Patent ID: 6078797
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: H03G,H04B

Abstract:
A method of controlling a received signal level in a wireless communication device having an antenna, a power supply line, a receiving circuit, an amplifying element coupled between the antenna and the receiving circuit, a transmitting circuit, and an antenna switch, the antenna being switchably coupled through the antenna switch to the amplifying element and to the transmitting circuit, the method comprising the steps of:detecting strength of a received signal received by the antenna;supplying current from the power supply line to the amplifying element when the strength of the received signal is less than a first threshold, causing the amplifying element to amplify the received signal; andcutting off current from the power supply line to the amplifying element when the strength of the received signal is greater than a second threshold, causing the amplifying element to attenuate the received signal;setting the antenna switch to a first state, when the strength of the received signal is less than a third threshold, causing the antenna switch to couple the received signal from the antenna to the amplifying element without attenuation; andsetting the antenna switch to a second state, when the strength of the received signal is greater that a fourth threshold, causing the antenna switch to couple the received signal from the antenna to the amplifying element with attenuation.