Abstract: A cable modem includes a cable transceiver that provides bidirectional broadband access to a wide area network in accordance with a first wired communication protocol. An RF transceiver provides bidirectional communication with a remote device over a short range radio frequency link. A memory module stores a secure access application. A processing module executes the secure access application, the secure access application reading identification data from the remote device via the short range radio frequency link that identifies a user.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) system includes a network RFID reader, an RFID tag, and an RFID reader. The network RFID reader is coupled to a network connection. The RFID tag is coupled to generate an RFID response signal in response to an RFID signal. The RFID reader is coupled to provide the RFID signal to the RFID tag and to provide the RFID response signal to the network RFID reader.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) transceiver includes a RF front end and a baseband processing module coupled to the RF front end that is operable to receive a time domain signal that includes time domain training symbols and time domain data symbols. The baseband processing module processes the time domain training symbols to produce a time domain channel estimate, Fast Fourier Transformer operations that convert the time domain channel estimate to the frequency domain to produce a frequency domain channel estimate, weight calculation operations that produce frequency domain equalizer coefficients based upon the frequency domain channel estimate, Inverse Fast Fourier Transformer operations that convert the frequency domain equalizer coefficients to the time domain to produce time domain equalizer coefficients, and equalization operations that equalize the time domain data symbols using the time domain equalizer coefficients.

Abstract: An RFIC includes a transmit acoustic transducer, a digital conversion module, a transmit baseband module, an analog conversion module, an up-conversion module, a power amplifier circuit, a low noise amplifier circuit, a down-conversion module, a receive baseband processing module, and a receive acoustic transducer circuit. The transmit acoustic transducer circuit converts transmit sound waves into transmit electrical signals. The digital conversion module converts the transmit electrical signals into digital transmit audio signals and converts down-converted signals into digital receive baseband or low IF signals. The transmit baseband processing module converts the digital transmit audio signals into digital transmit baseband or low IF signals. The analog conversion module converts the digital transmit baseband or low IF signals into analog transmit baseband or low IF signals and converts digital receive audio signals into receive electrical signals.

Abstract: A Radio Frequency (RF) receiver includes a RF front end and a baseband processing module coupled to the RF front end that is operable to receive a time domain signal that includes time domain training symbols and time domain data symbols. The baseband processing module includes a channel estimator operable to process the time domain training symbols to produce a time domain channel estimate, a Fast Fourier Transformer operable to convert the time domain channel estimate to the frequency domain to produce a frequency domain channel estimate, a weight calculator operable to produce frequency domain equalizer coefficients based upon the frequency domain channel estimate, an Inverse Fast Fourier Transformer operable to converting the frequency domain equalizer coefficients to the time domain to produce time domain equalizer coefficients, and an equalizer operable to equalize the time domain data symbols using the time domain equalizer coefficients.

Abstract: A system for processing radio frequency (RF) signals includes a searcher and a plurality of Cluster Path Processor (CPPs). The searcher detects a maximum signal energy level and position of at least one of a plurality of individual distinct path signals in a signal cluster of a first information signal, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of individual distinct path signals is received within a duration of a corresponding delay spread. The sampling position is used as a starting sampling location by the plurality of CPPs, including a first information signal CPP and a second information signal CPP. Fine sampling positions of the plurality of CPPs are based upon channel energy estimates for the plurality of individual distinct path signals. CPP outputs are employed to produce channel estimates, which are themselves used in subsequent equalization operations. Sampling positions may change over time in order to satisfy alignment criteria.

