SYSTEM FOR PASSIVE RF SIGNAL ENHANCEMENT FOR A WIRELESS
DATA CARD FIELD OF INVENTION
[0001] The present invention relates to a system and method for improved wireless communication. More particularly, it relates to passive RF signal enhancement for a wireless data card.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] Wireless mode of communication has largely replaced the conventional wired internet connectivity. It has been an extremely popular and convenient choice for use both at workplace and home courtesy the mobility advantage that it gives compared to the conventional wire-based internet connection. The wireless tools provide internet connectivity restricted to a defined geographical range, within which a user is free to carry his computing device and remains connected to the internet. This arrangement had the shortcoming of restricting the user to a pre-defined geographical range, which is a major limitation for those users who are frequently traveling or not residing in areas where the wireless tools are functionally active. High Speed Internet Access (HSIA) Cards or wireless data cards, as they are generically called, fulfilled this need of the art. These wireless data cards, designed like a USB card, could be connected to computing devices and courtesy their portability and reliable connectivity, they have become quite popular among a wider audience.
[0003] The wireless data cards, though, offer a better, faster and convenient means of internet connectivity to its users, have a major limitation when used at locations which suffer from weak/intermittent signals. These weak signals could arise in locations like a closed building, where the building structures interfere with the signal reception by the wireless data cards. Sometimes, even when inside the same building, there are areas that have a better signal reception compared to other areas where the signal reception is quite weak. This problem has been addressed in the art by designing antenna
systems which when configured within the wireless data card provide a better enhanced signal reception. But, it has been observed that RF signal enhancement through such antenna systems are a minor increment and sometimes even after the antenna, the weak signal continue to bother the user. Another attempt towards this end has been the use of active repeaters. Repeaters are a system comprising of a reception antenna, a signal amplifier and an internal rebroadcast antenna to boost the signal that reaches a communication device. Although, such repeaters are quite popular with mobile telephony devices, but for the purpose of a wireless data card, the repeater system not only becomes a 'weighty' addition but also adds to the cost to the user.
[0004] US 20100051698 disclose a wireless data card with a retractable antenna electrically coupled to the data card. The retractable antenna of the '698 published application is configured to be extended out of the data card body or retracted into the data card body. Though, the antenna of the '698 published application serves the immediate purpose of enhancing the signal reception, the overall quality of RF signal enhancement was a minor increment. [0005] US 20090131131 disclose a mobile device cradle for a mobile telephone that connects to an antenna-amplifier system to improve the communication signals between a base station and the mobile phone. The cradle of the '131 published application is a mobile docker which is connected to an antenna placed on a moving vehicle to improve signal transmission when the vehicle enters a low reception area.
[0006] There is therefore a need of a system that improves RF signal enhancement for a wireless data card to a considerable magnitude in a closed environment where the wireless connectivity is weak or intermittent. Further, the system should not affect the portability of the user. It should also be cost effective and easy to install and operate. Lastly, it would be desirable if the said system is a passive RF signal enhancer, meaning thereby, that the system is independent of any external power/electric supply.
OBJECTS OF THE INVENTION
[0007] It is an object of the invention to provide a system for improved
wireless communication in a closed environment.
[0008] It is an object of the invention to provide a system which when
connected to a computing device offers passive RF signal enhancement.
[0009] It is an object of the invention to provide a system for enhanced
signal reception for a wireless data card.
[00010] It is an object of the invention to provide a system for RF signal
enhancement that does not require any external power/ electricity supply.
[00011] It is an object of the invention to provide a cradle to hold a
wireless data card to be connected to an external antenna.
[00012] It is an object of the invention to provide a system that effectively
increases the Signal to Noise ratio at the wireless data card end.
