Abstract: Wireless communication devices (UEs) may include multiple receive (RX) chains and associated antennas, and at least one transmit (TX) chain co-located with one of the RX chains. The UE may track instant fading of the antenna gain(s) during reception of packets from an associated access point (AP) device to which the UE intends to transmit packets. The UE may also track long term antenna gain(s), using any packets received at the multiple RX chains within the UE. At a switching occasion, a decision is made by the UE whether to switch antennas. If the instant fading detection is based on packets received no later than a specified time period prior to the switching occasion, then the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the instant fading tracking. Otherwise, the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the long term antenna gain tracking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for adaptively adjusting receiver operation for e.g., power optimization. In one embodiment, operation during diversity operation is adaptively adjusted. Diversity techniques consume significantly more power than non-diversity operation. However, the performance gain from receiver diversity is not always predictable. Consequently, in one embodiment, a device evaluates the overall performance gain contributed by diversity operation and, where the performance gain is insignificant or inadequate, the device disables diversity operation. In one implementation, the device can operate in a static single antenna mode, a dynamic single antenna mode and a dynamic multiple antenna mode.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to antennas. An electronic device may include a baseband processor and other storage and processing circuitry that implements protocol stacks for handling multiple radio access technologies. The storage and processing circuitry may use the transceiver circuitry to convey data using a first radio access technology while periodically interrupting the conveying of the data to monitor a paging channel using a second radio access technology. In performing the paging channel monitoring operations, the storage and processing circuitry may enforce a time limit that ensures that operations using the first radio access technology are not disrupted more than desired.

Abstract: Some embodiments relate to a waveform design for time-of-flight estimation in a wireless communication system. The waveform may include a number N of signal tones, wherein the number N of signal tones is greater than a number M of signal tones that the receiving wireless device is configured to decode. Upon receipt of the waveform, the receiving wireless device may store a timestamp which indicates a time of receipt of the waveform. The receiving wireless device may decode M of the N signal tones. For example, the receiving wireless device may decode the middle M signal tones of the N signal tones. One or more of the transmitting or receiving wireless devices may then estimate a distance between them based at least in part on the timestamp.

Abstract: In order to reduce power consumption of an electronic device during communication with another electronic device in a wireless local area network (WLAN), the electronic device analyzes fields in a given packet prior to a payload of the given packet to look for information that specifies a destination of the given packet. For example, the information may include: a full associated identification (AID) of the destination, a partial media-access-control (MAC) address of the destination; and/or a compressed (MAC) address of the destination. The information may be included in the preamble of the given packet. In particular, the information may replace length information in a high-throughput signal field in the given packet. Moreover, if the destination is other than the electronic device, the electronic device dumps the given packet and changes a power state of the electronic device, thereby reducing the power consumption.

Abstract: In order to facilitate communication between an electronic device and another electronic device, the electronic device determines communication-quality metrics for a first connection in a wireless network based on received information from the other electronic device. Then, the electronic device calculates an overall communication-quality indicator for the first connection based on at least some of the communication-quality metrics. Moreover, the electronic device dynamically adapts the communication with the other electronic device based on the overall communication-quality indicator. For example, the electronic device may establish a second connection in a cellular-telephone network and may use the second connection to communicate with the other electronic device.

Abstract: An auto-detection scheme may be applied to a physical layer (PHY) preamble of a communications packet, such as an 802.11 packet, to identify which generation of a communication standard was used to generate the packet. A packet of a wireless transmission may be received by a wireless device. The packet may include a PHY preamble, including a first field, such as a legacy long training field (L-LTF), and a second, subsequent field, such as a non-legacy Signal field. The wireless device may determine that the first field is encoded using a Fast-Fourier Transform (FFT) of a first size, and that the second field is encoded using a FFT of a second, different size. This determining may identify a generation of the communication standard used to generate the packet. In response to the determining, the wireless device may decode the packet according to the identified generation of the communication standard.

Abstract: In order to improve the quality of a telephone call communicated over a wireless local area network (WLAN), an electronic device (such as a cellular telephone) may obtain one or more performance metrics based on communication with another electronic device (such as an access point) via a connection in the WLAN. For example, the electronic device may receive the one or more performance metrics from the other electronic device and/or may determine the one or more performance metrics based on the performance of the communication. Then, the electronic device may compare the one or more performance metrics with an interference criterion. If the interference criterion is met, the electronic device may perform a remedial action, such as selectively discontinuing use of the WLAN to communicate the telephone call for a time interval. Otherwise, the electronic device may continue using the WLAN to communicate the telephone call.

Abstract: A method and a device for performing massive multiple-input and multiple-output (“MIMO”) operations with a user equipment (UE). The method and device receive signals from a UE within a coverage area of the device, determine a location of the UE within the coverage area and assign an operating frequency band to the UE for communication with the device, wherein the coverage area includes a plurality of regions and the operating frequency band assigned to the UE is based on the one of the regions corresponding to the location and transmit the operating frequency band assignment to the UE.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communication circuitry. The wireless communication circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry coupled to antennas by switching circuitry. Multiple radio access technologies may be supported. A device may include first and second antennas. Control circuitry can configure the transceiver circuitry and switching circuitry to support operation of the device in active and idle modes for each radio access technology. In some configurations, both antennas may be used to support operations associated with one of the radio access technologies. In other configurations, the first antenna may be used to support operations with a first of the radio access technologies while the second antenna is used to support operations with a second of the radio access technologies.

