Mobile device having reconfigurable antenna and associated methods

TECHNICAL FIELD

0001The present disclosure related to the field of mobile wireless communications devices, and, more particularly, to mobile wireless communications devices with reconfigurable antennas.

BACKGROUND

0002Wireless communication technology, which has become a fundamental part of modern communications infrastructures, is evolving at an ever growing pace in order to meet the demanding performance characteristics of new mobile wireless communication devices. The continued increase in demand for various wireless services such as voice, data, and multimedia is also fueling the desire for higher data rates. Given that the wireless bandwidth can be expensive, technologies that improve spectrum efficiency in wireless systems are becoming desirable.

0003Multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems can multiply data throughput, with increases also in range and reliability, without consuming extra bandwidth, thereby resulting in an improved spectral efficiency. To take full advantage of the benefits of MIMO systems, however, a design that is able to respond to the wireless channel is useful. The goal is to maximize the resources available in multiple antenna channels by using optimal schemes at all possible times.

0004In a typical adaptive MIMO system, some of the adjustable parameters are the modulation level, coding rate, and the transmission signaling schemes such. The performance of such an adaptive system can be superior compared to that of a non-adaptive one. However, when an inter-disciplinary analysis is performed on the interrelationships of transmission signaling schemes, antenna properties and propagation conditions, it becomes apparent that there is an additional room for further exploitation of gains of the MIMO systems. In current adaptive MIMO systems the antenna properties are fixed by the initial design and cannot be changed. It is therefore desirable to introduce an additional degree of freedom by to adaptive MIMO systems treating the antenna element properties as an additional component in the joint optimization of the adaptive system parameters. Therefore, the design of reconfigurable antennas for MIMO systems is desirable.

0005One use for reconfigurable antennas is in cognitive radio systems. Cognitive radio is a system in which either a network or a wireless node changes its transmission or reception parameters to communicate efficiently while avoiding interference with other users. This alteration of parameters is based on the active monitoring of several factors in the external and internal radio environment, such as radio frequency spectrum, user behavior and network state. Since the operating frequency of the a mobile wireless communications device changes frequently in cognitive radio based on detected empty spectrum, adaptive and reconfigurable antennas for these systems that are able to change their resonance frequency dynamically are desirable.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

0006For a better understanding of the various embodiments described herein and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will now be made, by way of example only, to the accompanying drawings which show example embodiment and in which:

0007<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref> is schematic block diagram of an example embodiment of a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present disclosure.

0008<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref> is a schematic block diagram of another example embodiment of a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present disclosure.

0009<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> is a schematic block diagram of a further embodiment of a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present disclosure.

0010<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref> is a flowchart of a method of making a mobile wireless communications device in accordance with the present disclosure.

0011<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> shows S-parameter plots of each antenna loop, in turn, radiating while being coupled between the wireless transceiver and ground.

0012<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 6</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the first antenna loop radiating while being coupled between the wireless transceiver and ground, and also while operating as a monopole antenna.

0013<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 7</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the second antenna loop radiating while being coupled between the wireless transceiver and ground, and also while operating as a monopole antenna.

0014<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 8</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the first antenna loop radiating while being coupled between the wireless transceiver and ground, and also while operating as a monopole antenna.

0015<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the reconfigurable antenna radiating when all antenna loops are coupled between the wireless transceiver and ground.

0016<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref> shows a three dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver and ground.

0017<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows a three dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver and operating as a monopole antenna.

0018<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref> shows a two dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna in the XY plane radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver and operating as a monopole antenna.

0019<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> shows a two dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna in the XZ plane radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver and operating as a monopole antenna.

0020<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 14</figref> shows a two dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna in the YZ plane radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver and operating as a monopole antenna.

0021<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the first antenna loop of the reconfigurable antenna of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref> alone, and the first and second antenna loops both coupled to the wireless transceiver and the ground plane.

0022<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref> shows a three dimensional radiation pattern of the antenna structure of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>, while the first and second antenna loops are coupled to the wireless transceiver and the ground plane.

