Mobile radio antenna for a small receiver

Abstract

A mobile radio antenna for a small receiver. The invention concerns a system comprising a terminal (1) and a cable (2). The terminal (1) comprises: a data transceiver module (WIFI) for data to be played back on a playback device (3), said data being received or transmitted by at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b, 76); a connection module (HDMI, MHL) for connection to the playback device (3) via a communication medium (7,8) capable of exchanging data with the playback device; a connection module (USB, MHL) for connection to a power supply device via a power supply medium (25) capable of transporting an electric power supply, the cable (2,7) comprising the communication medium (7) and / or power supply medium (2); a connector (4) for connecting same to the terminal, the system being characterised in that the cable further comprises said antenna (26) and in that the antenna is electrically separate from the connector (5,8).

Description

Technical field

[0001] The invention relates to the reception and transmission of radio signals.

[0002] The invention applies to any terminal equipped with a radio-type transmission-reception module requiring an antenna. State of the art

[0003] To view audiovisual signals (television, music, etc.) on a playback terminal, it is necessary for the latter to be equipped with an antenna for the reception, and possibly the transmission, of broadcast radio waves carrying electrical signals.

[0004] These terminals are becoming increasingly miniaturized; we can cite for example the smartphones,or small terminals intended for televisions to download and decode audiovisual programs on an Internet network, which come in the form of small boxes or electronic keys to be connected to the television. In such a case, the limited space on the terminal does not allow for an antenna of sufficient size for good quality reception.

[0005] There are indeed small antennas, for example made of a metal wire placed on a small printed circuit board. These antennas have a number of disadvantages: first of all, such an antenna exhibits a lower reception quality than larger antennas. If the reception quality is insufficient, the flow rate necessary for the correct reproduction of the audiovisual content may not be achieved, which results in a number of annoying problems at the level of reproduction on the television (image not received, degraded, frozen, distorted sound, etc.); moreover, the arrangement of the antenna cannot be modified, although it is well known that changing the orientation of such an antenna often makes it possible to considerably increase the reception quality; moreover, in the case where two antennas are desirable, in particular to improve reception, it is necessary to maintain a certain spacing between them, which is not possible with this type of antenna since the support (the terminal) imposes size constraints.

[0006] It should also be noted that some terminals of this type, for example electronic keys, are placed behind televisions, which reduces the sensitivity and therefore the effectiveness of their antenna.

[0007] It is known to leave the antenna hanging outside the receiver. However, this solution makes the device difficult to handle (since the antenna, usually welded, hangs outside the terminal). In addition, such an antenna is fragile. Finally, this type of solution does not allow the antenna to be optimally oriented, as it is subject to gravity.

[0008] To avoid this kind of inconvenience, it has been proposed, for example, in the document published under number JP2010068168A, to use the data transport cable as an antenna. However, this type of solution remains suboptimal.

[0009] It has also been proposed, for example in the document published under number CN201656197U, to use a switching circuit capable of switching between two communication modes, one of which requires an antenna. Such a switching circuit is complex to implement.

[0010] It has also been proposed to reuse certain existing wires of an electrical cable to carry the antenna signal. For example, it is known, according to application EP2 712 024 A1, to modify a USB (Universal Serial Bus) type serial cable connected to the terminal to pass the antenna signal to one of the pins of the USB connector. This solution is complex to implement since it requires an adaptation of the existing USB cable (by adding, in particular, suitable electronic circuits). It is, moreover, limited to USB type cables. In addition, the antenna thus provided does not provide a good quality signal, the electrical wires of the USB cable not being designed to carry radio signals. In addition, the simultaneous transport of data during standard operation of the USB bus disrupts the antenna signal and reduces its effectiveness accordingly.

[0011] The invention offers a solution which does not have the drawbacks of the state of the art. The invention

[0012] To this end, according to a material aspect, the invention relates to a cable and a connector as described in claim 1. The term module can correspond to a software component as well as to a hardware component or a set of hardware and software components, a software component itself corresponding to one or more computer programs or sub-programs or more generally to any element of a program capable of implementing a function or a set of functions as described for the modules concerned. In the same way, a hardware component corresponds to any element of a hardware assembly capable of implementing a function or a set of functions for the module concerned (integrated circuit, smart card, memory card, etc.).

