Dual use of FFT circuity in imagers and transceivers

• US 6,895,219 B2
• Filed: 08/27/2001
• Issued: 05/17/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 08/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Zebra Technologies Corporation
• Original Assignee: Symbol Technologies, Inc. (Zebra Technologies Corporation)
• Inventors: Bridgelall, Raj
• Primary Examiner(s): Smith, Creighton H
• Application Number:
  US09/939,861
• Publication Number:
  US 20030040275A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,359 Days
• Field of Search: 455/41, 455/414.1
• US Class Current: 455/41.2
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/40 Circuits

Abstract

An auto ID reader and one or two radio frequency transceivers are supported on a common support having a predetermined form factor, such as that of a scan engine module commonly utilized in hand-held bar code symbol scanners. Common digital processing circuitry is used for processing the signal from the auto ID sensor and an RF transceiver baseband signal, making a highly integrated and compact arrangement. A single Fast Fourier Transform circuit is utilized for each transceiver.

Claims

1. A radio frequency (RF) communications module, comprising:

a) a support having a predetermined form factor;

b) a first RF transceiver supported by the support, and operative for transmitting data according to a first communications standard;

c) a second RF transceiver supported by the support, and operative for transmitting the data according to a second communications standard different from the first standard; and

d) a common baseband processor coupled to the first and second RF transceivers for processing a baseband signal in each RF transceiver.

2. The module of claim 1, wherein the form factor occupies a space of approximately 1-½

inch×

1 inch×

¾

inch.

3. The module of claim 1, wherein the first RF transceiver includes a first antenna and a second antenna.

4. The module of claim 1, further comprising a reader supported by the support, and operative for sensing encoded data on a carrier positioned near the reader and for reading the encoded data.

5. The module of claim 4, wherein the support includes a printed circuit board on which electrical circuit components for the RF transceivers and the reader are mounted.

6. The module of claim 4, wherein the RF transceivers and the reader are supported within the predetermined form factor.

7. The module of claim 4, wherein the RF transceivers and the reader generate respective digital signals, and wherein the processor receives and processes each of the digital signals using a single fast Fourier transform circuit.

8. The module of claim 1, wherein the first standard is an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) communications standard, and wherein the second standard is a wideband code-division, multiple-access (WCDMA) communications standard.

9. The module of claim 4, wherein the reader is an imager for imaging a two-dimensional image on the carrier over a field of view.

10. A mobile computer collection terminal, comprising:

a) a handheld housing;

b) a support supported by the housing and having a predetermined form factor; and

c) a first and a second radio frequency (RF) transceiver supported by the support, and operative for respectively communicating with a first and a second RF base station respectively associated with a first and a second computer network for transferring data between the terminal and the networks.

11. The terminal of claim 10, further comprising a reader supported by the support, and operative for sensing encoded data on a carrier and for reading the encoded data.

12. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the form factor occupies a space of approximately 1-½

″

×

1″

×

¾

″

.

13. The terminal of claim 11, wherein the support includes a printed circuit board on which electrical circuit components for the RF transceivers and the reader are mounted.

14. The terminal of claim 10, wherein each RF transceiver includes a first antenna and a second antenna.

15. The terminal of claim 10, wherein the RF transceivers respectively transmit the data using different communications standards.

16. The terminal of claim 15, wherein one of the standards is orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM), and wherein another of the standards is wideband code-division, multiple-access (WCDMA).