Telecommunications – Transmitter and receiver at same station – Radiotelephone equipment detail
Reexamination Certificate
1999-04-26
2001-01-30
Eisenzopf, Reinhard J. (Department: 2745)
Telecommunications
Transmitter and receiver at same station
Radiotelephone equipment detail
C455S575100
Reexamination Certificate
active
06181950
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to radiotelephones, and more particularly relates to portable radiotelephones.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Radiotelephones continue to grow in popularity because they enable flexible channels of communication. Conveniently, increasing numbers of radio-towers and satellite systems are generally each increasing a users access and availability even in rural or remote areas. This increased popularity produces a sophisticated consumer who can demand sometimes competing product specifications or criteria. For example, desired performance parameters typically include improved signal quality, operational features, and durability all the while maintaining an aesthetically pleasing appearance. In addition, many users desire improved transportability, which in turn, generally dictates that the product configuration be provided as a slim and miniaturized design.
In operation, portable radiotelephones transmit and receive signals from a transmission source such as a transmission tower or satellite. This tower or satellite is typically positioned at a site which is remote from the user of the portable radiotelephone. It will be appreciated that generally the further away a signal is from its transmission source, the weaker the signal and the higher the potential for noise to be introduced into the signal. Generally, when a signal is directed to a radiotelephone, the radiotelephone antenna acts to receive the signal and provide the signal to the radiotelephone to be processed and output. Because the input signal is directed to the radiotelephone from a remote distance, it can be subjected to noise interferences present in the environment which can degrade the quality of the resultant voice signal. Shielding signal lines in the radiotelephone can help to prevent this degradation.
Further, as noted above, many of the more popular hand-held telephones are undergoing miniaturization. Indeed, many of the contemporary models are only 11-12 centimeters in length. Portable radiotelephones employ an internally disposed printed circuit board which generally controls the operation of the radiotelephone. Because the printed circuit board is disposed inside the radiotelephone, its size is also shrinking, corresponding to the miniaturization of the portable radiotelephone. Unfortunately, desirable operational and performance parameters of the radiotelephone can potentially require a large amount of dedicated space on the surface of the printed circuit board. Therefore, it is desirable to efficiently and effectively utilize the limited space on the printed circuit board.
This miniaturization can also create complex mechanical and electrical connections with other components such as the outwardly extending antenna which must generally interconnect with the housing for mechanical support, and to the printed circuit board in order for the signal to be processed. In addition, these type of connections are potentially further complicated by the use of retractable antennas which have dynamic components, i.e., components which move or translate with respect to the housing and the printed circuit board.
Referring to
FIG. 1
, conventional portable radiotelephones have used a variety of antenna connections to interconnect the antenna to the housing and the printed circuit board. The antenna and the printed circuit board
15
typically include one cylindrical ground path
13
and one live signal path
17
which are connected by a connector
10
. For example, as illustrated in
FIG. 1
, a coaxial connector
10
is inserted into the housing
12
and soldered directly onto the printed circuit board
15
. The connector
10
forms a right angle
18
with respect to the printed circuit board
15
. Although this type of connection can provide a solid electrical connection and good signal shielding, it generally uses a relatively large mounting area both inside of the housing
12
and on the printed circuit board
15
. Further disadvantageously, this type of connector
10
is difficult to adapt for use with retractable antennas. This is because the connector
10
must somehow electrically interconnect with a component which typically includes a dynamic member which is longitudinally movably positioned in a plane which is above and parallel to the printed circuit board.
Another example of a known antenna connection used on portable radiotelephones is illustrated in FIG.
2
. In this type of configuration, a connector
10
′ is inserted into the housing
12
and mechanically attached to the printed circuit board such as with a screw or a snap
16
. Thus, a mechanical force is applied to the connector
10
′ to force it against the printed circuit board
15
in order to make electrical contact with contact pads positioned on the printed circuit board
15
. The antenna live signal path
17
extends via the connector
10
′ into the housing
12
at a right angle
18
with respect to the printed circuit board
15
through an outwardly extending projection
19
. Unfortunately, this type of connection generally provides a poor electrical connection and typically poorer shielding in the signal path. Further, the connection generally has an associated impedance which is non-standard, making manufacturing inspection tests difficult because most testing equipment is designed to a 50 &OHgr; standard. In addition, this type of connection also generally uses an undesirable amount of space in the housing and on the printed circuit board.
OBJECTS AND SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
It is an object of the present invention to provide improved radiotelephone antenna connectors.
It is a further object of the present invention to provide a radiotelephone antenna connector which is easy to manufacture, to connect to the printed circuit board, and which also minimizes the amount of mounting space needed on the printed circuit board.
It is an additional object of the invention to provide an antenna connector which is easily adaptable for use with a retractable antenna and which has good signal shielding.
It is a further object of the invention to provide a radiotelephone antenna and printed circuit board connection with a standard 50 &OHgr; impedance rated interface.
These and other objects, advantages, and features are provided by a coplanar antenna connector which interconnects an antenna and a printed circuit board of a portable radiotelephone. In particular, the antenna connector includes an antenna connector conductor strip having opposing first and second ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal between an antenna and a source and receiver. The connector also includes at least one antenna connector ground strip having first and second opposing ends adapted for transmitting a radiotelephone signal between a source/receiver and an antenna. At least one antenna connector ground strip and the antenna connector conductor strip are held in coplanar alignment, preferably by a nonconducting carrier ribbon. Each of the at least one antenna connector ground strips and the antenna connector conductor strip are spaced-apart and define a gap therebetween. In a preferred embodiment, the at least one antenna connector ground strip comprises first and second antenna connector ground strips disposed on opposing sides of the antenna connector conductor strip. As such, the antenna connector first ground strip and the antenna connector conductor strip define a first gap therebetween and the antenna connector second ground strip and the antenna connector conductor strip define a second gap therebetween. Alternatively, the antenna connector can be a flex connector having separate ground and signal conducting traces thereon. Further alternatively, the conductors can be configured sufficiently rigid as to maintain coplanar alignment without a carrier body.
Advantageously, the connector is configured to be structurally flexible such that when assembled to the antenna and radiotelephone it minimizes the amount of space needed to mount the antenna connector and electrically engage with the prin
Aoki Makoto
Eisenzopf Reinhard J.
Ericsson Inc.
Myers Bigel Sibley & Sajovec P.A.
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