Diversity apparatus and method for a mobile communication terminal

• US 7,149,489 B2
• Filed: 10/15/2002
• Issued: 12/12/2006
• Est. Priority Date: 12/27/2001
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Hong, Ic-Pyo
• Primary Examiner(s): Tran, CongVan
• Application Number:
  US10/270,957
• Publication Number:
  US 20030125078A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,519 Days
• Field of Search: 455/269, 455/270, 455/272, 455/277.1, 455/277.2, 455/132, 455/133, 455/134, 455/135, 455/343.5, 455/522, 455/127.1, 455/129, 455/101, 455/344, 455/102, 455/103, 455/556.1, 455/456, 375/347, 375/348, 342/357.1, 343/700.R
• US Class Current: 455/269
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/406 with more than one transmission mode, e.g. analog and digital modes
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0808 comparing all antennas before reception
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/10 Polarisation diversity; Directional diversity

Abstract

A diversity apparatus for a mobile communication terminal with a GPS function. The diversity apparatus comprises: a first multiband antenna with a first reception polarization characteristic, for receiving a combined RF signal of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal; a second multiband antenna with a second reception polarization characteristic distinguished from the first reception polarization characteristic, for receiving a combined RF signal of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal; and a switching diversity unit for selecting one of the RF signals received by the first and second multiband antennas.

Claims

1. A diversity apparatus for a mobile communication terminal with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, comprising:

at least two multiband antennas each receiving a combined RF (Radio Frequency) signal of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal;

a switching diversity unit for selecting one of the RF signals received by the multiband antennas; and

an RF receiver for processing the selected RF signal from the switching diversity unit.

2. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the switching diversity unit comprises:

at least two power detectors for detecting signal strengths of the RE signals received by the associated multiband antennas;

a comparator for comparing the signal strengths detected by the power detectors, and generating a control signal for selecting the strongest RF signal among the received RF signals according to the comparison results; and

a switch for selecting one of the received RF signals in response to the control signal generated by the comparator;

wherein

the RF receiver processes the selected RF signal.

3. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein a first multiband antenna has a first reception polarization characteristic, and a second multiband antenna has a second reception polarization characteristic distinguished from the first reception polarization characteristic.

4. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first reception polarization characteristic is a linear polarization, and the second reception polarization characteristic is a circular polarization.

5. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the multiband antennas are positioned at intervals of a given distance so as to obtain a space diversity effect.

6. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RF receiver divides the selected RF signal into the GPS signal and the mobile communication signal, and processes the divided GPS signal and the divided mobile communication signal separately.

7. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 3, wherein the first reception polarization characteristic is a linear polarization, and the second reception characteristic is an elliptical polization.

8. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 2, wherein the RF receiver can obtain three distinguishable polarization waves.

9. A diversity apparatus for a mobile communication terminal with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, comprising:

a first multiband antenna with a first reception polarization characteristic, for receiving a combined RF signal of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal;

at least one second multiband antenna with a second reception polarization characteristic distinguished from the first reception polarization characteristic, for receiving a combined RF signal of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal;

a switching diversity unit for selecting one of the RF signals received by the first and second multiband antennas; and

a receiver and a baseband processor for processing the selected RF signal output from the switching diversity unit in an RF band.

10. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first reception polarization characteristic is a linear polarization, and the second reception polarization characteristic is a circular polarization.

11. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the switching diversity unit comprises:

a first power detector for detecting a signal strength of the RF signal received by the first multiband antenna;

a second power detector for detecting a signal strength of the RF signal received by the second multiband antenna;

a comparator for comparing the signal strengths detected by the first and second power detectors, and generating a control signal for selecting a strongest RF signal among the received RF signals according to the comparison results; and

a switch for selecting one of the received RF signals in response to the control signal generated by the comparator;

wherein

the RF receiver process the selected RF signal.

12. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first and second multiband antennas are positioned at intervals of a given distance so as to obtain a space diversity effect.

13. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 11, wherein the RF receiver divides the selected RF signal into the GPS signal and the mobile communication signal and processes the divided GPS signal and the divided mobile communication signal separately.

14. The diversity apparatus as claimed in claim 9, wherein the first reception polarization characteristic is a linear polarization, and the second reception characteristic is an elliptical polarization.

15. A diversity method for use in a mobile communication terminal with a GPS (Global Positioning System) function, comprising the steps of:

receiving at least two RF signals in the combined form of a GPS signal and a mobile communication signal through at least two multiband antennas;

detecting signal strengths of the received RF signals;

comparing the detected signal strengths, and selecting a strongest RF signal among the received RF signals according to the comparison results; and

processing the selected RF signal output from a switching diversity unit in an RF band.

16. The diversity method as claimed in claim 15, wherein the selected RF signal is divided into the GPS signal and the mobile communication signal, and the divided GPS signal and the divided mobile communication signal are separately processed.