A wireless communication device that is attached or included in an
electronic object, such as a portable computer, having its own separate
communication system. The separate communication system has an antenna
for receiving and transmitting wireless communications, and is powered by
a power supply included in the object. Since the separate communication
system can only communicate when powered, a separate passive wireless
communication device is provided for wireless communication that does not
require power from the power supply to communicate. The wireless
communication device is interfaced with the existing antenna of the
separate communication system so that the wireless communication device
and separate communication system share a common antenna to reduce cost.
The antenna may also be interconnected to a controller associated with
the object so that the controller can directly communicate to the
wireless communication device.