0023<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref> is a schematic block diagram illustrating example components of a mobile wireless communications device that may include the reconfigurable antenna in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 1-3</figref>.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

0024It will be appreciated that for simplicity and clarity of illustration, where considered appropriate, reference numerals may be repeated among the figures to indicate corresponding or analogous elements. In addition, numerous specific details are set forth in order to provide a thorough understanding of the embodiments described herein. However, it will be understood by those of ordinary skill in the art that the embodiments described herein may be practiced without these specific details. In other instances, well-known methods, procedures and components have not been described in detail so as not to obscure the embodiments described herein. Also, the description is not to be considered as limiting the scope of the embodiments described herein.

0025Generally speaking, a mobile wireless communications device may include a wireless transceiver, and a reconfigurable antenna coupled to the wireless transceiver. The reconfigurable antenna may include a dielectric substrate. The reconfigurable antenna may further comprise a plurality of electrical conductors on the dielectric substrate arranged in a nested series of spaced apart antenna loops with each successive outer antenna loop surrounding an adjacent inner loop, and each antenna loop having a pair of endpoints. A plurality of switches may be associated with respective endpoints of the antenna loops. In addition, a processor may be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna and couple the wireless transceiver thereto via the plurality of switches. This system advantageously allows reconfiguring of the antenna so as to provide optimal performance in a variety of operating conditions. The performance is evaluated by parameters including, but not limited to operating frequency, specific absorption rate, gain, efficiency, and bandwidth.

0026The reconfigurable antenna may also include an electrically conductive layer on the dielectric substrate defining a ground plane. In this embodiment, the plurality of electrical conductors may be laterally adjacent the ground plane. The processor may be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna by causing the plurality of switches to couple at least one of the antenna loops to the wireless transceiver and not to the ground plane.

0027Additionally or alternatively, the mobile wireless communications device may have a printed circuit board having an electrically conductive layer thereon defining a ground plane. In this embodiment, the processor may be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna and couple the wireless transceiver and the ground plane thereto via the plurality of switches. The processor may be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna by causing the plurality of switches to couple at least one of the antenna loops to the wireless transceiver and not to the ground plane.

0028The plurality of switches may include a respective feed switch coupled to a respective feed endpoint of each antenna loop. Additionally or alternatively, the plurality of switches may include a respective ground switch coupled to a respective ground endpoint of each antenna loop.

0029The processor may be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna by coupling at least two antenna loops to each other and to the wireless transceiver. The processor may also be adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna by causing the plurality of switches to couple a selected one of the antenna loops to the wireless transceiver, while disconnecting or decoupling the other antenna loops from the transceiver.

0030The antenna loops may be equally spaced apart from each other. In addition, the antenna loops may share a common axis. Furthermore, each of the antenna loops may have a rectangular shape. Moreover, the antenna loops may be at least three in number. Each successive outer antenna loop may have a greater length than an adjacent inner loop. At least one of the antenna loops may have a rectangular shape with at least one electrically conductive path extending between a pair of transverse sides thereof.

0031A method aspect is directed to a method of making a mobile wireless communications device with a reconfigurable antenna. The method may include forming the reconfigurable antenna by forming a plurality of electrical conductors on a dielectric substrate and arranged in a nested series of spaced apart antenna loops with each successive outer antenna loop surrounding an adjacent inner loop, each antenna loop having a pair of endpoints, for example a feed endpoint and a ground endpoint. A plurality of switches may be associated with respective endpoints of the antenna loops. The method may further include adapting a processor to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna and to couple a wireless transceiver thereto via the plurality of switches.

0032With initial reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a mobile wireless communications device <b>10</b> is now described. The mobile wireless communications device <b>10</b> includes a wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and a processor <b>20</b> coupled thereto. A reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> is coupled to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and processor <b>20</b>. The reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> includes a dielectric substrate <b>12</b> with an electrically conductive ground patch formed thereon to define a ground plane <b>16</b>. A plurality of electrical conductors are on the dielectric substrate laterally adjacent the ground plane <b>16</b>, and are and arranged in a series of spaced apart antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c</i>, with each successive outer antenna loop surrounding an adjacent inner loop.