Abstract: LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) coded modulation symbol decoding. Symbol decoding is supported by appropriately modifying an LDPC tripartite graph to eliminate the bit nodes thereby generating an LDPC bipartite graph (such that symbol nodes are appropriately mapped directly to check nodes thereby obviating the bit nodes). The edges that communicatively couple the symbol nodes to the check nodes are labeled appropriately to support symbol decoding of the LDPC coded modulation signal. The iterative decoding processing may involve updating the check nodes as well as estimating the symbol sequence and updating the symbol nodes. In some embodiments, an alternative hybrid decoding approach may be performed such that a combination of bit level and symbol level decoding is performed. This LDPC symbol decoding out-performs bit decoding only. In addition, it provides comparable or better performance of bit decoding involving iterative updating of the associated metrics.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) decoding subsystem includes a pre-decode module and a decode module. The pre-decode module is coupled to process down-converted RFID signals into at least one of pre-decoded baseband data and corresponding decoding information. The decode module is coupled to process the pre-decoded baseband data into decoded RFID data, where the processing of the pre-decoded baseband data is based on the corresponding decoding information when the corresponding decoding information is produced by the pre-decoder module.

Abstract: Wireless terminal making attachment decisions based upon mobility. A novel approach is presented by which a communication device, that is operable to associate with and connect with one or more types of WAPs (Wireless Access Points) (e.g., including wireless local area network access points, a WiMAX access points, or cellular access points), is designed to connect appropriately with a WAP based on the mobility of the communication device. For example, if a communication device is employed by a user in a fast moving vehicle, it would be more desirable to associate with a WAP that is operable to provide for a broader service range than a WAP whose service area is very localized and of which such a fast-moving user will soon be out of range. Alternatively, if a user is walking or relatively stationary, then associating with a WAP having a relatively much smaller service area could be sufficient.

Abstract: Altering communication interface parameters based upon mobility. A novel approach is presented in which at least one operational parameter is changed as a function of the mobility of a wireless terminal. The changing of the operational parameter (which can be performed by either the wireless terminal, a WAP, or cooperatively by both) can include changing an entire protocol or only one operational parameter within the protocol. The mobility measure can be any one or combination of velocity (rate of change of position), acceleration, position within the network, or other measure. The mobility can be an average mobility over a period of time, or it can be an instantaneous mobility. The operational parameter can be changed by either communication device at each end of a communication link or in part, by both (e.g., either by a WAP (Wireless Access Point) or a communication device connected thereto, or by cooperation there between).

Abstract: Wireless terminal filtering attachment decisions based upon type(s) of available network(s). A novel approach is presented by which one or more filter parameters is applied when making decisions of which WAP (Wireless Access Point) (e.g., including wireless local area network access points, WiMAX access points, or cellular access points) is appropriate or valid with which to associate and through which to connect to a communication network (i.e., the Internet). Certain filter parameter sets can be implemented, and changed over time (e.g., via user selection or adaptively), so that different filter parameters apply in different situations. Generally, a plurality of detected WAPs can be partitioned into available WAPs and non-available WAPs. This division can be along (1) private vs. (2) non-private, (1) private (authorization is granted) and non-private vs. (2) private (no authorization is granted), or a variety of other lines.

Abstract: Spatial mapping of wireless access point service area. A means is presented by which a WACN's (Wireless Access Control Node's) service area is spatially mapped providing information corresponding to coverage region(s) within the WACN's service area. This spatial mapping may be generated and stored within either communication device at either end of a communication link (e.g., in a WACN or in a communication device operable to connect to the WACN). From the WACN's perspective, the spatial map can include its one or more coverage regions within its service area. From a communication device's perspective (e.g., a communication device that is capable to connect to a WACN), the spatial map can include multiple service areas provided by multiple WACNs and the various coverage regions therein. The partitioning of a WACN's service area into coverage areas can be performed along various lines (e.g., signal strength, history of connectivity, operational parameters employed, etc.).

Abstract: A radio transmitter integrated circuit includes a photodiode array circuit, a digital conversion module, a transmit baseband processing module, an analog conversion module, an up-conversion module, and a power amplifier circuit. The photodiode array circuit is coupled to convert received light into electrical image signals. The digital conversion module is coupled to convert the electrical image signals into digital image signals. The transmit baseband processing module is coupled to convert the digital image signals into digital transmit baseband or low IF signals. The analog conversion module, the up-conversion module, and the power amplifier circuit are coupled to convert the digital transmit baseband or low IF signals into transmit radio frequency (RF) signals.

