EXHIBIT A

Case 2:23-cv-00220-JRG Document 1-1 Filed 05/18/23 Page 1 of 25 PageID #: 6
(12) United States Patent 

KaZanchian 

US008610573B2 

US 8,610,573 B2 

Dec. 17, 2013 

(10) Patent No.: 

(45) Date of Patent: 

(54) RADIO FREQUENCY MODULE AND 

METHODS OF TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING 

DATA 

(76) Inventor: Armen E. Kazanchian, Hermosa Beach, 

CA (US) 

(*) Notice: Subject to any disclaimer, the term of this 

patent is extended or adjusted under 35 

U.S.C. 154(b) by 1112 days. 

(21) Appl. No.: 12/558,484 

(22) Filed: Sep. 11, 2009 

(65) Prior Publication Data 

US 201O/OO60454A1 Mar. 11, 2010 

Related U.S. Application Data 

(60) Provisional application No. 61/096,163, filed on Sep. 

11, 2008. 

(51) Int. Cl. 

G08B I3/14 (2006.01) 

(52) U.S. Cl. 

USPC ...................... 340/572.1; 340/572.8: 370/338 

(58) Field of Classification Search 

USPC ..................... 340/.572.1, 572.4,572.8,573.1; 

235/380,383, 487,492,385; 343/700, 

343/702, 841, 847; 370/337,338,343, 344, 

370/349,394; 455/454, 553.1 

See application file for complete search history. 

(56) References Cited 

U.S. PATENT DOCUMENTS 

7,239.625 B1* 7/2007 Tse et al. ...................... 370,349 

7,259,673 B2 * 8/2007 Deeds ........ ... 340,572.1 

7,310,067 B1 * 12/2007 Zhu et al. ...................... 343,702 

2003/0025604 A1* 2, 2003 Freeman .... 340,573.1 

2003. O163748 A1* 8, 2003 Calkins etal T13,500 

2006/0139167 A1* 6/2006 Davie et al. ........ ... 340,539.13 

2007/00 13610 A1* 1/2007 Mooney et al. ................ 345.2.1 

2007. O159332 A1* 7, 2007 Koblasz ......... ... 340,572.1 

2008/0143611 A1* 6/2008 Wang ............................ 343,702 

2009/0101403 A1* 4/2009 Tsai et al. ..................... 174,388 

2010/0029325 A1* 2/2010 Wang et al. ................ 455,553.1 

* cited by examiner 

Primary Examiner — Hung T. Nguyen 

(74) Attorney, Agent, or Firm — Alvin R. Wirthlin 

(57) ABSTRACT 

A wireless module is configurable by a user to operate in 

different modes as a transmitter, receiver, transceiver, and 

repeater. A method of transmitting and receiving data while 

Substantially reducing or eliminating interference from com 

peting frequency bands, including Wi-Fi systems, as well as a 

method of transmitting data with a high degree of certainty without requiring an acknowledgement receipt, negotiation, 

or hand-shaking from a down line transceiver, receiver and/or 

repeater are disclosed. 

11 Claims, 16 Drawing Sheets 

 

1O 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 1 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 2 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 3 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

FIG. 4 AO 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 4 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

G "?I+

9 I9 I

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 5 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

GND (DNC) GND (DNC) 19 

GND (DNC) GND (DNC) 18 

MODE SELECT 2 MODE SELECT1 17 

LEARNITX LEDISTATUS MODE SELECT O 16 

IN1/OUT 1/LOGIC I/O DO NOT CONNECT 15 

N2/OUT2/RXD DO NOT CONNECT 14 

IN3/OUT3/TXD +1.9V to + 3.6V 13 

GND GND 12 

EXT ANT 11 

GND 10 

BUILT-IN ANTENNA 

GND 9 

FIG. 6 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 6 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

94A 964 

IFM2 = 1, M1 = 1, MO = 0 GOTO MODE 6 

IFM2 = 1, M1 = 1 MO = 1 GOTO MODE 7 

RESET 

ACTIVATED2 

CONTINUE RUNNING 

FIG. 7 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 8 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

RXD OUT 

MODE 2 

TXD IN 

SERIAL SERIAL 

TRANSCEIVER TRANSCEIVER 

LEARN 

RXD OUT 

MODE3 

TXD IN 

SERIAL NETWORK SERIAL NETWORK 

TRANSCEIVER TRANSCEIVER 

W RXD OUT 

MODE 2 

NL TXD IN 

SERIAL SERIAL NETWORK 

TRANSCEIVER TRANSCEIVER 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 9 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

--V FIG. 81) --V 

OUT1 L 

MODE 4 OR 6 

ACTIVE RFID RFID LOGIC SWITCH 

TRANSMITTER OUTPUT RECEIVER 

OUT1 

MODE 5 OR 7 

ANTENNA 

ACTIVE RFID RFID LOGIC SWITCH 

TRANSMITTER NETWORK OUTPUT 

ACTIVE RFID SERIAL 

TRANSMITTER RFID RECEIVER 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 10 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

2.4GHz 

RF 

ACTIVE RFID SERIAL NETWORK 

TRANSMITTER RFID RECEIVER 

FIG. 8H 

+V 

L. 

2.4GHz N2 -Ha RF L 

L 

ANTENN ANTENNA 

3INPUT LOGIC SWITCH 3 OUTPUT LOGIC 

TRANSMITTER SWITCH RECEIVER 

2.4GHZ N2 -a Ha 

RF 

ANTENN ANTENNA 

3INPUT LOGIC SWITCH 3 OUTPUT LOGIC SWITCH 

TRANSMITTER NETWORK RECEIVER 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 11 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

FIG. 8 J 

NULL 

2.4GHz N2 -as-as RF 

3 NPUT LOGIC SWITCH SERIAL 

TRANSMITTER RECEIVER 

2.4GHz N2 -H-a- RF 

ANTENN 

3INPUT LOGIC SWITCH SERIALNETWORK 

TRANSMITTER RECEIVER 

FIG. 8L 

+V +V 

L 

2.4GHz -a--as RF L 

W 

ANTENN L 

SERIAL 3 OUTPUT LOGIC 

TRANSMITTER SWITCH RECEIVER 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 12 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

