Abstract: A wireless device comprising a plurality of chips may be operable to dynamically configure wireless communication between the plurality of chips. Each of the chips may include one or more transceivers and one or more integrated directional antennas communicatively coupled to the one or more transceivers. The communications link between chips in the wireless device may be dynamically configured via control of the transceivers and/or the integrated directional antennas. The antennas may include patch antennas and/or dipole antennas. The transceivers may be configured by controlling output power of power amplifiers or by controlling gain of low noise amplifiers. The communications link may be dynamically configured by controlling a characteristic impedance of the antennas for impedance matching to transceivers. A frequency of the communication link may be controlled by configuring the antennas. A bandwidth of the communications link may be configured based on activity of processors in the wireless device.

Abstract: A receiver front end includes a plurality of in-phase and quadrature phase receive processing blocks operable at first and second frequency bands and further includes a plurality of filtering and amplification blocks disposed within a corresponding ingoing signal path, a plurality of received signal strength indicator (RSSI) blocks coupled to receive an ingoing analog signal from a corresponding plurality of nodes disposed throughout the ingoing signal path, each of the plurality of RSSI blocks producing a signal strength indication, and wherein a baseband processor is operable to receive a selected signal strength indication and to produce at least one gain setting to at least one amplification block within the in-phase or quadrature phase receive processing blocks. In operation, the baseband processor receives a signal strength indication from each RSSI block to determine a total amount of gain and appropriate gain distribution within the receive signal path.

Abstract: The present invention is directed to systems and methods for reducing the distortion of power amplifiers. In particular, methods and systems are described that enable a determination of a pre-distortion correction signal to be determined, which when added to the nominal signal, a reduction in the distortion of the power amplifier results. In addition, methods and systems are described that enable calibration of individual power amplifiers to be accomplished for use with the above described approach. More specifically, the methods and systems are described for use in a MIMO application. These approaches may be applied to on-chip power amplifiers, off-chip power amplifiers, or any combination thereof.

Abstract: Disclosed is a Class-AB/B amplifier comprising a first output stage including a first plurality of amplification devices and a second output stage including a second plurality of amplification devices. According to one embodiment, the first output stage operates when the Class-AB/B amplifier is in a quiescent state and the second output stage operates when the Class-AB/B amplifier is in an active state. The Class-AB/B amplifier also comprises a level shifting circuit that adjusts a control voltage of the second output stage, where the level shifting circuit is adapted to activate the second output stage when the Class-AB/B amplifier enters the active state. Embodiments of the Class-AB/B amplifier may include a level shifting circuit that implements either a fixed or signal-dependent level shift, and a quiescent control circuit that substantially eliminates any systematic offset arising from the active feedback circuit inside the replica bias circuit.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method and apparatus for initiating a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) communication. The method and apparatus includes processing that begins by transmitting a frame formatted in accordance with a default MIMO active transmitter-receiver antenna configuration to a target receiver. The processing continues by receiving at least one response frame from the target receiver. The processing continues by determining a number of receiver antennas of the target receiver from the at least one response frame.

Abstract: An input device with an integrated security module communicates with a processing component over an insecure medium. The insecure medium may be a wireless network, software stack, or the like. According to one embodiment, the security module is integrated into an existing chip of the input device. Data generated by the input device is encoded and/or authenticated by the security module prior its transmission to the processing device. The processing device receives the input data and processes it within its own security boundary for providing selected services or information to a user or application associated with the input device.

Abstract: In a method and system for audio level detection and control, an amplitude of an audio signal may be compared to a threshold and an attenuation applied to the audio signal may be adjusted based on the comparison. In instances that the amplitude of the audio signal is greater than or equal to the threshold the adjustment may comprise increasing a first attenuation factor until the amplitude of the audio signal is less than the threshold. The first attenuation factor may be subsequently decreased until the amplitude of the audio signal is greater than or equal to the threshold or until the first attenuation factor is equal to zero. The attenuation of the audio signal may be controlled via a digital gain circuit within the hardware audio CODEC, wherein an overall attenuation factor of the digital gain circuit is a sum of the first attenuation factor and a second attenuation factor.

Abstract: Disclosed is a communications apparatus comprising: a first medium interface circuit that communicates data over a powerline medium, a first medium access controller, for controlling the first medium interface circuit, said first medium access controller having a first MAC address; a second medium interface circuit that is 802.11 compliant and which communicates data wirelessly, a second medium access controller, which controls the second medium interface circuit, said second medium access controller having a second MAC address; and a communications medium access controller that is operative to provide for communication of data simultaneously over the powerline medium and wirelessly by way of the first and second medium interface circuits; wherein said first medium interface circuit and said second medium interface circuit are linked at the layer II level of the OSI model. A network of said devices is also disclosed, the network possibly including device connected via only one of the media.

Abstract: A digital-to-analog conversion circuit operates by selectively discharging members of a plurality of capacitors. Charging of the capacitors occurs during a reset period while digital-to-analog conversion occurs as the capacitors are discharged. Those capacitors that are discharged are selected from the plurality of capacitors based on a digital input. The analog output includes the charge discharged from the capacitors. The capacitors are optionally divided into separate capacitor banks.

Abstract: In a communication device that is operative to perform decoding, a log-likelihood ratio (LLR) circuitry operates to calculate LLRs corresponding to every bit location within a received bit sequence. This received bit sequence may include a header and a data portion (both of which may be included within a frame that also includes a preamble). The header is composed of information bits, a duplicate of those information bits (such as may be generated in accordance with repetition encoding), and redundancy bits. The header includes information corresponding to frame or data including frame length, a code type by which the data are encoded, a code rate by which the data are encoded, and a modulation by which symbols of the data are modulated. Once the header has been decoded, then the data corresponding thereto is decoded by a block decoder circuitry to make estimates of that data.

