Background of the Invention

Field of Invention

This invention relates to the field of portable communication transceivers and specifically to a portable transceiver antenna system which is adapted for electro¬ nically altering the antenna/receiver characteristics in response to changing environments in which the trans¬ ceiver is utilized.

Description of the Prior Art

Portable radio transceivers are used in several facets of communications technology. Portable trans¬ ceivers can be found in paging systems, two-way commun- ication systems such as those used by police and other public servants, and more recently portable receivers have found use in portable data terminals which are used to communicate with a host computer over a radio link. Portable data terminals provide computer diagnostics and expanded computer power in the portable terminal.

Typical portable paging receivers in the past have incorporated loop-type antennas which are typically

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responsive to the magnetic field component of a trans¬ mitted RF signal. This type of antenna system provides marginal performance, but is desirable because the loop antenna can be concealed within a radio housing and res- ponds well when the receiver is in close proximity to a human body. However, the overall sensitivity of the antenna/receiver combination is somewhat degraded where the receiver is not in close proximity to a human body. In addition, loop-type antennas exhibit certain problems which make them undesirable for use in a portable device which also utilizes a transmitter.

Portable units which contain both a receiver and transmitter are utilized in public service and private industry where communication between a number of units is desirable. The units typically contain a receiver and transmitter used in combination with an external helical, monopole or dipole antenna. These antennas are respon¬ sive to the electrical field of an RF signal and provide superior reception and transmission characteristics, when the antenna is located externally to the portable device housing. In addition, helical and monopole antenna performance is degraded substantially when the antenna is operated in close proximity to a human body.

A paging receiver is normally worn on the body when in use. Unlike the pager, a portable transceiver is utilized in many different environments. It may be handheld in front of the face, worn on the hip, or placed on a conducting or non-conducting surface.

With the advance of data processing and data communication techniques, it is now desirable to manu¬ facture portable communication devices which are capable of transmitting and receiving data in cooperation with a host computer. These devices are for instance useful to servicemen who use the portable terminal to perform on-site computer testing and diagnostics, and to keep records thereof. It is desirable to manufacture a

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portable data terminal as small as possible, so the terminal can be transported easily. In addition, it is also desirable to provide a portable data terminal with an antenna system which is completely enclosed within the terminal housing. This feature enhances the portability of the data terminal, as well as providing protection for the'terminal antenna system.

These terminals may be carried in the hand, worn on the hip, put in a coat pocket, used on a desk, or put into a service tool kit. The orientation of the unit, as well as its physical environment is constantly'changing as it is utilized from one time to the next.

Since the portable data terminal is operated in a number of distinct environments and orientations, it is necessary to provide an antenna system which is adaptable to a changing environment. Adaptability is especially useful when the portable data terminal is used in close proximity to a human body.

Adaptable antenna systems exist in the prior art but have primarily focused on antenna systems which are used in mobile or fixed communications systems. These systems are typically implemented in an automobile-based environ¬ ment and utilize two identical antennas which are placed so as to be more than a quarter wavelength from each other. When the antenna system passes through a changing environment such as an automobile passing a building, one antenna may encounter a null or a point in space where the RF energy is low due to multipath interference, and the radio receiver will select the alternate antenna. These adaptable antenna systems are known as mobile diversity systems, and operate on a principle which provid¬ es that if a null occurs at a point in space, the likeli¬ hood of a null occurring at a point some distance away from the null, typically one quarter wavelength, is low. Simply stated, if one antenna in the mobile diversity system is in a null, the other antenna is probably not in a null.

Furthermore, mobile diversity systems typically utilize identical antennas which are oriented in the same plane and exhibit identical reception characteristics. The antennas in a mobile diversity system are located externally to the vehicle and typically utilize monopole, dipole, or helical antennas.

> This type of antenna system is designed to operate in a free-space environment where the electromagnetic waves exhibit 377 ohms impedance, and the immediate physical surrounding of the antennas do not change. It would not particularly be advantageous on a portable tranceiver when the the environment changes, for example being in close proximity to the human body.

Adaptable antenna systems have not been developed for portable communication devices in part due to conventional teachings which indicate that a diversity type antenna system requires antennas which are placed at least one quarter wavelength apart, which is usually not possible in a portable communication device. In addition, it has been neither practical nor desirable to place a plurality of monopole type antennas external to a radio housing due to space limitations and aesthetics.