SERIAL 3 OUTPUT LOGIC SWITCH 

TRANSMITTER NETWORK RECEIVER 

SERIAL 3 OUTPUT LOGIC SWITCH 

TRANSMITTER NETWORK RECEIVER 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 13 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

2.4 GHz FREOUENCY BAND: 2400 to 2483.5 MHz 

WiFi CHANNEL 1 WiFi CHANNEL 6 WiFi CHANNEL 11 

2401 to 2423 MHz 2426 to 2448 MHz 2451 to 2473 MHz 

CHANNEL A CHANNEL B 

242.4 MHZ 2450 MHz 

CHANNEL C 

2479 MHz 

FIG. 9 

2.4 GHz ISMFREQ, BAND: 2400 to 2483.5 MHz (for 802.11N WiFi) Ch 1+6 

WiFi CHANNEL 1 WiFi CHANNEL 6 WiFi CHANNEL 11 

2401 to 2423 MHz 2426 to 2448 MHz 2451 to 2473 MHz 

CHANNEL A CHANNEL B 

2450 MHz 

FIG. 1 O 

CHANNEL C. 

2424 MHz 2479 MHz 

2.4 GHz ISM FREQ. BAND: 2400 to 2483.5 MHz (for 802.11N WiFi) Ch 6+11 

WiFi CHANNEL 1 WiFi CHANNEL 6 WiFi CHANNEL 11 

2401 to 2423 MHz 2426 to 2448 MHz 2451 to 2473 MHz 

CHANNEL A CHANNEL B CHANNEL C. 

242.4 MHZ 2450 MHz 2479 MHz 

FIG. 11 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 14 of 16 

START A. 1O 

USER INPUTS 

TRANSMISSION 112 

DATA 

USER DATA 114. 

PACKETED 

REPEAT BIT 116 

SET TO O 

PACKET 118 

TRANSMITTED 

WAIT ONE PACKET 12O 

LENGTH TIME 

FIG. 12 

US 8,610,573 B2 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 15 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

START 

ENTER RECEIVE 

MODE 

PACKET 

RECEIVED? 

132 

13O 

IS 

PACKET TIMER 

RUNNINGT 

REPEAT 

BIT = OT 

START 

PACKET TIMER 

A NON-REPEATED 

PACKET WAS NOT 

RECEIVED IN THE 

LAST PACKET 

TIME SLOT 

A NON-REPEATED 

PACKET WAS 

RECEIVED IN THE 

LAST PACKET 

TIME SLOT 

OUTPUT RECEIVED 

DATA TO USER 

DISCARD 

DUPLICATE 

PACKET 

FIG. 13 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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U.S. Patent Dec. 17, 2013 Sheet 16 of 16 US 8,610,573 B2 

START 

ENTER RECEIVE 

MODE 

PACKET 

RECEIVED2 

REPEAT 

BIT = O7 

Y 

1 58 

CHANGE REPEAT 

BIT FROM O TO 1 

TRANSMIT 

RECEIVED PACKET 

IN VERY NEXT 

TIME SLOT 

FIG. 14 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

1. 

RADIO FREQUENCY MODULE AND 

METHODS OF TRANSMITTING/RECEIVING 

DATA 

RELATED APPLICATIONS 

This application claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional 

Application No. 61/096,163 filed on Sep. 11, 2008, the sub 

ject matter of which is hereby incorporated by reference in its 

entirety. 

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 

This invention relates generally to wireless transmitters 

and receivers, and more particularly to a wireless module that 

can be configured to operate as a transmitter, receiver, trans 

ceiver, and/or repeater. This invention also relates to a method 

of transmitting and receiving information while Substantially reducing or eliminating interference from competing Wi-Fi 

systems, as well as a method of transmitting data with a high degree of certainty without requiring an acknowledgement receipt, negotiation, or hand-shaking from a down line trans 

ceiver, receiver and/or repeater. Radio Frequency (RF) modules, such as transceivers, transmitters and receivers, are employed in many different 

products, including mobile phones, personal computers, 

wireless networks, gaming devices, wireless sensors, radios, 

walkie-talkies, and so on. Consumer demand for more com 

pact wireless products has led to increasingly smaller RF 

modules. However, prior art solutions have been inadequate 

to reduce the RF module even further since the matching and 

filtering components of the module are typically in linear 

alignment with an onboard antenna. Prior attempts to move 

the antenna and/or matching and filtering components have 

been for the most part futile as the transmission/reception performance is often reduced. 

Prior art RF modules are also limited in the type and num 

ber of tasks they can perform. For those modules that are 

configurable as transmitters or receivers for example, expert knowledge of wireless systems and design is often required to 

manipulate Such systems. 

Another area where prior art solutions are limited is with 

Wi-Fi technology and the interference between other RF 

devices on the 2.4 GHz frequency band. Wi-Fi uses a large 

amount of the 2.4 GHz band, and at large bandwidths, about 

one-third of the band per channel is consumed per Wi-Fi 

node. Currently, other 2.4 GHz wireless devices, such as 

Bluetooth, operate around Wi-Fi by employing a handshake 

or bi-directional system were the transmitter sends data and 

the receiver echoes back an acknowledgment that the data 

packet was received. The transmitter then sends the next 

packet to the receiver. If no data was received the two radios 

keep talking back and forth on many channels until they find 

a clear channel to talk on. This consumes quite a bit of current 

and requires a bi-directional link. This also restricts the 

devices to single point to single point communication. Point 

to multi-point or poing to multi-point or multi-point to multi 

point communication is not possible under this system, since 

one transmitter sends and waits for a response to confirm 

receipt of its data. If there are many receivers, it is not possible 

for more than one receiver to talk back at a time. 

It would therefore be desirable to provide a radio frequency 

module that overcomes at least some of the disadvantages of 

the prior art. 

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 

According to one aspect of the invention, a radio frequency 

module includes a base member having a printed circuitboard 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

2 

with a first Surface and a second Surface. A transceiver assem 

bly is located on the printed circuit board and includes a 

transceiver and a matching/filtering network with first and 

second ends. The matching/filtering network has a plurality 

of series connected passive electrical components in a linear 

arrangement, with the first end thereof electrically connected 

to the transceiver. A ground plane is formed on the first 

Surface and Surrounds at least a substantial portion of the 

transceiver assembly. A radio frequency shield is electrically 

coupled to the ground plane and covers at least a substantial 

portion of the transceiver assembly. A chip antenna is located 

on the first surface of the printed circuit board outside of the 

shield and extends generally parallel with the matching/fil 

tering network. A radio feed point extends between the chip 

antenna and the second end of the matching/filtering network. 

