Wireless communication device and apparatus for pe

Wireless communication device and device for implementing wireless communication

The present invention relates to a wireless communication device having a variable gain device.

U.S. Patent Application Publication No. 2002/0171583A1, entitled "System and Method for Efficiently Characterizing the Elements in an Array Antenna", which is hereby incorporated by reference. The aforementioned publication was cited at the early stage of the application process.

This creation is intended to meet the needs of an improved wireless communication device. Briefly, in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention, a wireless device has an antenna array. A signal is supplied to one of the antennas by two variable gain amplifiers, one of which processes the signal which is phase shifted compared to the signal processed by the other variable gain amplifier. Accordingly, the present work provides a wireless pass device that is progressively improved over the prior art.

The subject matter of the present invention is particularly pointed out and clearly claimed at the end of this specification. However, a better understanding of the present invention, the method of operation, the purpose, the features and the advantages of the invention will be obtained by the following detailed description.

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a wireless device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the present invention A schematic diagram of a portion of a wireless device.

It should be understood that the elements described in the figures are not necessarily to scale. For example, the dimensions of some of the elements are exaggerated relative to the other elements for clarity and clarity. Further, where considered appropriate, reference numerals have been repeated among the drawings to the corresponding.

In the following detailed description, various specific details are set forth However, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the present invention may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures, components, and circuits have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the present invention.

Some of the detailed descriptions below are presented in terms of algorithms and symbols that operate on data bit or binary value signals in computer memory. These algorithms illustrate and present the techniques that can be used by those skilled in the art of processing the technology, and convey the substance of the work to others skilled in the art.

The algorithms referred to herein are generally considered to be a series of actions or operations that result in a self-compliance with the desired result. This includes the number of entities operating entities. Usually, though not necessarily, such quantities have the form of electrical or magnetic signals that can be stored, converted, combined, compared, and manipulated. It is often proved convenient, mainly for the purpose of common use, said signals are: bits, values, components, symbols, words, items, numbers, and so on. However, it should be understood that all such and similar nouns are related to the appropriate number of entities and are merely convenient labels for such quantities.

As will be apparent from the following discussion, unless otherwise stated, it should be understood that the discussion throughout the specification uses, for example, "processing", "calculating", "decision", etc., referring to a computer or computing system, or similar electronic computing device. Actions and/or processes whose manipulation and/or conversion are presented in the computing system register and/or memory as the number of entities, such as electrons, that are stored, transferred in computing system memory, registers, or other such information. Or other material in the display device that is similarly presented as the number of entities.

Embodiments of the present invention may include apparatus for performing the operations herein. A device may be specifically constructed for the desired purpose, or it may comprise a general purpose computing device that is selectively activated or reconfigured by a program stored in the device. Such a program can be stored on a storage medium such as, but not limited to, any type of magnetic disk including: floppy disk, optical disk, CD-ROM, optical disk, read-only memory (ROM) ), random access memory (RAM), electrically programmable read only memory (EPROMS), electrically erasable and programmable read only memory (EEPROM), magnetic or optical card, or any other type suitable for A medium that stores electronic instructions and can be connected to a system bus for computing devices.

The processes and displays described herein are not inherently related to any particular computing device or other device. Various general purpose systems may be used with the program as disclosed herein, or it may prove convenient to construct a more specialized apparatus to perform the desired method. The desired structure for a variety of such systems will be apparent from the following description. Moreover, the embodiments of the present invention are not described with reference to any particular programming language. It will be appreciated that a variety of programming languages may be used to implement the novel aspects described herein. In addition, it should be understood that the operations, capabilities, and characteristics described herein can be implemented in any combination of hardware (discrete or integrated circuits) and software.

In the following description and claims, the terms "coupled" and "connected" and their derivatives may be used. However, it should be understood that the meaning of such specific terms is not intended as a synonym for each other. Rather, in a particular embodiment, "connected" may be used to mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact with each other. "Coupled" may mean that two or more elements are in direct physical or electrical contact. However, "coupled" may also mean that two or more elements are not in direct contact with each other, but can still cooperate or interact with each other.

