METHOD AND APPARATUS FOR CONTROLLING ANTENNA CONNECTIVITY AS A FUNCTION OF ANTENNA ORIENTATION

摘要

Teachings presented herein control antenna connectivity for a wireless communication device (42) as a function of rotation of a connector assembly (10) plugged into the device, such as where an external antenna (30) or cable (22) includes the connector assembly (10). It is assumed that the device (42) has a mating connector (40) for the connector assembly (10) that changes the connections of internal (64, 66) and external (30) antennas as a function of the connector mating depth. Correspondingly, the connector assembly (10) and/or the wireless device (42) include a mechanical feature (16) that changes the mating depth between the device mating connector 40 and the assembly mating connector (12) responsive to rotation of the connector assembly (10). In one embodiment, a body portion of an external antenna (30) retains the mating connector (12) and includes a cam feature or other mechanical feature (16) that engages an edge (46) or surface of the device (42) as the external antenna (30) is rotated, thereby pushing the antenna (30) out from the device (42).