Abstract: The present invention is a mobile handheld communications devices with a light emitting diode (LED) that outputs sufficient light to illuminate an area external to the case and a switch to control the LED. An LED that outputs sufficient light to illuminate an area external to the case can be added to any mobile handheld communications device, including pagers, telephone handsets, and personal digital assistants (PDAs).

Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectric with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A voltage controlled oscillator incorporating a ferroelectric capacitor in its resonant circuit is provided in order to provide superior phase noise performance and a linear control voltage/capacitance relationship. The resonant circuit may include multiple ferroelectric capacitors and multiple control voltages in order to provide band switching capability and/or increase the tuning range of the oscillator. The feedback loop of the oscillator may also incorporate a ferroelectric capacitor in order to adaptively optimize the feedback.

Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectric with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A tri-band antenna and method for forming the same are provided. The antenna comprises a meander line radiator, a tapered line radiator, a straight line radiator, and a dielectric layer. Each dielectric layer surface has an area of less than 1.0×106 square mils (mils2). The meander line, tapered line, and straight line radiators are formed as microstrip structures overlying the dielectric layer surfaces. More specifically, the meander line radiator is formed on the dielectric top surface and is connected to the tapered line radiator on the dielectric bottom surface through a via. The straight line radiator is connected to the tapered line radiator output on the bottom surface, and is unterminated. In one aspect, the combination of the meander line radiator, tapered line radiator, and straight line radiator forms effective electrical lengths corresponding to the cellular frequency band, the GPS frequency band, and the PCS frequency band.

Abstract: A family of FE dielectric-tuned antennas and a method for frequency tuning a wireless communications antenna are provided. The method comprises: forming a radiator; forming a dielectrict with ferroelectric material proximate to the radiator; applying a voltage to the ferroelectric material; in response to applying the voltage, generating a dielectric constant; and, in response to the dielectric constant, communicating electromagnetic fields at a resonant frequency. Some aspects of the method further comprise: varying the applied voltage; and, modifying the resonant frequency in response to changes in the applied voltage. Modifying the resonant frequency includes forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency responsive to the applied voltage. Alternately stated, forming an antenna with a variable operating frequency includes forming an antenna with a predetermined fixed characteristic impedance, independent of the resonant frequency.

Abstract: A tunable capacitor that introduces significantly less loss, if any, costs less and is smaller than previously available. A bias electrode is coupled to a FE material. The capacitor electrodes are electro-magnetically coupled to the FE material, such that the capacitor electrodes and the bias electrode are not touching. Only non-conductive material is in the gap defined by the capacitor electrodes. The bias electrode is used to apply a variable DC voltage to the FE material. A capacitor electrode serves as a DC ground for producing a variable DC field between the bias electrode and the capacitor electrodes.

Abstract: A wireless communication device comprises a power amplifier configured to amplify a power level of a transmit signal to a required transmit power level and a transmission line coupled with the power amplifier. The transmission line is configured to convey the amplified transmit signal. The wireless communication device also comprises a power control circuit that includes a bi-directional coupler detector coupled with the transmission line. The bi-directional coupler detector is configured to sense a forward power level and a reflected power level in the transmission line. The power control circuit may be configured to adjust the required transmit power level based at least in part on the forward and reflected power levels sensed by the bi-directional coupler detector. The power control circuit may also adjust an impedance of an impedance matching circuit based at least in part on the reflected power level sensed by the bi-directional coupler detector.

Abstract: A dual telescopic whip antenna, antenna system, and dual telescopic method are provided. The antenna comprises a radiator including a conductive wire, and a first telescoping tube section having a first end to accept the wire and an antenna port at a second end. The radiator also includes a second telescoping tube section having a first end to accept the other end of the wire. The radiator has an extended position length that is approximately equal to the sum of the wire length, the first tube length, and the second tube length. The radiator has a contracted position with the wire length substantially withdrawn in the first and second tubes. In some aspects, the antenna further comprises a chassis with a stopper channel assembly to accept the first and second tubes in the radiator contracted position and to limit the extension of the first tube from the chassis in the radiator extended position.

Abstract: A system and a method for providing a global positioning system (GPS) enabled antenna system are provided. The GPS enabled antenna may be used, for example, on a wireless communications device such as a wireless handset. The wireless communications device may include a switching module that can selectively switch communications signals between the antenna and one of a plurality of communications band circuits. A respective impedance matching circuit may be provided between the switching module and particular communications band circuitry to match or to tune the antenna to the particular communications band circuitry.

Abstract: A system and method for wireless communications includes a wireless communications device. The wireless communications device includes a microstrip that has been structured to provide power to electrical circuitry and electrical components of the wireless communications device and has been adapted to transmit and to receive wirelessly a short-range wireless communications signal.