It will be appreciated that embodiments of the present invention can be used in a variety of applications. Although the present invention is not limited in this regard, the devices disclosed herein can be used in many devices, such as receivers, transmitters, and/or receivers of radio systems. Please refer to FIG. 1, which illustrates an embodiment 100 in accordance with the present invention. Embodiment 100 may include a portable computing or communication device 50, such as a mobile communication device (eg, a cellular telephone), a two-way radio communication system, a one-way pager, a two-way pager, a personal communication system (PCS), a personal digital assistant (PDA), portable computer, etc. Alternate embodiments may include base stations, access points, or other wireless communication devices in any network.

Other embodiments may include, for example, any combination of the following: a portable commutator with wireless communication capabilities, a network digital tablet, a wireless headset, an instant messaging device, an MP3 player, a digital camera, and other wireless means. A device that receives and/or transmits information. Although it should be understood that the application and scope of the present invention are not limited to such examples. Other embodiments of the present invention may include other portable or non-portable computing systems, or even communication systems such as desktop or portable computers, servers, network switching devices, and the like.

In this particular embodiment, wireless communication device 50 can include a processor 10 that can execute instructions stored, for example, in memory 40. The processor can be one of various integrated circuits, such as a microprocessor, a central processing unit (CPU), a digital signal processor, a microcontroller, a reduced instruction set computer (RISC), a complex instruction set computer (CISC), etc. However, the scope of the novel is not limited to a particular design or functionality implemented by processor 10. Moreover, in some alternative embodiments, wireless communication device 50 can include multiple processors that can be the same or different types.

The wireless communication device 50 can also include a memory 40, which can include any type of electrical or non-electrical memory, such as any of the above-described storage media, although the list is not exhaustive and the scope of the present invention is not Limited by this. The memory 40 can include persistent storage for use in storing instruction sets, such as instructions related to applications, operating system programs, and protocol programs. For example, wireless communication can be implemented using instructions stored in memory 40, security functions for wireless communication device 50, user functions such as calendar, email, internet browsing, and the like.

The wireless communication device 50 can also include a display 20 to provide information to the user. Alternatively or in addition, the wireless communication device 50 can include other components such as input/output devices, audio output, and the like. It should be understood, however, that the scope of the novel is not limited such that any particular combination of elements shown in FIG. 1 can be obtained.

The wireless communication device 50 can also include a receiving transmitter 85 to provide access to other devices, services, networks, etc., which allows the wireless communication device 50 to communicate with other networks via a wireless connection. As shown, the receive transmitter 85 can communicate with the network 50 wirelessly using an antenna array made by the antennas 86-88. However, it should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the embodiments of the individual network communications, and that alternative embodiments may provide for communication to two or more networks. Moreover, the scope of the novel is not limited to embodiments having three antennas. Alternative embodiments may include a device having one, two or four or more antennas.

In this particular embodiment, receive transmitter 85 can include variable gain modulators 76-78, each of which can be coupled to antennas 86-88. As will be explained in more detail below, the controller 80 can be used to coordinate the transmission of signals via the variable gain modulators 76-78 such that the relative strength of the transmitted signals is increased in a particular or general direction (i.e., improved signal versus noise). Ratio), while reducing the influence of signals in another specific or general direction, although the scope of the novel is not limited thereto. It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by application, which involves transmitting signals on an antenna array, as the novel scope includes alternative embodiments that also employ a variable gain modulator to receive signals. In still other embodiments, a variable gain modulator can be used to transmit and receive signals.

Although the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, the communication receiving transmitter 85 can use various wireless communication protocols such as a cellular (eg, a coded split multiple access (CDMA) cellular radiotelephone system, a global system for mobile communications ( GSM) cellular radiotelephone system, cellular radiotelephone system of North American digital cellular (NADC), time division multiple access (TDMA) system, extended-TDMA (E-TDMA) cellular radiotelephone system, third generation (3G) system image It is wideband CDMA (WCDMA), CDMA-2000, etc.). In addition, the wireless communication device 50 can also include multiple receive transmitters that use different communication protocols.

