Patent Application
20080211729
Implementations described herein relate generally to antenna matching networks and, more particularly, to an antenna connector for selectively switching a transmitter/receiver front end through either one of two different antenna matching networks.
To optimize conducted performance from a transmitter, receiver or transceiver front end module (FEM), a matching network (matching network A) is often used between the FEM and an external antenna. Because conducted performance is usually measured in a 50 ohm system, the matching network is typically optimized towards the 50 ohm load associated with the external antenna. Other antennas considered for use as an internal antenna, however, may have optimum radiation performance at a different impedance than 50 ohms. A typical solution to this problem is to place a different matching network (matching network B) in series after matching network A to try to match for optimum radiation performance. However, the restriction of including matching network A may, in most cases, decrease the power delivered to the internal antenna compared to if a match is made directly between the FEM and the internal antenna.
For example, as shown in
According to one aspect, a system may include a module associated with a transmitter, receiver or transceiver. The system may further include a connector configured to selectively couple the module through a first matching network to a first antenna or through a second matching network to a second antenna, where the first matching network is different than the second matching network and wherein the first antenna is different than the second antenna.
Additionally, the connector may include a double pole, double throw switch for selectively coupling the module through the first matching network to the first antenna or through the second matching network to the second antenna.
Additionally, the first antenna may have an impedance of 50 ohms.
Additionally, the second antenna may have an impedance that is different than 50 ohms.
Additionally, the first matching network may be optimized towards a 50 ohm load.
Additionally, the second matching network may be optimized towards a load that has an impedance other than 50 ohms.
Additionally, the system may include a radiotelephone.
Additionally, when the connector couples the module through the second matching network to the second antenna, the connector couples the first antenna to ground.
Additionally, when the connector couples the module through the first matching network to the first antenna, the connector de-couples the module from the second antenna.
According to another aspect, a system may include a first matching network and a second matching network, where the first matching network is different than the second matching network. The system may further include a switching connector having first and second switching positions, where when the switching connector is in the first switching position an input terminal is connected through the first matching network to a first antenna and where when the switching connector is in the second switching position the input terminal is connected through the second matching network to a second antenna and the first antenna is connected to ground.
Additionally, the first matching network may be optimized towards a 50 ohm load.
Additionally, the second matching network may be optimized towards a load that has an impedance other than 50 ohms.
Additionally, the first antenna may have an impedance of 50 ohms and the second antenna may have an impedance of other than 50 ohms.
Additionally, a transmitter, receiver or transceiver may be connected to the input terminal.
Additionally, the switching connector may include a double pole, double throw switch.
Additionally, the system may include a radiotelephone.
According to a further aspect, a switching system may include a first single pole double throw switch and a second single pole double throw switch, where the second switch is ganged to the first switch and where when the first and second switches are in a first switching position, a transceiver circuit is connected to a first antenna via a first antenna matching network and when the first and second switches are in a second switching position, the transceiver circuit is connected to a second antenna via a second antenna matching network and the first antenna is connected to ground.
Additionally, the first antenna may be different than the second antenna and the first matching network may be different than the second matching network.
Additionally, the first antenna matching network may be optimized towards a 50 ohm load.
Additionally, the second antenna matching network may be optimized towards a load that has an impedance other than 50 ohms.
Additionally, the first antenna may have an impedance of 50 ohms and the second antenna may have an impedance of other than 50 ohms.
Additionally, the system may reside in a radiotelephone.
According to an additional aspect, a device may include a module associated with a transmitter, receiver or transceiver. The device may further include means for selectively coupling the module through a first antenna matching network to a first antenna or through a second antenna matching network to a second antenna, where the first antenna matching network may be different than the second antenna matching network and where the first antenna may be different than the second antenna.
It should be emphasized that the term “comprises/comprising” when used in this specification is taken to specify the presence of stated features, integers, steps, components or groups but does not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other features, integers, steps, components or groups thereof.
The accompanying drawings, which are incorporated in and constitute a part of this specification, illustrate one or more embodiments of the invention and, together with the description, explain the invention. In the drawings,
The following detailed description of the invention refers to the accompanying drawings. The same reference numbers in different drawings may identify the same or similar elements. Also, the following detailed description does not limit the invention.
Exemplary embodiments use a two-way connector for selectively coupling a transmitter, receiver or transceiver to an external antenna through a matching network that is optimized to a load of the external antenna, or to an internal antenna through a different matching network that is optimized to a load of the internal antenna. When the transmitter, receiver, or transceiver is coupled to the internal antenna, it may be only coupled through the matching network that is optimized to the load of the internal antenna, and not through the matching network optimized to the load of the external antenna. The two-way antenna connector of exemplary embodiments, thus, provides a way to present optimized matching networks both to an external (50 ohm) load and to the internal antenna directly from an output of the transmitter, receiver or transceiver. Using two different matching networks means that both conducted and radiated performance can be optimized, thus, enabling maximum power delivery to both the internal and external antenna.
As shown in
As depicted in
As shown, device 500 may include a front end module 210 of a transceiver 510 that is connected to two-way connector 220. Two-way connector 220 may further be connected to matching network A, to ground 270 and to matching network C 250. When two-way connector 220 is in the first switching position shown in
A two-way connector, as described herein, selectively couples a transmitter, receiver or transceiver to an external antenna through a matching network that is optimized to a load of the external antenna, or to an internal antenna through a different matching network that is optimized to a load of the internal antenna. The two-way antenna connector, thus, presents optimized matching networks to an external antenna that has an impedance of, for example, 50 ohms and to an internal antenna that has a different impedance than the external antenna. The two-way connector enables the use of two different antenna matching networks such that both conducted and radiated performance are matched to optimum, enabling maximum power delivery to both the internal and external antenna.
The foregoing description of implementations provides illustration and description, but is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the invention to the precise form disclosed. Modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teachings, or may be acquired from practice of the invention.
No element, act, or instruction used in the present application should be construed as critical or essential to the invention unless explicitly described as such. Also, as used herein, the article “a” is intended to include one or more items. Where only one item is intended, the term “one” or similar language is used. Further, the phrase “based on” is intended to mean “based, at least in part, on” unless explicitly stated otherwise.
