Device, method, and system for extended frequency band communication

• US 8,135,358 B1
• Filed: 02/27/2009
• Issued: 03/13/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 02/27/2008
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Thales Communications SA (Government of France)
• Original Assignee: Thales Communications SA (Government of France)
• Inventors: Hesse, Robert T., Stern, Benjamin, Parker, Glen, Herbets, Mitchell H.
• Primary Examiner(s): TRAN, ANH Q
• Application Number:
  US12/395,146
• Time in Patent Office: 1,110 Days
• Field of Search: None
• US Class Current: 455/90.3
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/0096 where a full band is frequency converted into another full band
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters

Abstract

A communication device may include a manpack, and a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.

Claims

1. A communication device, comprising:

a manpack configured to provide communications capability; and

a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.

2. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the radio is a hand-held portable radio.

3. The communication device of claim 1, wherein the radio is configured to provide communications capability in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band and the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band.

4. The communication device of claim 3, wherein the manpack is configured to provide communications capability in the High Frequency (HF) band.

5. The communication device of claim 4, wherein, when the device is in a receive mode and a received signal is in the VHF/UHF band, the manpack is configured to route the received signal directly to the radio.

6. The communication device of claim 4, wherein, when the device is in a receive mode and a received signal is in the HF band, the manpack is configured to convert the received signal and to route the converted signal to the radio.

7. The communication device of claim 6, wherein the manpack mixes down the received signal to an intermediate frequency of 86.85 MHz prior to routing the signal to the radio.

8. The communication device of claim 4, wherein, when the device is set to transmit in the VHF/UHF band, the manpack is configured to receive a signal in the VHF/UHF band from the radio, and to amplify the signal via a VHF/UHF amplifier for transmission over an antenna.

9. The communication device of claim 4, wherein, when the device is set to transmit in the HF band, the manpack is configured to receive a signal in the VHF/UHF band from the radio, to convert the signal to be transmitted within the HF band, and to amplify the signal via an HF amplifier for transmission over an antenna.

10. A communication device, comprising:

a manpack; and

a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack;

a

wherein the manpack comprises a main battery, and the radio comprises a secondary battery,

wherein the main battery is configured to power the manpack and to recharge the secondary battery, and

wherein the secondary battery is configured to power the manpack and the radio when the main battery is depleted or is disconnected from the manpack.

11. A communication device, comprising:

a manpack; and

a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack;

wherein the manpack comprises a battery door configured to secure a main battery within the manpack, the battery door being further configured to open in a flip-up manner, and, when closed, to maintain a generally constant force around a gasket of the manpack.

12. A communication device, comprising:

a manpack; and

a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack;

wherein the manpack comprises a battery door having a mechanism configured to secure a main battery within a chassis of the manpack and to secure a control unit within the battery door.

13. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the battery door mechanism in a first position is configured to release the control unit while securing the main battery.

14. The communication device of claim 13, wherein the battery door mechanism in a second position is configured to unlock the control unit and unlock the main battery.

15. The communication device of claim 14, wherein the mechanism comprises a handle having a plurality of curved surfaces configured to engage bushings mounted on the chassis of the manpack.

21. The communication device of claim 12, wherein the manpack further comprises a plurality of antenna connectors located on a front side of the manpack, and wherein the battery door is located on the front side of the manpack.

22. The communication device of claim 21, wherein the manpack further comprises a cavity configured to house the radio, the cavity having an opening located on the front side of the manpack.

23. The communication device of claim 22, wherein the control unit comprises a user interface for operating the communication device, the user interface being accessible from the front side of the manpack.

16. A method, comprising:

receiving a signal via a manpack configured to provide communications capability;

routing the signal from the manpack to a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.

17. The method of claim 16, wherein the manpack is configured to provide communications capability in the High Frequency (HF) band.

18. The method of claim 16, wherein the radio is configured to provide communications capability in the Very High Frequency (VHF) band and the Ultra High Frequency (UHF) band, and wherein the method further comprises:

receiving a signal in the VHF/UHF band via the manpack; and

routing the received signal directly to the radio.

19. The method of claim 17, further comprising:

receiving a signal in the HF band via the manpack;

converting the received signal; and

routing the converted signal to the radio.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising:

mixing down the received signal to an intermediate frequency of 86.85 MHz prior to routing the signal to the radio.

24. An apparatus, comprising:

means for receiving a signal via a manpack configured to provide communications capability; and

means for routing the signal from the manpack to a radio removably attached to the manpack, the radio serving as a communications element of the manpack.

25. The apparatus of claim 24, wherein the manpack is configured to provide communications capability in the High Frequency (HF) band.