Method and apparatus for controlling antenna connectivity as a function of antenna orientation

Methods and apparatuses presented herein control antenna connectivity for a wireless communication device as a function of rotation of a connector assembly plugged into the device, such as where an external antenna or cable includes the connector assembly. Assuming the device has a mating connector for the external antenna that changes the connections of internal and external antennas as a function of the connector mating depth, the method comprises configuring the wireless communication device and/or the external antenna with a mechanical feature that changes the mating depth between the device's and the antenna's mating connectors responsive to external antenna rotation. In one embodiment, a body portion of the external antenna retains the mating connector and includes a cam feature or other mechanical feature that engages an edge or surface of the device as the antenna is rotated, thereby pushing the antenna out from the device.

BACKGROUND

1. Technical Field

The present invention generally relates to antennas, such as external antennas used on wireless communication devices, and particularly relates to controlling antenna connectivity as a function of antenna orientation.

Wireless communication devices, such as PC Cards, mobile terminals, etc., often make use of internal antennas and external antennas. For example, it may be convenient (or practically necessary) to include an internal antenna within a PC Card. Incorporation of the internal antenna makes the card more convenient to use in a laptop or other such system, and makes it more robust physically, as external antennas may be more prone to damage.

However, external antennas commonly offer better performance, e.g., greater gain or sensitivity, as compared to the internal counterparts. The reasons for these performance advantages are varied, but may include the ability to implement external antennas in a larger or more appropriate size, and the ability to space external antennas further away from parasitic coupling elements and active sources of interference.

While the mechanisms for detachably connecting external antennas to wireless communication devices are varied, a typical approach involves the use of complementary mating connectors on the device and the antenna. Known, non-limiting examples of such connectors include “SSMB” connectors, “MC Card Adapters,” “MMCX Adapters”, “MCX-Plug Adapters,” and “RP-MMCX Adapters.”

Whether or not these industry-standard connectors are used, a couple of features or characteristics are common to many types of (RF) mating connectors. First, the mating connectors included in the wireless communication devices may include or be associated with switching elements—e.g., spring fingers or other displaceable contacts—that actively connect an external antenna when it is plugged in and correspondingly disconnect the internal antenna(s). Conversely, such mating connectors reconnect the internal antenna(s) when the external antenna's mating connector is unplugged.

Another common characteristic is that the above types of mating connectors allow an external antenna to be rotated while it is plugged in. That characteristic actually is desirable in terms of reducing stresses on the mating connectors which is especially important with surface mount connectors and other potentially vulnerable mechanical/electrical configurations. However, external antenna rotation also can be problematic.

For example, the external antenna may offer performance improvements over the internal antenna only for a restricted range of orientations. In such cases, the external antenna's performance may degrade as it is rotated downward or otherwise away from its preferred angular orientation to the extent that its performance is inferior to the internal antenna. Other considerations, such as undesired antenna coupling, also may come into play with excessive rotation of the external antenna away from its preferred or nominal angular orientation.

SUMMARY

Methods and apparatuses presented herein include a connector assembly that comprises a first mating connector configured to insertably mate with a corresponding second mating connector of another device, and a mating connector body fixedly retaining the first mating connector and having a mechanical feature that decreases a mating depth between the first and second mating connectors responsive to rotation of the first mating connector relative to the second mating connector. As non-limiting examples, the connector assembly may comprise part of a plug-in external antenna, or an antenna cable.

With the above connector assembly as an example basis, one method embodiment taught herein relates to controlling antenna connectivity for a wireless communication device as a function of rotation of an external antenna plugged into the device. Assuming the device has a mating connector for the external antenna that changes the active connections of internal and external antennas as a function of the connector mating depth between its mating connector and that of the external antenna, the method comprises configuring the wireless communication device and/or the external antenna with a mechanical feature that changes the mating depth between the device's and the antenna's mating connectors responsive to external antenna rotation.