[0013] An antenna is traditionally understood to mean one or more devices for radiating (transmitter) or capturing (receiver) electromagnetic waves. The antenna converts electrical quantities existing in a conductor or transmission line (voltage and current) into electromagnetic quantities in space (electric field and magnetic field), this in transmission and vice versa in reception. The shape and dimensions of an antenna are extremely variable. An antenna for receiving television signals can, for example, take the form of a metal rake or a coaxial cable.

[0014] By "cable" we mean a bundle of wires protected by an insulating covering, or sheath. The cable itself may consist of several cables, or sets of wires, each performing a specific function (communication, power supply, etc.), connecting the two ends of the cable and capable of supporting a standardized protocol (HDMI for "High Definition Media Interface", MHL for "Mobile High Definition Link", USB for "Universal Serial Bus", etc.)

[0015] Power supply means a cable carrying at least one means of powering the terminal. Any cable supporting a power supply can be used: USB serial cable, electrical cable, telephone cable, Ethernet cable, MHL audiovisual data transmission cable, etc.

[0016] Communication medium means a means of communication for the terminal. Any cable or connector that provides data exchange can be used: USB serial cable or connector, telephone cable, Ethernet cable or connector, HDMI or MHL audiovisual data transmission cable, etc.

[0017] A connector is a device capable of connecting electrical cables subjected to currents of varying intensity to the end of the cable. In particular, computer connectors, also called "input-output connectors", are interfaces for connecting equipment using cables. They generally consist of a male plug, with protruding pins, which fit into female sockets, made up of receiving sockets. The pins and sockets of the connectors are generally connected to electrical wires constituting the cable. The association of the pins with each wire of the cable is called pinout (in English pine lavout ). Each numbered pin usually corresponds to a wire in the cable, but sometimes one of the pins, as well as the corresponding wire, if present, is not used.

[0018] According to the known state of the art, the WIFI antenna of a small transmitter-receiver terminal such as an electronic key is generally located in the terminal (printed circuit comprising for example a metal wire).

[0019] The invention, by introducing the antenna into the communication or power cable, offers the advantage of moving it into a cable which is already used to transport the electrical power supply of the terminal or the data to be restored, and which is therefore necessary in the system. To implement the invention, it is sufficient to arrange the electrical power supply and / or the communication cable and the antenna in the same sheath, or to pass the antenna cable into the existing sheath of the electrical cable. This is particularly interesting in the case of Wi-Fi systems.

[0020] Advantageously, the antenna does not modify the electrical characteristics of the cable connector, that is to say, it does not use the active wires of the cable (those used for example for data transport or for power supply) to pass the radio signals. The antenna coexists with the cable but does not use its wires. The invention makes it possible to advantageously share the cable, which is necessary for the terminal, and therefore always present, and the antenna.

[0021] Advantageously, the invention makes it possible, by removing the antenna from the terminal, to reduce the size of the latter. It also makes it possible to offer a better quality antenna, since it is less limited in size, the only limit being the length of the cable. In addition, the antenna can be moved (with the cable that supports it) to improve the reception or rebroadcasting of the broadcast signal depending on the location and orientation of the terminal antenna. Finally, the antenna is less fragile, since it is protected by the cable sheath and external to the terminal.

[0022] The invention can thus be used for radio terminals (radio sets with antenna integrated into the power cable), television terminals (HDMI key allowing digital television content to be reproduced on the television to which it is connected), retransmission of Wifi radio waves (known as "Wifi Modems"), etc.

[0023] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the antenna is a coaxial cable.