The antenna together with the matching/filtering network and 

feed point form a generally U-shape configuration. 

According to a further aspect of the invention, a method of 

wirelessly transmitting data comprises transmitting a data 

packet at a plurality of different frequencies to thereby sub 

stantially reduce or eliminate radio frequency interference. 

According to yet a further aspect of the invention, a method 

of wirelessly transmitting data comprises: transmitting a data 

packet on at least one frequency from a first location, the data 

packet including at least one repeat signal with an initialized 

value for a first transmission; receiving the data packet at a 

second location; determining whether the at least one repeat signal is at the initialized value; transmitting the data packet 

to a third location with a modified repeat bit when the at least 

one repeat signal is the initialized value; and discarding the 

data packet when the value of the at least one repeat signal is 

different from the initialized value. 

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 

The foregoing Summary as well as the following detailed 

description of the preferred embodiments of the present 

invention will be best understood when considered in con 

junction with the accompanying drawings, wherein like des 

ignations denote like elements throughout the drawings, and 

wherein: 

FIG. 1 is an isometric view of a radio frequency (RF) 

module in accordance with the invention; 

FIG. 2 is an isometric exploded view of the RF module of 

FIG. 1: 

FIG.3 is a top plan view of the RF module with the shield 

removed to show the electronic components mounted on a 

printed circuit board; 

FIG. 4 is a bottom plan view of the RF module: 

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of the electrical circuitry of the 

RF module: 

FIG. 6 is a diagram showing the pin locations of the RF 

module; 

FIG. 7 is a block diagram showing a method of selecting 

one of a plurality of operating modes of the RF module: 

FIG. 7A is a chart showing the plurality of operating modes 

depending on the logic level of mode selection input pins; 

FIGS. 8A to 8N illustrate how the RF module of the present invention can be used in different combinations of transceiv 

erS/transmitters and transceivers/receivers in accordance with 

several exemplary embodiments of the invention; 

FIG. 9 is a diagram showing the manner in which the RF 

module of the present invention transmits/receives at exem 

plary frequencies between certain Wi-Fi channels to at least 

substantially reduce or eliminate interference from network 

and/or other devices operating over different frequency 

ranges: 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

3 

FIG. 10 is a diagram showing a method in accordance with 

the present invention of ensuring communication between RF 

modules on at least two operating bands without interference 

without interference from a 802.11 NWi-Fi system operating 

over combined Wi-Fi channels 1 and 6: 

FIG. 11 is a diagram showing a method in accordance with 

the present invention of ensuring communication between RF 

modules on at least two operating bands without interference 

from a 802.11 N Wi-Fi system operating over combined 

Wi-Fi channels 6 and 11; 

FIG. 12 is a block diagram illustrating a method in accor 

dance with the present invention for transmitting data from a 

RF transmitter and/or transceiver without the necessity of a 

handshake from a corresponding receiver, transceiver and/or 

repeater; 

FIG. 13 is a block diagram illustrating a method in accor 

dance with the present invention for receiving transmitted 

data into a receiver and/or transceiver without the necessity of 

transmitting a data receipt back to a transmitter, transceiver 

and/or repeater; and 

FIG. 14 is a block diagram illustrating a method in accor 

dance with the present invention for receiving transmitted 

data into a repeater without the necessity of transmitting a 

data receipt back to a transmitter, transceiver and/or other 

repeater. 

It is noted that the drawings are intended to depict only 

typical embodiments of the invention and therefore should 

not be considered as limiting the scope thereof. It is further 

noted that the drawings are not necessarily to scale. The 

invention will now be described in greater detail with refer 

ence to the accompanying drawings. 

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 

Referring now to the drawings, and to FIGS. 1-4 in par 

ticular, a radio frequency (RF) module 10 in accordance with 

the present invention is illustrated. The RF module 10 is 

preferably a fully integrated radio transceiver module that 

preferably operates at the 2.4 GHz frequency band or above. 

However, it will be understood that many principles of the 

present invention as set forth below can also be used in RF 

modules that operate below or above the 2.4 GHz frequency 

band. Accordingly, it will be understood that the particular values used throughout the specification for components, fre 

quencies, ranges and so on, are by way of example and can 

greatly vary depending on the particular applications in which 

the RF module 10 is incorporated. As such, the RF module 10 

can be incorporated into final products for providing point to 

point, point to multipoint and/or multipoint to multipoint 

digital wireless communications. The RF module 10 can also 

be adapted for use with any type of wireless device where the 

wireless transmission and/or reception of signals is desired, 

including but not limited to, active RFID, long range RFID, 

remote control, light controls, home automation, alarm secu 

rity, keyless entry, perimeter monitoring, PC keyboard Secu 

rity, wireless keyboard, wireless mouse, TV remote, home 

Stereo remote, asset tracking, wireless PTT, remote Switches, 

remote terminals, wireless RS 232 DB9, wireless RS485, 

temperature control, HVAC, meter reading, data acquisition, 

inventory control, key fob remotes, industrial controls, Vend 

ing machines, and so on. 

The RF module 10 of the present invention preferably 

includes a printed circuit board (PCB) 12 or the like with a 

transceiver assembly 14 and chip antenna 15 located on a first 

or upper surface 16 of the PCB and a plurality of connector 

pads 18A-18S located on the second or lower surface 20 of the 

PCB 12. The transceiver assembly 14 includes a plurality of 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

4 

electrical components, described in further detail below, that 

are preferably mounted on the upper surface 16 of the PCB 

12. In this manner, the RF module 10 is arranged as a surface 

mount device with the connector pads 18A-18S capable of 

being Surface mounted to corresponding pads (not shown) of 

a motherboard or other PCB for particular applications. A 

radio frequency shield 22 is connected to the upper surface 16 

of the PCB 12 and is adapted to shield the electronic compo 

nents of the transceiver assembly 14 from outside interfer 

ence to thereby stabilize performance of the RF module 10 

during use. 