In one or more embodiments, a body portion of the external antenna retains the mating connector and includes a cam feature or other mechanical feature that engages an edge or surface of the device as the antenna is rotated, thereby pushing the antenna out from the device. The mechanical feature can be configured to allow full mating depth between the mating connectors of the external antenna and the device for a first range of rotational angles, and can be configured to begin changing, e.g., progressively, the mating depth as that first range of rotational angles is exceeded.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

FIG. 1illustrates a side view of one embodiment of a connector assembly10, whileFIG. 2provides a front view of the same assembly10. The illustrated connector assembly10comprises a first mating connector12, e.g., a pin, which is configured to insertably mate with a corresponding second mating connector of another device (not shown). The connector assembly10includes a mating connector body element14, which fixedly retains the first mating connector12and has a mechanical feature16that decreases a mating depth between the first and second mating connectors responsive to rotation of the first mating connector relative12to the second mating connector. The connector body element14may be attached to or integral with a housing18, which may house or otherwise fixedly retain another connector20.

In one embodiment, the connector assembly10is implemented as a standalone item, as opposed to being integrated into an antenna or cable assembly. In at least one such embodiment, the housing18includes a connector20, which may be implemented as a different type (form factor) from that of the mating connector12, which allows the connector assembly10to act as a connector adaptor.

Whether or not the connector assembly10is implemented as an adaptor, in one or more of its embodiments, the mechanical feature16comprises a cam feature, such as can be achieved by forming or machining the edge of the connector body element14, which circumferentially surrounds the mating connector12, as best seen inFIG. 2. With this approach, a cam profile can be selected or otherwise configured to achieve the desired behavior in response to rotation of the connector assembly10. For example, the cam profile may allow full mating depth between the mating connector12and whatever it is plugged into, for a first range of rotational angles, and may engage after that first range is exceeded, thereby decreasing the connector mating depth.

The same idea can be applied to integrated systems or devices that are intended to plug into other things. For example,FIG. 3illustrates an embodiment of the connector assembly10, wherein it is included with, or otherwise integrated with a cable22, such as an external antenna cable. Along the same lines, and as another non-limiting example,FIG. 4illustrates the connector assembly10implemented as part of a plug-in external antenna30.

The illustrated external antenna30comprises an antenna body34, which may subsume or otherwise include the housing18of the connector assembly10. For example, in the illustrated embodiment, the connector body element14attaches to or integrates with the antenna body34, at a connector end of the antenna30.

With the illustrated configuration, the external antenna30can be conveniently plugged into a complementary mating connector of another device. With that in mind, in the embodiment illustrated, the mechanical feature16changes the mating depth of the mating connector12(when it is plugged into a complementary mating connector) responsive to rotation of the external antenna30. In other words, the mechanical feature16causes mechanical interference between the external antenna30and the device it is plugged into, at least for some range of rotational angles, and that mechanical interference tends to push the external antenna30out (away from) the device, such that the mating connector12is at least partially withdrawn.

FIG. 5illustrates the connector end of the external antenna30in more detail, and provides context for better understanding the illustrated embodiment of the mechanical feature16. As seen in the drawing, the mating connector12of the external antenna30plugs into a corresponding mating connector40, which is included in a wireless communication device42, e.g., a PC Card, cellular telephone, or other such equipment. The embodiment of the wireless communication device42shown in the diagram includes a body or housing44, which includes or otherwise incorporates a surface or edge46that mechanically interferes with the mechanical feature16of the external antenna30, when the external antenna30is plugged into the wireless communication device42and rotated with respect to it.

More particularly, the mechanical feature16shown inFIG. 5comprises a cam feature implemented on or as part of the mating connector body element14, which surrounds the mating connector12. This configuration provides a cam surface profile that engages the edge46of the wireless communication device42as the external antenna30is rotated. Notably, however, as shown inFIG. 6, the mechanical feature16is, in one or more embodiments, designed to allow the mating connector12of the external antenna30to be fully mated with the mating connector40of the wireless communication device42for at least some angular orientations of the external antenna30relative to the wireless communication device42. That is, for at least some range of angular rotation, the cam profile of the mechanical feature16does not engage with the edge36of the wireless communication device42. Therefore, the mating connectors12and40remain fully mated (full insertion depth) over some range of external antenna rotation.

