Patents Assigned to Broadcom Corporation
  • Publication number: 20100062734
    Abstract: A transmitter includes a detection element to determine when a current power requirement of a communication link is less than the standard transmit power. The current power requirement may be determined by a current operation condition of the communication link, for instance. The transmit power of the transmitter may be set to be less than the standard power in any of a variety of ways. For example, a center tap voltage of the transmitter may be reduced. In another example, a class of operation of the transmitter may be changed. In yet another example, the transmitter may include a current mirror having a plurality of diode-connected transistors coupled in parallel, thereby reducing the current at output terminals of the transmitter. Reducing the current at the output terminals decreases the output power of the transmitter, which may reduce the power consumed by the transmitter.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 17, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Kevin T. CHAN
  • Publication number: 20100063983
    Abstract: According to an example embodiment, a technique may be provided for managing a label data base of which each entry comprises a data field for insertion into a respective packet in a multicast transmission and a validity field. The technique may include, for example, (a) establishing a fixed size for a cluster of labels, (b) associating with each cluster a pointer to another cluster, (c) establishing a sentinel cluster of which all entries are indicated to be invalid and of which the cluster pointer points to this sentinel cluster, (d) establishing a root table which defines the number of replications of the packet in a multicast group and identifies a first label cluster associated with the multicast group and (e) establishing a chain of clusters of which each cluster which is full of valid entries points to the next cluster in the chain and the last cluster which contains valid entries points to the sentinel cluster.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 1, 2009
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Vincent Groarke, Anne Geraldine O'Connell
  • Publication number: 20100064154
    Abstract: A mobile phone that uses OS virtualization for minimizing power consumption in mobile phones is provided. Apparatus and methods may involve conserving processor power in a mobile phone according to the invention may include the following steps. A first step may be awakening a first processing core from a low power state in response to a first operating system (OS) thread. A following step may include processing the first OS thread using the first processing core. A next step may include determining whether utilization of the first processing core over a first time period has exceeded a predetermined threshold. The method may also include awakening a second processing core from a low power consumption state if utilization of the first processing core over a first time period has exceeded a predetermined threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 5, 2008
    Publication date: March 11, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: James King
  • Patent number: 7676158
    Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for optimum channel equalization between a host Serializer-Deserializer (SerDes) and an optical module may compensate and reduce dispersion loss along an electrical transmit path of a transmitter and an optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter via pre-emphasis. The data degradation as a result of the dispersion loss along the electrical transmit path of the transmitter and the optical transmit path coupled to the transmitter may be recovered by equalizing signals received via an electrical receive path of a receiver communicatively coupled to the transmitter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 7, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ali Ghiasi
  • Patent number: 7676533
    Abstract: An FFT conversion instruction based on a single instruction multiple data (“SIMD”) technique is executed to reduce the number of cycles for software to perform conversion processing used in an FFT computation. In an embodiment, the FFT conversion instruction implements two instances of a conversion operation, i.e., 2-way SIMD, over two sets of complex points at once. A control register or variant opcode controls an inverse flag to control the behavior of the conversion process. In an embodiment, the control register contains a control bit to select between forward and inverse FFT context.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Mark Taunton
  • Patent number: 7676241
    Abstract: A wireless access point and multiple wireless terminals exchange point-to-point transmission power control parameters. The wireless access point gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the wireless terminals. Each wireless terminal gathers parameters based on transmissions received from each of the other wireless terminals and from the wireless access point. In one operating mode, the parameters gathered by the wireless devices are forwarded to the wireless access point, and, based on all received and local parameters, the wireless access point adjusts its own transmission power and sends control signals to the wireless terminals directing transmission power adjustment. In another mode, all parameters are exchanged between every wireless terminal and the access point so that each can independently or cooperatively make transmission power control decisions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 22, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: James D. Bennett
