ITTO940603A1 - DATA TRANSMISSION EQUIPMENT FOR A WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORK. - Google Patents

Abstract

A radio data transmission equipment for a wireless communication network is composed of a personal computer with which a portable and removable transmission module that can be inserted in the personal computer is associated; the module consists of an adapter card that can be connected to a card radio also removable and having two L-shaped space diversity antennas fixed on two side walls of the radio module housing; the equipment allows the transmission and reception of data via the computer with respect to a wireless communication network.

Description

Description of the industrial invention entitled:

"Data transmission equipment for a wireless communications network",

TEXT OF THE DESCRIPTION

The present invention relates to a data transmission apparatus for a wireless communication network comprising a data processor and electronic transmission means adapted to be connected to said processor, to enable it to transmit and receive data via radio according to a predetermined standard of transmission.

STATE OF THE CURRENT TECHNIQUE

In the current art, from the international patent application W091 / 04461 a portable personal computer is known consisting of a base frame comprising a keyboard for data entry, a central data processing unit, a mass memory unit to store data and programs, and a plurality of electronic circuits for data processing and program management.

A video unit comprising a screen and the relative control circuits is mounted on an auxiliary frame hinged to the base frame and orientable with respect to it.

A cellular telephone set and an interface unit comprising a microphone and a loudspeaker are housed in suitable compartments of the base frame. The cellular telephone connected to the interface unit and to the electronic circuits allows to communicate through a telephone channel by means of a removable whip antenna, mounted on the subframe, data and messages with another personal computer of the same type.

This equipment must necessarily contain a modulator-demodulator (modem) circuit, to modulate and demodulate the signals sent and received by the cellular telephone.

Therefore the portable personal computer is more bulky and heavier.

From the English patent application 2241133 a cellular radio-telephone apparatus is also known comprising a main unit containing a microprocessor, a memory, and a transceiver circuit for receiving and transmitting through an antenna radio signals processed by the microprocessor on the basis of standard programs contained in memory.

A telephone handset including a microphone, a loudspeaker and an audio amplifier is connected with a cable to the main unit.

The main unit further comprises a compartment equipped with a coupling interface for housing an extractable memory card, of the smart-card type, containing information stored therein for selecting radio functions and for identifying the telephone user.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

The technical problem that the present invention aims to solve is that of creating a very compact apparatus, of limited weight to be easily portable and easy to use by the user, capable of communicating via radio with a communication network without wires, in order to receive and respectively transmit voice communications and data processed by a personal computer in digital form.

The technical problem set out above is solved by the data transmission apparatus for a wireless communication network, which is characterized as defined in the main claim, with reference to the attached drawings.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Fig.1 represents a block diagram of the apparatus according to the invention;

Fig.2 represents a transmission module which can be coupled to the apparatus of Fig.1;

Fig.3 represents a block diagram of the circuit of the adapter card;

Fig. 4 represents a block diagram of the circuit of the radio module;

Fig.5 is a perspective view of the radio module according to the invention;

Fig .6 shows the assembly of the antennas on the radio module of Fig.5;

Fig. 7 is a mounting variant of the antennas of Fig.6;

Fig.8 represents a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the apparatus of Fig.1;

Fig.9 represents an application form of the module of Fig. 2 to a telephone handset;

Fig.10 represents an application of the module of Fig.2 to a handset.

With reference to Fig. 1, 1 indicates schematically a generic data processor, such as for example a personal computer.

The personal computer 1 can be both of the table type, as well as of the portable type, so-called lap-top. The computer 1 is enclosed within a body 3 and substantially comprises a keyboard 5, for entering data, a set of electronic circuits 7 arranged on plates 8, contained inside the body 3, a display device 9, for display in a known way the results of the elaborations of the computer and a mass non-volatile memory unit 11 of the type for example hard disk, for storing data and programs.

The set of electronic circuits 7 comprises at least one central microprocessor unit, not visible, and an input-output bus 10 for data in digitized form. In addition, the computer 1 is equipped with specific programs for the transmission / reception of digital data through a radio communication network.

