Wireless device and signal path configuration method thereof

• US 8,559,883 B2
• Filed: 09/15/2010
• Issued: 10/15/2013
• Est. Priority Date: 09/16/2009
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Original Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co. Ltd.
• Inventors: Shin, Hyun Seok, Chung, Chang Gwon
• Primary Examiner(s): Dao, Minh D
• Application Number:
  US12/882,475
• Publication Number:
  US 20110065392A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,126 Days
• Field of Search: 455/67.11, 455/67.14, 455/188.1, 455/115.1, 455/115.4, 455/562.1, 455/168.1, 342/417
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/21 for calibration; for correcting measurements
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/0805 with single receiver and antenna switching H04B7/0822 takes precedence

Abstract

A signal path configuration method and apparatus of a wireless device are provided for avoiding radiation performance degradation caused by holding a specific part of the wireless device. A wireless device of the present invention includes a Radio Frequency (RF) unit that includes a plurality of antennas, an RF connector for RF calibration, and a detection unit for detecting connection of an RF cable, a switch for switching a signal path to one of the plurality of antennas, and a control unit for distinguishing between communication modes based on a detection signal output by the detection unit and for generating a control signal for controlling the switch to connect the signal path to one of the antennas according to the communication mode.

Claims

1. A wireless device comprising:

a Radio Frequency (RF) unit that includes a plurality of antennas, an RF connector for RF calibration, and a detection unit for detecting connection of an RF cable;

a switch for switching a signal path to one of the plurality of antennas; and

a control unit for distinguishing between communication modes based on a detection signal output by the detection unit and for generating a control signal for controlling the switch to connect the signal path to one of the antennas according to the communication mode,

wherein the plurality of antennas comprises;

a first antenna located at a first location of the wireless device to support multiple frequency bands; and

a second antenna located at a second location of the wireless device to support one of the multiple frequency bands.

2. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the first location of the wireless device comprises a lower part of the wireless device where a microphone is located, and the second location of the wireless device comprises an upper part of the wireless device where a speaker is located.

3. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the RF connector is arranged between the first antenna and a switchplexer, and the switch connects the signal path to one of the first antenna via the switchplexer and the second antenna directly according to the control signal.

4. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein the control unit generates, when the detection signal is received from the detection unit, the control signal for triggering entry into a calibration mode, and the switch connects the signal path to the first antenna according to the control signal.

5. The wireless device of claim 4, wherein the control unit controls, when the wireless device is configured to operate in one of the communication modes of the multiple frequency bands, the switch to connect the signal path to the first antenna.

6. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein the control unit generates, when a call mode request signal is detected, the control signal for triggering entry into a call mode, and the switch connects the signal path to one of the first and second antennas according to a communication mode indicated by the control signal.

7. The wireless device of claim 6, wherein the control unit determines the communication mode indicated by the call mode request signal and generates the control signal instructing to connect the signal path to one of the first and second antennas which is designated for the determined communication mode.

8. The wireless device of claim 3, wherein the control unit generates, when the call mode request signal is detected, the control signal for triggering entry into a call mode, and the switch connects the signal path to the second antenna according to the control signal.

9. The wireless device of claim 8, wherein the control unit controls, when the wireless device is configured to operate in the communication mode of a specific frequency band, the switch to isolate the switchplexer and connect the signal path to the second antenna.

10. The wireless device of claim 1, wherein the second antenna is connected to a signal path for communication when a user grips the wireless device.

11. A method for calibrating a wireless device having a plurality of antennas, the method comprising:

analyzing, when an event is detected, the event;

selecting, if the event is a calibration trigger event, one of the plurality of antennas that is designated for calibration mode;

establishing a signal path to the selected antenna, the selected antenna supporting multiple frequency bands of communication modes supported by the wireless device; and

executing a Radio Frequency (RF) calibration for the multiple frequency bands,

wherein the wireless device comprises a first antenna which is located at a first location of the wireless device to support the multiple frequency bands, a second antenna which is located at a second location of the wireless device to support one of the multiple frequency bands.

12. The method of claim 11, wherein the wireless device further comprises an RF connector for RF calibration, a detection unit for detecting connection of an RF cable to the RF connector, a switchplexer for separating transmit/receive signals, and a switch for switching the signal path between the first and second antennas, wherein the selecting of the one of the plurality of antennas comprises transferring a control signal instructing connection of the signal path to the first antenna via the switchplexer to the switch.

13. The method of claim 12, wherein the first location of the wireless device comprises a lower part of the wireless device where a microphone is located, and the second location of the wireless device comprises an upper part of the wireless device where a speaker is located.

14. The method of claim 13, wherein the event comprises one of a call trigger event for triggering entry into a call mode and a calibration trigger event for triggering entry into a calibration mode for the RF calibration of the wireless device.

15. The method of claim 14, wherein the calibration trigger event occurs in response to the detection signal generated by the detection unit.

16. The method of claim 13, further comprising outputting, if the event is a call trigger event, a control signal for connecting the signal path to one of the first and second antennas according to the communication mode designated for the call requested by the call trigger event to the switch.

17. The method of claim 12, wherein the multiple frequency bands supported by the first antenna include the frequency band supported by the second antenna.

18. A method for operating a mobile terminal that includes a plurality of antennas, the method comprising:

determining if a calibration trigger event occurs;

if it is determined that the calibration event occurs, outputting a control signal for switching to a first of the plurality of antennas;

performing a Radio Frequency (RF) calibration on all frequencies supported by the first antenna;

outputting a control signal for switching to a second of the plurality of antennas if it is determined that the calibration event does not occur; and

performing communication using the second antenna.

19. The method of claim 18, wherein the determining if the calibration trigger event occurs comprises detecting connection of an RF cable to the mobile terminal.