[0024] As a reminder, a coaxial cable is an asymmetrical transmission line or connection used at high frequencies, consisting of a two-conductor cable. The central core, which can be single-strand or multi-strand (made of copper or copper-clad steel), is surrounded by a dielectric (insulating) material. The dielectric is surrounded by a conductive braid (or rolled aluminum foil), then by an insulating and protective sheath. It can be shielded.

[0025] The antenna according to this embodiment of the invention is advantageously made up of a simple cable whose metal core plays the role of transmitter-receiver.

[0026] The optimal characteristics and dimensions of such a coaxial cable are not compatible with the wires usually present in standard cables (the standard wires of a communications cable do not have a shielded core). The invention therefore provides a substantial advantage compared to simply reusing the existing wires of the cable.

[0027] Advantageously, the antenna also does not disturb the communication or power cable. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the particular shape of the coaxial cable makes it possible not to produce (and not to pick up) disturbances on neighboring signals. The shielding of the electrical wires reduces the emission of electric fields along the entire length of the circuits.

[0028] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the length of the antenna can be adapted to the type of signal transported.

[0029] Advantageously, the length of the antenna is limited according to the invention only by the length of the cable that carries it. The optimal length of an antenna, for example in the form of a coaxial cable, depends on the wavelength (and therefore the frequency) used for the chosen radio technology. For example, a Bluetooth antenna does not have the same ideal length as a Wi-Fi antenna. It also depends on the mechanical characteristics (the nature of the conductor and its dimensions, the diameters of the sheath and the central conductor, the nature of the dielectric) and electrical characteristics (its characteristic impedance, its attenuation constant, etc.)

[0030] Each antenna can thus, according to the invention, be sized to its ideal length by a simple calculation within the reach of those skilled in the art. For Wi-Fi, for example, this length can be around fifteen centimeters. In this case, a data or power cable of around fifteen centimeters is sufficient to accommodate this cable and transport the radio signal in optimal conditions.

[0031] Advantageously, the connector comprises at least one unused pin and said at least one antenna exits the connector via this pin before being connected to the data transmission / reception module.

[0032] Advantageously, this embodiment allows the cable's electrical connector to be used without changing its mechanical or electrical behavior. For this purpose, a free pin of the cable is used to pass the antenna cable. This emerges from the terminal side and can be easily connected to the antenna signal reception circuit. An example will be given later in the context of the HDMI standard.

[0033] Alternatively, a pin specified by the standard, but not used in the context of the invention, may be used for the antenna. For example, if a USB cable is used only for its power supply (the data being carried by an HDMI / MHL cable), the data wires may be used for the antenna. The antenna is in such a case advantageously connected to the unused wire, or alternatively this wire is removed to make room for the antenna wire.

[0034] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the USB type cable comprises the power support.

[0035] Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to share the power cable, which is necessary for the terminal, and therefore always present, and the antenna.

[0036] This embodiment is particularly useful if only the power part of a USB type cable is used, in order to provide power that is not present in the data cable, for example HDMI type.

[0037] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the HDMI type cable comprises the communication medium.

[0038] Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to share an audiovisual data transport cable of known type with the receiving antenna.

[0039] The HDMI standard (from English High Definition Multimedia Interface)specifies a set of standards for the transport of audiovisual data. In particular, it defines an electrical and logical interface allowing the transfer of uncompressed digital multimedia data in high definition. It is now widely used for the transport of digital audiovisual data.

[0040] The HDMI cable can, for example, be supplied with the small terminal in the form of an extension cable. In the context of the aforementioned electronic key, it is easier in some cases to connect it to such a cable, used as an extension cable, than directly to the TV (especially if the TV's HDMI socket is on the rear panel). The user then benefits advantageously from an extension cable that allows him to comfortably connect to the HDMI port of his TV while including the reception antenna.

[0041] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the cable comprises the power supply support and the communication support, it is of the MHL type.