0033Those of skill in the art will appreciate that the electrical conductors need not be on the dielectric substrate laterally adjacent the ground plane <b>16</b>. For example, as shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 2</figref>, the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b>′ may be on a dielectric substrate, and the ground plane <b>16</b>′, wireless transceiver <b>18</b>′, and processor <b>20</b>′ may be on a separate printed circuit board <b>13</b>′.

0034Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, a plurality of switches <b>22</b><i>a</i>, <b>24</b><i>a</i>, <b>22</b><i>b</i>, <b>24</b><i>b</i>, <b>22</b><i>c</i>, <b>24</b><i>c </i>are associated with respective endpoints <b>23</b><i>a</i>, <b>23</b><i>b</i>, <b>23</b><i>c</i>, <b>25</b><i>a</i>, <b>25</b><i>b</i>, <b>25</b><i>c </i>of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c</i>. The processor <b>20</b> is adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> and to couple the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> thereto via the switches <b>22</b><i>a</i>, <b>24</b><i>a</i>, <b>22</b><i>b</i>, <b>24</b><i>b</i>, <b>22</b><i>c</i>, <b>24</b><i>c. </i>

0035The switches include a respective feed switch <b>24</b><i>a</i>, <b>24</b><i>b</i>, <b>24</b><i>c </i>coupled to a respective endpoint <b>25</b><i>a</i>, <b>25</b><i>b</i>, <b>25</b><i>c </i>of each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c</i>. The feed switches <b>24</b><i>a</i>, <b>24</b><i>b</i>, <b>24</b><i>c </i>selectively couple their respective antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>.

0036The switches also include a respective ground switch <b>22</b><i>a</i>, <b>22</b><i>b</i>, <b>22</b><i>c </i>coupled to a respective endpoint <b>23</b><i>a</i>, <b>23</b><i>b</i>, <b>23</b><i>c </i>of each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c</i>. The ground switches <b>22</b><i>a</i>, <b>22</b><i>b</i>, <b>22</b><i>c </i>selectively couple their respective antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>to the ground plane <b>16</b>.

0037The processor <b>20</b> may reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> to match operating conditions and a system operating frequency, by operating the proper switches to couple a selected one of the antenna loops to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and the ground plane <b>16</b>. Each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c</i>, when coupled to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and the ground plane <b>16</b>, with the other antenna loops disconnected, resonates at its resonance frequencies, which include a one wavelength mode. The processor <b>20</b>, based upon the system operating frequency, can select the antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>that has a resonance frequency that matches the system operating frequency, thereby delivering robust performance. An S-parameter plot of each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>radiating while coupled between the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and the ground plane <b>16</b>, is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref> (in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 5</figref>, the first loop, second loop and third loop correspond to antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c</i>, <b>14</b><i>b </i>and <b>14</b><i>a</i>, respectively.) A three dimensional radiation pattern of the antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c </i>radiating while coupled between the wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and the ground plane <b>16</b> is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 10</figref>.

0038Additionally, in some application, the processor <b>20</b> may also reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> by coupling or connecting at least two of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>to each other, either in series or in parallel. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 9</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>radiating, while their switches <b>22</b><i>a</i>, <b>22</b><i>b</i>, <b>22</b><i>c</i>, <b>24</b><i>a</i>, <b>24</b><i>b</i>, <b>24</b><i>c </i>are closed and the loops are connected to each other, with their respective feed endpoints <b>25</b><i>a</i>, <b>25</b><i>b</i>, <b>25</b><i>c </i>coupled to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>, and their respective ground endpoints <b>23</b><i>a</i>, <b>23</b><i>b</i>, <b>23</b><i>c </i>coupled to the ground plane <b>16</b>.

