Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for real-time calibration of a tunable matching network that matches the dynamic impedance of an antenna in a receiver. Processing logic is operable to solve multiple non-linear equations to determine the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The tunable matching network is repeatedly perturbed and the power received by the antenna is measured after each perturbation at the same node in the matching network. The measured power values are used by an optimizer in converging to a solution that provides the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The reflection coefficient of the antenna may be used to determine the input impedance of the antenna. The elements of the matching circuit may then be adjusted to match the input impedance of the antenna.

Abstract: A radiation power level control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining that a current transmission event involving the wireless UE device is commenced outside a time duration from a last transmission event. If so, responsive to the determining, the method involves disregarding or resetting a power data history associated with the wireless UE device in computing a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value for the wireless UE device during the current transmission event. Otherwise, at least a portion of the power data history may be used in computing the SAR values.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, determining a first voltage standing wave ratio (VSWR), selecting a VSWR circle from among a group of VSWR circles based on the first VSWR, identifying a group of sets of tuning settings for variable reactance elements of a matching network of the communication device where the identifying of the group of sets of tuning settings is based on each set of tuning settings of the group of sets of tuning settings being associated with the VSWR circle, and selecting a set of tuning settings from among the group of sets of tuning settings responsive to a second VSWR determined for the set of tuning settings satisfying a VSWR threshold. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: Real-time calibration of a tunable matching network that matches the dynamic impedance of an antenna in a radio frequency receiver system. The radio frequency receiver system includes two non-linear equations that may be solved to determine the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The tunable matching network is repeatedly perturbed and the power received by the antenna is measured after each perturbation at the same node in the matching network. The measured power values are used by an optimizer in converging to a solution that provides the reflection coefficient of the antenna. The reflection coefficient of the antenna may be used to determine the input impedance of the antenna. The elements of the matching circuit are then adjusted to match the input impedance of the antenna.

Abstract: Antenna assembly having an electrically or virtually extended ground plane, adapted for use in a mobile communications device, for example. The antenna assembly comprises at least one radiation element having an operating frequency and a ground plane coupled to the radiation element. At least one conductive member is electrically coupled to the ground plane at one or more connection points such that the conductive member forms a loop with the ground plane having a minimum distance therefrom that is less than a predetermined fraction of one wavelength of the operating frequency.

Abstract: A radiation power level control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a time-average transmission power level, comparing the time-average transmission power level with a first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold having a value that depends on a transmission power history for the UE device, and responsive to the time-average transmission power level meeting or exceeding the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, reducing a transmission power level of the UE device.

Abstract: A shielding article is provided, for shielding a device enabled for proximity-based communications, for example, NFC-enabled devices. The shielding article comprises a shielding component configured to prevent operation of an antenna of the device used for conducting proximity-based communications, without preventing operation of at least one other antenna of the device when the shielding component is aligned with the antenna used for conducting proximity-based communications. The shielding article may be separate from, or included in an accessory or carrying article and may be fixed or detachably coupled thereto.

Abstract: Devices and methods are disclosed for providing an improved antenna for NFC mobile devices. Embodiments of the disclosure provide an antenna configuration that makes it possible to establish an NFC link when an NFC mobile device is oriented in ergonomic positions that are desirable for a user. In various embodiments, the NFC antenna is folded and wrapped around a portion of the case of a mobile wireless device. Using the NFC antenna disclosed herein, an NFC link can be established regardless of the orientation of the NFC wireless mobile device and another NFC device, as long as the antenna-bearing end of the wireless mobile device is pointed toward the antenna of the other NFC device.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to a transceiver comprising a first section and a second section, and a controller configured to: receive an uplink reflected power measurement and a downlink power measurement at the same time, calculate an impedance associated with the first section based on the uplink power measurement and the downlink power measurement, and provide a tuning parameter to the second section to match an impedance of the second section with the impedance of the first section.

Abstract: An embodiment is directed to a device comprising an antenna, a chassis configured to be electrically coupled to the antenna and comprising a slot loaded with at least one tunable component, wherein: the slot is aligned along a longitudinal edge of the chassis, the slot is formed in an area of the chassis based on an identification of currents in the area, and the antenna and chassis are electrically connected at a location based on the area.

Abstract: A system that incorporates teachings of the subject disclosure may include, for example, a method for comparing a received signal from a first antenna to a reference signal transmitted by a second antenna, determining from the comparison one or more compensation parameters, and tuning a compensation circuit according to the one or more compensation parameters, where the one or more compensations parameters configure the compensation circuit to reduce mutual coupling between the first and second antennas. Other embodiments are disclosed.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus to manipulate the mutual coupling and the correlation between the antennas (502, 504) on the handset (202) without the need to change the physical distance between them or to change their orientation. The manipulation in the mutual coupling and in the correlation is achieved using a circuit that is connected between the antennas' terminals (506, 508) and the terminals (510, 512) of the RF front end/power amplifier (514). This circuit can be fixed or tunable. The coupling control takes place between two transmitting antennas (502, 504) or two receiving antennas (502, 504).

