Electrical connectors – Jumper – Coupling part comprising short circuiting cover or...
Reexamination Certificate
2000-08-31
2001-10-30
Ta, Tho D. (Department: 2833)
Electrical connectors
Jumper
Coupling part comprising short circuiting cover or...
C333S125000, C439S521000, C439S149000, C439S134000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06309246
ABSTRACT:
TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates generally to wireless communications devices, and more particularly to a low cost protective terminator cap for such devices.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
In recent years, the use of wireless communication systems having mobile transceivers which communicate with a hardwired network, such as a local area network (LAN) or a wide area network (WAN), has become widespread. The mobile transceivers, commonly referred to as portable teletransaction computing devices (PTC) or mobile terminals, may take one of several different forms. For instance, in retail stores hand-held scanning units may be used to allow for scanning inventory bar codes. In a warehouse, portable units mounted to a vehicle may be used to gather information from the warehouse floor. In a medical environment, the mobile terminal may take the form of a pen based workslate which allows medical personnel to work with full page screens.
In a typical wireless communication system, each mobile terminal communicates with a networked system via a radio link in order to allow for a real time exchange of information. The mobile terminals communicate through one of several base stations interconnected to the network. The base stations allow for a wireless data communication path to be formed. Consequently, such mobile terminals significantly facilitate worker efficiency since data can be gathered, transmitted and even processed at a remote site in real time.
When constructing a typical mobile terminal, an effort is made to minimize overall size and weight while maximizing the device's processing power and memory storage. Such devices typically include a transmitter antenna adapted for removable connection to the terminal. The antenna is usually detached during assembly at a manufacturing site, and during shipment to a customer. Such an antenna provides a known impedance to the transmitter output for impedance matching and to provide a known load to an amplifier stage of the output. However, when a customer receives and unpacks such a device, he/she may load software programs into or otherwise configure the terminal transmitter device without first installing an antenna to the output connector. This operation without an antenna load may subject the output amplifier state to damage or degradation.
In addition, operation of the transmitter output stage without an antenna frequently occurs during assembly of the mobile terminal. Operation of the transmitter in this fashion without a proper load may result in damage to the output stage. However, connection of an antenna to the unit throughout assembly and/or shipment makes the unit difficult to handle, and requires larger capacity shipping containers or packaging, due to protrusion of the antenna beyond the transmitter device profile. Moreover, the time it takes to screw on an antenna, and to later remove the antenna for shipping adds cost. Thus, there is a need for a device and methodology for providing a load to wireless communications devices in a cost effective manner, which may be advantageously employed during assembly and shipment of such devices, and which prevents inadvertent electrical and/or mechanical damage to the output stage and output connector.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention provides a terminator cap for terminating an output connector of wireless communication devices, such as portable teletransaction computing devices (PTC) or mobile terminals. The cap is manufactured from a conductive polymer or other composite material in order to provide a known electrical impedance between terminals of the output connector, whereby a low cost disposable load is provided, which may be easily installed on a wireless communication device during assembly and shipment. The invention thus minimizes the chance that the device will be operated without an output load, thereby preventing unnecessary damage to the device output stage circuitry.
In accordance with one aspect of the present invention, there is provided a terminator cap for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector with a connection end exposing a center conductor and a side portion including an outer case. The terminator cap comprises a first portion adapted to cover at least a portion of the connection end of the output connector, a second portion electrically connected to the first portion and adapted to cover at least a portion of the side portion of the output connector and to engage the outer case of the output connector, and a third portion electrically connected to the first portion and adapted to engage the center conductor of the output connector. The cap may be a push on device, allowing fast installation and removal from an antenna output connector. The first, second, and third portions may be made from a composite material adapted to provide an electrical impedance between the center conductor and the outer case of the output connector. In this regard, the material used in making the cap and/or the cap dimensions may advantageously be adjusted to control the impedance provided by the terminator cap.
The composite material may be a conductive polymer, and the electrical impedance provided between the center conductor and the outer case of the output conductor may be one of about 50 ohms, 75 ohms, 93-125 ohms, and 300 ohms. Thus, the invention contemplates terminator caps which may match the appropriate impedance of any number of standard transmitter output stages. In addition, the terminator cap may be advantageously adapted to engage with standard output connectors, such as MCX, an SMA, an SMB, a BNC, a TNC, and an RSMA connectors.
In this regard, the outer case of the output connector may include a curved conductive outer surface radially disposed from the center conductor, wherein the second portion of the terminator cap includes a radial inner surface adapted to receivingly engage the curved conductive outer surface. The cap thus provides mechanical protective cover for the output connector as well as an electrical load impedance. In addition, the center conductor of the output connector may include a generally cylindrical outer surface, wherein the third portion includes a generally radial inner surface adapted to receivingly engage the center conductor of the output connector.
Where the material used is sufficiently pliable, for example, through adjustment of the material durometer, the cap may be installed onto output connector types having threaded, bayonetted, or other types of engagement mechanisms. In this regard, the radial inner surface of the second portion may be adapted to provide an interference fit with the outer surface of the outer case and the third portion radial inner surface may be adapted to provide an interference fit with the center conductor. In this way, electrical connection may be established between the cap and the outer case and the center conductor of the output connection, with the cap itself providing an electrical impedance therebetween.
According to another aspect of the invention, a method is provided for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector, comprising providing a terminator cap having a first portion made from a composite material to provide an electrical impedance between second and third portions electrically connected to the first portion, engaging the first portion of the terminator cap with the output connector so as to cover at least a portion of a connection end of the output connector, engaging the second portion of the terminator cap with an outer case of the output connector and engaging the third portion of the terminator with a center conductor of the output connector. In this way, an electrical impedance is provided between the outer case and the center conductor of the output connector. The composite material may be a conductive polymer, adapted to provide a useful impedance, such as 50 ohms, 75 ohms, 93-125 ohms, or 300 ohms.
According to yet another aspect of the invention, a terminator cap is provided for terminating a wireless transmitter output connector, which
Epstein Norman
Keaton Jeffrey L.
Poole Rodney J.
Van Vuuren Martin Andrew
Vu Robert
Amin & Turocy LLP
Ta Tho D.
Telxon Corporation
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