Four frequency band single GSM antenna

• US 8,280,466 B2
• Filed: 12/10/2004
• Issued: 10/02/2012
• Est. Priority Date: 03/17/2004
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Original Assignee: TeleCommunication Systems Inc (Comtech Telecommunications Corporation)
• Inventors: Best, Fiona S., McClintock, Dorothy A., Lee, William Jeremy, Hartwell, Wesley R., Reed, Eric
• Primary Examiner(s): Eng, George
• Assistant Examiner(s): MEHRA, INDER P
• Application Number:
  US11/008,616
• Publication Number:
  US 20050208986A1
• Time in Patent Office: 2,853 Days
• Field of Search: 455/269, 455/426.1, 455/448, 455/454, 455/550.1, 455/552.1, 455/553.1, 343/700, 343/702, 343/712, 343/713, 343/715, 343/767
• US Class Current: 455/575.7
• CPC Class Codes: H01Q 9/30 with feed to end of elongated active element, e.g. unipole H01Q9/44 takes precedence

Abstract

A reach back secure communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity includes a GSM fixed cellular terminal, and a single whip antenna adapted for user selectable use at any of four distinct frequency bands, e.g., 850, 900, 1800, or 1900. Immediate and secure voice, data and video connectivity is provided to multiple telecommunications networks. Integrated components simplify access to varied networks allowing deployed users to select and connect quickly to a network that best supports their present mission. Networking options include any of PSTN, PBX, GSM (or CDMA or other cell telephone standard), SAT, IP and WiFi. During secure call setup, the reach-back communications terminal exchanges public keys with a remote terminal using FNBDT signaling. Traffic encryption is performed using the NIST approved Advanced Encryption System (AES) standard (Rijndael) and a 128-bit random key (2^128 possible keys).

Claims

1. A communications terminal capable of Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) network connectivity, comprising:

an unsecured GSM data port to physically connect a distinct computing device to a communications terminal; and

a cellular terminal to communicate with a GSM network;

wherein said communications terminal allows said computing device unencrypted access, via a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna external to a housing of said communications terminal, to at least one of four distinct GSM frequency bands over circuit-switched digital networks selectable by said cellular terminal, said four distinct GSM frequency bands being 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz, and encrypted access, via said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna, to at least one of said four distinct GSM frequency bands.

2. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is tuned for use at any of said at least four different GSM frequencies, including said 850 MHz at approximately 2.2 dBi, said 900 MHz at approximately 2.2 dBi, said 1800 MHz at approximately 3 dBi, and said 1900 MHz at approximately 3 dBi.

3. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operable at said 850 MHz at approximately 2.2 dBi.

4. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operable at said 900 MHz at approximately 2.2 dBi.

5. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operable at said 1800 MHz at approximately 3 dBi.

6. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operable at said 1900 MHz at approximately 3 dBi.

7. The communications terminal capable of GSM network connectivity according to claim 1, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is mountable to said communications terminal at a fixed angle of approximately 90 degrees; and

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is rotatable about said fixed angle to allow movement of said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna such that communications with a GSM network using said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna may be optimized.

8. A method of optimizing use of a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna, comprising:

providing an unsecured GSM data port to physically connect a distinct computing device to a communications terminal;

providing a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna, external to a housing of said communications terminal, for use in a 850 MHz Global System for Mobile communications (GSM) frequency band;

providing said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna for use in a 900 MHz GSM frequency band;

providing said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna for use in a 1800 MHz GSM frequency band; and

providing said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna for use in a 1900 MHz GSM frequency band;

wherein said communications terminal allows said distinct computing device unencrypted access, via said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna external to said housing of said communications terminal, to at least one of four distinct GSM frequency bands over circuit-switched digital networks selectable by a cellular terminal, said four distinct GSM frequency bands being said 850 MHz, 900 MHz, 1800 MHz, and 1900 MHz GSM frequency bands, and encrypted access, via said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna, to at least one of said four distinct GSM frequency bands.

9. The method of optimizing use of a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna according to claim 8, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operated in said 850 MHz frequency band at approximately 2.2 dBi.

10. The method of optimizing use of a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna according to claim 8, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operated in said 900 MHz frequency band at approximately 2.2 dBi.

11. The method of optimizing use of a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna according to claim 8, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operated in said 1800 MHz frequency band at approximately 3 dBi.

12. The method of optimizing use of a single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna according to claim 8, wherein:

said single external flexible rod shaped whip antenna is operated in said 1900 MHz frequency band at approximately 3 dBi.