[00013] It is yet another object of the invention to provide a system for
enhanced signal reception which is cost effective and easy to install and
operate.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[00014] The present invention provides a system for passive RF signal enhancement for a wireless data card. The system of the present invention comprises of a cradle to secure the wireless data card, an antenna to be deployed external to the wireless data card and a cable means to connect the externally placed antenna to the cradle. The system of the present invention is attached to a computing device to improve signal reception.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWING
[00015] Preferred embodiments of the invention are described herein
below with reference to the drawings wherein:
[00016] Figure 1 illustrates working of a communication system 100 for
enhancing signal reception.
[00017] Fig 2 illustrates multiple views of a wireless data card attached to a
cradle.
[00018] Fig 3 illustrates multiple views of a cradle.
[00019] Fig 4 illustrates a Yagi antenna and a coaxial cable.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION
[00020] The embodiments herein and the various features and advantageous details thereof are explained more fully with reference to the non-limiting embodiments that are illustrated in the accompanying drawings and detailed in the following description. Descriptions of well-known components and processing techniques are omitted so as to not unnecessarily obscure the embodiments herein. The examples used herein are intended merely to facilitate an understanding of ways in which the embodiments herein may be practiced and to further enable those of skill in the art to practice the embodiments herein. Accordingly, the examples should not be construed as limiting the scope of the embodiments herein.
[00021] Figure 1 illustrates working of a communication system 100 according to an embodiment of the present invention. The system of the present invention is preferably suited to enhance the signal reception in weak indoor environment caused primarily due to closed building structures. In a preferred embodiment, the communication system comprises of a communication/computing device 102 such as a laptop, PC, Pocket PC among others, a wireless data card 104 attached to the computing device 102. The wireless data card 104 is configured to enable high speed internet access (HSIA) onto the computing device 102.
[00022] In an embodiment, the wireless data card 104 is operatively connected to a cradle device (not shown explicitly), which is configured to engage the wireless data card 104. The cradle device engaging the wireless data card 104 is connected to an antenna 106 by means of a cable 108. In an embodiment, the antenna 106 is a Yagi antenna and installed outside a building to pick up signals directly from the desired direction.
[00023] In another embodiment, the cradle can be connected to the wireless data card 104 by any means with the cradle with at one end, the cradle engaging the wireless data card 104 and at the other end, the wireless data card 104 engaging the cradle. In an implementation, the cradle comprises of a receiver configured to received enhanced RF signals from the antenna 106 through the cable 108. The wireless data card 104 can then use the received RF signals to enhance the internet access on the computing device 102. [00024] Figure 2 illustrates multiples views 200 of a wireless data card 104, also commonly referred to as HSIA device, secured in a cradle 202 according to an embodiment of the present invention. Fig. 2(A) represents a side view with the cradle 202 at a rear location, away from the data card 104. Fig. 2(B) represents a upside-down view with the cradle 202 connected to and engaging the data card 104. The wireless data card 104 can be safely secured in its position in the cradle 202 through a centrally elongated spine portion (reference number not shown). Fig. 2(C) shows the communication system 100 demonstrating the computing device 102 attached with the wireless data card 104 engaged in the cradle 202. In an embodiment, the cradle 202 is connected to an antenna 106 by means of a cable 108, preferably, LMR 200/RG 174 cable wire.
[00025] Figure 3 illustrates multiples views of a cradle according to an embodiment of the present invention. The cradle 202 is configured to receive and secure a wireless data card 104 (not shown in the figure). The cradle 202 comprise a raised back portion 302 to securely retain the wireless data card 104, a centrally elongated spine portion 304 to rest the wireless data card 104, an attaching means 306 to attach an antenna cable 108 (not shown in the figure)
to the cradle 202 and a slightly raised area 308 at the far end of the centrally elongated spine portion 304 to hold the end of the wireless data card 104 from slipping out the cradle 202. In an embodiment, the centrally elongated spine portion 304 comprises a receiver (not shown in the figure) configured to receive enhanced signals from an external antenna 106 (not shown in the figure). The cradle 202 is thus designed to not only provide a physical support to the wireless data card 104 but, via providing an arrangement to attach an external antenna 106 to the cradle 202, also helps in receiving enhanced signals from the antenna 106 for much higher RF signal reception and therefore faster internet speed. Fig. 3(A) to Fig. 3(D) illustrate multiple views of the cradle 202.
