Patents Assigned to Broadcom
  • Patent number: 7913127
    Abstract: A method and system for performing diagnostic tests on a real-time system controlled by a state machine. A sequence of states recorded as the state machine operates is used to determine error conditions. The sequence of states is compared to expected sequences of states to determine what, if any, errors have occurred. If the real-time system, such as a transceiver in a communication system, has adaptive components, the status of the adaptive components is used to estimate the condition of any external systems coupled to the real-time system.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 31, 2010
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Oscar E. Agazzi, Kenneth Phan Hung, David I. Sorensen
  • Patent number: 7912449
    Abstract: Within a local region, information may be communicated between two or more wireless multimode communication devices (WMCD) comprising 60 GHz band and lower frequency band wireless interfaces. Spatial relationships between devices may vary. The 60 GHz interface may handle location determination operations and data transfers. The lower frequency band may support WPAN, WLAN and may handle coordination of communications and data transfers. The WMCDs may be coupled with a network. Antennas may be directional. Moreover, the spatial orientation of the antennas may be dynamically modified or swept across a specified angle. Furthermore, intelligent and/or adaptive antenna systems may be utilized. The WMCDs may utilize a position and/or time reference system to aid in location determination operations.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Christopher J. Hansen, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Patent number: 7912220
    Abstract: Aspects of the present invention may be found in one or more systems and/or methods to encapsulate or packetize non-MPEG and MPEG data. The encapsulation or packetization allows both the non-MPEG and MPEG data to be utilized by a set-top-box that conforms or complies with the OpenCable™ Advanced Multi-Stream POD Interface Specification and/or the OpenCable™ Multi-Stream CableCARD Interface Specification. In one embodiment, a method of processing video data, by a set-top-box that is communicatively coupled to a POD card, comprises receiving video data from a provider, first packetizing the video data using a first header to generate a first packet, wherein the first header comprises a first indicator. In one embodiment, a system for providing MPEG and non-MPEG video to a subscriber comprises a circuitry and a POD card capable of receiving, processing, and facilitating the display of non-MPEG and MPEG data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 16, 2004
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Kevin Patariu, Dan Simon, Francis Cheung
  • Patent number: 7912728
    Abstract: An audio codec in a baseband processor may be utilized for mixing audio signals received at a plurality of data sampling rates. The mixed audio signals may be up sampled to a very large sampling rate, and then down sampled to a specified sampling rate that is compatible with a Bluetooth-enabled device by utilizing an interpolator in the audio codec. The down-sampled signals may be communicated to Bluetooth-enabled devices, such as Bluetooth headsets, or Bluetooth-enabled devices with a USB interface. The interpolator may be a linear interpolator for which the audio codec may enable generation of triggering and/or coefficient signals based on the specified output sampling rate. An interpolation coefficient may be generated based on a base value associated with the specified output sampling rate. The audio codec may enable selecting the specified output sampling rate from a plurality of rates.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Hongwei Kong, Nelson Sollenberger, Li Fung Chang, Claude Hayek, Taiyi Cheng
  • Patent number: 7911958
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, a method may include receiving a token count units instruction, periodically increasing or decreasing a token count based at least in part on a refresh rate, and in response to receiving a packet, decreasing or increasing the token count based at least in part on a size of the packet and the instruction.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 13, 2008
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Eric Baden, Jeff Dull
  • Patent number: 7912310
    Abstract: A system and method that scale a first image to a second image. The scaling factor between the first image and the second image may be used to determine the number of pixels from the first image to be used to produce a pixel of the second image. The number of pixels from the first image may be utilized to pre-compute coefficients of a filter to be applied to the pixels from the first image. The location of the pixels from the first image relative to the pixels of the second image may be utilized to compute the filter coefficients. The coefficients may be computed using a Sinc function. The predetermined coefficients may be organized according to the order in which the pixels from the first image are to be processed to produce the second image.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 22, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Yong Yu
  • Patent number: 7912016
    Abstract: A packet-based, hierarchical communication system, arranged in a spanning tree configuration, is described in which wired and wireless communication networks exhibiting substantially different characteristics are employed in an overall scheme to link portable or mobile computing devices. The network accommodates real time voice transmission both through dedicated, scheduled bandwidth and through a packet-based routing within the confines and constraints of a data network. Conversion and call processing circuitry is also disclosed which enables access devices and personal computers to adapt voice information between analog voice stream and digital voice packet formats as proves necessary. Routing pathways include wireless spanning tree networks, wide area networks, telephone switching networks, internet, etc., in a manner virtually transparent to the user.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 18, 2005
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Joseph J. Kubler, Michael D. Morris
  • Patent number: 7911388
