Abstract: A highly integrated and low-cost reader for a radio frequency identification (RFID) system is realized by providing a transmitter operable to generate an outbound radio frequency (RF) signal and a receiver operable to receive an inbound RF signal having a frequency similar to a frequency of the outbound RF signal on a single integrated circuit. Since the inbound RF signal may include not only a modulated RF signal produced by an RFID tag responsive to the outbound RF signal, but also a blocking signal corresponding to the outbound RF signal, the receiver additionally includes a block cancellation module operable to substantially cancel the blocking signal from the inbound RF signal using the outbound RF signal and to substantially pass the modulated RF signal before down-conversion of the modulated RF signal.

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 desired signal and interfering signal time domain training symbols and time domain data symbols.

Abstract: A transceiver for a RFID reader and a transceiver for a RFID transponder (tag) allow communication between the two devices. The RFID reader utilizes an analog front end and a digital backend. In the receiver portion of the transceiver, the front end of the RFID reader uses a pair of down-conversion mixers to demodulate a received signal into in-phase (I) and quadrature (Q) components and analog-to-digital converters (ADC) digitize the signal. A digital signal processor (DSP) in the back end processes the digital signal and uses a matched filter for data detection. The RFID tag receives an inductively coupled signal from the reader and the receiver portion of the tag uses a pulse/level detector that employs an analog comparator and a sample and hold circuit to detect the received signal. A digital decoder/controller is used to decode the incoming data and to establish a sampling clock for the pulse/level detector.

Abstract: Systems and methods that provide antenna selection in multi-antenna-element communication systems are provided. In one embodiment, a system that selects N antenna elements in an M-antenna-element transmitter or an M-antenna-element receiver, in which N is less than M, may include, for example, M antenna elements in the M-antenna-element transmitter or the M-antenna-element receiver; N RF chains; and a switch coupled to the N RF chains. The M-antenna-element receiver may determine a bit error rate for each possible N antenna element subset of the M antenna elements. The M-antenna-element receiver may determine the particular N antenna element subset with a lowest bit error rate. In response to the determination of the particular N antenna element subset with the lowest bit error rate, the switch may couple the N RF chains to the particular N antenna element subset with the lowest bit error rate.

Abstract: A method for successive interference cancellation in code division multiple access (CDMA) systems is provided that uses variable interferer weights. This method allows interfering signals to be cancelled in order to recover a transmitted data signal. This method involves receiving the data signal subject to interference from at least one interfering signal. A first interfering signal is identified. Then an interferer weight coefficient associated with the first interfering signal is generated. This allows the first interfering signal to be cancelled from the received data signal using the interferer weight coefficient. These processes may then be reiterated for other interfering signals. It is then possible to recover the transmitted data signal from the received data signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed to regulate an input voltage to provide a regulated output power. The regulated output power may include a smooth direct current (DC) component and an undesired alternating current (AC) component, the smooth DC component being an average of the regulated output power. A buck regulator module of the present invention regulates the smooth DC component to approximate a reference voltage. The buck regulator module additionally replicates the undesired AC component embedded within the regulated output power. A replicated undesired AC component is combined with the regulated output power to reduce the undesired AC component embedded within the output power.

Abstract: Systems and methods that prevent unauthorized access in a communications network are provided. In one embodiment, a system that prevents unauthorized access to a network device may include, for example, a network device and a headend. The headend may be coupled to a communications network. The network device may be deployed in a home environment and may be communicatively coupled to the communications network via the headend. The headend may be adapted, for example, to determine whether a request to access the network device is authorized.

Abstract: A media access control (MAC) security (MACsec) function block may implement MACsec protocols on a network. A physical layer device (PHY) may connect to the MACsec function block and an interface register configured to store command information for the MACsec function block. A central processing unit (CPU) may provide the command information for the MACsec function block to the PHY via a management data input/output (MDIO) bus. The PHY may execute either a read command or a write command against the MACsec function block based on the command information, receive, from the MACsec function block, a response corresponding to the execution of the read command or write command against the MACsec function block, and provide the response to the CPU via the MDIO bus.

Abstract: Systems and methods that interface with a management system are provided. In one embodiment, a system and a method may provide a command protocol and format for communication between a network interface card (NIC) and a management device such as, for example, an intelligent management device (IMD). An interface may be adapted to allow the management device to merge its traffic with that of the NIC to provide a fully integrated management solution. The fully integrated management solution may be implemented, for example, without additional network connections.

