Automatic rf antenna switching for an electronic communication device

Abstract

A device includes (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches, each operable with a plurality of frequency bands; an RF coupling device; and a processor programmed to selectively control operation of the plurality of RF switches based on an uplink signal from an electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with the RF coupling device. The processor is programmed to selectively control operation of the plurality of RF switches by causing each of the RF switches to lock on a particular frequency band of the plurality of frequency bands corresponding to a frequency of the uplink signal from the electronic communication device.

We claim: 
     
         1 . A device comprising:
 (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches, each of said RF switches operable with a plurality of frequency bands;   (b) at least one RF coupling device; and   (c) a processor programmed to selectively control operation of said plurality of RF switches based on an uplink signal from an electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with said at least one RF coupling device.   
     
     
         2 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said processor is programmed to selectively control operation of said plurality of RF switches by causing each of said plurality of RF switches to lock on a particular frequency band of said plurality of frequency bands. 
     
     
         3 . The device of  claim 2  wherein said particular frequency band corresponds to a frequency of the uplink signal from the electronic communication device. 
     
     
         4 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said processor is programmed to detect said uplink signal from said electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with said RF coupling device. 
     
     
         5 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches comprises a first RF switch, and a second RF switch, the device further comprising:
 an amplifier connected to the second RF switch for amplifying an RF signal output by said second RF switch. 
 
     
     
         6 . The device of  claim 5  further comprising:
 a gain controller connected to an output of the amplifier, wherein said processor is further programmed to control said gain controller based on said RF signal output by said second RF switch. 
 
     
     
         7 . The device of  claim 6  wherein said plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches further comprise a third RF switch connected to an output of said gain controller. 
     
     
         8 . The device of  claim 7  wherein said plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches further comprise a fourth RF switch connected to said RF coupling device. 
     
     
         9 . The device of  claim 1  wherein the device is in an assembly having an enclosure for holding said electronic communication device. 
     
     
         10 . The device of  claim 9  wherein, when said electronic communication device is in said assembly an antenna of said electronic communication device is electromagnetic coupled with said RF coupling device. 
     
     
         11 . The device of  claim 9 , wherein the assembly comprises a protective case for the electronic communication device. 
     
     
         12 . The device of  claim 1  wherein, prior to being locked onto said particular frequency band, said plurality of RF switches continuously switch through said plurality of frequency bands in synch. 
     
     
         13 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of RF switches comprise a plurality of Single-Pole N-Throw (SPNT) switches, where N is the number of frequency bands in said plurality of frequency bands. 
     
     
         14 . The device of  claim 13 , where the plurality of frequency bands comprise four frequency bands and wherein said plurality of RF switches consists of four Single-Pole Four-Throw (SP4T) switches. 
     
     
         15 . The device of  claim 1  wherein said plurality of frequency bands comprise one or more of: 700, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, and 2100 MHz. 
     
     
         16 . A device comprising:
 (a) a plurality of radio frequency (RF) switches, each of said RF switches operable with a plurality of frequency bands, wherein the plurality of RF switches comprises a first RF switch, and a second RF switch;   (b) at least one RF coupling device; and   (c) a processor programmed to selectively control operation of said plurality of RF switches based on an uplink signal from an electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with said at least one RF coupling device,   (d) an amplifier connected to the second RF switch for amplifying an RF signal output by said second RF switch;   (e) a gain controller connected to an output of the amplifier, wherein said processor is further programmed to control said gain controller based on said RF signal output by said second RF switch,   wherein said processor is programmed to selectively control operation of said plurality of RF switches by causing each of said plurality of RF switches to lock on a particular frequency band of said plurality of frequency bands,   wherein said particular frequency band corresponds to a frequency of the uplink signal from the electronic communication device.   
     
     
         17 . The device of  claim 16 , wherein said processor is programmed to detect said uplink signal from said electronic communication device electromagnetically coupled with said RF coupling device. 
     
     
         18 . The device of  claim 16  wherein said plurality of RF switches further comprise a third RF switch connected to an output of said gain controller. 
     
     
         19 . The device of  claim 18  wherein said plurality of RF switches further comprise a fourth RF switch connected to said RF coupling device. 
     
     
         20 . The device of  claim 20  wherein said plurality of frequency bands comprise one or more of: 700, 850, 900, 1800, 1900, and 2100 MHz.