Of course, depending on the particular computer model considered, the keyboard and the display can be physically separated from each other and from the computer body, as in common desktop personal computers.

Or the keyboard is integrated in the computer, while the display is mounted on a flat structure hinged on the body with an additional cover function, as in common portable personal computers.

To transform a conventional personal computer, operationally isolated from other computers of the same type, into a device capable of communicating with the external environment, without the aid of cable connections, and without the use of lines or channels operating through radio links, according to the invention, the use of a separate transmission unit 15 of extremely reduced dimensions to be easily carried by the operator in his own pocket, autonomous as regards the its own power supply, that is, being able in certain cases to be equipped with batteries and easily insertable and disconnectable in and from the computer or personal computer according to the needs.

The transmission unit 15 can, at the discretion of the operator, be connected at any time to the processor 1, regardless of the place in which it is located, to allow the transmission and reception via radio of the processed data, each time that the operator deems it appropriate.

For this purpose, in the body of the computer 1 (personal computer) there is a housing 18 in the shape of a thin slot suitable for receiving the transmission unit 15, which, when inserted in the housing 18, is electrically connected. with the input-output bus 10 of the processor.

The transmission unit 15 (Fig. 2) comprises an adaptation module 20, consisting of a first printed circuit board 20, containing the functional electronic components, to adapt the signals produced by the personal computer to a radio transmission standard, for example the DECT standard, or GSM and a second card, or radio module 22, containing the circuits for the radio transmission of the signals previously adapted by the module 20.

According to the DECT or GSM specifications, the radio module operates in the frequency band between 1880 and 1900 MHz, on ten channels separated by 1.728 MHz.

The radio communications between different radio modules 22, belonging to different personal computers of the transmission network, take place according to a multiple / hybrid system in time and frequency (TDM / FDM), with "double simplex" and "duplex" connections.

Transmission occurs in cycles or time frames having a duration of 10 ms, for example, divided into "slots", for example 24 slots, of which one half is used for transmission, and the other half for reception.

The adapter card 20 can be connected to the radio module 22 by means of a female connector 24 mounted on the card 20 and a corresponding male connector 25, mounted on the radio module 22.

In turn, the adapter card 20 can be connected to the input-output bus 10 of the processor 1 by means of a connector 27 located at the inner end of the housing 18. A plurality of connection pads 28 are provided therewith. purpose on one end129 of the board 20.

The pads 28 and the connector 27 can be replaced by proximity couplers, without physical contact, of the capacitive, electromagnetic, or optical type, for example with IR rays.

The adaptation module 20 can be connected to the radio module 22, instead of directly through the two connectors 24 and 25, by means of a cable 30, of suitable length, to allow the radio module 22 to be arranged in the most suitable position for a more efficient capture of the radio signals emitted by a remote transmitter.

In particular, the cable 30 is equipped with two end connectors 32, 34 suitable for being connected respectively to each of the connectors 24 and 25.

Both the input-output bus 10 of the processor 1 and the cable 30 have wires for the power supply voltages of the transmission unit 15, in addition to the wires necessary for the transfer of data and commands.

The adaptation module 20 comprises (Fig. 3) an interface circuit 40 between the card 20 and the personal computer 1 (Fig. 1). The circuit 40 comprises a memory 42 and registers 43, the addressing of which is managed by suitable software parameters, thus ensuring high efficiency and flexibility to the interface circuit 40.

The circuit 40 is connected by means of a bidirectional bus 46 with other circuits of the card operating to adapt the data processed by the processor 1 in the form of digital signals to the specific transmission standard adopted.

Bus 46, for example 16-bit, transfers data, addresses and control signals. In particular, a RAM memory 50 is connected to the bus 46 for storing the operating programs and the data in transmission and reception, a control circuit 52 for the bus 46 and a digital processor 54 for the control and management of the entire module 20, in based on the timing of an oscillator 58. At the output of the card 20, an interface circuit 48 towards the radio module 22 is also connected to the bus 46.

