Shared transmitter for cellular access and wireless charging

A communication system, comprising:

• a communication device, including:
• a first transmitter;
• a second transmitter;
• a first antenna, coupled to the first transmitter;
• a second antenna, coupled to the second transmitter;
• a memory;
• and
• a processor, coupled to the memory, the first transmitter, and the second transmitter, and including instructions that, when executed by the processor cause the processor to:
• generate a long-range communication signal, generate a short-range communication signal;
• transmit the long-range communication signal from the first transmitter over the first antenna;
• transmit the short-range communication signal from the second transmitter over the second antenna;
• generate a charging signal configured to deliver electrical power to an external sensor;
• and
• control at least one of the first transmitter and the second transmitter to selectively transmit the charging signal during allocated transmission intervals such that the charging signal supplies operating power or charging energy to the sensor while maintaining cellular network access;
• and
• a sensor operatively coupled to the communication device to receive the charging signal and at least one of the long-range communication signal or the short-range communication signal.

A method of communication of electronic signals and charging, the method comprising:

• generating a long-range communication signal;
• generating a short-range communication signal;
• transmitting the long-range communication signal from a first transmitter over a first antenna;
• transmitting the short-range communication signal from a second transmitter over a second antenna;
• generating a charging signal configured to deliver electrical power to an external device;
• and
• selectively transmitting the charging signal during allocated transmission intervals using at least one of the first transmitter and the second transmitter such that the charging signal supplies operating power or charging energy to the external device while maintaining cellular network access.