Patents Assigned to Atheros Communications
  • Publication number: 20150071335
    Abstract: This disclosure involves methods and systems for compensating for imbalanced transmit antenna gains. A transmit controller independently samples the received signal in each chain of a transceiver selectively adjusts the transmit power at each antenna to minimize any indicated imbalance to improve performance at the node receiving the transmission.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 12, 2015
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Donald Breslin, Enis Akay
  • Patent number: 8737420
    Abstract: There is provided a powerline network that includes a number of stations including a central coordinator for coordinating transmissions of each of the stations. Each of the stations is configurable to generate one or more tone maps for communicating with each of the other stations in the powerline network. Each tone map includes a set of tones to be used on a communication link between two of the stations. Each tone map further includes a unique set of modulation methods for each tone. Each of the stations is further configurable to generate a default tone map for communicating with each of the other stations, where the default tone map is valid for all portions of a powerline cycle. Each of the stations is further configurable to monitor its bandwidth needs and to request additional bandwidth from the central coordinator.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 24, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 27, 2014
    Assignees: Sigma Designs Israel S.D.I. Ltd., Atheros Communications, Inc., Sharp Corporation
    Inventors: Neal Riedel, Yiorgos M. Peponides, James E. Petranovich, Lawrence W. Yonge, Srinivas Katar, Deepak Ayyagari, Sherman L. Gavette, Wai Chung Tony Chan
  • Publication number: 20120300812
    Abstract: A Bluetooth paging procedure can implement a mechanism for predicting a Bluetooth paging channel in a paging channel hopping sequence. One or more Bluetooth paging channels, on which one or more page requests intended for a Bluetooth device were received, are determined from a plurality of Bluetooth communication channels. One of a plurality of paging channel hopping sequences associated with the Bluetooth device that comprises each of the one or more determined Bluetooth paging channels is identified. A time delay associated with determining a target Bluetooth paging channel from the plurality of Bluetooth communication channels on which to transmit a page response is determined. The target Bluetooth paging channel is determined based, at least in part, on the identified one of the plurality of the paging channel hopping sequences and the time delay.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 26, 2011
    Publication date: November 29, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann Ly-Gagnon, Paul J. Husted
  • Publication number: 20120281638
    Abstract: A Bluetooth detection unit can be implemented to minimize the time required for executing the inquiry and paging scan procedures on a Bluetooth device associated with a collocated WLAN device. The Bluetooth detection unit can execute concurrent background spectral scanning to detect Bluetooth control packets while the WLAN device is receiving WLAN packets. The Bluetooth detection unit can analyze, for each Bluetooth control channel, the Bluetooth device can determine energy measurements associated with each Bluetooth control channel and can determine whether each Bluetooth control channel comprises a narrowband signal based, at least in part, on frequency domain samples associated with an RF signal received at the WLAN device. The Bluetooth detection unit can determine which of the Bluetooth control channels comprise a Bluetooth control packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 5, 2011
    Publication date: November 8, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yann Ly-Gagnon, Konstantinos Aretos, Xiaoru Zhang
  • Publication number: 20120271902
    Abstract: A forwarding device can establish a communication link with both a source device and a destination device to extend the communication range of the source device by forwarding data from the source device to the destination device. A coordinating device can be configured to identify a forwarding client through which to communicate with a client station that is inaccessible to the coordinating device via a direct communication link, based on the throughput achieved on communication links between the coordinating device, the inaccessible client, and accessible clients. The throughput achieved on the communication links can be determined by exchanging training packets, receiving acknowledgement messages in response to the training packets, and subsequently analyzing the received acknowledgement messages. Based on the calculated throughputs, one of the accessible clients can be designated as the forwarding client with respect to the coordinating device and the inaccessible client.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 20, 2011
    Publication date: October 25, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Roshan R. Baliga, Steven J. Kuhn
  • Publication number: 20120236716
    Abstract: A profile-based quality of service (QoS) priority assignment mechanism can be implemented in a wireless communication network. In one embodiment, a plurality of network identifiers (e.g., SSIDs) associated with a plurality of client network devices that are communicatively coupled with an access point of the wireless communication network are determined. It is further determined which QoS profile of a plurality of QoS profiles supported by the access point is associated with each network identifier associated with each of the plurality of client network devices. A plurality of pending communications associated with the plurality of network devices are detected. A QoS transmission priority level is assigned to each of the pending communications associated with the plurality of network devices based, at least in part, on the QoS profile associated with each pending communication.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 14, 2011
    Publication date: September 20, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Aravind Anbazhagan, Satish Kumar Ravishankar
  • Publication number: 20120230221
    Abstract: This disclosure involves methods and systems for implementing IBSS networks between peer client devices. Devices function as registrar or enrollee in the network depending upon whether they are in configured or unconfigured mode. The WPS-PBC configuration routine allows the unconfigured enrollee device to obtain the necessary network configuration profile from the configured registrar device upon a successful WPS handshake process. Once a device has received the network configuration protocol, its status is switched to configured, allowing it to function as a registrar for the network for the subsequent addition of new devices. When both devices are initially in an unconfigured state, one is chosen to act as registrar so that it can automatically generate the necessary network configuration profile and pass it along to the other device. Following this process, both devices are set to configured mode.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 8, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Ravi Alagappan Radhakrishnan, Karthick Raja Chandrasekar