The interface circuit 48 towards the radio module 22 operates according to the DECT specifications to control and maintain the synchronism of the data received from the radio 22 and to carry out the necessary corrections of reception errors. In particular, the processor 54 manages the transmission and reception of data serially ordered according to the DECT specifications, performs the control and management of the frequencies of the different transmission carriers, controls the synchronism of the slots, and finally detects the level of the received signals, to select through a specific algorithm one or the other of two antennas, described further on, to optimize reception in accordance with the "space diversity" procedure.

As already mentioned above, the bus 46 transfers the supply voltages directly from the processor 1 to the radio 22, while a suitable logic switch contained in the control circuit 52 of the bus 46 can, if necessary, interrupt this supply line. , if power supply batteries are provided for board 20 or for both modules 20 and 22.

Fig. 4 describes a preferred non-limiting embodiment of the circuit of the radio module 22.

The radio module 22 is made on a printed circuit base 60, partially visible in Fig. 5, with the components arranged on both faces using the ASIC technology to obtain a high integration of components in the minimum space.

The printed circuit 60 is enclosed in a double-shell box or container 62 63,64, of extremely reduced dimensions for this application. According to a non-limiting embodiment, the radio module occupies a space of approximately 54 x 62 x 11 mm.

The internal surface of the shells 63 and 64 is made electrically conductive by means of a galvanic metallization or by applying a thin sheet of metal, for example aluminum.

The contacts of the connector 25 (Fig. 2) are connected to an input-output circuit 65 (Fig. 4) built with highly integrated ASIC technology, and containing a network of gates (gate array) for selection and sending signals to the different components of the circuit. The circuit 65 is connected to a modulator-demodulator circuit 66, comprising one or more medium frequency stages.

The circuit 66 has a double output 66a, 66b, respectively used for transmission and reception. The outputs 66a and 66b are connected to a diverter 67 and therefore to medium frequency IF circuits with relative filters and to a mixer circuit 68. The mixer circuit 68, assisted by a PPL (Phase Locked Loop) type conversion circuit 69, and It is used to transform the medium frequency signal into a high frequency signal, suitable to be transmitted through one or the other of two antennas 70,71.

The circuits IF, 68 and 69 are used both in transmission and in reception, being able to be selectively connected to the transmission line TX, or to the reception line RX by means of the switch 67.

Between the mixer circuit 68 and the antennas 70,71, an amplifier circuit (front end) 73 is interposed, consisting of a power amplifier 74 for transmission and a preamplifier 75 used for reception. A switch 76 which can be selectively activated, provides for transmitting the circuit 68 to the power amplifier 74, or to the preamplifier 75 for reception. The switches 67 and 76 are controlled by specific signals received by the card 20 on a conductor 78.

In order to reduce the overall dimensions and due to aesthetic factors, each of the antennas 70,71 (Figs. 5,6) is made by means of a conductive element 80 in the shape of a foil, folded in an L shape and fixed externally on two lateral surfaces 81,82 adjacent to the box 62 {Figs. 5, 6). More particularly the conductor element 80 is embedded in a bar 84 of synthetic material transparent to high frequency electromagnetic radiations.

Each antenna 70,71 is fixed to the box 62 and to the plate 60 in their operative position, by means of a connection member 86, comprising a metal pin 85, integral with the bar 84 and electrically connected at one of its ends 851 to the conducting element 80.

The pin 85 protrudes perpendicularly from the short side 87 of the busbar 84 and is introduced with precision into a bushing 88 of electrically conductive material, fixed on the printed circuit board 60 of the radio module contained in the box 62 and connected to one or the other line of antenna 70a, 71a (Fig. 4).

To ensure stable fastening of the busbar 84 to the box 62, the connecting member 86 further comprises a sleeve 89 integral with the busbar 84 and a support 91 fixed to the plate 60. The sleeve 89 concentrically envelops the pin 85 and is introduced with slight forcing in a corresponding hole 90 of the support 91 supporting the bushing 88. According to a variant of the fixing of the antenna to the container 62, the sleeve 89 is replaced with a pin 891 (Fig.7) integral with the bar 84 and parallel to the pole 85. The pin 891 can be inserted in a corresponding hole of the container 62.