The PCB 12 preferably includes a multi-layer circuit board 

to minimize the footprint of the RF module 10. In addition, 

the internal circuit layout of the PCB 12 is preferably 

arranged so that all ground sided components on the PCB 12 

face the shield 22 for better performance as well as better 

yield during production since issues related to component 

shift and spacing with respect to the shield 22 are eliminated. 

A ground plane 24 is formed on the upper surface 16 of the 

PCB and includes ground plane segments 26, 28, 30 and 32 

that are preferably parallel with edges 34, 36, 38 and 40, 

respectively, of the PCB. The ground plane 24 preferably 

Surrounds at least a substantial portion of the transceiver 

assembly 14. 

The RF shield 22 is preferably constructed of a radio fre 

quency shielding material and includes a front wall 44, rear 

wall 46 and side walls 48,50 that extend downwardly from an 

upper wall 42. The lower edges of the front, rear and side 

walls are preferably soldered to their respective ground plane 

segments. A pair of tabs 52 preferably extend downwardly 

from each wall 44-50 and are received into corresponding 

holes 54 for aligning the shield 22 with the ground plane 24. 

The holes 54 can be plated through-holes and the tabs can be 

soldered in the through-holes for added strength. Preferably, 

the tabs 52 do not extend past the lower surface 20 of the PCB so that the RF module can be surface-mounted to another 

motherboard or PCB without interference. 

With additional reference to FIG. 5, the transceiver assem 

bly 14 preferably includes an integrated chip (IC) transceiver 

56 connected to a first crystal oscillator 58, an optional second 

crystal oscillator 60, and a radio frequency matching/filtering 

network 62. The IC transceiver 56 preferably includes a 

microcontroller 64, a radio transceiver 66 in communication 

with the microcontroller, and a Voltage regulator 68 con 

nected to the microcontroller and radio transceiver. A user 

interface connector 70 provides power to the voltage regula 

tor 68 and logic signals directly to the microcontroller 64 via 

a motherboard (not shown) or other external connection. The 

connector 70 is preferably in the form of pads 18A-18F (FIG. 

4) but can additionally or alternatively be in the form of pin 

connectors, edge terminals, and so on. 

The crystal oscillator 58 is connected to the microcontrol 

ler 64 and is preferably in the form of a 32 KHZ crystal that 

provides a stable time base for a real time clock for saving 

power by precise on and off timing between two or more RF 

modules 10. The crystal oscillator 60 is connected to the 

microcontroller 64 and radio transceiver 66 and is preferably 

in the form of a 16 MHz crystal that is used as the radio and 

controller clock and is multiplied up to produce a 2.4 GHz 

radio frequency. 

The RF matching/filtering network 62 is also connected to 

the chip antenna 15 and preferably comprises a plurality of 

passive electrical components 72 including inductors and 

capacitors connected in series and arranged in an in-line 

configuration that extends generally parallel with the ground 

plane segment 32 inside the shield 22. The inductors and 

capacitors 72 form a filter and differential antenna connection 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

5 

between the IC transceiver 56 and the chip antenna 15. Pref 

erably, the RF matching/filtering network 62 is located very 

close to the front wall 44 of the of the RF shield 22. If needed, 

RF output network units 74, preferably in the form of induc 

tors and/or capacitors, are located at the internal feed point 75 

(shown in broken line in FIGS. 2 and 3) of the chip antenna15 

outside of the RF shield 22 to match the chip antenna to the 

components inside the shield. The internal feed point 75 is fed 

through the front wall 44 of the shield 22 at a location coin 

cident with a small elongate opening 76 (FIGS. 1 and 2) 

formed in the front wall. When the RF module 10 is config ured as a 2.4 GHz device, the feed point is also configured at 

2.4 GHz. 

Preferably, the chip antenna 15 is located close to the RF 

shield 22 and is generally parallel with the front wall 44 of the 

shield and the RF matching/filtering network 62. With this 

arrangement, the antenna 15 together with the matching/fil 

tering network 62 and feed point form a U-shape. This con 

figuration results in a good antenna patternand thus improved 

range performance of the RF module 10. This is a great improvement over prior art configurations where the antenna 

is required to be in line with the matching network, resulting 

in a module that is at least twice the size of the RF module of 

the present invention. Accordingly, the RF module 10 of the 

present invention is half the size of prior art modules and, with 

the shield configuration, allows the RF module 10 to still have 

an effective antenna pattern without undesirable antenna 

feedback incident on the RF matching/filtering network 62. 

In operation, electrical current from the power source flows 

through the RF matching/filtering network 62, the internal 2.4 

GHZ radio feed point, and through the chip antenna 15 until it 

reaches the high energy point of the antenna, which is directly 

next to the junction point between the start of the matching 

network and the IC transceiver 56. This efficient energy trans 

fer, together with the grounded shield configuration on the 

PCB 12 and particular location and orientation of the chip 

antenna 15 and RF matching/filtering network 62 with 

respect to the front wall 44 of the shield 22, allows the antenna 

and shield to effectively function together as a single antenna 

structure, to thereby function as a larger antenna in a smaller 

space when compared to prior art Solutions. The shield 22 also 

provides mechanical protection for the chip antenna 15. 

In accordance with one embodiment of the invention, the 

shield 22 is preferably proportionate in size to the chip 

antenna 15 and the height of the shield is approximately the 

same height of the chip antenna. Preferably, ration of the 

width and length of the shield 22 to the width and length of the 

chip antenna 15 is approximately 4:1. However, it will be 

understood that other ratios and/or dimensions can be used 

for the shield and chip antenna. In accordance with an exem 

plary embodiment of the invention, the size of the RF module 

10 is approximately 15 mm x 15 mmx2 mm. However, it will 

be understood that the RF module 10 can greatly vary in size. 

