System and process for supporting multiple wireless standards with a single circuit architecture

• US 6,690,949 B1
• Filed: 09/30/1999
• Issued: 02/10/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/30/1999
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Alpha Industries Incorporated (Skyworks Solutions Incorporated)
• Original Assignee: Skyworks Solutions Incorporated
• Inventors: Clark, Ricke Waylan, Underbrink, Paul A., Shamlou, Danny, Yin, Guangming
• Primary Examiner(s): Chin, Vivian
• Assistant Examiner(s): Craver, Charles
• Application Number:
  US09/410,136
• Time in Patent Office: 1,594 Days
• Field of Search: 455/558, 455/575--57, 455/90.3, 455/550.1, 455/414, 455/552.1, 455/572, 455/280, 455/343, 455/344, 455/347, 455/348, 455/349, 455/557, 455/334, 455/315, 341/143, 710/69, 710/62, 710/64, 710/301, 710/302, 710/314
• US Class Current: 455/557
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes

Abstract

A communication system for the wireless transmission of information through a single antenna is disclosed. The communication system comprises a handset and one or more modules capable of being coupled to the handset. The handset processes baseband information signals being received and transmitted, and transmits and receives radio frequency (RF) information signals through its antenna. Each module is removably couplable to the handset for converting baseband information signals into RF information signals for transmission, and for converting received RF information signals into baseband information signals. Each removably couplable module is optimized to enable wireless communication in accordance with at least one communication standard when coupled to the handset. By coupling the appropriate module with the handset, wireless communication in a number of geographic locations may be achieved.

Claims

1. A communication system for communicating at least one transmit first information signal and at least one receive first information signal through a common antenna, the communication system comprising:

a handset for processing receive baseband information signals and generating transmit baseband information signals;

a first number of modules, each module removably couplable to the handset for converting the transmit baseband information signals into the at least one transmit first information signal, and for converting the at least one receive first information signal into receive baseband information signals;

wherein each removably couplable module enables communication in accordance with at least one communication standard when coupled to the handset;

wherein the handset comprises a modulator for modulating the transmit baseband information signals with a transmit IF LO to generate a second transmit IF information signal, and a demodulator for demodulating a second receive IF information signal with a receive IF LO to generate the receive baseband information signals; and

wherein at least one module comprises a transmitter for upconverting the second transmit IF information signal to generate the at least one transmit first information signal, and a receiver for downconverting the at least one receive first information signal to generate the second receive IF information signal.

2. A communication system as recited in claim 1:

the handset further including an IF LO frequency generator for generating the transmit IF LO and the receive IF LO.

3. A communication system for communicating at least one transmit first information signal and at least one receive first information signal through a common antenna, the communication system comprising:

a handset for processing receive baseband information signals and generating transmit baseband information signals;

a first number of modules, each module removably couplable to the handset for converting the transmit baseband information signals into the at least one transmit first information signal, and for converting the at least one receive first information signal into receive baseband information signals;

wherein each removably couplable module enables communication in accordance with at least one communication standard when coupled to the handset; and

wherein

the handset comprises a transmit IF variable gain amplifier, transmit IF filter, and a modulator, coupled for amplifying, filtering, and modulating the transmit baseband information signals with a transmit IF LO to generate a first transmit IF information signal, and a receive IF filter, receive IF variable gain amplifier, and demodulator coupled for filtering, amplifying, and demodulating a first receive IF information signal with a receive IF LO to generate the receive baseband information signals; and

wherein at least one module comprises a transmit upconverter mixer for upconverting the first transmit IF information signal to generate the at least one transmit first information signal, and a receive downconverter mixer for downconverting the at least one receive first information signal to generate the first receive IF information signal.

4. A process for communicating at least one transmit first information signal and at least one receive first information signal through a common antenna utilizing a common handset and any one of a first number of removably couplable modules, the process comprising:

locating within the common handset a baseband processor for processing receive baseband information signals and generating transmit baseband information signals within the handset;

locating within the handset a modulator for modulating the transmit baseband information signals with a transmit IF LO to generate a second transmit IF information signal, and a demodulator for demodulating a second receive IF information signal with a receive IF LO to generate the receive baseband information signals;

optimizing in accordance with at least one communication standard a modulator, transmitter, receiver, and demodulator co-located within each module for converting the transmit baseband information signals into the at least one transmit first information signal, and for converting the at least one receive first information signal into receive baseband information signals; and

removably coupling any one of the first number of modules optimized for operating within at least one locally available wireless network to the handset to enable communication with the wireless network; and

wherein at least one module comprises a transmitter for upconverting the second transmit IF information signal to generate the at least one transmit first information signal, and at least one module comprises a receiver for downconverting the at least one receive first information signal to generate the second receive IF information signal.

5. A process as recited in claim 4, further including the steps of:

reading an identifier within the coupled module which identifies the at least one communication standard associated with that module;

accessing instructions stored within the handset for performing baseband processing in accordance with the identified at least one communication standard; and

performing baseband processing according to the instructions.

6. A process as recited in claim 4, further including the steps of:

transferring instructions stored in the coupled module into the handset, the instructions for processing data in accordance with the at least one communication standard associated with that coupled module; and

performing baseband processing according to the instructions.

7. A process as recited in claim 4 further including the steps of:

accessing instructions stored in the coupled module for processing data in accordance with the at least one communication standard associated with the module; and

performing baseband processing according to the instructions.

8. A process as recited in claim 4, further including the steps of:

transferring instructions from an outside source into the handset, the instructions for processing data in accordance with the at least one communication standard associated with the coupled module; and

performing baseband processing according to the instructions.