US 2006/0139833 A1 · Connection interface for conveying RF, data, and power between electronic devices

Abstract

An interface enables an RF signal, a DC power signal, and a data signal to be conveyed between two devices over a single RF cable. In an exemplary application of this invention, a steerable antenna system is coupled to a wireless adapter for use in a wireless network. The steerable antenna includes a plurality of panels that can be selectively activated in response to the data signal, which also determines a direction in which an RF signal is transmitted or received by a selected panel of the antenna. Low pass filters in each device isolate the DC power supply and the load from the other two signals. High pass filters isolate the radio in the wireless adapter and the antenna array from the DC and data signals. The data signal is preferably encoded into a Manchester format that passes through a bandpass filter provided in each device.

Claims20

Dependent claims

A method for conveying a plurality of different types of signals between two devices over a radio frequency (RF) cable having a single conductor with a shield, wherein the plurality of different types of signals range in frequency from a direct current (DC) signal to an RF signal, comprising the steps of:

(a) at the device where any of the plurality of different signals are provided to be conveyed the other device, coupling each such signal to the RF cable through an associated filter, said associated filter having frequency and impedance characteristics that pass only the signal input to the associated filter and substantially excludes all other of the signals;
(b) conveying the plurality of different signals over the RF cable to whichever of the two devices that will be using the signals;
and
(c) at the other device that will be receiving each specific signal of the plurality of signals, coupling the RF cable to a corresponding one of a plurality of different filters that is characterized by passing only said specific signal and substantially excluding all other of the signals.

1 more element

A method for coupling a first device and a second device together to convey a radio frequency (RF) signal, a data signal, and an electrical power signal between the first and the second devices, comprising the steps of:

(a) at the first device:
(i) modulating the data signal to produce a modulated signal;
(ii) coupling the modulated signal through a first bandpass filter, to an electrical conductor that connects the two devices;
(iii) coupling the electrical power signal through a first low pass filter, to the conductor;
(b) at the second device:
(i) coupling the conductor to a second bandpass filter to filter out substantially all but the modulated signal at an output of the second bandpass filter;
(ii) demodulating the modulated signal from the output of the second bandpass filter to recover the data signal for use by the second device;
and
(iii) coupling the conductor to a second low pass filter to filter out substantially all but the electrical power signal, the electrical power signal being used to energize the second device;
(c) at one of the first device and the second device, coupling the RF signal to the conductor through a first high pass filter;
and
(d) at the other of the first device and the second device:
(i) coupling the conductor to a second high pass filter, to filter out substantially all but the RF signal;
and
(ii) using the RF signal.

12 more elements

Apparatus for conveying a plurality of signals over an RF cable connecting a first device and a second device, the plurality of signals including a direct current (DC) electrical power signal, a data signal, and a radio frequency (RF) signal, wherein the RF signal is provided at one of the first device and the second device and is used at the other of the first device and the second device, comprising:

(a) at the first device:
(i) a first low pass filter coupled between a DC power source and the RF cable, said first low pass filter passing the DC electrical power signal, but substantially blocking all other of the plurality of signals;
and
(ii) a first bandpass filter coupled between a source of the data signal and the RF cable, said first bandpass filter passing data carried by the data signal, but substantially blocking all other of the plurality of signals;
(b) at the second device:
(i) a second low pass filter coupled between the RF cable and an electrical load that uses the DC electrical power signal conveyed over the RF cable, said second low pass filter passing the DC electrical signal to the electrical load, but substantially blocking all other of the plurality of signals;
and
(ii) a second bandpass filter coupled to the RF cable and having an output at which the data are accessible for use;
(c) a first high pass filter coupled to the RF cable and disposed at said one of the first device and the second device where the RF signal is provided, said first high pass filter receiving the RF signal and passing the RF signal to the RF cable, but substantially blocking all other of the plurality of signals;
and
(d) a second high pass filter coupled to the RF cable at the other of the first device and the second device where the RF signal is received over the RF cable, said second high pass filter passing the RF signal for use by said other of the first device and the second device, but substantially blocking all other of the plurality of signals.

8 more elements

Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.

Connection interface for conveying RF, data, and power between electronic devices

Life of this patent

Connection interface for conveying RF, data, and power between electronic devices

Life of this patent

Abstract

Claims20