Furthermore, a tooth 92, integral with the long side 93 of the bar 84, engages in a corresponding recess 94, obtained in the thickness of the side wall 82. The tooth 92 prevents the long side 93 of the antenna from sliding parallel to the pin 85, sliding on the side wall 82 and accidentally detaches from the box 62. The antennas 70,71 can be removed and replaced with other antennas, for example stylus, each of which is inserted in the corresponding bushing 88.

To separate the antenna 70 (or the antenna 71) from the box 62 it is necessary to pull the end of the long side 93 towards the outside of the box 62, as indicated by the arrow 95, and then axially remove the pin 95 from the bush 88.

Fig.7 shows an example of application of the transmission unit 15 to a personal computer 100 of a commercial type, for example the OLIVETTI PHYLOS model.

The computer 100 is equipped with a housing 102 obtained in a side wall 104. The housing 102 extends inside the body of the computer and comprises a connection member, not visible, of the type of the connector 10 of Fig.1, suitable for connecting unit 15 to an input-output bus, also not visible, of the computer.

The adaptation module 20 is inserted into the housing 102, while the radio module 22, connected to the adaptation module 20 by means of a cable 105, is fixed by means of an elastic pliers 106 to a part of the computer body, for example to the cover-display 107. In this way the radio module does not interfere with the operator's work and can be placed in the most suitable position for optimum reception of radio signals.

Naturally the unit 15 can be inserted in the housing 102 in the complete form, i.e. formed by the adaptation module 20 connected directly to the radio module 22.

In the previous pages the transmission unit 15 (Fig. 1) has been described, distinct and separate from data processing devices, autonomous and portable, consisting of the combination of an adaptation module 20, connected to a radio module 22.

It has also been described, with reference to Fig. 7, the use, according to a first embodiment of the invention, of the transmission unit 15, associated with a personal computer, preferably of the portable type, to radio the processed data. from the computer to another computer of the same type belonging to a wireless data communication network.

Fig.8 shows another application of the transmission module 15 in combination with a passive telephone handset 110, i.e. of the type having only a microphone 112, a loudspeaker 114, a voice amplification circuit 115, internally connected both to the microphone , than to the loudspeaker 114. A handset connection cable 116, and having a connector 117, allows the handset 110 to be connected to the adapter module 20, which is in turn inserted into a personal computer 120. The handset 110 has a housing 118 to accommodate the radio module 22.

At the bottom of the housing 118 there is a connector 119 for connecting the radio module 22 and the circuit 115 with the module 20. The personal computer 120 comprises circuits, not shown, for the treatment of the voice of a known type and not described in detail in the present description, which receive the voice signals from the handset 110 in analog form and convert them into digital signals, which are subsequently sent through the adaptation module 20 and the cable 116 to the radio module 22 to be transmitted via radio.

Similarly, in the case of reception, digital signals, representing a voice communication, received by the radio module 22, are sent through the cable 116 to the personal computer 120 and from there, converted into analog signals, to the handset 110.

It is evident that with a pairing of a passive telephone handset to a personal computer, through the adaptation modules 20 and radio 22, as described above, it is possible for an operator to communicate hands-free with his correspondent, simply by inserting the radio module 20 into the handset 110 and connect the cable 116 to the adapter module 20, in place of the radio module used, as described in relation to Fig.1, for data communications.

Fig. 9 shows a further application of the adapter modules 20 and radio 22.

A portable handset 130 comprises a microphone 131, a loudspeaker 132, the relative amplification circuit similar to that 115 used for the handset 110 of Fig.8. Furthermore, the handset 130 comprises a display 133, a telephone keypad 134, with the relative management circuits, possibly controlled by a microprocessor. Such known circuits are not indicated in Fig. 9 for reasons of simplicity.

The adapter modules 20 and radio 22 can be inserted in a housing 135, which comprises a connector 136 to receive the end 129 (Fig. 2) of the card 20. The radio module 22 is directly connected to the card 20 through the own connectors, as already described above.

The handset 130 further comprises a housing 137 for batteries, to supply autonomously both the handset's own circuits and the modules 20 and 22.