In addition, the receiving transmitter 85 can use other protocols such as a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wide area network (WAN), or a regional network (LAN) protocol, such as the IEEE 802 11 standard, Bluetooth.^TM, infrared, etc. (Bluetooth is a registered trademark of Bluetooth Special Interest Group).

It should be understood that the scope of the present invention is not limited by the type, number or frequency of communication protocols used by the wireless communication device 50. In addition, alternative embodiments may have more than two communication modules (wired or wireless), and the communication modules need not have separate antennas, and some or all of the communication modules may share the common antenna. It should be understood that the wireless communication device 50 can include other selection elements, such as a voice encoder, to encode sound material or the like.

Referring now to Figure 2, there is a particular embodiment for a variable gain modulator 220. The variable gain modulator 220 can be an example of how the modulators 76-77 can be implemented (refer to Figure 1), although it should be understood that each variable gain modulator must be configured in the same manner. It should also be appreciated that variable gain modulator 200 and/or receiver/transmitter 85 (refer to FIG. 1) may include other components such as low noise amplifiers (LNAs), filters, oscillators, etc., as illustrated. This is not shown so as not to obscure the present embodiment.

Variable gain modulator 76 may include two signal processing paths (shown by arrows 210-211) that may be used to process input signal 200 and provide output signal 290, although it will be appreciated that alternative embodiments may include more than two Signal processing path. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this regard, signal processing paths 210 and 211 may include variable gain devices 250-251, such as adjustable gain amplifiers. Signal processing path 211 may further include phase shifting element 252.

As shown in FIG. 2, input signal 200 can be provided to variable gain device 250 and phase shifting element 252. The phase shifting element can adjust the phase of the input signal 200 from about 1 to 180 degrees to provide an input signal. In this particular embodiment, the phase shifting element can phase shift the input signal 200 by approximately 90 degrees. Movement in this phase can be achieved by using various techniques. For example, phase shifting element 252 can include a phase splitter or an LC phase shifting network. Alternatively, the phase shifting element can include a varying length of transmission line that is approximately one-quarter the length of the input signal 200 and adjusts the phase of the input signal 200 by approximately 90 degrees. It should be understood that other lengths of the signal 200, as well as corresponding displacements, are also possible.

In this particular embodiment, the output of phase shifting element 252 can be provided to a variable gain amplifier. Therefore, the input of the variable gain device 251 is displaced relative to the input of the variable gain device 250. In an alternate embodiment, the phase shifting element can be disposed after the variable gain device 251. Thus, phase shifting element 252 can receive the output of variable gain device 251 and effect phase shifting after input signal 200 is processed by variable gain device 251. In such an alternative configuration, the phase shifting element can provide an output signal for signal processing path 211, although the scope of the novel is not limited in this respect.

Although the scope of the present invention is not limited in this respect, in a particular embodiment, the outputs of variable gain devices 250-251 may be added together by adder 270, which may represent signals from signal processing paths 210 and 211. The resulting signals are summed. Thus, the output of adder 279 (i.e., output signal 290) may represent the addition of two components: one component representing the amplified form of input signal 200 and the other component representing the amplified and phase shifted form of input signal 200. Thus, as will be explained below, the output 290 of the variable gain modulator 220 can be provided by varying the adjustment gain of the variable gain devices 250-251.

The amount or degree of gain applied by the variable gain devices 250-251 can be controlled by signal lines 260 and 261, respectively. Although the signal of the present invention is not limited thereto, the signal lines 260-261 may be provided and adjusted by a control unit such as the controller 80 (refer to FIG. 1). It should be understood, however, that the scope of the present invention is not limited by how to adjust the gain of the variable gain device 250-251, or where the adjusted signal comes from. Moreover, the scope of the present invention is not limited by the frequency at which the gain adjustment is implemented, which is implemented periodically and dynamically with some other triggering mechanism generated in the wireless communication device 50.