Referring now to FIGS. 4 and 6, the pads 18A-18S located 

on the lower surface 20 of the PCB 12 correspond to pins 1-19, respectively, of the pin layout diagram 80 of FIG. 6. As 

shown, pins 1, 2, 8, 9, 10, 12, 18 and 19 are labeled as GND 

or ground, with pins 9, 10 and 12 available for connection by 

a user. Pins 3, 16 and 17 are mode select pins for program ming or setting the RF module 10 in one eight different 

transmitter/transceiver/receiver operating modes. Pin 4 

enables the user to select a “learn' mode wherein the RF 

module 10 learns one or more electronic serial numbers 

(ESN) from another RF module or a “status' mode. Prefer 

ably, pin 4 is bidirectional to be an input when in the “learn' 

state and an output when in the “status' state. The learn 

function allows the user to press the LEARN button on one 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

6 

module and that unit goes into an acquisition mode, then the 

user causes another unit (a transmitter) to transmit, the origi 

nal unit learns the Electronic Serial Number auto transmitted 

by the transmitter. Each module can preferably hold many 

ESNs which are used to form simple networks and associate 

transceivers to each other, without the user needing to have 

extensive knowledge of how a wireless network works. The 

ESN is also a number that can be read by the receiver and 

communicated to the user for identification purposes when 

the user wants to use a RFID mode. Pins 5-7 can be selected 

to perform as serial UART transceivers, receivers, three-input Switch logic transmitters, or three-output Switch logic receiv 

ers. Finally, pin 13 is for powering the RF module 10. 

Although the above-described pin layout is preferred, it will 

be understood that other pin layout configurations and/or 

options can be provided without departing from the spirit and 

Scope of the present invention. 

A method 90 of selecting one of eight operating modes for 

the RF module 10 is illustrated in FIG. 7 while a chart show 

ing different operations of each mode is shown in 7A. The 

selecting method 90 includes reading the mode select pins 3. 

17 and 16 at block 92, then determining if a logical high or “1” 

is present on one or more of the pins 3, 17 and 16, as shown in 

blocks 94A-94H, then selecting which mode (0-7) the RF 

module 10 will assume, as shown in blocks 96A-96H, respec tively. If for example pins 3, 17 and 16 are at a logical low or 

“0”, then mode 0 is selected. Likewise, if pins 3, 17 and 16 are 

at a logical high, then mode 7 is selected. At block 98, if it has 

been determined that a mode reset has been actuated, the 

mode select pins are read again to determine a new operating 

mode of the RF module 10. Otherwise, the RF module will 

continue with the present mode, as shown at block 100. In this 

manner, the RF module can be used many times in many 

different modes without the need to purchase a different mod 

ules for different applications. 

As shown in FIG. 7A, once an operating mode has been 

selected, the pins 7, 6 and 5 are automatically set to receive or 

transmit data. The learn/status pin 4 can also be actuated in 

modes 0,1,2,3,4, 5, 6, and 7 to either transmit a visual signal, Such as driving a LED for example, or learning one or more 

ESN's. It will be understood that the values under the 

“Description' column are given by way of example only and 

can greatly vary without departing from the spirit and scope 

of the present invention. 

Turning now to FIGS. 8A to 8N, two or more RF modules 

10 of the present invention can be used in different combina 

tions of transceivers/transmitters and transceivers/receivers 

in accordance with several exemplary embodiments of the 

invention. 

In FIG. 8A, two RF modules 10 can be set to Mode 2 when 

a user requires single orbidirectional data to be sent and/or 

received between two or more points, for example when text 

messaging from a portable game to others playing the same 

game within the area with the similar game. Gamers can 

communicate with each other without first requesting permis 

sion. The bidirectional serial transceiver normally sits in 

receive mode, receiving and outputting serial bytes out of the 

RXD pin, as they come in. When the user sends data into the 

TXD pin it automatically switches to transmit and transmits 

the user data. 

In FIG.8B, two RF modules 10 can be set to Mode 3 when 

a user requires single orbidirectional data to be sent and/or 

received between two or more points, for example when text 

messaging from a portable game to others playing the same 

game within the same area. The transmitting gamers must 

first request permission from receiving gamers before their 

transmissions will be accepted into their network. The bi 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

7 

directional serial transceiver normally sits in receive mode, receiving and outputting serial bytes out of the RXD pin, as 

they come in. When user sends data into the TXD pin it 

automatically Switches to transmit and transmits the user 

data. The receiver will only respond to a transmitter if it has 

previously learned it’s ESN by pressing the learn button. 

In FIG. 8C, first and second RF modules 10 can be set to 

Mode 2 and Mode 3, respectively, when a user requires single 

orbidirectional data to be sent and or received between two or 

more points, for example when text messaging from a por 

table game to others playing the same game within the same 

area. The transmitting gamers must first request permission 

from receiving gamers before their transmissions will be 

accepted, if they have (Mode 3) network mode selected. How 

ever if they choose to receive from everyone without first 

having to grant permission by learning their ESN, then they can use non-network mode 2. 

In FIG.8D, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 0 and a second RF module 10 can be set to either Mode 4 or Mode 

6, when a user requires a transmitter to automatically transmit 

an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) at a predetermined inter 

val to be received by another device which provides a signal 

output indicating presence of the transmitter, where a Mode 0 

transmitter will be placed in a battery powered ID badge 

carried or worn by people in a building. When the transmitter 

comes within communication distance the Mode 4 receiver, 

the receiver can output a pulse to activate an electronic door 

opener, for example. So long as the person is within commu 

nication distance of Mode 4 receiver (which can be mounted 

on or near the door), the door will be activated. This configu ration can also be used to open large gates which take a long 

time to open. When a car approaches the Mode 4 RFID 

receiver within range of the Mode 0 RFID transmitter running 

in Mode 0, which can be up to 300 ft. or more, the gate will 

have time to open by the time the car arrives to thereby reduce or eliminate wait time. Mode 6 is the same as Mode 4 but with 

a shorter hold time of the outputted pulse, as shown in FIG. 

7A. 

In FIG. 8E, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 0 and a second RF module 10 can be set to either Mode 5 or Mode 

7, when a user requires a transmitter to automatically transmit 

an Electronic Serial Number (ESN) at a predetermined inter 

val to be received by another device which provides a signal 

output indicating the transmitter presence, for example where 

a Mode 0 transmitter will be placed in a battery powered ID 

badge carried or worn by a person in a building. When the 

transmitter comes within communication distance the Mode 

5 receiver, the receiver can output a pulse to activate an 

electronic door opener, for example. So long as the person is 

within communication distance of the Mode 5 receiver 

(which can be mounted on or near the door), the door will be 

activated so long as the Mode 5 receiver has learned the RFID 

transmitter's ESN. This configuration can also be used to 

open large gates which take a long time to open. When a car 

approaches the Mode 5 RFID receiver within range of the 

Mode ORFID transmitter running in Mode 0, which can be up 

to 300 ft. or more, the gate will have time to open by the time 

the car arrives to thereby reduce or eliminate wait time. Mode 

7 is the same as Mode 5 but with a shorter hold time of the 

outputted pulse, as shown in FIG. 7A. 