Indeed, one sees from the illustration that the rotational angle at which the mechanical feature16begins interfering with the edge36(or other body/surface part) of the wireless communication device42can be controlled by the cam profile of the mechanical feature16. One also sees that the maximum degree or extent to which the mechanical feature withdraws the mating connector12from the mating connector40as a function of external antenna rotation can be controlled by the cam profile.

FIGS. 7 and 8provide two perspective views illustrating operation of the mechanical feature16. InFIG. 4, the external antenna30is plugged into the wireless communication device42and may be considered to be in a vertical orientation with respect to the wireless communication device. Assuming for this example that the vertical orientation is considered nominal or otherwise desirable, the mechanical feature16is formed or otherwise configured not to cause mechanical interference between the wireless communication device42and the external antenna30for the nominal orientation. That is, the mechanical feature16is configured to allow the external antenna30to remain fully plugged into the wireless communication device42, at least when the external antenna30is in its nominal orientation. To that end, one sees that the lower portion of the cam profile of the mechanical feature16“clears” the edge46of the wireless communication device42, thereby allowing the mating connector12of the external antenna30to achieve full mating depth with the mating connector40of the wireless communication device.

On the other hand,FIG. 8depicts circumstances where the external antenna30has been rotated 90 degrees away from its nominal position. One sees that the mechanical feature16has engaged the edge46because of the antenna rotation, and that the cam profile of the mechanical feature16has caused that physical engagement to withdraw (or begin withdrawing) the mating connector12of the external antenna30from the mating connector40of the wireless communication device42. Put simply, the cam profile of the mechanical feature16creates an axial withdrawal force between the mating connectors12and40, such that the external antenna30is “pushed” away from the body44of the wireless communication device42as progressive rotation of the external antenna30causes the cam profile of the mechanical feature16to progressively engage the edge46.

FIG. 9provides further details regarding the angle-based functionality of the mechanical feature16, for one or more embodiments of the external antenna30and/or wireless communication device42. For reference, rotational angles are depicted relative to a centerline of the external antenna30, for a vertical antenna orientation.

With that relative framework used as the angular reference, the mechanical feature16may be configured to allow a full mating depth between the connectors12and40for a first range of angles (up to θ1on either side of the centerline). Again, if implemented as a cam feature, a cam profile of the mechanical feature16can be configured to allow full mating over the angular range defined by ±θ1.

Further, the mechanical feature16can be configured to cause a maximum withdrawal (i.e., a maximum decrease in mating depth) for rotational angles beyond θ2. (While θ2is shown only with respect to one side of the centerline, it should be understood that rotating the external antenna30more than θ2away from the centerline in either direction, i.e., ±θ2, produces the same result.) Still further, and particularly with cam-based embodiments that conveniently provide for progressive mating depth changes with progressive antenna rotation, the mating feature20may be configured to produce intermediate changes (i.e., changes between zero withdrawal and maximum withdrawal) for angles θ3, that are greater than angles θ1and less than angles θ2.

As a non-limiting example, the mechanical feature16of the external antenna30can be configured to change the mating depth between the mating connectors14and40, such that the mating connector40actively connects the external antenna30and disconnects an internal antenna (not shown) of the wireless communication device42for a first rotational angle of the external antenna30, and actively connects the internal antenna and disconnects the external antenna30for a second rotational angle of the external antenna30.

Broadly, then, the mechanical feature16is, in one or more embodiments, configured as a cam feature that allows full mating depth between the mating connectors12and40(as first and second mating connectors) for a first range of rotational angles between the external antenna30and the wireless communication device42, and that decreases the mating depth as the first range of rotational angles is exceed. (Of course, it is contemplated herein to implement other non-cam arrangements of the mechanical feature16to effect the same or similar operations.)