Abstract: A wireless network in a communication infrastructure has a packet switched backbone network and includes a plurality of access points and services a plurality of client devices. The plurality of access points communicatively coupled to the packet switched backbone network and each have access point processing circuitry and access point wireless transceiver circuitry. The plurality of client devices each have client processing circuitry and client wireless transceiver circuitry. A client device of the plurality of client devices, using respective client processing circuitry and respective client wireless transceiver circuitry, determines interference parameters regarding wirelessly communicating within the wireless network. The client device then transmits the interference parameters to an access point of the plurality of access points.

Abstract: A radio receiver front-end includes first and second RF receiver sections and an RF combining module. The first RF receiver section is coupled to receive an inbound RF signal and provide to a first representation of the inbound RF signal, wherein the inbound RF signal includes a desired signal component and an undesired signal component. The second RF receiver section is coupled to receive the inbound RF signal and to provide a second representation of the inbound RF signal. The RF combining module is coupled to combine the first and second representations of the inbound RF signal to produce a desired RF signal, wherein the desired RF signal includes the desired signal component and an attenuated representation of the undesired signal component.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) decoding subsystem includes a pre-decode module and a decode module. The pre-decode module is coupled to process down-converted RFID signals into pre-decoded baseband data. The decode module is coupled to: enable a counting process based on the pre-decoded baseband data to produce a count resultant; and compare the count resultant with a threshold at a data bit interval to produce decoded RFID data.

Abstract: Combined LDPC (Low Density Parity Check) encoder and syndrome checker. A novel approach is presented by which the encoding processing and at least a portion of the decoding processing of an LDPC coded signal can be performed using a shared circuitry. The LDPC encoding processing and syndrome calculation operations (in accordance with the LDPC decoding processing) can be performed using a common circuitry having a portion of which whose connectivity is only slightly modified depending on whether encoding or decoding is being performed. To effectuate this selection (between encoding and decoding), any of a variety of means can be employed including the use of multiplexers that are operable to select a first connectivity (for encoding) and a second connectivity (for decoding). This can result in a hardware savings of space, cost, and complexity since a shared circuitry can perform both encoding and at least part of the decoding processing.

Abstract: A method for parallel concatenated (Turbo) encoding and decoding. Turbo encoders receive a sequence of input data tuples and encode them. The input sequence may correspond to a sequence of an original data source, or to an already coded data sequence such as provided by a Reed-Solomon encoder. A turbo encoder generally comprises two or more encoders separated by one or more interleavers. The input data tuples may be interleaved using a modulo scheme in which the interleaving is according to some method (such as block or random interleaving) with the added stipulation that the input tuples may be interleaved only to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N (where N is an integer) as they have in the input data sequence. If all the input tuples are encoded by all encoders then output tuples can be chosen sequentially from the encoders and no tuples will be missed.

Abstract: A method to reduce transmitted output power and the battery consumption is provided. This involves first determining the required output level. The amplitude of the input signal provided to a PA driver may be based on the required output power level. This amplitude may be set by a PGA. A number of cascode bias signals are also provided to the PA driver. These cascode bias signals are based on the required output power level as well. Reducing the cascode bias signals by enabling/disabling circuits within the PA driver allows power consumption of the wireless device to be reduced.

Abstract: The present invention provides a transmitter architecture operable to cancel non-data-related direct current (DC) components therein. One method to cancel transmitter non-data-related DC offsets includes generating a baseband digital null signal. Then the digital null signal is converted to a pair of differential analog voltage null signals. The pair of differential analog voltage null signals may be converted to a pair of differential analog current null signals. The pair of differential analog current null signals is provided to a pair of matched impedances to generate a pair of voltage signals across the pair of matched impedances. A voltage offset results from comparing the pair of voltages generated across the pair of matched impedances. Then a current offset is determined based on the voltage offset.