[0042] Advantageously, this embodiment makes it possible to share a known type of audiovisual data transport and power cable with the reception antenna in an MHL type cable. The MHL (Mobile High-Definition Link) interface makes it possible in particular to connect mobile terminals to high-definition televisions and monitors. This interface was created by the consortium of the same name in 2010. The MHL interface provides several simultaneous functions, including the transfer of very high-quality images and sound in the form of uncompressed audio tracks, but also for recharging the terminal. It corresponds to an evolution of HDMI but also makes it possible to do without another power source; it is therefore set to gradually replace current HDMI cables.

[0043] As before, the MHL cable can be supplied with the terminal, for example the electronic key, in the form of an extension. The user then benefits advantageously from an extension that allows him to comfortably connect to the MHL port of his television and which includes the reception antenna.

[0044] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the cable comprises at least one Wi-Fi type antenna.

[0045] The Wi-Fi standard is now widely used in the field of receiving audiovisual signals, particularly of the streaming(in French, progressive download). In the context of WIFI radio technology, defined by the IEEE 802.1 recommendation, the purely receiving part of the antenna is often reduced to a simple metal rod. It is preferable, for reasons of reception performance, to replace this metal rod with a coaxial type transmission cable and to use the metal core of the cable as a receiving antenna.

[0046] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the cable comprises at least two Wi-Fi antennas of different types.

[0047] This embodiment of the invention makes it possible in particular to cover different speeds associated with Wi-Fi standards. The term Wi-Fi in fact covers a set of standards of the IEEE 802.11 specification. A suffix in the form of a letter makes it possible to distinguish the standards from each other. In particular, there are five different standards with different characteristics: 802.11a (5 Ghz), b (2.4Ghz), g (2.4Ghz), n (2.4 or 5Ghz), ac (5Ghz). It is particularly advantageous to benefit from two antenna cables in the main cable, preferably of different lengths for better adaptation to different speeds, to cover at least two Wi-Fi sub-standards offering different speeds.

[0048] According to a ninth particular embodiment of the invention, which may be implemented alternatively or cumulatively with the previous ones, a system as described above is characterized in that the cable comprises at least one Bluetooth type antenna.

[0049] It should be remembered that Bluetooth is a communication standard that allows the two-way exchange of data over very short distances and uses UHF radio waves. Advantageously, it can be used for specific functions that are of interest in the case of audiovisual equipment / terminal: remote control signals, etc.

[0050] The invention also relates to a system according to claim 11, comprising a terminal and a cable and a connector.

[0051] According to a particular implementation mode, the terminal further comprises an antenna internal to said terminal.

[0052] Advantageously, this embodiment of the invention makes it possible to have at least two antennas, on the one hand the native antenna of the small terminal, and on the other hand the antenna (or antennas) which is (are) in the power cable and / or in the communication cable. The two combined antennas are, as mentioned previously, capable of cooperatively providing an improved signal, and therefore a better throughput than if a single antenna were used. It is thus possible to retain the advantages of the existing small terminal (with its integrated antenna) while considerably improving the reception quality in contexts where a higher reception quality is desired.

[0053] According to a particular embodiment of the invention, the system as described above is characterized in that it further comprises an antenna selection module.

[0054] The antenna selection module is suitable for selecting, depending on the case, one, the other, or both, or even more, antennas. This feature is particularly interesting in the case where reception requires the active presence of several antennas (internal and / or external), or when a problem occurs on the external antenna (in this case offering the possibility of activating the internal antenna, even if it offers degraded signal reception, while waiting for the problem on the external antenna to be resolved).

[0055] Advantageously, a cable can be supplied in the form of an extension (HDMI, MHL, etc.) with the small module. It can measure a few centimeters, typically around fifteen, to provide good reception quality while facilitating the connection of the key to the back of the television.

[0056] The invention will be better understood from reading the following description, given by way of example and with reference to the attached drawings. The figures:

[0057] There figure 1 represents the general context of the invention. The figure 2 represents a system according to a first embodiment of the invention. The figure 3 represents a system according to a second embodiment of the invention. The figure 4 represents a hardware architecture of a small-sized terminal, according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with the figure 2 or to the figure 3 . There Figure 5 represents a cable according to an implementation of the invention. The figure 6 represents a system according to a third embodiment of the invention. The figure 7 represents a hardware architecture of a small-sized terminal, according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with the figure 6 . There figure 8 represents an example of a cable connection according to an implementation of the invention. Detailed description of an exemplary embodiment illustrating the invention

[0058] There figure 1represents the general context of the invention.