For the foregoing and other shortcomings, there is a need for an improved adaptable antenna system for use with a portable transceiver in which the antenna system can be used to transmit or reliably receive a signal subject to deep fades while at the same time being contained completely within the radio housing.

The present invention overcomes the foregoing prob- lems in a portable receiver by incorporating a plurality of antennas within a radio housing, they may or may not be disposed a quarter wavelength apart from each other, and by relying on antenna characteristics and placement they provide a diverse antenna selection within the system. In particular, they are designed each one to respond best in a different type of physical environment.

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They designed and placed so as to minimize the probability of all being degraded simultaneously during typical use of the portable receiver.

Summary of Invention

> Accordingly, it is an object of the present invention to provide an improved antenna system which can be incorporated into a portable transceiver and which provides optimum reception in a changing environment.

It is a further object of the present invention to. provide an adaptable antenna system which can be completely enclosed in a portable radio housing.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a portable radio antenna system which maintains maximum receiver sensitivity while in close proximity to a human body as well away from a human body. It is yet another object of the present invention to provide a portable radio antenna system which maintains good receiver sensitivity in a plurality of any other environments in which the portable is expected to be utilized. It is yet another object of the present invention to optimize antenna/receiver sensitivity as the orientation of the portable unit is changed.

Briefly described, the invention contemplates an antenna system in which a plurality of antennas are incorporated within the housing of a portable transceiver. Each antenna incorporated within this system is designed to exhibit distinct reception characteristics, or in the alternative to be located in a dissimilar orientation with respect to the other antennas used in the system. The receiver determines the relative sensitivity of each antenna in a specific environment and connects the radio receiver to an antenna which has optimum reception characteristics.

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One embodiment of the present invention provides two antennas which are similar in structure and in a perpendicular relation to each other. This antenna arrangement provides two antennas in which the electric field vectors of the antenna reception patterns are oriented in different directions.

When the portable is utilized in an area relatively free from multipath signal reflections, the arriving signal from the distant radio transmitter will be predominantly linearly polarized, with the S field vector vertically oriented if the transmitting antenna was vertically polarized. In order to maximize reception, a receiving antenna should match the polarization direction, i.e., vertical. A horizontal receiving antenna would receive little or no signal power.

Therefore, one of the two portable antennas is oriented for receiving vertical polarization while the unit is handheld or utilized in an upright position while the other antenna is oriented to receive vertical polarization while the unit is lying flat, for example, on a desk.

Another embodiment incorporates two internal antennas of any structure which are physically separated from each other, for example at opposite ends of the unit. The locations are chosen such that the liklihood of both antennas being degraded simultaneously by some user action is minimal. For example, a portable data terminal may be hand-held, with the hand enclosing one of the two internal antennas and degrading its performance. The other antenna will then not likely be covered, and will perform properly. Depending upon whether the person is right-handed or left-handed, and depending upon how he grasps the unit, the situation may reverse itself. Another embodiment of the present invention incorporates antenna structures which are dissimilar and which provide distinct reception characteristics. One

antenna is a dipole exterior to the unit, which performs well when the unit is handheld somewhat away from the body. The other antenna is a loop antenna which is tuned to perform well when the unit is worn on the belt. The receiver will select the antenna which provides the better signal as the unit is shifted from one position to the. other during use.

Brief Description of the Drawings

Figure 1 is a perspective drawing of a portable data receiver such as one which would incorporate the preferred embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 2 is an electrical schematic of a first embodiment of the present invention.

Figure 3 is an electrical schematic showing a second embodiment of the present invention. Figure 4 is an electrical schematic showing a third embodiment of the present invention.-

Figure 5 is a diagram of an antenna structure that may be utilized in the antenna system of the present invention.

Detailed Description of the Preferred Embodiment

Figure 1 shows a perspective drawing of a portable transceiver 10 such as one which would be used with the present invention. The portable transceiver 10 incorporates a display 12 and keyboard 11 and is used to communicate with a host computer. The portable tranceiver 10 transmits and receives data and can be used to provide on-site computer diagnostics. The portable transceiver 10 is constructed of a plastic housing which encases the terminal and radio electronic circuits, as well as an improved homotropic antenna system including a plurality of antennas 13, 14 which are disposed in

different orientations. These antennas 13, 14 may also exhibit distinct reception characteristics, and one of the antennas may be exterior to portable transceiver 10 although both are preferably inside the plastic housing thereof. Two antennas which may be incorporated in the improved homotropic antenna system are described in pending patent applications serial numbers 489,893 and 489,894 and entitled "Three Element Low Profile Antenna" by azimierz Siwiak and "Two Element Low Proile Wire Antenna" by Oscar M. Garay, respectively, and filed April 29, 1983. These inventions are assigned to the Assignee of the present invention.

