Modular communications device and associated methods

#The present invention generally relates to the field of wireless communication systems and, more particularly, to a modular communications device and associated methods.

#Conventional wireless communications devices, e.g., subscriber units, wireless modems, communication elements of a wireless networking system, wireless data processing terminals and the like are typically comprised of a single, integrated unit. An example of just such a conventional wireless communications device is presented with reference to FIG. 1.

#Turning briefly to FIG. 1, a generic block diagram of a conventional wireless communications device is presented. As shown, the device is generally comprised of control logic 102, a digital signal processor 104, memory 106, an input/output (I/O) interface 108, a transmitter 110, a receiver 112, synthesizer(s) 114, amplifier elements 116 and 118, a duplexer/filter 120, and an antenna, each communicatively coupled as depicted. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that the control logic 102 and digital signal processor 104 generally control the communications device and process data at baseband in accordance with the modulation technique, multiple access method supported by the communications device 100. The transmitter 110 and receiver 112 in combination with the amplifier elements 116 and 118 and the duplexer/filter 120 process the signal to/from baseband, by downconverting/upconverting the signal from/to a suitable carrier frequency in accordance with the communications system for which the device 100 was designed.

#The present invention is illustrated by way of example, and not by way of limitation, in the figures of the accompanying drawings in which like reference numerals refer to similar elements and in which:

#FIG. 1 illustrates a block diagram of a conventional wireless communications device;

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example communications device incorporating the teachings of the present invention;

#Embodiments of the present invention are directed to a modular communications device and associated methods. In this regard, a modular communication device (MCD) is disclosed comprising a processing module that is removably coupled with a radio frequency interface module (RIM). As disclosed herein, the processing module performs one or more of baseband processing, filtering, compression/decompression and/or encryption/decryption of the payload in accordance with one or more multiple access techniques (e.g., FDMA, TDMA, CDMA, etc.). The removable radio frequency interface module (RIM) provides one or more of upconversion and downconversion to/from an operating spectrum of the RIM, filtering elements, amplification features, and one or more antenna elements. A given RIM is designed to enable the processing module to function in a particular wireless communication spectrum. A user may well purchase, rent, lease, etc. any of a number of alternate RIMs which, when coupled with a processing module, enables a user to migrate the processing module between multiple radio frequency environments.

#Reference throughout this specification to “one embodiment” or “an embodiment” means that a particular feature, structure or characteristic described in connection with the embodiment is included in at least one embodiment of the present invention. Thus, appearances of the phrases “in one embodiment” or “in an embodiment” in various places throughout this specification are not necessarily all referring to the same embodiment. Furthermore, the particular features, structures or characteristics may be combined in any suitable manner in one or more embodiments.

#FIG. 2 is a block diagram of an example modular communications device incorporating one embodiment of the teachings of the present invention, in accordance with one example implementation of the present invention. In accordance with the illustrated example implementation of FIG. 2, the modular communications device 200 is depicted comprising a processing module 202 and a number (N) of radio frequency interface modules (RIM) 204A . . . N. In accordance with one example implementation, the processing module 202 includes a coupling mechanism 206 that may be received by a complementary coupling mechanism 208 on the RIM 204A . . . N. Those skilled in the art will appreciate that any of a number of conventional and/or proprietary coupling mechanisms may well be used to enable the modular aspects of the present invention.