System and method for transmitting bidirectional signals over a cable antenna

Abstract

A method and system for data wireless systems on computers, for using the same cable to bi-directionally transmit antenna signals as well as other signals to and from the inside of a shielded computer housing. An example of a control signal is a connect signal for establishing initial contact between the computer and a remote wireless device. An example of a control signal transmitted from inside the computer housing to the outside, is a signal for lighting an LED. Antenna signals are separated from the control signals based on differences between these signals, for example, differences in frequency. In one embodiment, a capacitor filters out a DC control switch signal, while the high frequency antenna signal is filtered by the normal input pin circuitry of a processor.

1 . A method for transmitting a plurality of signals over a cable from the inside of a shielded housing of a device to the outside of the housing, and routing the plurality of signals appropriately, wherein one of the plurality of signals is an antenna signal for wireless communication, the method comprising:
 transmitting the plurality of signals over the cable from the inside of a shielded housing of a device to the outside of the housing;   separating the plurality of signals into an antenna signal and a second of the plurality of signals;   routing the antenna signal to an antenna for communication with a remote transceiver; and   routing the second of the plurality of signals to a signal receiving module.   
   
   
       2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the antenna signal has a first frequency and the second of the plurality of signals has a second frequency. 
   
   
       3 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the second frequency is lower than the first frequency. 
   
   
       4 . The method of  claim 2 , wherein the steps of separating the plurality of signals comprise:
 selectively allowing the first frequency to pass through while selectively blocking the second frequency along a first path to the antenna; and   selectively allowing the second frequency to pass through while selectively blocking the first frequency along a second path to the signal receiving module.   
   
   
       5 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the signal receiving module is a Light Emitting Diode. 
   
   
       6 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of separating the plurality of signals further comprises separating the plurality of signals into a third of the plurality of signals. 
   
   
       7 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the third of the plurality of signals is a second antenna signal. 
   
   
       8 . The method of  claim 6 , wherein the second of the plurality of signals is a control signal. 
   
   
       9 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the second of the plurality of signals is a control signal. 
   
   
       10 . A computing device having an electromagnetic shielded housing, comprising:
 an antenna module outside said housing for receiving wireless communications and generating an antenna signal;   a control switch for generating a DC control signal;   a cable, coupled to the both the antenna module and the control switch, for transmitting both the DC control signal and the antenna signal to the inside of the housing;   an antenna signal receiver;   a capacitor connected between the cable and said antenna signal receiver to filter out said DC control signal;   a Micro Controller Unit (MCU) having an input coupled to the cable for receiving the DC control signal, said input being connected to filtering circuitry inside said MCU for filtering said antenna signal.   
   
   
       11 . The computing device of  claim 10  wherein said filtering signal filters based on amplitude, with said antenna signal having a voltage below an input detection level of said MCU input. 
   
   
       12 . The computing device of  claim 10  further comprising:
 a light emitting diode (LED) in series with said control switch;   a circuit, coupled to said cable, said MCU input and an output of said MCU, said circuit being configured to allow said MCU to read said DC control signal through said input, and to activate said LED through said output.