0039Furthermore, in some applications, the processor <b>20</b> may reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> by coupling at least one of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>, and decoupling the at least one antenna loop from the ground plane <b>16</b>, thereby causing the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> to act as a monopole antenna. This is particularly advantageous because it enables reconfiguration of the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> as either a loop antenna or a monopole antenna, each having different features and characteristics.

0040<figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIGS. 4-6</figref> show S-parameter plots of the first antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c</i>, second antenna loop <b>14</b><i>b</i>, and third antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, respectively, radiating while coupled between to wireless transceiver <b>18</b> and while acting as a monopole antenna. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 11</figref> shows a three dimensional radiation pattern of the first antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c </i>radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>, acting as a monopole antenna. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 12</figref>, <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref>, and <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 13</figref> show two dimension radiation patterns of the first antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c </i>radiating while coupled to the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>, acting as a monopole antenna, in the XI, XZ, and YZ planes, respectively.

0041The antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>are illustratively equally spaced apart from each other, although it should be appreciated that they need not be equally spaced apart from each other. For example, none of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>may be equally spaced apart from each other, or some but not all of the antenna loops may be equally spaced apart from each other.

0042The antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>illustratively share a common axis, but it should be recognized that they need not share a common axis. Indeed, none of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>may share a common axis, or some but not all of the antenna loops may share a common axis.

0043Each of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>illustratively has a rectangular shape. Those of skill in the art will recognize, though, that the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>need not have a rectangular shape, and each of the antenna loops may have different shapes, such as spirals, curves, and meanders. Each antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>need not have a same shape, and, indeed, each antenna loop may have a separate and distinct shape from each other antenna loop in some applications.

0044Each successive outer antenna loop <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>illustratively has a greater length than an adjacent inner loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>. It should be appreciated that all outer antenna loops <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>need not have greater lengths than their adjacent inner loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b </i>in all embodiments, and that in some embodiments, some inner loops may actually have greater lengths than their adjacent outer loops.

0045Three antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>are illustratively shown, but it should be appreciated that there may be as few as two antenna loops, and that there is no upper limit on the number of antenna loops that may be on the dielectric substrate <b>12</b>.

0046The dielectric substrate <b>12</b> may have a length of 100 mm, a width of 4 mm, and a permittivity of 2.2. The ground plane <b>16</b> may have a length of 80 mm, and a width of 40 mm. The innermost antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a </i>may have a total length of 64 mm, the middle antenna loop <b>14</b><i>b </i>may have a total length of BOmm, and the outer antenna loop <b>14</b><i>c </i>may have a total length of 106 mm. It should be appreciated that these measurements are merely illustrative, and are in no way intended to be limiting. Thus, the dielectric substrate <b>12</b>, ground plane <b>16</b>, and antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>may have a variety of different suitable dimensions.

0047In some situations, the antenna loops may be rectangular but have angled shoulders. Such an embodiment is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 3</figref>. Here, there are two antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>″, <b>14</b><i>b</i>″. The antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>″ is rectangular in shape, with the ends being thicker than the sides. The antenna loop <b>14</b><i>b</i>″ is rectangular, but with conductive patches or shoulders extending between transverse sides. <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 15</figref> shows an S-parameter plot of the antenna loop <b>14</b><i>a</i>″ alone coupled between the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>″ and the ground plane <b>16</b>″ (dashed line) versus the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>″, <b>14</b><i>b</i>″ both coupled between the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>″ and the ground plane <b>16</b>″. A three dimensional antenna radiation pattern of the antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>″, <b>14</b><i>b</i>″ both coupled between the wireless transceiver <b>18</b>″ and the ground plane <b>16</b>″ is shown in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 16</figref>.

0048Referring again to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 1</figref>, this design contains a variety of advantageous features. The use of loop antennas <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>helps to reduce the specific absorption rate (SAR) of the mobile wireless communications device <b>10</b> in use. The size and shape of these antenna loops <b>14</b><i>a</i>, <b>14</b><i>b</i>, <b>14</b><i>c </i>can be selected based upon the desired frequencies of operation of the mobile wireless communications device <b>10</b>, such that they resonate as desired.