  • Publication number: 20120230206
    Abstract: The position of wireless repeaters within a wireless communication network can affect the throughput and performance of the wireless communication network. A wireless repeater and/or an access point associated with the wireless communication network can be configured to determine the optimal position of the wireless repeater based on throughput achieved on communication links between the access point, the repeater, and/or the client stations. The throughput achieved on communication links between the access point, the repeater, and/or the client stations can be determined by exchanging training packets, receiving acknowledgement messages in response to the training packets, and subsequently analyzing the received acknowledgement messages. Furthermore, the throughput achieved on communication links between the access point, the repeater, and/or the client stations can also be analyzed to determine whether each of the client stations should associate with the access point or the wireless repeater.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 10, 2011
    Publication date: September 13, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Roshan R. Baliga, Purushotham Kamath
  • Publication number: 20120207139
    Abstract: The transmission range of a network communication device can be extended by enabling transition between legacy and non-legacy communication protocols. A communication device can receive a packet in a legacy packet format from a host device via a legacy network interface. In response to determining that the packet received via the legacy network interface is to be transmitted using one of a plurality of non-legacy communication protocols, a processing path within the communication device in accordance with which to process the packet for transmission using the non-legacy communication protocol is determined. The packet in the legacy packet format is reformatted to yield a target packet in a non-legacy packet format based, at least in part, on the non-legacy communication protocol. The target packet is provided to the destination network device in accordance with the non-legacy communication protocol.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 14, 2011
    Publication date: August 16, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Paul J. Husted, Manev Luthra, Seung Baek Yi
  • Publication number: 20120188938
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices and methods for providing a location aware wireless network including at least one network node that is configured to calculate a position estimate on the basis of signals received from other network nodes and to transmit location information based on the position estimate to other nodes on the network. Preferably, the network node is configured to autonomously determine a signal-derived position estimate, including those based on location information from other network nodes, signal strength or the timing of signals. Other network nodes can feature GPS receivers, which can optionally be configured to perform signal-derived estimates as well.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 20, 2011
    Publication date: July 26, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Pradeep Venkatraman, Terry Fu Khan Ngo
  • Publication number: 20120177161
    Abstract: Arbitrary phase variations of a shared frequency synthesizer can be calibrated using a reference harmonic each time the shared frequency synthesizer is allocated to a network device to enable one frequency synthesizer to be shared between multiple network devices. On determining that the shared frequency synthesizer has been allocated to the network device, an output frequency of the shared frequency synthesizer can be aligned with a predetermined reference frequency that is associated with an operating frequency band of the network device. A phase correction factor associated with the shared frequency synthesizer can be calculated from a signal calculated based, at least in part, on the output frequency of the shared frequency synthesizer and the predetermined reference frequency. The phase correction factor is applied to a signal received at the network device to correct a phase error associated with the shared frequency synthesizer.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 7, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Paul J. Husted
  • Publication number: 20120177027
    Abstract: This disclosure is directed to devices and methods for providing a time synchronized WLAN system. Stationary APs in a WLAN system can determine accurate timing information from a GNSS satellite, so as to synchronize with each other. The synchronized APs can then be used to determine position information for devices on the network using pseudo-ranging techniques.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 6, 2011
    Publication date: July 12, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Sai Venkatraman, Qinfang Sun
  • Publication number: 20120170557
    Abstract: Wireless radio devices that communicate in close proximity to each other typically suffer from interference. Such interference between collocated wireless radio devices can lead to degradation in performance of one or both of the wireless radio devices. Functionality can be implemented to coordinate communications of collocated WLAN and WWAN devices to minimize interference between the WLAN device and the WWAN device. The WWAN device can determine a WWAN communication time interval associated with the WWAN device for performing WWAN communication operations and a WLAN communication time interval associated with the WLAN device for performing WLAN communication operations. In response to determining that the WWAN communication time interval is in progress, WWAN communication operations can be performed at the WWAN device. In response to determining that the WWAN communication time interval is not in progress, the WWAN device can delay performing the WWAN communication operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yossi Tsfati, Olaf J. Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20120170556
    Abstract: Wireless radio devices that communicate in close proximity to each other typically suffer from interference. Such interference between collocated wireless radio devices can lead to degradation in performance of one or both of the wireless radio devices. Functionality can be implemented to coordinate communications of collocated WLAN and WWAN devices to minimize interference between the WLAN device and the WWAN device. The WLAN device can determine a WLAN communication time interval associated with the WLAN device for performing WLAN communication operations and a WWAN communication time interval associated with the WWAN device for performing WWAN communication operations. In response to determining that the WLAN communication time interval is in progress, WLAN communication operations can be performed at the WLAN device. In response to determining that the WLAN communication time interval is not in progress, the WLAN device can delay performing the WLAN communication operations.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 31, 2010