Therefore the handset 130 will be able to communicate via radio with an apparatus of the type described in Fig. 1, or in Fig. 7, in which the respective personal computers include the circuits and programs suitable for the treatment of the voice.

It is understood that modifications, additions or replacements of parts may be made to the data transmission apparatus for a wireless communication network according to the present invention, without however departing from the scope of the invention.

For example, the handset 130 may be equipped with a further slot-shaped housing 138, associated with a suitable coupling member, for the introduction and reading of fixed data from a portable memory card 139, of the smart-card type. , such as, for example, an operator identification code, telephone numbers, correspondent addresses, etc. Furthermore, the handset 130 can comprise an infrared ray type external interface device 140 for transmitting and receiving in confined environments.

Again the handset 130 can be equipped with an output for a cable for connecting to a printer, and contain the control circuits necessary to be able to receive texts to be printed.

Claims (1)

CLAIMS 1.Equipment for transmitting data to a wireless communication network, comprising a data processor and electronic transmission means adapted to be connected to said processor, characterized in that said transmission means comprise an adaptation module for conditioning said processor to operate according to a predetermined communication standard, and a radio module connected to said adaptation module to transmit said data to said network. 2. Apparatus as in claim 1, characterized by the fact that said data processor comprises a personal computer having a housing for accommodating said adaptation module, said personal computer having at least one data input - output bus connected to a connector arranged in said housing for connecting said adaptation module to said bus. 3. Apparatus as in claims 1 or 2, characterized by this, that said radio module comprises an autonomous, separate and portable radio transceiver unit, comprising means for connection with said adaptation module, to enable said computer to transmit and receive data via radio according to said predetermined communication standard. 4. Apparatus as in claim 3, characterized in that said radio transceiver unit comprises a plurality of electronic components mounted on a printed circuit element enclosed in a container having a metallized internal surface, said electronic components being connected from one part to the other. said connecting means, and in another part to an antenna system for radiating and / or receiving said data. 5. Apparatus as in claim 4, characterized in that said antenna system comprises two identical and independent antennas. 6. Apparatus as in claim 5, characterized by the fact that said electronic components comprise an input-output circuit connected to said connection means, a high frequency amplification front-end circuit, connected to said antennas and frequency circuits intermediate, frequency conversion and modulation - demodulation. 7. Apparatus as in claim 6, characterized in that said front-end circuit is selectively connected to one or the other of said antennas by means of a pair of antenna lines, selected by a diverter circuit controlled by said adaptation form. 8. Apparatus as in one of claims 4 to 7, characterized in that said antennas comprise a conducting element enclosed within a resin casing in the form of an elongated bar and composed of two contiguous parts, bent at right angles one with respect to the the other, said bar being fixed on two adjacent side walls of said container. 9. Apparatus as in claim 8, characterized in that each of said antennas is removably connected to said printed circuit element by means of a connecting member. 10. Apparatus as in claim 9, characterized by this, that said connecting member comprises a support mounted on said printed circuit, carrying a bushing adapted to removably receive a metal pin rigidly connected to a conducting element of said antennas, said connecting member comprises moreover a cylindrical element protruding from said bar parallel to said pin and able to be inserted in a corresponding compartment of said container. 11. Apparatus as in 8.09, or 10, characterized in that said metal pin is fixed to a first of said contiguous parts, and that a tooth integral with a second of said parts is inserted in a corresponding recess of said container for holding said antenna in an operative position. 12. Apparatus for the transmission of data through a wireless communication network, using a personal computer housed in a body having at least one compartment communicating with the outside of said body, and comprising a central processing unit for digital processing of information and at least one input and output bus for said information, said apparatus comprising transmission means adapted to be connected to said bus to transmit to and receive from said communication network the information processed by said central unit and respectively signals transmitted by said communication network, characterized by this, that said transmission means comprise a first electronic adapter card, distinct from said personal computer, portable and removably insertable in said compartment to enable said central unit to operate according to a predetermined communication standard and a second radio card transmitter, separate from said personal computer and from said adapter card, portable and connected to said first adapter card for transmitting to and receiving said information from said communication network. 