The antennas described in these patent application provide reception characteristics in which the electric field and magnetic field vectors are oriented in a different manner in the respective antennas. When these antennas are placed in perpendicular relation to each other, such as antennas 13 and 14 in figure 1, the antenna system will provide a reception pattern in which the electric and magnetic field vectors of the respective antennas are orthogonal with respect to each other. Therefore, an essential feature of the antennas in the homotropic antenna system is that the reception characteristic of each antenna be sufficiently uncorrelated such that _. an environmental condition which adversly affects one antenna, will not affect the - alternate antenna in the same way.

Figure 2 shows a detailed electrical schematic of a first embodiment of the present invention. The invention contemplates a receiver 28 used in combination with a plurality of antennas 13 and 14, which are selected according to the signal quality from each antenna. A first antenna 14 is coupled to PIN diode 21. The PIN diode is also coupled to an inductor 22 and a capacitor 23. A second antenna 13 is coupled to a PIN diode 26 which is coupled to a capacitor 24 and an

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inductor 27. The junction of capacitors 23 and 24 is connected to the receiver 28.

In operation, an antenna is activated by placing a bias voltage at point A or B. This bias voltage places PIN diode 26 or 21 in the conductive state which provides a connection from antenna 13 or 14 to the receiver 28 through capacitor 24 or 23.

The receiver 28 converts the received RF signal to a lower frequency signal which is then coupled to a bit quality detector 30. The bit quality detector 30 provides an output related to the signal/quality of the output signal of the receiver 28. The receiver 28 processes the received signal and converts it to a lower frequency signal of the desired form, in this case binary data at approximately 4800 bits/sec. The receiver data output is then coupled to a bit quality detector 30 which generates a binary signal corresponding to the binary data signal which provides a flag indicating the quality of a received bit. The bit quality detector 30 is coupled to a microprocessor 31 which processes the incoming data and bit quality information in accordance with the present invention. The microprocessor then selectively activates antenna 13 or 14 depending on the quality of the incoming signal being produced by a particular antenna.

A suitable bit quality detector 30 and antenna control scheme is shown and described in copending patent application attorneys docket number CM-0218J entitled "Signal Quality Steered Diversity", invented by Eugene J. Bruckert et al and assigned to the assignee of the present invention.

According to an important feature of the present invention, the signal is processed by the receiver 28 and bit quality detector 30, and the microprocessor 31 makes a decision based on the quality of the received signal. If the signal quality is below a predetermined threshold

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level, the microprocessor 31 will select the alternate antenna. If the alternate antenna also produces an out¬ put signal of an unacceptable quality, the microprocessor 31 will alternately select antennas until one antenna produces a signal of acceptable level. A particular antenna will remain selected until the signal deterior¬ ates to an unacceptable quality.

Figure 3 shows a detailed electrical schematic of a second embodiment of the present invention. The inven- tion contemplates a receiver 28 used in combination with a plurality of antennas 13 and 14, which are selected according to the signal strength from each antenna. A first antenna 14 is coupled to PIN diode 21. The PIN diode is also coupled to an inductor 22 and a capacitor 23. A second antenna 13 is coupled to a PIN diode 26 which is coupled to a capacitor 24 and an inductor 27. The junction of capacitors 23 and 24 is connected to the receiver 28.

In operation, an antenna is activated by placing a bias voltage at point A or B. This bias voltage places PIN diode 26 or 21 in the conductive state which provides a connection from antenna 13 or 14 to the receiver 28 through capacitor 24 or 23.

The receiver 28 converts the received RF signal to a lower frequency signal which is then coupled to a signal strength evaluator circuit 32. The signal strength evaluator circuit 32 provides an output related to the signal strength of the output signal of the receiver 28. The signal strength evaluator circuit 32 produces a two- state binary output. If the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver output signal is below a predetermined threshold level, the output of the evaluator circuit 32 will remain low or the equivalent of a logic "0."

Conversely, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver output signal rises above a predetermined level,

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the output of the evaluator 32 will remain high or the equivalent of a logic "1."