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for a configurable antenna in an integrated circuit package are provided. In a hybrid circuit comprising an integrated circuit bonded to a multi-layer package, one or more antenna parameters may be adjusted by configuring a plurality of antenna elements via one or more switching elements. In this regard, the antenna elements and/or the switching elements may be within and/or on the multi-layer package and/or within the integrated circuit. The switching elements may be MEMS switches on and/or within the IC and/or the multi-layer package. The IC may be bonded or mounted to the underside of the package and signals may be communicated between the IC and the package via one or more solder balls. The IC may comprise suitable logic, circuitry, and/or code for configuring the antenna elements. The antenna elements may be configured based on desired polarization, antenna gain, and/or frequency.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7912428
    Abstract: A system and method providing variable-frequency IF conversion in a multimode communication device. Various aspects of the present invention provide a multimode communication device comprising at least one RF signal receiver adapted to receive at least a first RF signal corresponding to a first communication protocol and a second RF signal corresponding to a second communication protocol. A controllable frequency source may, for example, be adapted to output a mixing signal characterized by one of a plurality of selectable frequencies. Such selectable frequencies may, for example, comprise a first frequency corresponding to the first communication protocol and a second frequency corresponding to the second communication protocol. A mixer may, for example, receive a received RF signal from the RF signal receiver, receive a mixing signal from the controllable frequency source, and convert the received RF signal to an IF signal utilizing the received mixing signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2006
    Date of Patent: March 22, 2011
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Ahmadreza Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20110064173
    Abstract: Multi-band single-carrier modulation. A novel approach is presented by which interference compensation may be performed for signals received by a piconet operable device. The piconet operable device may be implemented within a region that includes two or more SOPs (Simultaneously Operating Piconets). Estimation of the level and location of interference is performed and the input to a decoder (within the piconet operable device) is selectively weighted to ensure that the effect of any existent interference within the signal received by the piconet operable device is minimized. Different interference levels are dealt with differently. For one example, portions of the received signal having undergone a large amount of interference may be simply treated as erasures with respect to the input the decoder. For another example, portions of the received signal having undergone some smaller degree of interference, but some interference nonetheless, may be de-weighted before being provided to the decoder.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 8, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventor: Eric J. Ojard
  • Publication number: 20110067083
    Abstract: An integrated receiver with channel selection and image rejection substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. A receiver front end provides programmable attenuation and a programmable gain low noise amplifier. Frequency conversion circuitry advantageously uses LC filters integrated onto the substrate in conjunction with image reject mixers to provide sufficient image frequency rejection. Filter tuning and inductor Q compensation over temperature are performed on chip. The filters utilize multi track spiral inductors. The filters are tuned using local oscillators to tune a substitute filter, and frequency scaling during filter component values to those of the filter being tuned. In conjunction with filtering, frequency planning provides additional image rejection. The advantageous choice of local oscillator signal generation methods on chip is by PLL out of band local oscillation and by direct synthesis for in band local oscillator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 16, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Pieter Vorenkamp, Klaas Bult, Frank Carr, Christopher M. Ward, Ralph Duncan, Tom W. Kwan, James Y.C. Chang, Haideh Khorramabadi
  • Publication number: 20110063020
    Abstract: A system and method for controlling performance and/or power based on monitored performance characteristics. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first circuit module that receives electrical power. A second circuit module may monitor one or more performance characteristics of the first circuit module and/or the integrated circuit. A third circuit module may, for example, determine power control information based at least in part on the monitored performance characteristic(s). The power control information may be communicated to power supply circuitry to control various characteristics of the electrical power. Various aspects of the present invention may also comprise an integrated circuit comprising a first module that monitors at least one performance characteristic of a first electrical device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Neil Y. Kim, Pieter Vorenkamp
  • Publication number: 20110064040
    Abstract: Group identification and definition employing look up table (LUT) within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. A LUT provides a very concise representation of the relationship between group IDs and various subsets of wireless communication devices. Each respective group ID can correspond to more than one subset of wireless communication devices, and each when included within corresponding subsets, a given wireless communication device occupies a common, respective location (e.g., first location, second location, etc.) within each of those corresponding subsets. When a received multi-user packet (e.g.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 19, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Joonsuk Kim, Eric J. Ojard
  • Publication number: 20110064005
    Abstract: Embodiments of a four-port isolation module are presented herein. In an embodiment, the isolation module includes a step-up autotransformer comprising a first and second winding that are electrically coupled in series at a center node. The first port of the isolation module is configured to couple an antenna to a first end node of the series coupled windings. The second port of the isolation module is configured to couple a balancing network to a second end node of the series coupled windings. The third port is configured to couple a transmit path to the center node. The fourth port is configured to couple a differential receive path across the first end node and the second end node. The isolation module effectively isolates the third port from the fourth port to prevent strong outbound signals received at the third port from saturating an LNA coupled to the fourth port.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mohyee Mikhemar, Hooman Darabi