13. Apparatus as in claim 12, characterized in that said bus is connected to a connector disposed within said compartment for connecting said adapter card to said bus, when inserted into said compartment. 14 Apparatus as in claims 12 or 13, characterized by this, that said adapter card and said radio card respectively comprise a first and a second coupling member, and that said radio card is connected to said adapter card by means of a cable connected between said coupling members. 15. Apparatus as in claims 12 or 13, or 14, characterized in that said radio transmitter board comprises a plurality of circuit components mounted on a printed circuit base enclosed within a substantially parallelepiped-shaped container, said circuit components being connected to a pair of antennas, each fixed externally on two adjacent side walls of said container. 16. Apparatus as in claim 15, characterized in that each of said antennas comprises a conducting element enclosed within a resin casing in the form of an elongated bar and composed of two contiguous parts, bent at right angles to each other. 17. Apparatus for the transmission of data through a wireless communication network, using a personal computer housed in a body having at least one compartment communicating with the outside of said body, and comprising a central processing unit for digital processing of information and at least one input and output bus for said information, said apparatus comprising transmission means adapted to be connected to said bus to transmit to and receive from said communication network the information processed by said central unit and respectively signals transmitted by said communication network and a telephone handset having a microphone and a loudspeaker and a connection cable, characterized in that said transmission means comprise a first electronic adapter card, distinct from said personal computer, portable and removably insertable in said compartment for enable said central unit to operate according to a predetermined communication standard, and a second radio transceiver card, distinct from said personal computer and said adapter card, portable and insertable in a housing of said telephone handset in operative connection with said first adapter card through said cable, to transmit to and to receive said information from said communication network, selectively by means of said computer and said handset. 18. Apparatus as in claim 17, characterized by this, that said handset comprises, a coupling member arranged within said housing, able to be coupled with said radio card, an amplification circuit for said microphone and for said loudspeaker, connected to said member said connection cable being connected between said member and said adapter card to connect the radio card coupled to the handset with the adapter card inserted in the personal computer. 19. Apparatus for the transmission of data through a wireless communication network, using a personal computer housed in a body having at least one compartment communicating with the outside of said body, and comprising a central processing unit for digital processing of information and at least one input and output bus for said information, said apparatus comprising transmission means adapted to be connected to said bus to transmit to and receive from said communication network the information processed by said central unit and respectively signals transmitted by said communication network and a handset having a microphone and a loudspeaker a display screen, a keyboard, electronic control circuits, characterized in that said transmission means comprise a first electronic adapter card, distinct from said personal computer, portable to enable said central unit to ope according to a predetermined communication standard, and a second radio transceiver card, distinct from said personal computer and said adapter card, portable and connected to said first adapter card, said first and second card being insertable, coupled together in a housing of said handset, for transmitting to and receiving said information from said communication network. 20. Apparatus as in claim 19, characterized by this, that said personal computer houses in said compartment a first adapter card connected to a second radio card arranged adjacent said computer, to communicate with said handset. 21. Radio transmitter module for an apparatus for transmitting data through a wireless communication network comprising a digital information processor, said module comprising a plurality of circuit components suitable for receiving said digital information and converting it into radiated high-frequency radio signals by a system of antennas connected to said circuit components, characterized in that said components are contained in a container having a substantially parallelepiped shape, and that said antenna system comprises two identical and distinct antennas, each being bent at right angles and arranged on two side walls, adjacent to said container. 22. Module as in claim 21, characterized by this, that said antennas comprise an element for electrical connection between a conductor of said antennas and said circuit components, and a fastening member integral with said antennas and cooperating with said container to retain said antennas in an operational position. 23. Module as in claim 22, characterized by this, that said antennas comprise a first arm and a second arm joined together at right angles, said electrical connection element being formed by a metal pin fixed on said first arm, and said member comprising a tooth integral with said second arm and cooperating with a corresponding recess of said container. 24. Apparatus for transmitting data through a wireless communication network, substantially as described, with reference to the accompanying drawings.