The signal strength evaluator circuit 32 is then coupled to an AND gate 33. The AND gate 30 also receives an input from the multivibrator 34. The multivibrator 34 produces a continuous stream of logical ones and zeros or the .equivalent of a squarewave signal at a predetermined frequency of operation.

If the output of the signal strength evaluator 32 produces a logic zero output, the output of the multivi¬ brator will be coupled to flip-flop 55 through the AND gate 33. When the flip-flop 35 receives the signal from the multivibrator 34, the flip-flop 35 changes state and reverses the output from the previous pulse period. The output of the flip-flop 35 is coupled to a ter¬ minal "A" by buffer 37 and to a terminal "B" by an inver¬ ter 36. The output of inverter 36 is coupled to a term¬ inal "B". Terminals A and B provide a bias voltage for the control of the PIN diode antenna switches 21 and 26. Therefore, a signal is received by either antenna 14 or 13 depending upon the signal strength of incoming signal at the respective antennas. According to an important feature of the present invention, the signal is processed by the receiver 28, and the signal strength evaluator 32 makes a decision based on the quality of the received signal. If the signal is below a predetermined threshold level, the system will select the alternate antenna. If the alternate antenna also produces an output signal of an unacceptable level, the antenna system will toggle between antennas until one antenna produces a signal of acceptable level. A particular antenna will remain selected until the signal deteriorates to an unacceptable level.

Figure 4 shows a third embodiment of the present invention. The third embodiment contemplates an adaptive

antenna system which can be used with a transmitter as well as providing two or more antennas which can be used to receive RF signals.

The expanded homotropic antenna system in Figure 4 includes an antenna 13 which is connected to an elec¬ trical resonant element 42. The antenna 13 is also coupled to a PIN diode 44. The PIN diode 44 is coupled to an inductor 46. The PIN diode 44 and the inductor 46 are coupled to a transmitter power amplifier 80 which can be a conventional power amplifier such as that shown in U.S. patent number 4,367,443. The inductor 46 is also coupled to a terminal T. The resonant element 42 is connected to a pin diode 48 which is in turn, connected to a capacitor 49. The resonant element 42 and pin diode 48 are also connected to second resonant element 50. The second resonant element 50 is connected to a capacitor 60 which is connected to a pin diode 64 and an inductor 62. The pin diode 64 is connected to a second antenna 14. In operation, a control signal is applied to point A and point B. If a voltage is present at node A and B, the pin diode 48 will be forward biased and the junction between the first resonant element 42 and the second resonant element 50 will be electrically grounded. Any signal appearing at antenna 13 will be isolated from antenna 14.

In addition, a control voltage is applied to point B which forward biases pin diode 64. Antenna 14 is then connected to a receiver 28 through diode 64 and capa- citor 60 while being isolated from antenna 13.

Conversely, if no control signal is present, at A or B, diode 64 will be in a non-conductive state, thereby isolating antenna 14 from the radio receiver. In addi¬ tion, since there is no control signal applied to diode 48, the first and second resonant elements provide an electrical connection from antenna 13 to the receiver 28.

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Similarily, any number of receive antennas can be added to the homotropic antenna system as shown at term¬ inal "C" by utilizing identical circuitry shown with antennas 14 or 56. For example, another antenna 56 can be added by coupling the antenna with an inductor 58, a PIN diode 54 and a capacitor 52. The antenna 56 can be selected by applying a bias voltage at terminal Bias "A" and Bias "N".

As previously noted, antennas 13 and 14 are selec- tively connected to the receiver 28 in response to con¬ trol signals applied to point A and B. The receiver 28 provides an output which would be connected to a radio discriminator and also provides a separate connection to a signal strength evaluator 29. The signal strength evaluator circuit provides a dual state output relative to the signal quality of the signal generated at the output of receiver 28. The signal strength evaluator circuit 29 can be any squelch- type circuit adapted to provide a binary output. A suitable squelch circuit is described in Motorola Instruction Manual No. 68P81023E30 entitled "Rural Telephone System" and dated 1975. This instruction manual is available from the Service Public¬ ations Department of Motorola Inc., 1301 East Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, Illinois or from Motorola C & E Parts, 1313 East Algonquin Road, Schaumburg, Illinois. If the signal strength of the receiver output signal is below a predetermined level, the signal strength evaluator 29 will produce an output signal equivalent to a logical "0." Conversely, if the signal-to-noise ratio of the receiver output signal is of acceptable quality, the output of the signal strength evaluator will remain the equivalent of a logical "1." The signal strength eval¬ uator circuit is of the type previously described for Figure 2. The output of signal strength evaluator 29 is connected to an AND gate 30. The AND gate 30 also