[0059] A terminal device (1) is connected, in this example, on the one hand to a television (3) and on the other hand to the service gateway (6) of a local network (not shown).

[0060] A terminal device, or more simply "terminal", means any device capable of connecting to a service gateway (6), such as a Smartphone (smart mobile phone), a PDA (“Personal Digital Assistant”), an electronic key (1) for downloading audiovisual content or more generally any device capable of communicating wirelessly, in Wi-Fi mode, with the service gateway. Among these terminals, preference is given here to those of small size. In the following, the terminal according to the different embodiments is in the form of an electronic key (in English, “ dongle") connected to a video port of the television (3), in this example an MHL type port. This small terminal (1) is also capable of establishing connections with the service gateway also connected to the extended internet network (WAN, for Wide Area Network, as opposed to a local network of the LAN type - Local Area Network). The extended network contains a multimedia content server (not shown) which hosts in particular audiovisual content for provision to terminals on the local network. The electronic key can, via the gateway (6), connect to the WAN content server, from which it retrieves the multimedia content (video and / or audio) to be played on the television (3).

[0061] The service gateway (6) has a Wi-Fi communication function, or access point (AP, for Access Point ) ,which allows it to communicate wirelessly with network terminals. This access point includes a two-way radio module to transmit or receive WIFI signals in the local network.

[0062] To receive such signals, the terminal (1) must be equipped with an antenna. Rather than placing it, as is usually done, inside the terminal, it is here placed in the same sheath as the cable (2).

[0063] Advantageously, according to this example, the electronic key is therefore supplied in the form of an extension with a cable (2) which allows the electronic key to be connected.

[0064] There figure 2 represents the same system in a particular embodiment, seen from the back of the television.

[0065] According to this embodiment, the terminal, or key (1) is connected directly to one of the HDMI ports (8) of the television (3), to which it transmits the decoded audiovisual signals.

[0066] The terminal (1), or key, is powered in this example via a USB cable (2) connected on the one hand to the terminal (1) and on the other hand to the television (3) via USB connectors. As is well known to those skilled in the art, the USB cable comprises a certain number of wires, including a power supply wire for the terminals connected to it, in this case the key in our example. The USB connection makes it possible to power the key (1) in a simple manner, taking advantage of the connections available on most televisions.

[0067] According to this embodiment, the cable 2, which will be described in more detail in support of the Figure 5, includes the "standard" USB cable, i.e. one that complies with the USB standard. The USB cable is of simple structure; it has two pairs of wires: the signal pair, intended for data transfer, preferably shielded if we want to avoid as much as possible interference between the data transmitted on the USB cable and the data transmitted on the neighboring antenna cable, and a second pair that can be used for power supply ("GND" and "VCC" pins of the USB standard).

[0068] In this first mode, cable 2 also includes an antenna which is in the form of a coaxial cable whose core is used both for receiving and transmitting WiFi signals.

[0069] There figure 3 represents a system according to a second embodiment of the invention.

[0070] This embodiment differs from the previous one in that an HDMI cable (7) is used to connect the key to the HDMI port (8) of the TV. A second antenna (76, not shown) is associated with the HDMI cable.

[0071] This embodiment advantageously allows a first antenna to be inserted into the USB cable and a second antenna into the HDMI cable in order to benefit from better reception, and therefore a better data rate. Using an HDMI extension cable also makes it easier to connect the key to the television.

[0072] There figure 4 represents a hardware architecture of a terminal according to the invention.

