Abstract: One or more methods and systems of authenticating or verifying a set-top-box chip in a set-top-box are presented. In one embodiment, a set-top-box incorporates a set-top-box chip used to decode or decrypt media content provided by a cable television operator or carrier. The set-top-box chip incorporates a decryption circuitry, a compare circuitry, a hash function circuitry, a key generation circuitry, a back channel return circuitry, a linear feedback shift register, a timer reset circuitry, a modify enable status circuitry, a one time programmable memory, and a non-volatile memory. The cable TV carrier validates a set-top-box chip used in a set-top-box by way of a verification sequence that requires a successful verification by the set-top-box chip.

Abstract: An iterative multistage detection system and method for orthogonally multiplexing K channels onto a signal processing chain using N orthogonal sequences of length N. The K channels include a first set of N channels and a second set of M channels (the M channels being separate and distinct from the N channels), where K=N+M. In a first iteration, interference from the first set of N channels imparted on the second set of M channels is removed from the multiplexed signal, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the second set of M channels to be reliably estimated. In a second iteration, interference from the second set of M channels imparted on the first set of N channels is removed from the first set of N channels, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the first set of N channels to be reliably estimated.

Abstract: A gain boost circuit and methodology are described for providing improved gain boosting with tuned amplifier circuits, such as differential low noise amplifier circuits having output resonant tank circuits. By selectively controlling the current source for a negative transconductance stage coupled between the differential amplifier output and the output resonant tank circuits, the amplifier gain may be adjusted to compensate for temperature variations. In addition, the amplifier gain boost may be selectively added, removed or even incrementally adjusted by using a current source control circuit in the negative transconductance stage to adjust the negative transconductance value generated by the negative transconductance stage.

Abstract: A multi-stage amplifier includes first and second amplification stages and a loading stage, all of which generate flicker noise. A degeneration block is operably disposed between circuit common and the loading stage wherein the degeneration block is operable to reduce flicker noise generated by at least one of the loading stage, the first amplification stage and the second amplification stage. The degeneration block further includes at least one active MOSFET operably biased in a linear region to provide a specified resistive value and coupled to receive and conduct the common mode portion of the intermediate stage output signal based upon a gate terminal bias signal. A degeneration block amplifier is operable to generate a replica device bias signal wherein the replica device is operable to set the gate terminal bias signal for the at least one active MOSFET based upon the replica device bias signal.

Abstract: A method and a system for decoding information signals encoded in accordance with a multi-state encoding scheme and transmitted over a multi-dimensional transmission channel by computing a distance of a received word from a codeword. One-dimensional (1D) input signals are processed in a pair of symbol decoders, implemented as look-up tables, to produce a pair of 1D errors, with each representing a distance metric between the input signal and a symbol in one of two disjoint symbol-subsets. The 1D errors are combined based on the multi-state encoding scheme in order to produce a set of multi-dimensional error terms. Each of the multi-dimensional error terms corresponds to a distance between a received word and a nearest codeword.

Abstract: An iterative multistage detection system and method for orthogonally multiplexing K channels onto a signal processing chain using N orthogonal sequences of length N. The K channels include a first set of N channels and a second set of M channels (the M channels being separate and distinct from the N channels), where K=N+M. In a first iteration, interference from the first set of N channels imparted on the second set of M channels is removed from the multiplexed signal, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the second set of M channels to be reliably estimated. In a second iteration, interference from the second set of M channels imparted on the first set of N channels is removed from the first set of N channels, thereby enabling the symbol values associated with the first set of N channels to be reliably estimated.

Abstract: A system and method for providing connectivity between mobile devices and access points of a network without redundant solicitation of communication by the mobile device at each access point is described. The method involves receiving a data packet at a first access point in a control group; transmitting the data packet from the first access point to the mobile device; determining if the mobile device acknowledges receipt of the data packet; responsive to determining that the mobile device failed to acknowledge receipt of the data packet, forwarding the data packet to a second access point; and transmitting the data packet from the second access point to the mobile device.

Abstract: Data packets transmitted over a cable network are suppressed by hardware at the transmitting end and expanded on the receiving end. This conserves bandwidth as well as reduces the processing resource requirements in both the CM and the CMTS. An extended header element is added to a data packet that is to be transmitted over the cable network. The extended header element contains an index that is used along with the SID to access a rule. The rule is used to determine which bytes are to be suppressed at the transmitter and expanded at the receiver.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention provide an integrated circuit (IC) in which power to input output (IO) drivers may be distributed within unused areas over macro processing circuits. This IC includes a long distance power and ground distribution network, an input output (IO) power and ground distribution network, a number of macro processing circuits, and IO circuits. The long distance power and ground distribution network electrically couples to the IO power and ground distribution network. Both the power and ground distribution networks may be located within the upper level conductive layers. IO power and ground distribution network locally supplies power and ground to IO circuits. Macro processing circuits may be located beneath the power distribution network as some macro processing circuits do not require access to upper level conductive layers. By placing these macro processing circuits beneath these power distribution networks, die size may be reduced.