In FIG.8F, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 0 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 2 when a user 

requires a transmitter to automatically transmit an Electronic 

Serial Number (ESN) at a predetermined time interval for 

reception by another device which provides a serial output to 

the user containing the ESN of the sending RFID transmitter. 

For example, when it is desirous to know the location of 

5 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

8 

employees within a building, they can be provided with a 

unique ID tag with the RFID transmitter in Mode 0 with a 

unique ESN. The Mode 2 receiver detects all the RFID tags 

and notifies a local computer to which its connected of each 

employee's location within the limits of the building at all 

times. The RXD pin will output 5 bytes. Byte 1 will have bit 

4 and bit 1 set, and bytes 2-5 are the 32 bit ESN of the RFID 

transmitter. 

In FIG. 8G, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 0 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 3 when a user 

requires a transmitter to automatically transmit an Electronic 

Serial Number (ESN) at a predetermined time interval for 

reception by another device which provides a serial output to 

the user containing the ESN of the sending RFID transmitter. 

For example, when it is desirous to know the location of 

employees within a building, they can be provided with a 

unique ID tag with the RFID transmitter in Mode 0 with a 

unique ESN. The Mode 3 receiver detects all of the RFID tags 

and notifies a local computer to which its connected, of each 

employee's location within the limits of the building at all 

times. The receiver will only output the ESN of RFID trans 

mitters which it recognizes through a previous learning step 

and will ignore all others, allowing grouping (networking), so 

multiple networks can all co-exist in the same area without 

interfering with each other. The RXD pin will output 5 bytes. 

Byte 1 will have bit 4 and bit 1 set, and bytes 2-5 are the 32bit 

ESN of the RFID transmitter. 

In FIG. 8H, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 1 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 4 or Mode 6 when 

a user requires a momentary Switch on/off signal to be sent 

from one point to one or many other points, such as for use in 

a garage door opener. The user presses the button on the 

transmitter causing it to send a signal to the receiver which is 

located at the garage door. The receiver is operably connected 

to the garage door motor and opens or closes the garage door. 

One transmitter can selectively open and close up to 3 garage 

doors eliminating the need for multiple garage door openers 

for more than one door. 

In FIG.8I, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 1 and a 

Second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 5 or Mode 7 when 

a user requires a momentary Switch on/off signal to be sent 

from one point to one or many other points, such as for use in 

a garage door opener. The user presses the button on the 

transmitter causing it to send a signal to the receiver which is 

located at the garage door. The receiver is operably connected 

to the garage door motor and opens or closes the garage door 

only if the receiver has previously learned the ESN of the 

transmitter. One transmitter can selectively open and close up 

to 3 garage doors eliminating the need for multiple garage 

door openers for more than one door. The receiver will only 

respond to the transmitter if it has first learned its ESN. 

In FIG. 8J, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 1 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 2 when a user 

requires a momentary Switch on/off signal to be sent from one 

or many points to one or many other points. Such as in a home 

security system were the transmitters inputs would be con 

nected to one or multiple door or windows sensors. When a 

door or window is opened or breached, the transmitter would 

send the door or window status along with the ESN of the 

transmitter to the receiver. The receiver would output the 

transmitters status of the door or window, along with its ESN, in a serial stream to the home security system identifying 

which door or window is opened or breached. 

In FIG. 8K, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 1 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 3 when a user 

requires a momentary Switch on/off signal to be sent from one 

or many points to one or many other points. Such as in a home 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

security system were the transmitters inputs would be con 

nected to one or multiple door or windows sensors. When a 

door or window is opened or breached, the transmitter would 

send the door or window status along with the ESN of the 

transmitter to the receiver. The receiver would output the 

transmitters status of the door or window, along with its ESN, in a serial stream to the home security system identifying 

which door or window is opened or breached. The receiver 

will only respond to door or window transmitters it has pre viously learned, and therefore allow many different security 

systems to function in the same area without interference with 

each other. 

In FIG. 8L, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 2 or 

Mode 3 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 4 or 

Mode 6 when a user wishes to turn on or off many switch 

devices all at one time from a single point, such as remotely turning off all of the lights in a building from a single light 

switch. The user would send a serial byte into the transmitter 

which represents the switch on/off combinations to control. 

An unlimited number of Mode 4 or 6 receivers would be 

located at the same number of lights and be responsive to the 

single light Switch transmitter to simultaneously turn on or off 

all of the lights. 

In FIG. 8M, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 2 or 

Mode 3 and a second RF module 10 can be set to Mode 5 or 

Mode 7 when a user wishes to turn on or off many switch 

devices all at one time from a single point, such as remotely turning off all of the lights in a building from a single light 

switch. The user would send a serial byte into the transmitter 

which represents the switch on/off combinations to control. 

An unlimited number of Mode 5 or 7 receivers would be 

located at the same number of lights and be responsive to the 

single light Switch transmitter to simultaneously turn on or off 

all of the lights. The lights would only respond to on/off 

Switch commands if each receiver at each light Switch has 

previously learned the transmitter's ESN. 

In FIG. 8N, a first RF module 10 can be set to Mode 2 or 

Mode 3 and a second RF module can be set to Mode 5 or 

Mode 7 when a user wishes to control a sprinkler system. A 

Mode 2 or 3 transmitter would be connected to the computer 

controlled sprinkler timer, and Mode 5 or 7 receivers would 

be connected to each sprinkler valve. The sprinkler controller 

would enter 5 byte serial strings into the transmitter, one byte representing an on or off, and the other 4 bytes representing 

the ESN of the specific sprinkler valve to control at a particu 

lar moment for a particular time period. The difference 

between mode 5 and 7 is the output pulse duration. 

It will be understood that the above applications are given by way of example only. The number of different applications 

available to the user by the provision of one, two or more more 

RF modules 10 with several different modes of operation is 

virtually unlimited. 