[0073] The terminal (1) includes memories M articulated around a CPU processor. The memories can be of the ROM type (from the English Read Only Memory ) or RAM (from English Random Access Memory), removable or fixed, etc. Part of the memory M stores, among other things, the identification parameters of the home gateways that the terminal can access and the identification of the terminal (for example, "key #2"). In our example, it is powered via a USB type serial interface. It is powered by the USB cable (25). It communicates on the local network by connecting wirelessly to the service gateway (6) via the WIFI and HTTP modules. The antenna (26) which is located in the cable (2) according to the invention is connected to the WIFI module.

[0074] It also includes: an optional internal ANTI antenna connected to the WIFI module; an optional application (SEL) responsible for choosing the active antennas when several antennas are present. This application module is notably capable of detecting which antennas are present, and of selecting the different antennas as needed (antenna 26 as a priority, internal ANTI antenna if one wishes to strengthen the signal and therefore have more throughput, antenna 76 of the HDMI cable, etc.). One can envisage in particular the following operation of a selection process: 1. establishment of the power supply of the terminal (1); 2. establishment of the connection to the restitution device (3); 3. detection of a first external antenna (26); 4. detection of a second internal (ANTI) or external antenna (76), and depending on the results of the detection: a. activation of the first antenna (26); b. activation of the second antenna (76) to receive a supplementary signal. c.activation of the third antenna (ANTI), etc. a rendering module of the “media player” (MP) type capable of rendering (receiving, decoding, preparing) the streams in streaming mode and delivering them to the rendering device (3); the “media player” includes, among other things, a set of decoders (audio, video, etc.) capable of decoding the multimedia content, as well as a communication interface with the mobile device capable of interpreting the orders coming from it (pause, rewind, volume control, etc.) an interface module with the rendering device (HDMI) capable of physically and logically interfacing with the television to transmit the decoded multimedia content (audio and video) to it.

[0075] All modules communicate with each other conventionally via a data bus (12).

[0076] Cable 2 is shown as an example on the USB input. The antenna (26) according to this embodiment example passes through the USB connector, and its output is recovered on the Wi-Fi module where the antenna connectors are located as marked in the figure.

[0077] There Figure 5 represents a cable according to an embodiment of the invention.

[0078] The cable (2) consists of an antenna cable (26) and a power cable (USB 25 in the example) juxtaposed in the same sheath (24).

[0079] The antenna cable (26) is a conventional coaxial cable, composed of a main conductive wire (22) which forms the core of the antenna, an insulator (21) and a braid, or shield (23), also conductive (ground). This cable is used to receive, emit and transmit high-frequency signals such as Wi-Fi.

[0080] The USB cable (25) in this example consists of a two-strand conductive braid surrounded by an insulator. The presence of such an insulator improves the system by limiting electromagnetic interference with the antenna cable.

[0081] There figure 6 represents a system according to a third embodiment of the invention.

[0082] According to this embodiment, the terminal, or key (1) is connected directly to one of the MHL ports (5) of the television (3), to which it transmits the decoded audiovisual signals.

[0083] The HDMI interface is evolving into new "MHL" type interfaces, a set of standards that can be implemented to connect two devices in order to support the transmission / reception of digital audio and video streams, including high-definition, for example a mobile device and a television. The MHL connector supports the transfer of audio-visual data and also allows the connected device to be charged since it has a power cable.

[0084] In this context, the USB power supply of the figure 2 can be removed and the “MHL” cable replacing the HDMI cable will be able to accommodate both the antenna according to the invention and the power supply for the key.

[0085] There figure 7 represents a hardware architecture of a small-sized terminal, according to an embodiment of the invention in accordance with the figure 6 .

[0086] As already described in support of the figure 4, the terminal (1) includes M memories articulated around a CPU processor, a Media Player (MP), an optional detection module (SEL), an http module and a bus (12). It does not have an internal antenna.

[0087] In this example, the terminal is powered via an MHL interface. It communicates over the local network by connecting wirelessly to the service gateway (6) via the WiFi and HTTP modules. In this example, two of these pins are used to route the antenna cables 26a and 26b. In this example, one of the antennas corresponds to an 802.11a (5 GHz) Wi-Fi mode, and the other to an 802.11b (2.4 GHz) type.

