Switchable antenna arrangement

• US 7,511,681 B2
• Filed: 03/02/2004
• Issued: 03/31/2009
• Est. Priority Date: 03/19/2003
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Original Assignee: Sony Ericsson Mobile Communications AB (Sony Group Corp.)
• Inventors: Bolin, Thomas
• Primary Examiner(s): Mancuso; Huedung
• Application Number:
  US10/549,054
• Publication Number:
  US 20070018895A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,855 Days
• Field of Search: 343/876, 343860-861, 343/702, 343/700.MS
• US Class Current: 343/876
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/241 used in mobile communications, e.g. GSM H01Q1/247, H01Q1/248 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/242 specially adapted for hand-held use
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 1/3291 mounted in or on other locations inside the vehicle or vehicle body
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/28 Combinations of substantially independent non-interacting antenna units or systems multiple beam H01Q25/00
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 21/30 Combinations of separate antenna units operating in different wavebands and connected to a common feeder system
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 3/24 varying the orientation by switching energy from one active radiating element to another, e.g. for beam switching
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

An antenna arrangement for a portable communication apparatus includes a main antenna connectable to an antenna input, a receive antenna connectable to an antenna output, an external antenna connector for receiving a terminal of an auxiliary antenna, an antenna detector arranged to detect the terminal when it is connected to the external antenna connector, a switch adapted to connect either the receive antenna or the external antenna connector to the antenna output, and a DC voltage network. The DC voltage network is connected to the switch and is arranged to automatically control the switch to connect the external antenna connector to the antenna output and disconnect the receive antenna from the antenna output, when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector.

Claims

1. An antenna arrangement for a portable communication apparatus, comprising:

a main antenna connectable to an antenna input;

a receive antenna connectable to an antenna output;

an external antenna connector for receiving a terminal of an auxiliary antenna;

an antenna detector arranged to detect the terminal when it is connected to said external antenna connector;

a common filter, having a first, a second, and a third port, for separating signals to the antenna output and from the antenna input;

a switch adapted to connect either said receive antenna or said first port to said antenna output, wherein the antenna input is operatively connected to said second port; and

a DC voltage network, which is connected to the switch and the antenna detector, and which is arranged to automatically control the switch to connect the external antenna connector to the antenna output and disconnect the receive antenna from the antenna output, when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector, wherein the main antenna is automatically disconnected from the antenna input by a connector switch when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector;

wherein said third port is connectable to either the main antenna or the external antenna connector, such that the antenna input is electrically or operatively connectable to the external antenna connector or the main antenna.

2. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the receive antenna is optimized for only receiving signals in a first frequency band, and wherein the main antenna is optimized for only transmitting in a second frequency band.

3. The antenna arrangement according to claim 2, wherein both the first frequency band and the second frequency band belong to a first telecommunication system.

4. The antenna arrangement according to claim 2, wherein the main antenna is further optimized for reception and transmission in a second and/or a third telecommunication system.

5. The antenna arrangement according to claim 3, wherein the receive antenna is a WCDMA receive only antenna.

6. The antenna arrangement according to claim 4, wherein the main antenna is optimized for transmission in a WCDMA frequency band, and reception and transmission in a GSM and/or a DCS frequency band.

7. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the external antenna connector is provided in a signal path between the main antenna and the antenna output.

8. The antenna according to claim 1, wherein the switch provided in a signal path between the external antenna connector and the antenna output and in a signal path between the receive antenna and the antenna output.

9. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the antenna detector and the switch are operatively connected, and the antenna detector is adapted to operate a connector switch provided in the external antenna connector, said connector switch together with the DC voltage network forming a control means, which is adapted to automatically control the switch.

10. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, wherein the external antenna connector is connected to the DC voltage network, which is arranged to set the switch to a first mode when the antenna detector is in a first position, wherein a connector switch of the external antenna connector in a first position is operatively engaging the main antenna and disengaging the external antenna connector, and to set the switch to a second mode when the antenna detector is in a second position, wherein the antenna detector operates the connector switch to a second position for disengaging the main antenna and engaging the antenna connector.

11. The antenna arrangement according to claim 9, wherein the antenna detector is a resilient pin arranged in a cavity of the external antenna connector, the pin is in a first position when the terminal is received in the external antenna connector, and arranged to be forced to a second position by the terminal when received in the external antenna connector.

12. The antenna arrangement according to claim 1, further comprising a first antenna switch and a second antenna switch to switch between different operation modes of the antenna arrangement, the first antenna switch is connected to a diplex filter and a combine filter, and is arranged to pass signals to the antenna output and from the antenna input, or either of a second antenna output and a second antenna input;

the second antenna switch is connected to the combine filter and arranged to pass signals from the main antenna or the external antenna connector to a third antenna output or from a third antenna input;

the first antenna switch is adapted to provide switching between a wideband antenna mode and receive or transmit states of a second operation mode, and the second antenna switch is adapted to provide switching between receive or transmit states of a third operation mode.

13. A mobile radio terminal comprising an antenna arrangement, the antenna arrangement including:

a main antenna connectable to an antenna input;

a receive antenna connectable to an antenna output;

an external antenna connector for receiving a terminal of an auxiliary antenna;

an antenna detector arranged to detect the terminal when it is connected to said external antenna connector;

a common filter, having a first, a second, and a third port, for separating signals to the antenna output and from the antenna input;

a switch adapted to connect either said receive antenna or said first port to said antenna output, wherein the antenna input is operatively connected to said second port; and

a DC voltage network, which is connected to the switch and the antenna detector, and which is arranged to automatically control the switch to connect the external antenna connector to the antenna output and disconnect the receive antenna from the antenna output, when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector, wherein the main antenna is automatically disconnected from the antenna input by a connector switch when the terminal is connected to the external antenna connector;

wherein said third port is connectable to either the main antenna or the external antenna connector, such that the antenna input is electrically or operatively connectable to the external antenna connector or the main antenna.

14. The mobile radio terminal according to claim 13, wherein the mobile radio terminal is a mobile telephone.