  • Patent number: 7675924
    Abstract: A data switch for network communications includes a first data port interface and a second data port interface is provided supporting at least one data port transmitting and receiving data. A CPU interface is provided, with the CPU interface configured to communicate with a CPU. A common memory is provided, and communicates with the first data port interface and the second data port interface. A memory management unit is provided, and communicates data from the first data port interface and the second data port interface and a common memory. At least two sets of communication channels are provided, with each of the communication channels communicating data and messaging information between the first data port interface, the second data port interface, and the memory management unit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 21, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Govind Malalur, Shiri Kadambi, Shekhar Ambe, Mohan Kalkunte
  • Patent number: 7675883
    Abstract: A wired Local Area Network (wired LAN) and a plurality of Wireless Access Points (WAPs) coupled to a wired network infrastructure of the wired LAN service wireless packetized communications for a plurality of Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) clients. A multi-layer switch of the wired LAN identifies a WLAN client serviced by a WAP from the packetized communications, and upon receiving an overloading indication from the WAP, determines that the WLAN client serviced by the WAP exceeds a usage threshold. Based upon the determination, the multi-layer switch reduces the wireless bandwidth provided to the wireless terminal by the WAP.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 16, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Jeffrey L. Thermond, Richard G. Martin
  • Patent number: 7676107
    Abstract: Described herein is a method and system for video classification. The method and system can use predetermined color ranges to classify a video block. On a relative basis, a greater number of bits can be allocated to perceptually important video data such as skin. The quantization is adjusted accordingly. Determining relative quantization shifts for macroblocks in a picture prior to video encoding enables a corresponding bit allocation that can improve the tradeoff between perceptual quality and bit rate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Stephen Gordon
  • Patent number: 7675269
    Abstract: A method to detect the presence of battery protection circuits in any battery powered product. The major advantage of the method is to make the battery voltage very smooth during the charging process. The proposed circuit can give a good prediction of protection switching turn on time. This can provide the battery powered system work smoothly by avoiding any battery voltage discontinuity. The proposed invention addresses the issue of deep discharge and provides a solution through a discharge test procedure.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Hung Sen Huang
  • Patent number: 7676198
    Abstract: A data transceiver module for digital data communications in a portable hand-held data terminal has multiple data spread spectrum modes which include direct sequence and frequency function modulation algorithms. The transceiver module has multiple user or program configurable data rates, modulation, channelization and process gain in order to maximize the performance of radio data transmissions and to maximize interference immunity. Various module housings, which may be PCMCIA type, are able to be mated with a suitably designed data terminal. Media access control protocols and interfaces of multiple nominal operational frequencies are utilized. Wireless access devices in a cell based network each consider a variety of factors when choosing one of a plurality of modes of wireless operation and associated operating parameters. Such selection defines a communication channel to support wireless data, message and communication exchanges.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 14, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ronald L. Mahany
  • Patent number: 7675872
    Abstract: Presented herein are systems, methods, and apparatus for displaying pictures. In one embodiment, there is presented a decoder system for decoding video data. The decoder system comprises a port and a transport processor. The port receives packets carrying encoded video data from a plurality of video streams. The transport processor adds a header to encoded video data from at least one of the packets. The header identifies a particular one of the plurality of video streams, wherein the at least one packet is from the particular one of the plurality of video streams.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Qin-Fan Zhu
  • Patent number: 7675138
    Abstract: A first capacitor is formed on a substrate and connected to a first differential node of a differential circuit, and a second capacitor is formed on the substrate and connected to a second differential node of the differential circuit. A third capacitor is connected between the first differential node and the second differential node, and is formed at least partially above the first capacitor. In this way, a size of the first capacitor and/or the second capacitor may be reduced on the substrate.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 30, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Bo Zhang
  • Patent number: 7675938