For example, a processor or state machine can be used to monitor the signals received/transmitted by antennas 86-88 (refer to FIG. 1) and determine what adjustments should be made to the gain of the variable gain devices 250-251. Alternatively, the light communication device 50 can be adjusted based on the light generation calculations such that the wireless communication device 50 can: transmit the signal with the desired characteristics; be adjusted to receive the signal with the antennas 86-88; or both. The wireless communication device 50 can also selectively use a feedback mechanism such that it can be determined and implemented in a real-time manner depending on the transmitted and/or received signals, although the scope of the present invention is not Limited to this. In an alternate embodiment, some delay may be adjusted to allow time for the signal to pass through the wireless communication device 50 and/or to determine if any changes should be made.

In another embodiment of the present invention, variable gain modulators 76-78 (refer to FIG. 1) can be independently operated or adjusted to vary the signals transmitted by antennas 86-88. Thus, a controller (eg, controller 80) can be coupled to the variable gain modulator via the bus bar and can be adjusted to provide a control signal to the variable gain modulator, independent of other devices independently Its operation. In such embodiments, the signals may be digital or analog, and thus, the receive transmitter 85 may include a suitable analog-to-digital (AD) converter or a digital-to-analog ratio (DA) converter. In still another embodiment, the receive transmitter 85 can include two or more variable gain modulators coupled to the antennas, and a variable gain modulator can be used to process the receive by the antenna. The signal, while another variable gain modulator can process the signal transmitted by the same antenna.

Please refer to FIG. 3, which provides another embodiment for a variable gain modulator. Variable gain modulator 330 can include a power divider to provide input signal 300 to signal processing paths 310 and 311. Although the scope of the present invention is not limited thereto, the signal processing path 310 may include a variable gain device 331. The signal processing path 311 can include, for example, one of the phase shifting elements 252 described above, and a variable gain device 332. The variable gain devices 331-332 may include variable gain amplifiers, attenuators, bidirectional attenuators, and the like. Further, the variable gain device 331 may be a different device than the variable gain device 332.

If the variable gain devices 331-332 are a form of attenuator, this particular embodiment can provide benefits because the signal processing paths 310 and/or 311 can be bidirectional such that a variable gain modulator can be used to transmit signals to the antenna. And receiving signals therefrom, although the scope of the novel is not limited thereto. The variable gain modulator 330 can also include a power divider 370 that can be used to add or sum the outputs of the variable gain devices 331-332 to provide an output signal 390. It will be appreciated that in an alternate embodiment, phase shifting element 252 can be provided to receive the output of variable gain device 332 and to provide an output of signal processing path 311. In still other embodiments, some or all of the elements shown in Figures 2-3 may be exchanged as desired to provide a variable gain modulator having different characteristics.

While certain features of the present invention have been shown and described, it will be understood by those skilled in the art Therefore, it is to be understood that the appended claims are intended to cover all modifications and changes in the true spirit of the invention.

<p>10 processor</p><p>20 display</p><p>40 memory</p><p>50Communication device</p><p>60Network</p><p>76,77,78,220,330Variable Gain Modulator</p><p>80 controller</p><p>85Receiver transmitter</p><p>86,87,88Antenna</p><p>100Examples</p><p>200,300 input signal</p><p>210,211,310,311Signal processing path</p><p>250,251,331,332Variable gain device</p><p>252 Phase shifting element</p><p>261,262,361,362 signal line</p><p>270Adder</p><p>290,390 Output signal</p><p>370Power splitter</p>

1 is a schematic diagram of a wireless device according to an embodiment of the present invention; FIG. 2 is a schematic diagram of a portion of a wireless device according to another embodiment of the present invention; and FIG. 3 is another embodiment of the present invention A schematic diagram of a portion of a wireless device.