Abstract: A process of creating incentives for wireless hotspots by a service provider is disclosed. An access point is provided to a wireless hotspot for wireless devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network in a publicly accessible location. Use of the access point for a portable device is authenticated by requesting submission of an account identifier to the service provider and billing data for a user of the portable device for use of the access point is generated. Use statistics are evaluated of the access point of the wireless hotspot by portables devices and an inducement is provided to the publicly accessible location based on the evaluated use statistics.

Abstract: An apparatus and method to use a gain control network across source terminals of cascode transistors that drive a differential current to control gain. The drains of the cascode transistors are coupled to a load such as a mixer. The cascode arrangement provides high impedance coupling to the load and the proximity of the gain control network allows offsets to be gain tracked to signal gain.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for enhancing thermal performance and electromagnetic interference (EMI) shielding in die-up array integrated circuit (IC) device packages is presented. A die-up array package includes an IC die mounted to a first stiffener surface. The package further includes a cap body having first and second surfaces. A first portion of the second surface has a cavity formed therein, and a planar second portion of the second surface is coupled to the first stiffener surface. The package further includes a substrate having a first surface coupled to a second stiffener surface. A plurality of contact pads on the first substrate surface are electrically connected to an array of electrically conductive terminals on a second substrate surface. The stiffener and cap body form a die enclosure that dissipates heat during operation of the IC die, and shields EMI emanating from and radiating toward the IC die.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention significantly reduce the number and complexity of processing operations to be performed. This is done by receiving the learned run out or vector A to be rotated by phase q. This phase q may be limited to a ?/4 resolution. Sine function values and cosine function values based on q are selected from a group of values comprising ?1, 0, and +1. The sine function values and cosine function values selected may then be applied to the learned run out or vector A to rotate the vector A by phase q. Because the sine and cosine values are limited to ?1, 0 and +1 many multiplication processing operations are eliminated. This greatly simplifies the processing requirements associated with phase rotating of this learned run out.

Abstract: An antenna system includes an antenna, a transmission line, an inductor module, a tunable capacitor module, and control logic. The transmission line is coupled to the antenna and to the inductor module. The tunable capacitor module is coupled to the transmission line in accordance with a capacitance control signal to provide a desired capacitance such that inductance of the inductor module and the desired capacitance tunes the antenna system. The control logic is coupled to generate the capacitance control signal based on the operational parameters.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes an on-chip gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the IC. An RF transceiver generates an outbound RF signal from outbound data and that generates inbound data from an inbound RF signal. A processing module processes the motion parameter, generates the outbound data, and receives the inbound data.

Abstract: A near field communication front-end includes an up conversion module, a plurality of coils, and a down conversion module. The up conversion module is coupled to convert an outbound symbol stream into a plurality of outbound signals based on a frequency-space encoding scheme. The plurality of coils is coupled to electromagnetically transmit the plurality of outbound signals and to electromagnetically receive a plurality of inbound signals in accordance with the frequency-space encoding scheme. The down conversion module is coupled to convert the plurality of inbound signals into an inbound symbol stream in accordance with the frequency-space encoding scheme.

Abstract: A far field radio frequency identification (RFID) reader includes a baseband processing module, a transmitter section, and a receiver section. The receiver section includes a low noise amplifier module, a down conversion module, and a current mode blocking circuit. The low noise amplifier module amplifies an inbound RF signal to produce an amplified inbound RF signal. The down conversion module converts the amplified inbound RF signal into the inbound baseband signal. The current mode blocking circuit substantial compensates for a blocking current component of the baseband inbound signal and passes, substantially unattenuated, a signal current component of the baseband inbound signal.

Abstract: A circuit includes a transceiver coupled to transmit an outbound signal in accordance with a plurality of transmit parameters to at least one remote station and receive a inbound signal from the at least one remote station. The transceiver detects a packet transmission failure, selects one of a plurality of transmission failure causes, and adjusts at least one of a plurality of transmit parameters, based on the selected one of the plurality of transmission failure causes.

Abstract: Traditionally, system loads are placed in parallel with the battery. This simple topology wastes the available power if the USB power and/or wall adapter is present. Recent topologies have made some improvements by powering the load by the maximum available voltage. Thus, if a USB power source or wall adapter is present, the load is powered by them rather than the battery, thus improving the system efficiency. However, since the USB power and wall adapter power are current limited, if the load requires higher current than the current limited USB or adapter, then the entire system is powered at voltage of the battery. The present invention further improves the system efficiency by distinguishing the load and powering the constant power loads by the maximum voltage and placing the constant current loads in parallel with the battery.

Abstract: A device includes an on-chip gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the device. An RF transceiver generates an outbound RF signal from an outbound symbol stream, transmits the outbound RF signal to a remote station of a wireless network, and generates an inbound symbol stream from an inbound RF signal received from the at least one remote station. A processing module is coupled to process the motion parameter to produce motion data, to convert outbound data into the outbound symbol stream, and to convert the inbound symbol stream into inbound data, wherein the outbound data includes the motion data.