[00026] Figure 4 (A) of Fig. 4 illustrates a Yagi Antenna 106 according to an embodiment of the present invention. As is widely known in the art, the Yagi antenna 106 is a directional antenna system consisting of an array of a dipole and additional closely coupled parasitic elements construction. Specifically, Yagi antenna 106 has an attaching site for attaching a co-axial cable 108, which is described in detail hereinafter.
[00027] Figure 4 (B) of Fig. 4 illustrates a co-axial cable 108 according to an embodiment of the present invention. In a preferred embodiment, the coaxial cable 108 is a LMR 200/RG 174 cable. As is known in the art, the coaxial cable 108 comprises a co-axial connector, a cable portion and a tapered end portion. The co-axial connector is configured to attach at an attaching site provided at the Yagi antenna 106. Through the cable portion the tapered end portion of the co axial cable 108 is connected to the attachment means 306 of the cradle 202. The system thus formed, comprising, the Yagi antenna 106, the co axial cable 108 and the wireless data card 104 secured in cradle 202 forms a preferred embodiment of the present invention. In an alternate embodiment, a separate co axial cable 108, preferably a LMR 200/RG 174 cable, is employed to be attached to the co-axial cable 108 at one and the cradle 202 at the other end to allow more flexibility at the user end.
SADVANTAGES OF THE INVENTION
• The system of the present invention overcomes the in-building losses
encountered by a wireless data card.
• Signal from a desired direction is directly fed to a wireless data card.
• Provides the same level of outdoor signal to a wireless data card.
• In a weak indoor environment, the system of the present invention effectively increases the Signal to Noise ratio at a wireless data card, resulting in increased throughputs.

• Negligible noise generation in the network when compared to an active repeater solution.
• Low Cost as compared to existing solutions.
• Easy to install and operate.
• No power/ electricity supply required for the solution since the system
of the present invention is completely passive in design.

CLAIMS
What is claimed is:
1. A wireless communication system comprising,
a wireless data card;
a cradle operatively connected to said wireless data card, and
an antenna deployed at a location external to said wireless data card,
wherein said antenna is operatively attached to said cradle for passive
RF signal enhancement of said wireless data card.
2. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is operatively attached to said cradle through a coaxial cable.
3. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 2, wherein said coaxial cable is a LMR 200/RG 174 cable wire.
4. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said antenna is a Yagi antenna.
5. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 1, wherein said wireless data card is connected to a computing device and said cradle is attached to said wireless data card.
6. The wireless communication system as claimed in claim 5, wherein said computing device is selected from a group comprising a laptop, a computer desktop, a Pocket PC, and a Palm Top.
7. A cradle for a wireless data card, comprising
a centrally elongated spine portion to rest said wireless data card, wherein said spine portion comprises of a receiver configured to receive enhanced signals;
a raised back portion to securely retain said wireless data card;
an attaching means to attach an antenna transmitting said enhanced signals through a cable to said cradle; and
8. The cradle according to claim 7, wherein said attaching means is
positioned at the rear end of said cradle.
9. The cradle according to claim 7, wherein said antenna is deployed at a location external to said wireless data card.
10. A method for passive RF signal enhancement for a wireless data card, comprising
securing said wireless data card to a cradle; attaching an antenna to said cradle through a cable wire; and connecting said cradle-secured wireless data card to a computing device for receiving enhanced signals.
11. The method according to claim 10, wherein said antenna is deployed at a location external to said wireless data card.
12. The method according to claim 10, wherein said cradle comprises of a receiver configured to receive enhanced signals from said antenna.