Abstract: An antenna design technique which allows antennas to be self-matched while supporting multi-band and broadband operations. The technique includes adding a raised and curved ground plane section electrically coupled to the ground plane. The curved ground plane section allows for a smooth transition of the surface current hence a boarder bandwidth is achieved. A slit positioned between the ground plane and the ground plane section can also be used to further improve the antenna bandwidth. The technique does not increase the antenna thickness neither its volume, thus allowing application in slim handheld device applications such as flip phones. Using this technique, a narrow band antenna is made broadband to cover several frequency bands of interest. The technique is applied to a quad-band antenna to broaden its bandwidth to become a sept-band antenna. The technique is used to also improve the antenna match at all the seven bands it supports.

Abstract: Embodiments of the disclosure provide systems and methods for improving user equipment performance in up-link transmission by implementing antenna selection based on channel measurements in the down-link. In various embodiments, first and second antennas are used to receive desired signals on a downlink and to transmit signals on an uplink. A plurality of signals received on the downlink are used to generate a plurality of antenna parameter measurements derived from multiple correlations of a known reference sequence of data signals transmitted on the downlink. The plurality of antenna parameter measurements is then used to select either the first antenna or the second antenna for transmitting data signals by said user equipment device on the uplink.

Abstract: Embodiments of the invention provide systems and methods for improving user equipment performance in up-link transmission by implementing antenna selection based on channel measurements in the down-link. In various embodiments, first and second antennas are used to receive signals on a downlink and to transmit signals on an uplink. A plurality of signals received on the downlink are used to generate a plurality of antenna parameter measurements derived from multiple correlations of a known reference sequence of data signals transmitted on the downlink. The plurality of antenna parameter measurements is then used to select either the first antenna or the second antenna or a combination of both through splitting of the signal for transmitting data signals by said user equipment device on the uplink.

Abstract: A radiation power level control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, a method comprises determining a time-average transmission power level, comparing the time-average transmission power level with a first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold having a value that depends on a transmission power history for the UE device, and responsive to the time-average transmission power level meeting or exceeding the first time-averaged transmission power limit threshold, reducing a transmission power level of the UE device.

Abstract: A radiation power level control system for a wireless user equipment (UE) device. In one embodiment, the system comprises a tracking component for maintaining a history of power data for the wireless UE device, the power data comprising data tracked over a time window relative to one or more variables on a per transmission event basis. A SAR determining module determines one or more SAR values during a current transmission event involving the wireless UE device, wherein the SAR determining module uses the history of power data if the current transmission event occurred within a predetermined duration from a last transmission event. An adjustment module is provided for adjusting a transmit power level of the wireless UE device if at least one of the one or more SAR values exceeds a threshold.

Abstract: This disclosure relates to real-time calibration of a tunable matching network that matches the dynamic impedance of an antenna in a radio frequency receiver system. The radio frequency receiver system includes two non-linear equations that may be solved to determine the reflection coefficient of the antenna. Control system that calculates, in realtime, a value of an input impedance of the antenna to match a load in a receiver system, wherein said impedance is calculated directly using a closed-form solution. The reflection coefficient of the antenna may be used to determine the input impedance of the antenna. The elements of the matching circuit are then adjusted to match the input impedance of the antenna.

Abstract: An authentication method, system and device are provided to continuously collect dynamic personal identification data (DPID) samples through a user device by using one or more sensors to continuously collect biometric and location data samples associated with the user and then securely transfer the DPID samples to a central authentication server where attributes of the DPID samples may be captured and incorporated as part of a challenge-response pair which requests an arbitrarily generated N-tuple of the DPID samples from a predetermined time interval from the user device that is unique to the user and dynamic based on the sensed data and the time-interval of collection.

Abstract: A radiation power level compliance and control scheme for a wireless user equipment (UE) device including one or more tunable elements. The wireless UE device comprises a component configured to detect one or more changes with respect to at least one operational parameter associated with the wireless UE device. A component is provided for determining that a tunable action is required with respect to at least one of the tunable elements. Upon defining one or more tunable element settings, a component is configured to determine a Specific Absorption Rate (SAR) value, which is compared against an acceptable limit. If the SAR is within the limit, appropriate tuning control signals are provided to the tunable elements according to the defined tunable element settings. If the SAR is not within the limit or is about to exceed the limit, then the tunable element settings may be changed and retested.