receives an input from multivibrator 31. The multivibra¬ tor produces a continuous output signal comprising a pro¬ gression of logical ones and zeros. Therefore, if the output of the signal strength evaluator produces a logic zero output, the output of the multivibrator will be coupled to an electronic counter 70. The counter 70 is a standard "off the shelf" binary counter which can be pro¬ grammed to begin counting at any binary number. When coupled to a binary decoder 72, the decoder will selec- tively activate the buffer circuitry associated with ter¬ minals A, B, C or N or any number of outputs in sequence. As control signals A, B, C, or N are activated, antennas 13, 14 and 56 will be selectively connected to receiver 28. When one antenna produces a signal of acceptable quality, the scanning sequence ceases and the system remains on that antenna until the signal drops below an acceptable level.

If- the homotropic antenna system in Figure 3 is to be used to transmit a signal, the antenna system is con- figured to utilize a single antenna for transmission and provide isolation between the antenna being used for transmission and the receiver.

To initiate a transmission, the user of the portable transceiver first activates the PTT terminal shown in Figure 4. The PTT may be coupled to the output of a switch which is on the keyboard of the transceiver or may be controlled automatically by other circuity in the transceiver. At the same time, a bias voltage is applied to terminal T of inductor 46. The bias voltage T is present only during transmission. The bias signal applied at terminal T is supplied by a buffer (not shown) which is also activated by the PTT signal. The PTT sig¬ nal is applied to a transmitter power amplifier 80 and an OR gate 76. The output of OR gate provides the control voltage to the "A" terminal of inductor 51 which switches diode 48 into the active state, which provides an AC ground at the junction of resonant elements 42 and

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50. Therefore, any RF energy at antenna 13 will be isol¬ ated from receiver 28. The bias signal applied to term¬ inal T activates diode 44, thus providing a continuous path between antenna 13 and transmitter power amplifier 80.

Figure 5 is a diagram of an antenna structure that may.be utilized in the antenna system of the present invention. This antenna may be substantially the same as the antennas 13 and 14 shown in Figure 1. The antenna consists of two elements 90 and 92 which are disposed on the radio chassis 94 which is contained within a radio housing. The first antenna element 90 is a driven ele¬ ment which is grounded at one end and connected to the antenna system at the opposite end. A second antenna element 92 is grounded at each end and is located approx¬ imately 3 centimeters from the first antenna element for an operating frequency range of 800 MHz to 850 MHz. The second antenna element acts as a reflective element with respect to the first element. This antenna provides a signal reception pattern in which an electric field is excited between the radiators as well as between the radiators and the groundplane provided by chassis 94. In addition this antenna structure provides acceptable per¬ formance when operated in close proximity to a human body. Further details of this antenna structure are described in the aforementioned pending patent applica¬ tion, serial number 489,894.

The antenna shown in figure 5 can be adapted to provide superior performance when the unit is hand held by placing at least one antenna in a position which is not likely to be covered by a hand. In addition this antenna can be tuned to provide superior open air or on the body reception.

Another antenna which could be successfully utilized in the present invention are disclosed in U.S. Patent 4,313,119 entitled "Dual Mode Transceiver Antenna" 1982

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by Garay et. al. and assigned to the assignee of the pre¬ sent invention. Yet another antenna which could be util¬ ized with the present invention is disclosed in U.S. Patent 3,736,591 entitled "Receiving Antenna for Mini- ature Radio Receiver" by Rennels et al and assigned to the assignee of the present invention. Either one of these antennas can be used in place of antennas 13, 14 in Figure 1 and may be external or internal to the housing of portable transceiver 10. In summary a homotropic antenna system capable of providing transmission and adaptable reception character¬ istic has been described and provides an adaptable antenna system which is preferably completely disposed within a portable transceiver housing. The antenna system is capable of transmitting or receiving a signal and automatically selects a particular antenna based on the signal quality at each respective antenna. This has been intended as an illustration of the principles of- the present invention. Accordingly, other modifications, uses and embodiments will be apparent to one skilled in the art without departing from the spirit and scope of the principles of the present invention. What is claimed is:

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