Radio card having independent antenna interface supporting antenna diversity
US6928302B1 · kind B1 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Jul 20, 2000 |
| Grant date | Aug 9, 2005 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Apr 3, 2021 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC H)Electricity
- CPC primaryH04L69/326
- WIPO fieldTelecommunications
- WIPO sectorElectrical engineering
Abstract
A radio card, such as a PCMCIA card, received by an electronic device has a first interface coupling radio circuitry within the radio card to the electronic device. The radio card also has a second interface, independent of the first interface, that couples with an antenna disposed within the electronic device upon receipt of the radio card by the electronic device. The second interface may comprise a plurality of antenna contacts located along tracks of the electronic device used to aid reception of the radio card. A second and possibly external antenna may also automatically couple with the second interface upon insertion. By selective placement of the antenna contacts on the radio card, a specific one of the antennas may be selected. Otherwise, internal switching circuitry supports antenna diversity or simultaneous use of a plurality of antennas.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.