Referring now to FIGS. 9-11, a diagram showing a method 

in which the RF module 10 of the present invention transmits/ 

receives on three different exemplary frequencies between 

certain Wi-Fi channels or combinations of Wi-Fi channels to 

at least substantially reduce or eliminate interference from 

network and/or other devices operating over the 2.4 GHz 

frequency band of 2400 MHz to 2483.5 MHz. 

Wi-Fi uses a large amount of the 2.4 GHz band, and at large 

bandwidths, about one-third of the band per channel is con 

sumed per Wi-Fi node. Currently, other 2.4 GHz wireless 

devices, such as Bluetooth, operate around Wi-Fi by employ 

ing a handshake orbidirectional system were the transmitter 

sends data and the receiver echoes back an acknowledgment 

that the data packet was received. The transmitter then sends 

the next packet to the receiver. If no data was received the two 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

10 

radios keep talking back and forth on many channels until 

they find a clear channel to talk on. This consumes quite a bit 

of current and requires abidirectional link. This also restricts 

the devices to single point to single point communication. 

Point to multi-point communication is not possible under this 

system, since one transmitter sends and waits for a response 

to confirm receipt of its data. If there are many receivers, it is 

not possible for more than one receiver to talkback at a time. 

The method according to the present invention allows the 

use of point-to-multipoint transmissions with one-way com 

munication while substantially reducing or eliminating Wi-Fi 

interference. Accordingly, a high power transmitter and mul 

tiple low power receivers can be used, thereby reducing the 

cost and power requirements of receivers. 

As shown in FIGS. 9-11, an RF module 10 is configured as 

a transmitter or transceiver, as discussed above. The transmit 

ter sends the same packet of data on three different frequency 

channels for a predetermined number of times. In accordance 

with an exemplary embodiment of the present invention, the 

transmitter sends the same packet of date four different times 

on the three different frequency channels for a total of 12 

transmissions. Channel A is on the low end of the band at 

2424 MHZ between Wi-Fi channels 1 and 6, channel B is in 

the middle of the band at 2450 MHZ between Wi-Fi channels 

6 and 11, and channel C is on the upper end of the band at 2479 

MHZ above Wi-Fi channel 11. It will be understood that 

channels A, B and C can be located at different places along the 2.4 GHz frequency band without departing from the spirit 

and scope of the invention. The receiver listens on the three 

channels for transmitted data. Since the channels A, B and C 

are located between the Wi-Fi channels 1, 6 and 11, the data 

from all three channels should be detected by the receiver 

under normal circumstances since there is no interference 

from the Wi-Fi channels. 

In FIG. 10, which schematically shows a wireless 801.11 N 

Wi-Fi protocol that combines Wi-Fi channels 1 and 6, channel 

A may experience interference while channels B and C are 

normally free from Wi-Fi interference. 

Likewise, in FIG. 11, which schematically shows a wire 

less 801.11 NWi-Fi protocol that combines Wi-Fi channels 6 

and 11, channel B may experience interference while chan 

nels A and C are normally free from Wi-Fi interference. 

A method of transmitting data on three separate channels 

A, B and Cover the 2.4 GHz band includes inputting data to 

be transmitted by the user into the RF module 10 configured 

as a transmitter or transceiver. The data is packeted with a 

transmission ID, which includes a channel number and dupli 

cate number for indicating how many duplicate packets have 

been sent over each channel. The data is sequentially trans 

mitted on channels A, B and C. 

If each transmission on a channel takes 10 milliseconds, it 

will take 120 milliseconds to send (10 msx 12) a one user 

packet to a receiver. It will be understood that more or less 

transmissions on more or less channels can be enabled with 

out departing from the spirit and scope of the present inven 

tion. 

A method of receiving data on three separate channels A, B 

and C over the 2.4 GHz band includes configuring an RF 

module 10 as a receiver, transceiver or repeater and scanning 

or Switching between the channels A, B and C, not knowing 

where it will receive a transmission. The receiver will dwell 

(wait and listen) on each channel for a predetermined packet 

time period, Such as 30 milliseconds (plus a small amount for 

margin of error, about 1 millisecond). When it receives at least one of the 12 transmissions it will discard the other transmis 

sions out of the 12 and output only one packet to the user, so 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

11 

from the user's perspective the transmission did not encoun 

ter any interference and the communication link was virtually 

flawless. 

If there is no Wi-Fi interference then the receiver will hear 

the first or second transmission. However, if there is interfer 

ence, the receiver will hear the third or fourth transmission. 

Whether it be on the first or subsequent transmissions, the 

receiver will eventually hear the transmission regardless of 

the Wi-Fi interference. The provision of four transmission 

overthree channels for a total of 12 transmissions ensures that 

even when the first transmission over the three channels are 

not timed correctly between the transmitter and receiver, the 

second transmission will be. Accordingly, the method of the 

present invention creates a more secure way of ensuring that 

all the channels are used with a high degree of likelihood that 

at least one of the channels during one of the transmissions of 

a data packet will get around the Wi-Fi interference. 

Referring now to FIG. 12, a method 110 of sending a user 

packet while using the repeater function over the 2.4 GHz 

band is illustrated. At block 112, the user inputs data into RF 

module 10. The RF module 10 will then construct the user's 

data into a packet at block 114. The repeat bit is reset to an 

initialized value at block 116 and the packet, including the 

repeat bit value, is transmitted at block 118. At block 120, the 

user will pause one user packet length of time in between 

sending user packets, allowing time for the repeater to repeat 

its transmitted packets. Referring now to FIG. 13, a method 130 of receiving a user 

packet over the 2.4 GHz band is illustrated. An RF module 10 

at block 134, the receiver will wait until a packet has been 

received at block 134, it is then determined at block 136 

whether the repeat bit as part of the transmission ID equals 

Zero. If so, a packet timer is started at block 138 and the data 

is output to a user associated with the receiver at block 140. If 

at block 136 the repeat bit is greater than Zero, it is determined 

at block 142 if a packet timer is currently running. If the 

packet timer is not currently running, it is determined at block 

144 that a non-repeated packet was not received in the last 

packet time slot. Accordingly, the received data is output to 

the user at block 140. Ifat block 142 it is determined that the 

packet timer is running, it is determined at block 146 that the 

current packet is a repeated packet. Accordingly, the repeated 

packet is discarded at block 148. 