Abstract: A single chip mobile wireless device capable of receiving and transmitting over one wireless network at a time maintains registration on two wireless communication networks that each use different communication protocols in parallel. Periodically, the mobile wireless device tunes one or more receivers from a first wireless network to a second wireless network in order to listen for paging messages addressed to the mobile wireless device from the second wireless network. The first wireless network suspends allocation of radio resources to the mobile wireless device based on receipt of a suspension message from the mobile wireless device, or based on knowledge of a paging cycle for mobile wireless device in the second wireless network, or based on detection of an out of synchronization condition with the mobile wireless device.

Abstract: Managing radio resources across dual networks includes a wireless mobile device connecting to a first wireless network using a first radio access technology. The wireless device may notify the first network of a capability to be temporarily non-responsive to the first network while maintaining a signaling connection to the first network. The wireless device may communicate with a second network. The wireless device may return to communicating with the first network subsequent to communicating with the second network, and in response to communicating with the second network for less than a predetermined amount of time, the wireless device may send a scheduling request to the first network. In response to receiving a grant acknowledgement from the first network, the wireless device may send a buffer status report that includes a value such as zero to indicate that the wireless device has returned to and can communicate with the first network.

Abstract: A device and method generates a hopping scheme for mobile stations of a wireless network. The method includes receiving a number of channels N of the wireless network. The method includes generating a shuffling matrix as a function of the number of channels N, each row of the shuffling matrix being indicative of a respective one of the mobile stations, each column of the shuffling matrix being indicative of a respective broadcast time of a discovery signal in a hopping scheme. The method includes generating the hopping scheme for the mobile stations in the channels as a function of the shuffling matrix. The hopping scheme maximizes an interval between two consecutive broadcast times that any two of the mobile stations are assigned to transmit discovery signals on adjacent channels.

Abstract: Embodiments relate to apparatus, systems, and methods for reception of calls on a mobile device that includes Wi-Fi and cellular radios. The mobile device may be configured to establish communication on a Wi-Fi network with a cellular carrier. The mobile device may further be configured to register a first IP address with an IMS server for the Wi-Fi network communication and register a second IP address with the IMS server for the cellular network communication (or register different ports of a single IP address with Wi-Fi and cellular). Upon occurrence of a mobile terminating call from the cellular carrier, the mobile device may receive an incoming call notification on one or both of the Wi-Fi network using the first IP address and the cellular network using the second IP address.

Abstract: Managing radio resources across dual networks includes a wireless mobile device connecting to a first wireless network using a first radio access technology. The wireless device may notify the first network of a capability to be temporarily non-responsive to the first network while maintaining a signaling connection to the first network. The wireless device may communicate with a second network. The wireless device may return to communicating with the first network subsequent to communicating with the second network, and in response to communicating with the second network for less than a predetermined amount of time, the wireless device may send a scheduling request to the first network. In response to receiving a grant acknowledgement from the first network, the wireless device may send a buffer status report that includes a value such as zero to indicate that the wireless device has returned to and can communicate with the first network.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for implementing “intelligent” receive diversity management in e.g., a mobile device. In one implementation, the mobile device includes an LTE-enabled UE, and the intelligent diversity management includes selectively disabling receive diversity (RxD) in that device upon meeting a plurality of criteria including (i) a capacity criterion, and (ii) a connectivity criterion. In one variant, the capacity criterion includes ensuring that an achievable data rate associated with a single Rx (receive) chain is comparable to that with RxD.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices with multiple receive (RX) chains may be operated to maintain high performance while saving power. This may be accomplished by evaluating signal strength during transmission of the RX packets, and/or evaluating a possible imbalance (gain difference) between the multiple RX chains within the wireless communication device. Signal strength (or good signal) detection may be enabled when non-MIMO (non-multiple-in-multiple-out) transmissions are taking place, while imbalance detection (antenna gain comparison) may be enabled when a specified number of single-stream packets have been received. Once the decision has been made to operate in a reduced number RX path mode, decision to reactivate one or more additional RX paths may be made based on MIMO detection, a detection of a drop in signal quality, and/or upon expiration of a power save timer.

Abstract: A user equipment device (UE) may be configured to collect first performance information from antennas of a first plurality of antennas. The first plurality of antennas may be coupled to a first radio of the UE that may be configured to perform wireless communications according to a first RAT. The UE may determine, based on at least the first performance information, a highest performing antenna of the first plurality of antennas to use for communications according to the first RAT. Additionally, the UE may determine, also based on at least the first performance information, a first antenna of a second plurality of antennas to use for communications according to a second RAT. The second plurality of antennas may be coupled to a second radio of the UE that may be configured to perform wireless communications according to the second RAT.

Abstract: Wireless communication devices (UEs) may include multiple receive (RX) chains and associated antennas, and at least one transmit (TX) chain co-located with one of the RX chains. The UE may track instant fading of the antenna gain(s) during reception of packets from an associated access point (AP) device to which the UE intends to transmit packets. The UE may also track long term antenna gain(s), using any packets received at the multiple RX chains within the UE. At a switching occasion, a decision is made by the UE whether to switch antennas. If the instant fading detection is based on packets received no later than a specified time period prior to the switching occasion, then the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the instant fading tracking. Otherwise, the UE may make the switching decision based on the results of the long term antenna gain tracking.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for synchronizing operational state during hybrid network operation. In one embodiment, the various access technologies that makeup the hybrid network not fully synchronized. Thus, a wireless device operating in a mixed mode must be capable of managing synchronization across multiple access technologies. The wireless device is configured to estimate an expected “tune-away” period when disengaging with a one access technology to address events (for example, link maintenance, calls, data, and the like) or perform monitoring on a second access technology. The estimate is then used by the device to adjust its operational parameters on the technology from which it is tuning away. This ensures smooth switching away from and back to the various network technologies.