Abstract: A data apparatus (e.g., a modem) continues to generate an analog line signal acceptable to a remote data apparatus' receiver when software fails to deliver samples used to generate the line signal to the hardware in time. The data apparatus uses symbols, rather than samples, which are transmitted from a data-pump unit software to an analog front-end (AFE) unit to generate the analog line signal. When the data-pump is late in providing a new set of symbols, the AFE unit uses previous symbols, randomized versions of previous symbols, or some other source of acceptable symbols to generate a transmit line signal. While data errors will still occur, these data errors are a normal occurrence for data apparatus and a link-layer protocol will detect and retransmit the erred data. The invention avoids having the line signal distorted, which can create data transmission outages due to the remote data apparatus entering into a rate change, initiating a retrain operation, or failing entirely.

Abstract: A portable telephone which includes a directional antenna is provided. The directional antenna is designed such that it can be positioned for use so that its beam is substantially parallel to the direction of received electromagnetic energy, thereby increasing the efficiency at which electromagnetic energy is transmitted to and received from the base station(s) as well as reducing the levels of electromagnetic energy transmitted into the body of the portable telephone user. In another embodiment, two directional antennas are provided for use with a diversity receiver and can be positioned for use to provide directional diversity, space diversity or both, thereby providing added immunity against fading.