measuring the response of said functional module at said checking frequency, said response being characteristic of the nature of the functional module; and

identifying the nature of the functional module on the basis of the response, and configuring the transceiver system accordingly.