[0088] Cable 26a is approximately 17 cm; cable 26b is approximately 13 cm.

[0089] At the connector exit the two cables are redirected to the Wi-Fi module like any Wi-Fi antenna and connect to the antenna terminals.

[0090] MHL also serves as an interface module with the playback device to transmit the decoded multimedia content (audio and video) to it.

[0091] There figure 8 illustrates the connection of an HDMI cable according to an implementation of the invention.

[0092] There are a number of pins on the HDMI medium that are not used, either because they are reserved (pins referenced 23 and 24 in the Type B pinout specification) or because they correspond to functions that are not used (pins 25 and 26 in the Type B pinout specification (SCL, SDA)).

[0093] In the example shown in the figure 8, pins 23 and 24 of a Type B HDMI connector, denoted HDMI-23 and HDMI-24 respectively, are used to pass antenna cables 26a and 26b into connector (4). In this example, one of the antennas corresponds to an 802.11a (5 Ghz) Wi-Fi mode, and the other to an 802.11b (2.4Ghz) type.

[0094] The original HDMI cable (27) is not modified.

[0095] It goes without saying that the embodiments which have been described above have been given for purely indicative purposes and are in no way limiting, and that numerous modifications can easily be made by those skilled in the art without departing from the scope of the invention as defined by the appended claims.

[0096] For example, the invention may relate to a radio terminal and the antenna is in this case an FM radio antenna, the support cable being able to be the power cable.

[0097] According to another example, the cable (2) according to the invention may be an Ethernet type cable, the terminal (1) a router, or Wifi retransmitter, and the wire antenna (26) is used to retransmit the Wifi signal to, for example, the local network. This variant avoids having to equip the Wifi router with the metal protrusions which are generally associated with it for receiving and retransmitting Wi-Fi signals.

Claims

1. Cable and connector, the cable comprising: - a sheath; - a communication medium (7, 8) made up of active wires that are able to be used for carrying data; - at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) that is able to carry radio data; the communication medium (7, 8) and the antenna (26, 26a, 26b) being in the same sheath of the cable; the connector (4) comprising a set of pins that are connected to the active wires and at least one pin that is not connected to the active wires; characterized in that said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) is made up of a cable connected to said at least one pin that is not connected to the active wires.

2. Cable and connector according to Claim 1, moreover comprising, in the sheath, a power supply medium made up of active wires that are able to be used for carrying a power supply, characterized in that the antenna (26, 26a, 26b) cable is different from the active wires that are able to be used for carrying a power supply.

3. Cable and connector according to either of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one antenna (26) included in the sheath of said cable is a coaxial cable.

4. Cable and connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the length of said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) is matched to the type of signal carried.

5. Cable and connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the communication medium is of USB type.

6. Cable and connector according to one of Claims 1 to 4, characterized in that the communication medium and the connector are of HDMI or MHL type.

7. Cable and connector according to one of Claims 2 to 4, characterized in that the communication medium, the power supply medium and the connector are of MHL type.

8. Cable and connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) is of Wi-Fi type.

9. Cable and connector according to the preceding claim, characterized in that it comprises a second Wi-Fi antenna of a different type.

10. Cable and connector according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) is of Bluetooth type.

11. System comprising a terminal (1) and a cable (2, 7) and a connector according to one of the preceding claims, the terminal (1) comprising: - a module for transmitting / receiving radio data that are to be rendered on a rendering device (3), said data being received or transmitted by said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b, 76); - a connector of the terminal, configured to be connected to said connector, the system being adapted such that, when said connector (2, 7) is connected to the connector of the terminal, said at least one antenna (26, 26a, 26b) is connected to the module for transmitting / receiving radio data of the terminal via said pin that is not connected to the active wires.

12. System according to Claim 11, characterized in that the terminal (1) moreover comprises an antenna that is internal to said terminal.

13. System according to Claim 11, characterized in that the terminal moreover comprises an antenna (26, 26a, 26b) selection module.

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