Turning now to FIG. 14, a method 150 of operating one or 

more transceivers, such as one or more RF modules 10, in a 

repeater mode is shown. At block 152, the repeater enters the 

receive mode where it waits to receive a data packet at block 

154, including identifying information as to whether the data 

is repeated or not. The repeater function works without con 

Suming any extra current or processing power and resources. 

The transmitter paces its transmissions, so for example it will 

send for 10 milliseconds and wait for 10 milliseconds, then 

send again. So if there is 30 milliseconds of data to send it take 

60 milliseconds to send because it would have a quantity of 

three 10 millisecond pauses to transmit50 milliseconds worth 

of data. In most applications the greatest value is current 

consumption and range, which are typically adverse to each 

other. The ten millisecond time period is sufficient to enable 

the sending of hundreds of bits of data, just one more bit of 

data is added to the data stream, termed a repeat bit. When the 

transmitter sends, it clears the repeat bit (so equals Zero). This 

repeat bit is sent with every packet that the transmitter trans 

mits. Accordingly, if the repeat bit equals Zero, as determined 

at block 156, the repeat bit is changed to the value of “1” at 

block 158 and the data stream together with the updated 

repeat bit value is transmitted in the next time slot, as shown 

at block 160. The transmitted data stream can be sent to a 

10 

15 

25 

30 

35 

40 

45 

50 

55 

60 

65 

12 

receiver. Once the receiver receives the data stream, the pres 

ence of a “1” as the repeat bit value alerts the receiver that the 

data may be a repeat. If the repeater receives a data stream 

with a repeat bit having a value other than “0” then the data is 

rejected as being repeat data. 

In accordance with a further embodiment of the invention, 

several single-bit-repeaters can be used to form a network of 

repeaters to drastically extend range. For example 4 repeat 

bits can be added to the overhead instead of 1 repeat bit. In this 

case, up to 4 repeaters can be used, each of them taking up 

their own timeslot which would be selected by a simple user 

accessible switch on the repeater that would tell each of the 4 

repeaters which time repeater-time-slot is allocated to it. 

It will be understood that the term “preferably’ as used 

throughout the specification refers to one or more exemplary 

embodiments of the invention and therefore is not to be inter 

preted in any limiting sense. In addition, terms of orientation 

and/or position as may be used throughout the specification 

denote relative, rather than absolute orientations and/or posi 

tions. 

It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that changes 

could be made to the embodiments described above without 

departing from the broad inventive concept thereof. By way of example, although the specification particularly discloses 

the use of the RF module with the 2.4 GHz frequency range, 

it will be understood that the module can be used with other 

frequencies, including but not limited to. 433 MHz, 868 MHz, 

900 MHz, 5.8 GHz bands, and so on. In addition, it is con 

templated that one or more of the above-described methods 

can be used with other transmitters, transceivers, and/or 

receivers. It will be understood, therefore, that the present invention is not limited to the particular embodiments dis 

closed, but also covers modifications within the spirit and 

Scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims. 

What is claimed is: 

1. A radio frequency module comprising: 

a base member including a printed circuit board having a 

first Surface and a second surface; 

a transceiver assembly located on the printed circuitboard 

and including: 

a transceiver, and 

a matching/filtering network having first and second 

ends; 

the matching/filtering network having a plurality of 

passive series connected electrical components in a 

linear arrangement, with the first end thereof elec 

trically connected to the transceiver, 

a ground plane formed on the first Surface and Surrounding 

at least a substantial portion of the transceiver assembly; 

a radio frequency shield electrically coupled to the ground 

plane and covering at least a substantial portion of the 

transceiver assembly; 

a chip antenna located on the first Surface of the printed circuit board outside of the shield and extending gener ally parallel with the matching/filtering network; and 

a radio feed point extending between the chip antenna and 

the second end of the matching/filtering network, the 

chip antenna together with the matching/filtering net 

work and the feed point forming a generally U-shape. 

2. A radio frequency module according to claim 1, wherein 

the radio frequency shield comprises an upper wall with front, 

rear and side walls extending from the upward wall, a lower 

end of each wall being Soldered to the ground plane. 

3. A radio frequency module according to claim 2, wherein 

the front wall extends between and generally parallel to the 

matching/filtering network and the chip antenna, the 

grounded shield together with the location and orientation of 

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US 8,610,573 B2 

13 

the chip antenna and the matching/filtering network with 

respect to the front wall creating a single antenna structure 

that functions as a relatively large antennaina relatively small 

Space. 

4. A radio frequency module according to claim 1, and 

further comprising a plurality of connector pads located on 

the second surface of the printed circuit board for surface 

mounting the radio frequency module to another printed cir 

cuit board. 

5. A radio frequency module according to claim 1, and 

further comprising a first plurality of mode selection inputs for selecting one of a second plurality of operating modes of 

the radio frequency module. 

6. A radio frequency module according to claim 5, wherein 

the second plurality is greater than the first plurality. 

7. A radio frequency module according to claim 6, wherein 

the operating modes are selected from the group comprising: 

serial transceiver, serial network transceiver, active RFID 

transmitter, RFID logic switch output receiver, RFID logic 

switch network output; serial receiver, serial RFID receiver, 

serial network RFID receiver, input logic switch transmitter; 

output logic Switch receiver, output logic Switch network 

receiver, and repeater. 

8. A radio frequency module according to claim 1, wherein 

the transceiver is configured to transmit a data packet at a 

5 

10 

15 

14 

plurality of different frequencies to thereby substantially 

reduce or eliminate radio frequency interference. 

9. A radio frequency module according to claim 8, wherein 

the transceiver is configured to transmit the data packet mul 

tiple times over the plurality of different frequencies. 

10. A radio frequency module according to claim 1, 

wherein the transceiver is configured to transmit a data packet 

on the 2.4 GHz frequency band at a plurality of different 

frequencies between a plurality of different Wi-Fi channels. 

11. A method of wirelessly transmitting data comprising: 

transmitting a data packet on at least one frequency from a 

first location, the data packet including at least one 

repeat signal with an initialized value for a first trans 

mission; 

receiving the data packet at a second location; 

determining whether the at least one repeat signal is at the 

initialized value; 

transmitting the data packet to a third location with a modi 

fied repeat bit when the at least one repeat signal is the 

initialized value; and 

discarding the data packet when the value of the at least one 

repeat signal is different from the initialized value. k k k k k 

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