Satellite communications adapter for a cellular handset

• US 6,501,939 B1
• Filed: 11/19/1997
• Issued: 12/31/2002
• Est. Priority Date: 09/14/1994
• Status: Expired due to Term

• Current Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Original Assignee: Ericsson, Inc. (Telefonaktiebolaget LM Ericsson)
• Inventors: Dent, Paul W.
• Primary Examiner(s): CUMMING, WILLIAM D
• Application Number:
  US08/974,233
• Time in Patent Office: 1,868 Days
• Field of Search: 455/12.1, 455/410, 455/427
• US Class Current: 455/11.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3877 Arrangements for enabling portable transceivers to be used in a fixed position, e.g. cradles or boosters
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18563 Arrangements for interconnecting multiple systems data switching networks H04L12/00
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18571 for satellites; for fixed or mobile stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/105 PBS [Private Base Station] network H04W84/12 - H04W84/16 take precedence
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/02 Terminal devices
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in multiple networks or having at least two operational modes, e.g. multi-mode terminals

Abstract

A dual-mode telephone with a satellite communication adapter is disclosed. According to one embodiment of the present invention, a cellular-type handportable phone is equipped with a connector for the attachment of accessories. This connector provide a satellite communications adapter accessory access to the handset'"'"'s signal processing resources which may operate in an alternative mode to process signals received from the satellite and converted by the adapter into a suitable form for processing. The processing translates the satellite signals into voice or data, and vice-versa.

Claims

1. A dual-mode telephone system for communicating either through an orbiting satellite or through a landcellular system, comprising:

a cellular telephone unit for communicating in a cellular telephone network; and

satellite communications adapter means, separate from said cellular telephone unit, for receiving signals transmitted by said satellite and converting them to information signals for processing by said cellular telephone unit and for receiving information signals from said cellular telephone unit and converting them into transmissions to said satellite, wherein information signals communicated from said cellular telephone unit to said satellite communications adapter means include balanced in-phase and quadrature drive signals, and wherein information signals communicated from said satellite communications adapter means to said cellular telephone unit include an intermediate frequency signal.

2. A system according to claim 1, wherein information signals communicated from said cellular telephone unit to said satellite communications adapter means further include an automatic frequency change signal and a serial digital control signal, and wherein information signals communicated from said satellite communications adapter means to said cellular telephone unit further include a received signal strength indicator signal.

3. A system according to claim 1, wherein said cellular telephone unit comprises signal processing circuitry for selectively processing information signals communicated to and from the cellular telephone network and information signals communicated to and from said satellite communications adapter means.

4. A system according to claim 1, wherein information signals are communicated between said cellular telephone unit and said satellite communications adapter means using multi-pin connectors and electric cabling.

5. A system according to claim 1, wherein said satellite communications adapter means includes a multiplexing/demultiplexing circuit for combining and serializing information signals communicated between said cellular telephone unit and said satellite communications adapter means.

6. A system according to claim 5, wherein information signals are communicated between said cellular telephone unit and said satellite communications adapter means using one of electrical cabling and fiber optic cabling.

7. A system according to claim 5, wherein said satellite communications adapter means further includes a bidirectional line interface coupled to said multiplexing/demultiplexing circuit.

8. A system according to claim 7, wherein information signals are communicated between said cellular telephone unit and said satellite communications adapter means using a single twisted wire pair.

9. A system according to claim 1, wherein said cellular telephone unit comprises a handset functioning as a cellular telephone in the cellular telephone network and a home base unit coupled to said satellite communications adapter means via one of electric cabling and fiber optic cabling.

10. A system according to claim 7, wherein signals are communicated between said handset and said home base unit using low-power cellular radio frequency signals.

11. A system according to claim 7, wherein said home base unit includes a connector for connecting with a loop-disconnect telephone outlet of a public switched telephone network.

12. A dual-mode satellite/cellular telephone device, comprising:

a microphone;

an earphone;

a ring indicator;

radio frequency circuitry for communicating with a cellular telephone network; and

an interface for connecting a separate satellite communications converter for converting between information signals processed by said telephone device and satellite signals processed by an orbiting satellite,

wherein information signals communicated via said interface from said telephone to said converter include balanced in-phase and quadrature drive signals, and wherein information signals communicated from said converter to said telephone include an intermediate frequency signal.

13. A telephone device according to claim 12, wherein information signals communicated via said interface from said telephone to said converter further include an automatic frequency change signal and a serial digital control signal, and wherein information signals communicated via said interface from said converter to said telephone further include a received signal strength indicator signal.

14. A telephone device according to claim 12, further comprising signal processing circuitry for selectively processing information signals communicated to and from the cellular telephone network via said radio frequency circuitry and information signals communicated to and from said converter via said interface.

15. A telephone device according to claim 12, wherein said interface comprises a multi-pin connector and electric cabling.

16. A telephone device according to claim 12, wherein information signals communicated between said telephone device and said converter are combined and serialized.

17. A telephone device according to claim 16, wherein said interface comprises one of electric cabling and fiber optic cabling.

18. A telephone device according to claim 12, wherein said microphone, said earphone, said ring indicator and said radio frequency circuitry are situated in a handset functioning as a cellular telephone in the cellular telephone network, and wherein said interface is situated in a detached home base unit.

19. A system according to claim 18, wherein signals are communicated between said handset and said home base unit using low-power cellular radio frequency signals.

20. A system according to claim 18, wherein said home base unit includes a connector for connecting with a loop-disconnect telephone outlet of a public switched telephone network.