Patent ID: 7251499

Claim:
An antenna switch part for use in conjunction with a radio frequency front-end of a communications device, wherein the front-end has a plurality of signal paths for conveying signals in a plurality of frequency bands according to a first protocol through a first antenna or a second antenna, the frequency bands including at least one transmit frequency band and one receive frequency band, and a further signal path for conveying signals in a frequency band according to a second protocol through the second antenna or a third antenna, said antenna switch part comprising: a plurality of first switching elements, each switching element having a first end a second end, the first switching elements operable in an open position for electrically isolating the first end from the second end and in a closed position for electrically connecting the first end to the second end, the first end operatively connected to the first antenna, the second end operatively connected to a different one of the signal paths; a plurality of second switching elements, each switching element having a first end and a second end, the second switching elements operable in an open position for electrically isolating the first end from the second end and in a closed position for electrically connecting the first end and the second end, the first end operatively connected to the second antenna, the second end operatively connected to the second end of a different one of the first switching elements, so that the signals in one of the plurality of signal paths can be routed through the first or the second antenna when the first or the second switching element connected to said one signal path is operated in the closed position; and a third switching element having a first end and a second end, the third switching element operable in an open position or a closed position, the first end operatively connected to the third antenna and the second end operatively connected to the further signal path, wherein the further signal path is also operatively connected to the second end of a different one of the second switching elements.