  • Publication number: 20110066746
    Abstract: A system and method in a media server for synchronizing media delivery sessions to a plurality of media players that are receiving the same media content. The method includes determining, for a group of the plurality of media players, to deliver streamed media in a synchronized manner through a multicast transmission based on at least one media player and network information. Once media transmission scheduling has occurred, the method includes modifying scheduling for outgoing content to change at least some content from unicast to multicast transmissions, or vice-versa based upon subsequently received media playback performance data and network performance data. Unicast and multicast content can be transmitted to a media player at the same time in one embodiment. Generally, scheduling is performed to avoid having a media player wait for content.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 14, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: JAMES D. BENNETT, JEYHAN KARAOGUZ
  • Publication number: 20110063979
    Abstract: Various example embodiments are disclosed. According to an example embodiment, an apparatus may include a switch fabric. The switch fabric may be configured to assign packets to either a first flow set or a second flow set based on fields included in the packets. The switch fabric may also be configured to send a first packet from the first flow set to a first flow set destination via a first path. The switch fabric may also be configured to determine, based at least in part on delays of the first path and a second path, whether sending a second packet from the first flow set to the first flow set destination via a second path will result in the second packet reaching the first flow set destination after the first packet reaches the first flow set destination, the second packet having been received by the router after the first packet.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 22, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Brad Matthews, Bruce Kwan, Mohan Kalkunte
  • Publication number: 20110063148
    Abstract: Imbalance and distortion cancellation for composite analog to digital converter (ADC). Such an ‘ADC’ is implemented using two or more ADCs may be employed for sampling (e.g., quantizing, digitizing, etc.) of an analog (e.g., continuous time) signal in accordance with generating a digital (e.g., discrete time) signal. Using at least two ADCs allows for the accommodation and sampling of various signals having a much broader dynamic range without suffering degradation in signal to noise ratio (SNR). Generally, the signal provided via at least one of the paths corresponding to at least one of the respective ADCs is scaled (e.g., attenuated), so that the various ADCs effectively sample signals of different magnitudes. The ADCs may respectively correspond to different magnitude and/or power levels (e.g., high power, lower power, any intermediary power level, etc.). Various implementations of compensation may be performed along the various paths corresponding to the respective ADCs.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 18, 2010
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Thomas J. Kolze, Bruce J. Currivan, Ramon Gomez, Loke Tan, Lin He
  • Publication number: 20110064129
    Abstract: A variable frame rate capture system and video encoder captures sequences of video frames at multiple frame rates depending upon the differences between the prior neighboring frames, and a video encoder encodes and time stamps the video frames to produce variable frame rate video stream. Another device receives sequences of video frames and a variable frame rate video encoder groups them, selectively discards some video frames of sequential groups depending upon the differences between the prior neighboring frames, and encodes and time stamps the video frames to produce variable frame rate video stream. Another device includes a variable rate video encoder that encodes and time stamps the video frames to produce variable frame rate video stream.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 22, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: James D. Bennett, Jeyhan Karaoguz
  • Publication number: 20110064004
    Abstract: Embodiments of an RF front-end are presented herein. In an embodiment, the RF front end comprises a power amplifier (PA), a noise-matched low-noise amplifier (LNA), a balance network, and a four-port isolation module. A first port of the isolation module is coupled to an antenna. The second port of the isolation module is coupled to the balancing network. The third port is coupled an output of the PA. The fourth port is coupled to a differential input of the noise-matched LNA. The isolation module effectively isolates the third port from the fourth port to prevent strong outbound signals received at the third port from saturating the LNA coupled to the fourth port. Isolation is achieved via electrical balance. In an embodiment, the signal path coupling the antenna at the first port to the differential input of the LNA at the fourth port is shorter than a wavelength of the inbound signal received by the antenna.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Mohyee MIKHEMAR, Hooman DARABI
  • Publication number: 20110065423
    Abstract: A cellular telephone or other wireless communications device supports association with a third party sponsor other than a network operator. The device establishes default user interface settings for the user interface consistent with association with the network operator. The device then determines a desired association with one or more third party sponsors. Based upon the desired association, the device retrieve third party sponsor settings. The device then alters its user interface settings based upon the third party sponsor settings, wherein the altered user interface settings differ from the default user interface settings. The device then communicates with a third party sponsor server computer via the communications interface to exchange information relating to operation of the cellular telephone. Multiple third party sponsors could share access to the user interface. The third party sponsor may be a business, a group of individuals, or another entity.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 25, 2009
    Publication date: March 17, 2011
    Applicant: BROADCOM CORPORATION
    Inventors: Jeyhan Karaoguz, James D. Bennett