    Publication date: July 5, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Yossi Tsfati, Olaf J. Hirsch
  • Publication number: 20120151089
    Abstract: A direct data communication link can be established for direct data communication between a first network device and a second network device of a peer-to-peer network. On determining to communicate with the second network device, the first network device can determine, based on a beacon message broadcast by a managing network device of the peer-to-peer network, whether the second network device supports a direct data communication protocol. If it is determined that both the first network device and the second network device support the direct data communication protocol, a set of handshake messages associated with the direct data communication protocol can be exchanged to establish the direct data communication link between the first network device and the second network device. Subsequent data messages can be exchanged between the first network device and the second network device via the direct data communication link.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 8, 2010
    Publication date: June 14, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Kayalvizhi Ponmudi, Karthickraja Chandrasekar
  • Publication number: 20120140804
    Abstract: Wired and wireless communication networks can be subject to noise and interference resulting data corruption. In a communication system comprising a first network device and a second network device, the first and the second network devices can be configured for optimizing the data rate of the communication system. On receiving a multi-band signal at the first network device from the second network device during a channel adaptation mode, the multi-band signal can be split into a plurality of independent frequency band signals. A performance measurement of a first of the plurality of frequency band signals corresponding to a lowest frequency band signal can be calculated. Communication parameters can be determined for each of the plurality of frequency band signals based on the performance measurement of the first of the plurality of frequency band signals. The communication parameters can be provided from the first network device to the second network device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 3, 2010
    Publication date: June 7, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: Celestino A. Corral
  • Publication number: 20120105280
    Abstract: In a hot start mode of a navigation device, the process of obtaining pseudo-range measurements can be synchronized with the processes of tracking navigation satellites and initializing a positioning unit to compute a position, velocity, and time (PVT) solution of the navigation device. This can influence a time instant at which the pseudo-range measurements are determined and a time to first fix, depending on whether the navigation device is in a strong or weak signal environment. A measurement unit can receive a first indication that a predetermined number of navigation satellites have been acquired and that navigation signals transmitted by the acquired navigation satellites have been locked. The measurement unit can receive a second indication that the positioning unit has been initialized to compute the PVT solution. In response to receiving both indications, the measurement unit can obtain the pseudo-range measurements. Accordingly, the positioning unit can compute the PVT solution.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2010
    Publication date: May 3, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: Aku-Matti T. Levola, Florean Curticapean
  • Publication number: 20120093240
    Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) network can be subject to noise/interference resulting in loss of throughput and data corruption for PLC devices connected to the PLC network. A powerline interference analyzer can be implemented in the PLC network for detecting sources of the noise. The powerline interference analyzer can determine powerline network noise characteristics that are representative of noise on the PLC network and can analyze the powerline network noise characteristics to determine one or more noise patterns. The noise patterns can be compared with a plurality of predefined noise signatures that are representative of corresponding each of a plurality of noise sources. Consequently, at least one noise source that is associated with the noise patterns can be identified from the plurality of the noise sources.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. McFarland, Srinivas Katar, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
  • Publication number: 20120093151
    Abstract: A powerline network may comprise powerline communication (PLC) devices of a first class of PLC devices that are incompatible with PLC devices of a second class of PLC devices. This can result in interference between communications of the first and the second classes of PLC devices. A dual mode PLC device that is compatible with the first and the second classes of PLC devices can be implemented for coexistence with both classes of PLC devices. The dual mode PLC device can determine whether the powerline network comprises a combination of PLC devices of the first and the second classes of PLC devices. One of a plurality of packet headers that is compatible with both the classes of PLC devices can be selected for transmission in response to determining that the powerline network comprises a combination of PLC devices of the first and the second classes of PLC devices.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 18, 2011
    Publication date: April 19, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventors: William J. McFarland, Srinivas Katar, Lawrence W. Yonge, III
  • Publication number: 20120072110
    Abstract: A pressure sensor can be implemented on a network device to minimize vertical positioning errors of the network device in an indoor environment. A reference altitude and a reference pressure associated with an access point in the indoor environment are received at the network device via a communication network. A pressure is determined at the network device in the indoor environment. An altitude of the network device associated with the pressure at the network device in the indoor environment is calculated based, at least in part, on the pressure at the network device, the reference pressure, and the reference altitude. A position of the network device in the indoor environment is determined based, at least in part, on the altitude of the navigation device and location information received from at least the access point.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 17, 2010
    Publication date: March 22, 2012
    Applicant: Atheros Communications, Inc.
    Inventor: SaiPradeep Venkatraman