Advantageously, the above configuration may be based on setting the first range of rotation as a function of known performance of the external antenna30, such that the extents of the first range of rotation correspond to desired performance degradation limits of the external antenna30. In other words, the external antenna30may not work well once it is rotated beyond a given range of angles. As an example, a vertically polarized version of the external antenna30may not work as well as an internal antenna of the wireless communication device42once the external antenna30is rotated too far away from a nominal vertical orientation.

Thus, assuming that the connector40of the wireless communication device42is configured to control the connectivity of its internal antenna (not shown) and the external antenna30as a function of the mating depth between the mating connectors40and14, the mechanical feature16can be configured, for rotational angles beyond a desired limit, to change the mating depth enough to cause disconnection of the external antenna30and reconnection of the internal antenna. Similarly, the connector40of the wireless communication device42also may be configured to simultaneously connect both the internal antenna and the external antenna30for some intermediate range of insertion depths between the connectors40and12, such as for diversity operation.

In the above scenario, full mating depth causes the connector40to disconnect the internal antenna and connect the external antenna30. Intermediate rotation of the external antenna30causes the mechanical feature16to cause an intermediate change (decrease) in the mating depth of the connectors40and12, thereby causing the connector40to connect both the internal antenna and the external antenna30for diversity operation. Further rotation of the external antenna30would cause the mechanical feature to cause a greater (possibly maximum) change in the mating depth of the connectors40and12, thereby causing the connector40to disconnect the external antenna30, leaving only the internal antenna connected. Of course, more complex arrangements are contemplated herein, such as where the wireless communication device42has more than one internal antenna, and changes in mating depth caused by rotation of the external antenna30produce different active antenna combinations.

FIG. 10depicts an embodiment of the external antenna30which may be particularly advantageous in the above context. More particularly, the mechanical feature16is configured such that its cam profile include stops or other surface features50corresponding to different internal/external antenna connectivity configurations. That is, with knowledge of the antenna connectivity behavior for the connector40within the wireless communication device42, the cam profile can be specifically tailored with predefined stop positions for antenna rotation angles corresponding to desired internal/external antenna connectivity.

Such operations are illustrated inFIG. 11, which depicts a circuit board or other carrier60included within the wireless communication device42, wherein the connector40may be mounted or otherwise affixed to the carrier60. Regardless of such details, the connector40includes one or more switches62—such as leaf springs or other displaceable fingers—that control whether one or more internal antennas (64and66are shown as a non-limiting example) are connected or disconnected, based on the mating depth between the connectors40and12. Connector12is not shown plugged into connector40inFIG. 11to simplify the illustration, but it should be understood that, whether connector40is male and connector12is female, or vice versa, the two connectors insertably mate together at some maximum insertion depth, and that operation of the mechanical feature16causes that insertion depth to change, whether continuously or discontinuously, as the external antenna30is rotated relative to the wireless communication device42.

Thus, with the above embodiments of the external antenna30in mind as non-limiting examples, those skilled in the art will appreciate that the teachings herein broadly contemplate an external antenna30for coupling to an external antenna connection, e.g., connector40, of a wireless communication device42. The external antenna30comprises, in one or more embodiments, a first mating connector, e.g., connector12, configured to insertably mate with a second mating connector, e.g., connector40, of the wireless communication device42, and an antenna body34retaining the first mating connector12. For example, the mating connector body element14integrated with the antenna body34. Further, the external antenna30has a mechanical feature16configured to control a mating depth between the first and second mating connectors12and40responsive to a rotational angle of the external antenna30relative to the wireless communication device42.

In at least one such embodiment, the mechanical feature16comprises a cam feature that contacts an edge or surface, e.g., edge46, of the wireless communication device42as the rotational angle increases beyond a desired angular range, thereby exerting an axial withdrawal force between the first and second mating connectors12and40. The cam feature comprises an angled end element, see, e.g,FIG. 5for a side view of the mating connector body element14, whose end is angled to form the mechanical feature16. As shown, the angled end of the mating connector body element14surrounds and retains the first mating connector12.