0049In addition, the reconfigurability of the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> provides frequency, pattern, and polarization reconfigurability. The resonance frequency of the reconfigurable antenna <b>11</b> can therefore be tuned by reconfiguration via the processor <b>20</b>.

0050With reference to flowchart <b>30</b> of <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 4</figref>, a method of making the mobile wireless communications device is now described. After the start (Block <b>32</b>), a reconfigurable antenna is formed. Forming the reconfigurable antenna also includes forming a plurality of electrical conductors on a dielectric substrate arranged in a series of spaced apart antenna loops with each successive outer antenna loop surrounding an adjacent inner loop, each antenna loop having a pair of endpoints (Block <b>346</b>). Forming the reconfigurable antenna further includes associating a plurality of switches with respective endpoints of the antenna loops (Block <b>38</b>). Then, a processor is adapted to reconfigure the reconfigurable antenna and to couple a wireless transceiver thereto via the plurality of switches, at Block <b>40</b>. Block <b>42</b> indicates the end of the method.

0051Example components of a mobile wireless communications device <b>1000</b> that may be used in accordance with the above-described embodiments are further described below with reference to <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>. The device <b>1000</b> illustratively includes a housing <b>1200</b>, a keyboard or keypad <b>1400</b> and an output device <b>1600</b>. The output device shown is a display <b>1600</b>, which may comprise a full graphic LCD. Other types of output devices may alternatively be utilized. A processing device <b>1800</b> is contained within the housing <b>1200</b> and is coupled between the keypad <b>1400</b> and the display <b>1600</b>. The processing device <b>1800</b> controls the operation of the display <b>1600</b>, as well as the overall operation of the mobile device <b>1000</b>, in response to actuation of keys on the keypad <b>1400</b>.

0052The housing <b>1200</b> may be elongated vertically, or may take on other sizes and shapes (including clamshell housing structures). The keypad may include a mode selection key, or other hardware or software for switching between text entry and telephony entry.

0053In addition to the processing device <b>1800</b>, other parts of the mobile device <b>1000</b> are shown schematically in <figref idref="DRAWINGS">FIG. 17</figref>. These include a communications subsystem <b>1001</b>; a short-range communications subsystem <b>1020</b>; the keypad <b>1400</b> and the display <b>1600</b>, along with other input/output devices <b>1060</b>, <b>1080</b>, <b>1100</b> and <b>1120</b>; as well as memory devices <b>1160</b>, <b>1180</b> and various other device subsystems <b>1201</b>. The mobile device <b>1000</b> may comprise a two-way RF communications device having data and, optionally, voice communications capabilities. In addition, the mobile device <b>1000</b> may have the capability to communicate with other computer systems via the Internet.

0054Operating system software executed by the processing device <b>1800</b> is stored in a persistent store, such as the flash memory <b>1160</b>, but may be stored in other types of memory devices, such as a read only memory (ROM) or similar storage element. In addition, system software, specific device applications, or parts thereof, may be temporarily loaded into a volatile store, such as the random access memory (RAM) <b>1180</b>. Communications signals received by the mobile device may also be stored in the RAM <b>1180</b>.

0055The processing device <b>1800</b>, in addition to its operating system functions, enables execution of software applications <b>1300</b>A-<b>1300</b>N on the device <b>1000</b>. A predetermined set of applications that control basic device operations, such as data and voice communications <b>1300</b>A and <b>1300</b>B, may be installed on the device <b>1000</b> during manufacture. In addition, a personal information manager (PIM) application may be installed during manufacture. The PIM may be capable of organizing and managing data items, such as e-mail, calendar events, voice mails, appointments, and task items. The PIM application may also be capable of sending and receiving data items via a wireless network <b>1401</b>. The PIM data items may be seamlessly integrated, synchronized and updated via the wireless network <b>1401</b> with corresponding data items stored or associated with a host computer system.