    Abstract: A single carrier cable modem can be initialized on multiple channels. By initializing a cable modem on more than one channel, the error rate performance of short data packets in cable modems in an impulsive noise environment is improved. The advantage of low symbol rate transmission for short packets in an impulse noise environment is achieved without sacrificing burst capacity at a cable modem and without the complexity of transmitting multiple symbol waveforms simultaneously at a cable modem.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 13, 2000
    Date of Patent: March 9, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Thomas J. Kolze
  • Publication number: 20100054127
    Abstract: Example embodiments of methods and apparatus for aggregate congestion detection and management are disclosed. An example method includes, receiving a data packet, where the data packet being associated with a respective destination data queue. The example method also includes determining an average queue utilization for the destination queue and determining a first aggregate utilization for a first set of data queues, the first set of data queues including the destination queue. The example method further includes determining, based on the average queue utilization and the first aggregate utilization, one or more probabilities associated with the data packet. The example method still further includes, in accordance with the one or more probabilities, randomly marking the packet to indicate a congestion state or randomly determining whether to drop the data packet. The example method also includes, dropping the packet if a determination to drop the packet is made.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce Kwan, Puneet Agarwal
  • Publication number: 20100052642
    Abstract: A system and method for using a physical layer device's discovery of cable shielding for PoE current capacity setting and temperature de-rating. Headroom in a particular cable installation is increased when it is determined that the physical layer device is coupled to a shielded cable, which more effectively removes heat from a bundled cable. By the determination of the type of cabling, the current capable of being carried over the cable can be increased and/or the temperature de-rating decreased due to the removal of limitations of worst-case cable assumptions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 26, 2008
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Wael William Diab, Scott Powell
  • Publication number: 20100052151
    Abstract: Electrically and thermally enhanced die-up ball grid array (BGA) packages are described. A BGA package includes a stiffener, substrate, a silicon die, and solder balls. The die is mounted to the top of the stiffener. The stiffener is mounted to the top of the substrate. A plurality of solder balls are attached to the bottom surface of the substrate. A top surface of the stiffener may be patterned. A second stiffener may be attached to the first stiffener. The substrate may include one, two, four, or other number of metal layers. Conductive vias through a dielectric layer of the substrate may couple the stiffener to solder balls. An opening may be formed through the substrate, exposing a portion of the stiffener. The stiffener may have a down-set portion. A heat slug may be attached to the exposed portion of the stiffener. A locking mechanism may be used to enhance attachment of the heat slug to the stiffener. The heat slug may be directly attached to the die through an opening in the stiffener.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 16, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Sam Ziqun ZHAO, Reza-ur Rahman Khan, Edward Law, Marc Papageorge
  • Publication number: 20100052967
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to extend a dynamic input range of an analog to digital converter (ADC). A composite ADC may include one or more ADCs. The one or more ADCs compare a signal metric of an analog input signal to quantization levels to produce intermediate digital output signals using one or more non-clipping input values. The composite ADC may select among the one or more intermediate digital output signals based on the signal metric of the analog input signal to produce a final digital output.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Bruce J. Currivan, Thomas J. Kolze, Lin He, Loke Tan, Ramon Gomez, Francesco Gatta
  • Patent number: 7671795
    Abstract: A circuit includes a global positioning system (GPS) receiver that receives a GPS signal and that generates GPS position data based on the GPS signal. A wireless receiver converts an inbound RF signal into an inbound symbol stream. A processing module converts the inbound symbol stream into inbound data that includes a motion parameter and generates position information based on at least one of the GPS position data and the motion parameter.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 2, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza (Reza) Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7672071
    Abstract: A servo field preamble detector includes an upsampling module that generates a plurality of upsampled read samples by upsampling a read signal by an upsampling factor. An interpolation filter module generates a plurality of interpolated read samples from the plurality of upsampled read samples. A peak detection module identifies a plurality of peak samples from the plurality of interpolated read samples. A magnitude estimation module generates a magnitude estimation signal from the plurality of peak samples. A comparison module compares the magnitude estimation signal to a magnitude threshold and asserts a servo preamble detection signal when the magnitude estimation signal compares favorably to the magnitude threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: King Wai Thomas Lau