Correspondingly, a method of controlling antenna connectivity for a wireless communication device42is contemplated herein, wherein the wireless communication device42has a first mating connector, e.g., connector40, for the external antenna30that changes internal/external antenna connectivity as a function of a connector mating depth between the mating connector40and the mating connector12of the external antenna30. In one or more embodiments, the method comprises configuring at least one of the wireless communication device42and the external antenna30with a mechanical feature, e.g., mechanical feature16, that changes the mating depth between the mating connectors40and12responsive to rotation of the external antenna30.

FIGS. 12-15illustrate supporting structure for carrying out the above method according to one or more embodiments. Particularly,FIG. 12illustrates a switch68(e.g., a SPDT switch) within the connector40of the wireless communication device42, which may be one of the earlier illustrated switches62. In any case, the switch68either connects to a first output (Output1), which is associated with the internal antenna64, for example, or to a second output (Output2), which is associated with the external antenna30. Either of these two outputs is electrically connected to a common terminal (labeled Input) of the switch68, which may in turn be coupled to one or more RF inputs of RF circuitry within the wireless communication device42.

FIG. 13illustrates one embodiment for providing the above switched connectivity, wherein a first contact finger70touches a second contact finger72that in turn is connected with a common contact74. This default electrical connectivity exists until the mating connector14is plugged in, meaning that the internal antenna64is connected to the RF circuitry of the wireless communication device42if the external antenna30is not plugged in (or at least is connected until the mating connector14achieves sufficient mating depth with the mating connector40).

FIGS. 14 and 15show the opposite switch condition, wherein the mating connector14has been plugged into the mating connector40with a mating depth sufficient to disengage contact finger72from contact finger70, and to engage a contact76of the mating connector14with the common contact74of the mating connector40, thereby electrically connecting the external antenna30to the RF circuitry of the wireless communication device42. Of course, the mating connector40can be modified to included additional switch contacts actuated at intermediate mating depths, for example. Such additional switched contacts can be used to implement simultaneous connection of internal/external antennas for example.

With that in mind, it is notable that the mechanical feature16may, as noted herein, be configured as a cam feature that allows full mating depth between the mating connectors40and12for a first range of rotational angles between the external antenna30and the wireless communication device42, and that decreases the mating depth as the first range of rotational angles is exceed.

Also, as noted, the antenna connectivity control methods taught herein may include configuring a mechanical feature to permit a full mating depth between the mating connectors40and12for a first range of rotation of the external antenna30relative to the wireless communication device42, and to decrease the mating depth as the external antenna30is rotated beyond the first range of rotation. The first range of rotation may be set or otherwise defined as a function of known performance of the external antenna30, such that the extents of the first range of rotation correspond to desired performance degradation limits of the external antenna30.

Broadly, either or both the wireless communication device42and the external antenna30include one or more physical features that cause mechanical interference as the external antenna30is rotated relative to the wireless communication device42. This mechanical interference tends to push the external antenna30away from the wireless communication device42, i.e., the mechanical interference imparts axial force that tends to separate the two connectors40and12. For example, a cam surface may be implemented on the body44of the wireless communication device42proximate to the connector40, such that rotation of the external antenna30causes the mating connector body element14of the external antenna30to engage the cam surface. (Alternatively, the mating connector40itself may be configured to include a cam surface as part of its housing.) As already illustrated, the mechanical feature may be implemented on the external antenna30, and/or both the external antenna30and the wireless communication device42may have complementary mechanical features that change connector mating depth as a function of antenna rotation.

Of course, the present invention is not limited to the above features and advantages. It is broadly contemplated herein to include one or more mechanical features on an external antenna and/or on a wireless communication device that change the mating depth of the connectors responsive to rotation of the external antenna. As such, the present invention is not limited by the foregoing description and accompanying illustrations, but rather is limited only by the following claims and their legal equivalents.