0056Communication functions, including data and voice communications, are performed through the communications subsystem <b>1001</b>, and possibly through the short-range communications subsystem. The communications subsystem <b>1001</b> includes a receiver <b>1500</b>, a transmitter <b>1520</b>, and one or more antennas <b>1540</b> and <b>1560</b>. In addition, the communications subsystem <b>1001</b> also includes a processing module, such as a digital signal processor (DSP) <b>1580</b>, and local oscillators (LOs) <b>1601</b>. The specific design and implementation of the communications subsystem <b>1001</b> is dependent upon the communications network in which the mobile device <b>1000</b> is intended to operate. For example, a mobile device <b>1000</b> may include a communications subsystem <b>1001</b> designed to operate with the Mobitex™, Data TAC™ or General Packet Radio Service (GPRS) mobile data communications networks, and also designed to operate with any of a variety of voice communications networks, such as AMPS, TDMA, CDMA, WCDMA, PCS, GSM, EDGE, etc. Other types of data and voice networks, both separate and integrated, may also be utilized with the mobile device <b>1000</b>. The mobile device <b>1000</b> may also be compliant with other communications standards such as 3GSM, 3GPP, UMTS, 4G, etc.

0057Network access requirements vary depending upon the type of communication system. For example, in the Mobitex and DataTAC networks, mobile devices are registered on the network using a unique personal identification number or PIN associated with each device. In GPRS networks, however, network access is associated with a subscriber or user of a device. A GPRS device therefore typically involves use of a subscriber identity module, commonly referred to as a SIM card, in order to operate on a GPRS network.

0058When required network registration or activation procedures have been completed, the mobile device <b>1000</b> may send and receive communications signals over the communication network <b>1401</b>. Signals received from the communications network <b>1401</b> by the antenna <b>1540</b> are routed to the receiver <b>1500</b>, which provides for signal amplification, frequency down conversion, filtering, channel selection, etc., and may also provide analog to digital conversion. Analog-to-digital conversion of the received signal allows the DSP <b>1580</b> to perform more complex communications functions, such as demodulation and decoding. In a similar manner, signals to be transmitted to the network <b>1401</b> are processed (e.g. modulated and encoded) by the DSP <b>1580</b> and are then provided to the transmitter <b>1520</b> for digital to analog conversion, frequency up conversion, filtering, amplification and transmission to the communication network <b>1401</b> (or networks) via the antenna <b>1560</b>.

0059In addition to processing communications signals, the DSP <b>1580</b> provides for control of the receiver <b>1500</b> and the transmitter <b>1520</b>. For example, gains applied to communications signals in the receiver <b>1500</b> and transmitter <b>1520</b> may be adaptively controlled through automatic gain control algorithms implemented in the DSP <b>1580</b>.

0060In a data communications mode, a received signal, such as a text message or web page download, is processed by the communications subsystem <b>1001</b> and is input to the processing device <b>1800</b>. The received signal is then further processed by the processing device <b>1800</b> for an output to the display <b>1600</b>, or alternatively to some other auxiliary I/O device <b>1060</b>. A device may also be used to compose data items, such as e-mail messages, using the keypad <b>1400</b> and/or some other auxiliary I/O device <b>1060</b>, such as a touchpad, a rocker switch, a thumb-wheel, or some other type of input device. The composed data items may then be transmitted over the communications network <b>1401</b> via the communications subsystem <b>1001</b>.

0061In a voice communications mode, overall operation of the device is substantially similar to the data communications mode, except that received signals are output to a speaker <b>1100</b>, and signals for transmission are generated by a microphone <b>1120</b>. Alternative voice or audio I/O subsystems, such as a voice message recording subsystem, may also be implemented on the device <b>1000</b>. In addition, the display <b>1600</b> may also be utilized in voice communications mode, for example to display the identity of a calling party, the duration of a voice call, or other voice call related information.

0062Many modifications and other embodiments of the invention will come to the mind of one skilled in the art having the benefit of the teachings presented in the foregoing descriptions and the associated drawings. Therefore, it is understood that the invention is not to be limited to the specific embodiments disclosed, and that modifications and embodiments are intended to be included within the scope of the appended claims.