Frequency hopping RF transceiver with programmable antenna and methods for use therewith

1. A (radio frequency) RF transmission system comprising:

an RF transmitter that generates an RF signal at a sequence of selected carrier frequencies;

a frequency hop module, coupled to the RF transmitter, that generates the sequence of selected carrier frequencies;

a programmable antenna, coupled to the frequency hop module and the RF transmitter, that is tuned to each of the sequence of selected carrier frequencies to transmit the RF signal via an antenna current wherein the programmable antenna includes:

a fixed antenna element;

a programmable antenna element, coupled to the fixed antenna element, that is tunable to each of the sequence of selected carrier frequencies in response to at least one antenna control signal;

a control module, coupled to the programmable antenna element, that generates the at least one antenna control signal in response to the sequence of selected carrier frequencies; and

a programmable impedance matching network, coupled to the programmable antenna and the RF transmitter, that includes a plurality of adjustable reactive network elements that are tunable in response in response to a corresponding plurality of matching network control signals, to provide a substantially constant load impedance;

wherein the control module is coupled to the programmable impedance matching network, and generates the plurality of matching network control signals in response to the sequence of carrier frequencies and wherein the control module is further operable to generate the plurality of matching network control signals in response to a selected magnitude of the antenna current and a selected phase of the antenna current.

2. The RF transmission system of claim 1 wherein the programmable impedance matching network includes an adjustable balun transformer.

3. The RF transmission system of claim 1 wherein the programmable impedance matching network includes a plurality of reactive network elements that include the plurality of adjustable reactive network elements.

4. The RF transmission system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of reactive network elements are arranged in a pi-network configuration.

5. The RF transmission system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of reactive network elements are arranged in a t-network configuration.

6. The RF transmission system of claim 3 wherein the plurality of adjustable reactive network elements each include a plurality of fixed reactive network elements and a switching network for selectively coupling the plurality of fixed reactive network elements in response to at least one of the plurality of matching network control signals.

7. The RF transmission system of claim 6 wherein the switching network selects at least one of the plurality of fixed reactive network elements and that deselects the remaining ones of the plurality of fixed reactive network elements in response to at least one of the plurality of matching network control signals.

8. A method comprising:

generating a frequency hopping sequence of selected carrier frequencies;

generating an antenna control signal to tune a programmable antenna element to each carrier frequency of the frequency hopping sequence; and

generating at least one matching network control signal, based on each carrier frequency and in response to a selected magnitude of an antenna current of the programmable antenna and a selected phase of the antenna current, to control a programmable impedance matching network to provide a substantially constant load impedance for a programmable antenna that includes the programmable antenna element.

9. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one matching network control signal is generated to tune an adjustable balun transformer.

10. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one matching network control signal is generated to tune at least one adjustable reactive network element.

11. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one matching network control signal is generated to control a switching network for selectively coupling a plurality of fixed reactive network elements.

12. The method of claim 11 wherein the at least one impedance network control signal is generated to select at least one of the plurality of fixed reactive network elements and deselects the remaining ones of the plurality of fixed reactive network elements.

13. The method of claim 8 wherein the at least one matching network control signal is generated to tune a plurality of adjustable reactive network elements.