Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for configuring interface devices of a portable communication system. One interface device is configured as a primary device and the other interface devices are configured as secondary devices. The primary device can be used to facilitate communication between portable devices of the portable communication system and/or to facilitate communication between a portable device and a remote communication center. An interface device can receive priority factor information about an interface device operating as a primary device via a beacon signal. The received priority factor information is then compared to the interface device’s own priority factor information to determine which interface device should be the primary device. The process of determining a primary device from two interface devices can be repeated, as needed, to have one interface device designated as the primary device and the remaining interface devices designated as secondary devices.

Abstract: A self-diagnostic system and method is provided for a transceiver. The self-diagnostic system and method includes a controller and switching circuitry. The switching circuitry is connected to the transceiver and has two positions. The first position of the switching circuitry connects the transmitter and receiver of the transceiver to an antenna system and the second position of the switching circuitry connects the transmitter to the receiver via a power attenuator. After switching the switching circuitry to the second position, the controller initiates the diagnostic procedure by sending a signal to the transceiver. Upon receipt of the signal from the controller, the transceiver initiates the diagnostic procedure by having the transmitter send a preselected output signal to the receiver via the switching circuitry. During the diagnostic procedure, parameters of interest are measured and reported to the controller.

Abstract: A switch is provided for a communication device operating in the RF or microwave frequency range. The switch can include one or more PIN diodes and a biasing circuit that includes one or more inductors. When operating at RF and/or microwave frequencies, the switch can be configured as a low pass filter using the parasitic inductances and capacitances of the PIN diodes and inductors to minimize the insertion loss of the switch. The parasitic capacitances for the low pass filter can be provided by operating the inductors of the switch above their self-resonant frequency such that the inductors operate like capacitors. The parasitic inductances for the low pass filter can be provided by the PIN diodes.

Abstract: A portable communication system is provided with modular components. The modular components can include internal modules located in a base unit and external modules that can be connected to predefined terminals on the exterior of the base unit. The internal modules can include modules that provide one or more of simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex communication modes. The external modules can include modules that can provide one or more of a full-duplex communication mode or a boost to the power level of the portable communication system. An internal connection can be connected to each of the terminals to provide internal couplings to the terminals. The internal modules can be connected to the external modules by the corresponding internal connections and terminals. The configuration of the portable communication system can be changed by disconnecting the internal modules and/or external modules from the base unit and then connecting new internal modules and/or external modules to the base unit.

Abstract: A portable communication system is provided with modular components. The modular components can include internal modules located in a base unit and external modules that can be connected to predefined terminals on the exterior of the base unit. The internal modules can include modules that provide one or more of simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex communication modes. The external modules can include modules that can provide one or more of a full-duplex communication mode or a boost to the power level of the portable communication system. An internal connection can be connected to each of the terminals to provide internal couplings to the terminals. The internal modules can be connected to the external modules by the corresponding internal connections and terminals. The configuration of the portable communication system can be changed by disconnecting the internal modules and/or external modules from the base unit and then connecting new internal modules and/or external modules to the base unit.

Abstract: A portable communication system is provided with modular components. The modular components can include internal modules located in a base unit and external modules that can be connected to predefined terminals on the exterior of the base unit. The internal modules can include modules that provide one or more of simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex communication modes. The external modules can include modules that can provide one or more of a full-duplex communication mode or a boost to the power level of the portable communication system. An internal connection can be connected to each of the terminals to provide internal couplings to the terminals. The internal modules can be connected to the external modules by the corresponding internal connections and terminals. The configuration of the portable communication system can be changed by disconnecting the internal modules and/or external modules from the base unit and then connecting new internal modules and/or external modules to the base unit.

Abstract: A portable communication system is provided with modular components. The modular components can include internal modules located in a base unit and external modules that can be connected to predefined terminals on the exterior of the base unit. The internal modules can include modules that provide one or more of simplex, half-duplex or full-duplex communication modes. The external modules can include modules that can provide one or more of a full-duplex communication mode or a boost to the power level of the portable communication system. An internal connection can be connected to each of the terminals to provide internal couplings to the terminals. The internal modules can be connected to the external modules by the corresponding internal connections and terminals. The configuration of the portable communication system can be changed by disconnecting the internal modules and/or external modules from the base unit and then connecting new internal modules and/or external modules to the base unit.