Abstract: Embodiments of a unified communication and control bus architecture for Ethernet and/or PoE systems are provided. Embodiments enable a unified communication and control bus architecture that significantly simplifies communication and control in Ethernet and/or PoE systems. Embodiments enable significant savings both in terms of cost and complexity as the number of communication and control buses is reduced down to one. Embodiments can be used in various Ethernet and/or PoE implementations, including, for example, single PCB-single PoE, single PCB-multiple PoE, chassis-based switch, and stackable-based switch configurations. Further, embodiments can be implemented using standard Ethernet as well as proprietary implementations.

Abstract: Embodiments of an apparatus for improving a gain imbalance between an in-phase and quadrature component recovered by a receiver are provided. The apparatus includes a first transition counter configured to count a number of bit transitions in a first sequence of one-bit values provided by a first sigma-delta modulator based on the in-phase component, and a second transition counter configured to count a number of bit transitions in a second sequence of one-bit values provided by a second sigma-delta modulator based on the quadrature component. The apparatus further includes a gain monitor configured to: (1) determine a first and second power level, proportional to a power of the in-phase and quadrature components respectively, using the number of bit transitions in the first and second sequences, and (2) adjust a gain of one of the in-phase and quadrature components based on a ratio between the first and second power levels.

Abstract: Downclocking and/or adaptive sub-carriers for single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Communication device operation within a wireless local area network (WLAN/WiFi) is effectuated in the frequency spectra typically associated with television broadcast channels. Operation is made on a secondary non-interfering basis to such television broadcast channels. Any desired channel bandwidth (e.g., 6 MHz, 7 MHz, 8 MHz, etc.) may be employed. Adaptation with respect to the number of data sub-carriers within different respective packets may be made in accordance with two or more respective operational modes. For example, modification of the number of data sub-carriers in different respective packets may be made to increase the signal bandwidth from a first band was to a second bandwidth.

Abstract: A multiple mode RF transmitter a baseband section, a transmitter section, and a configurable antenna circuit. The transmitter section is couple to convert a first outbound symbol stream into first outbound RF beamforming signals in accordance with a first beamforming setting and convert a second outbound symbol stream into second outbound RF beamforming signals in accordance with a second beamforming setting. The configurable antenna circuit is coupled to provide a first antenna assembly for transmitting the first outbound RF beamforming signals and provide a second antenna assembly for transmitting the second outbound RF beamforming signals.

Abstract: Frequency selective transmission within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. Adaptation among different respective sub-channels and/or channels is effectuated within a wireless communication system. Such a wireless communication system may include an access point (AP) and one or more wireless stations (STAs). The respective channelization employed for various communications between the devices within such a wireless communication system may be adapted based upon any of a number of considerations. For example, a receiver communication device may indicate to a transmitter communication device one or more preferred sub-channels and/or channels on which subsequent communications are to be performed.

Abstract: A wireless device includes an antenna, Radio Frequency (RF) circuitry, and baseband processing circuitry. The baseband processing circuitry couples to the RF circuitry and is operable to determine operational calibrations settings that may include pre-distortion characteristics and RF signal path settings, both of which are determined via calibration operations. The calibration operations are initiated when an operational value of the wireless device compares unfavorably to at least one operational threshold. Monitoring circuitry coupled to the RF circuitry and to the baseband processing circuitry monitors operational characteristics of the RF circuitry. Calibration operations may be initiated based upon RF circuitry temperature, supply voltage, PA current, PA gain input level/average, among other triggers.

Abstract: A portable device includes a touch screen that includes a display screen and that generates touch screen data in response to a user's interaction with the touch screen. A processor executes a security application for authenticating the user to the portable device that provides first display data to the touch screen for displaying a security prompt on the display screen. Touch screen data is received from the touch screen in response to the user's interaction with the touch screen and is processed to determine when an authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data. The user is authenticated to the portable device when the authentication shape is recognized as being indicated by the touch screen data.

Abstract: A media player implements an integrated parallel source download technology to receive a media file from streamed and segmented media file sources. A first source streams delivery of streamed media packets of the media file in sequential packet number order to the media player, while a second source provides segmented delivery of segmented media packets of the media file in random order to the media player. The media player combines the streamed media packets and the segmented media packets to produce the media file.

Abstract: Range extension within single user, multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A given communication device designed and implemented for operation in accordance with a given communication protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice operates in accordance with a down-clocked manner to effectuate operation in accordance with at least one other communication protocol, standard, and/or recommended practice. For example, first channelization may undergo down-clocking by a particular and desired ratio to generate a second channelization. As such, at least one portion of a physical layer (PHY) of a given communication device may be leveraged for use in at least one other or additional operational mode based upon the down-clocking employed. Sub-channel and/or channel adaptation may be made based upon any of a number of considerations (e.g., independently by one device, cooperatively by two or more devices, local and/or remote operating condition(s) [or changes thereof], etc.).

Abstract: A wireless communication device may generate an interactive digital diary for one or more users. The device may handle location information, multimedia data, transactions and/or secure communications via a plurality of technologies. Digital diary information may be stored internally or externally, it may be searchable and/or may comprise moving images, still images, audio, text, geographic location, entity information, time, date, transactions, financial information, consumer information, security information, user input, communications, user contacts, software applications, user profiles, scheduled events, prompts and/or reminders. The digital diary may comprise an interactive user interface which may have mapping capability and may provide link access to digital diary information and/or associated entities. User input methods may comprise screen touch, pressure sensor, key entry and/or voice.