Modular radio frequency hub and interchangeable modules

• US 9,853,669 B2
• Filed: 07/10/2013
• Issued: 12/26/2017
• Est. Priority Date: 07/13/2012
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Rajant Corporation
• Original Assignee: Rajant Corporation
• Inventors: Croyle, James
• Primary Examiner(s): Pan, Yuwen
• Assistant Examiner(s): Tran, Paul P
• Application Number:
  US13/939,091
• Publication Number:
  US 20140080527A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,630 Days
• Field of Search: 455 631, 455 633, 455 69, 455437, 455446, 455447, 455504, 455515, 4555621, 370248, 370249, 370254, 370310, 370311, 370328, 370329, 370331, 370336, 370338, 37039531, 370503, 709223, 709224
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/38 Transceivers, i.e. devices in which transmitter and receiver form a structural unit and in which at least one part is used for functions of transmitting and receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3827 Portable transceivers

Abstract

The present invention provides for a modular radio frequency communications assembly including a radio frequency hub and one or more radio frequency modules. Each radio frequency module includes a power and data interface for receiving power from and exchanging data with a modular radio frequency hub and a processor and memory for providing at least one of change a communications frequency, increase communications bandwidth, or add security using the one or more antennas and the power and data interface. The radio frequency hub includes two or more communications interfaces for connecting to two or more radio frequency modules, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration; A shared data and power interface for sharing data and power among the two or more radio frequency modules. A bus distributes data and power among the two or more radio frequency modules. One or more antenna interfaces are located on the RF hub or the RF modules for connecting radio frequency antennas.

Claims

1. A modular radio frequency (RF) hub for transmitting information using a wireless communication standard, the RF hub comprising:

two or more communications interfaces for detachably and interchangeably connecting to a first RF module and a second RF module, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration;

a shared data and power interface for receiving data and power; and

a bus for distributing the data and power to the two or more communications interfaces, wherein;

the first RF module transmits information over a first radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard,

the second RF module transmits information over a second radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard that is different than the first radio frequency band, and

the two or more communications interfaces are further configured for detachably and interchangeably connecting to a third RF module that encrypts the data.

2. The RF hub of claim 1 wherein at least a first subset of the two or more communications interfaces are located opposite at least a second subset of the two or more communications interfaces.

3. The RF hub of claim 1 further comprising one or more mounting holes for attaching the RF hub to a surface.

4. The RF hub of claim 1 further comprising one or more antenna interfaces for connecting to a radio frequency antenna.

5. The RF hub of claim 4 wherein the one or more antenna interfaces are located separate from the two or more communications interfaces.

6. The RF hub of claim 1 wherein the third RF module transmits the encrypted data over the first radio frequency band or the second radio frequency band.

7. The RF hub of claim 1 wherein the third RF module receives the data from the first RF module, encrypts the data, and returns the encrypted data to the first RF module.

8. A modular radio frequency (RF) communications assembly for transmitting information using a wireless communication standard, comprising:

a first RF module that transmits information over a first radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard;

a second RF module that transmits information over a second radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard, wherein the second radio frequency band is different than the first radio frequency band;

an RF hub comprising;

two or more communications interfaces for connecting to RF modules, wherein each of the communications interfaces have the same physical and electrical configuration;

a shared data and power interface for receiving data and power; and

a bus for distributing the data and power to the two or more communications interfaces;

a first RF module that transmits information over a first radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard;

a second RF module that transmits information over a second radio frequency band using the wireless communication standard that is different than the first radio frequency band;

a third RF module that encrypts the data; and

one or more antenna interfaces, each configured to connect to a radio frequency antenna.

9. The RF communications assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of the one or more antenna interfaces is located on the RF hub.

10. The RF communications assembly of claim 8 wherein at least one of the one or more antenna interfaces is located on either the first RF module or the second RF module.

11. The RF communications assembly of claim 8 wherein the third RF module transmits the encrypted data over the first radio frequency band or the second radio frequency band.

12. The RF communications assembly of claim 8 wherein the third RF module receives the data from the first RF module, encrypts the data, and returns the encrypted data to the first RF module.