Abstract: Distributed signal field for communications within multiple user, multiple access, and/or MIMO wireless communications. In accordance with wireless communications, a signal (SIG) field employed within such packets is distributed or partitioned into at least two separate signal fields (e.g., SIG A and SIG B) that are located in different portions of the packet. A first of the SIG fields includes information that may be processed and decoded by all wireless communication devices, and a second of the SIG fields includes information that is specific to one or more particular wireless communication devices (e.g., a specific wireless communication device or a specific subset of the wireless communication devices). The precise locations of the at least first and second SIG fields within a packet may be varied, including placing a second of the SIG fields (e.g., including user-specific information) adjacent to and preceding a data field in the packet.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a processing module, a receiver section, a transmitter section, and an antenna system. The processing module is operable to generate tuning information and configuration information of a given wireless communication protocol. The receiver section is configurable in accordance with the configuration information to convert an inbound radio frequency (RF) signal into an inbound symbol stream in accordance with the tuning information. The transmitter section is configurable in accordance with the configuration information to convert an outbound symbol stream into an outbound RF signal in accordance with the turning information. The antenna system is operable to provide an antenna structure in accordance with the configuration information to transceive the inbound and outbound RF signals.

Abstract: A radio device that is capable of positioning itself within a broadcast radio system includes a receiver operable to receive a plurality of broadcast radio signals, each broadcast from a respective one of a plurality of broadcast radio signal sources. The radio device further includes processing circuitry operable to determine respective call station identification information for each of the broadcast radio signal sources from the broadcast radio signals, measure respective signal quality characteristics for each of the received broadcast radio signals, identify station position data associated with each of the broadcast radio signal sources from the respective call station identification information, and calculate a location of the radio device using the signal quality characteristics and station position data associated with at least three broadcast radio signal sources.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a method for fabricating a MIM capacitor in a semiconductor die includes forming a dielectric one segment over a substrate and a metal one segment over the dielectric one segment, where the metal one segment forms a lower electrode of the MIM capacitor. The method further includes forming a dielectric two segment over the dielectric one segment and a metal two segment over the dielectric two segment, where a portion of the metal two segment forms an upper electrode of the MIM capacitor. The metal one segment comprises a first gate metal. The metal two segment can comprise a second gate metal.

Abstract: According to one general aspect, an apparatus may include a clock channel, a shielding tunnel, and clock repeaters. In various embodiments, the clock channel may be configured to carry the clock signal, and may include a portion of a metal layer of an integrated circuit. In some embodiments, the shielding tunnel may be configured to shield, in at least four directions, the clock channel from other signals, and may include portions of a at least three metal layers of the integrated circuit. The shielding tunnel may be connected to the positive and negative supplies in order to provide the required power for the clock repeaters.

Abstract: According to one exemplary embodiment, a one-time programmable memory cell includes an access transistor coupled to a shiftable threshold voltage transistor between a bitline and a ground, where the access transistor has a gate coupled to a wordline. The shiftable threshold voltage transistor has a drain and a gate shorted together. A programming operation causes a permanent shift in a threshold voltage of the shiftable threshold voltage transistor to occur in response to a programming voltage on the bitline and the wordline. In one embodiment, the access transistor is an NFET while the shiftable threshold voltage transistor is a PFET. In another embodiment, the access transistor is an NFET and the shiftable threshold voltage transistor is also an NFET. The programming voltage can cause an absolute value of the threshold voltage to permanently increase by at least 50.0 millivolts.

Abstract: In an embodiment, an analog to digital converter (ADC) has a dynamic power circuit. The ADC has a track-and-hold circuit with an output and a track mode. The ADC also has a comparator with an input. A preamplifier is coupled between the track-and-hold output and the comparator input. At least one of a preamplifier current and a comparator current are limited during the track mode to reduce ADC power consumption.

Abstract: An integrated circuit includes a on-chip pressure sensing circuit that generates a pressure signal based on a pressure of the integrated circuit. A processing module, generates a control signal based on the pressure signal. An RF transceiver generates an outbound RF signal from outbound data and to generate inbound data from an inbound RF signal, based on the control signal.

Abstract: Methods and systems for reconfigurable soft-output bit demapping, reconfigurable for different modes of operation (i.e., different transmitter/receiver configurations) and for different modulation schemes are provided. In an embodiment, a reconfigurable soft-output bit demapping system includes a mode/modulation independent equalizer, a plurality of mode/modulation independent soft-slicers coupled to the outputs of the equalizer, a plurality of mode/modulation independent post-scalers coupled to the outputs of the soft-slicers, and a mode-dependent coefficient calculator. The coefficient calculator generates parameters for configuring the equalizer, the soft-slicers, and the post-scalers according to the used mode of operation and modulation scheme.

Abstract: A phase locked loop (PLL) includes a frequency detector and a type 1 PLL including a phase detector. The phase detector produces a phase error signal indicative of a difference in phase between a reference signal and a feedback signal, while the frequency detector produces a frequency error signal indicative of a difference in frequency between the reference signal and the feedback signal. Logic switches between the phase detector and the frequency detector based on the frequency error signal.

Abstract: A system and method is described that allows a PoE-capable switch to selectively provide power to one or more remote devices in an instance where power being supplied to the switch itself is limited or failing. In one embodiment, the switch receives a notification from an uninterruptable power supply (UPS) and, in response to receiving the notification, selectively provides power to one or more devices powered by the switch. Selectively providing power to one or more of the devices may include providing power to only a subset of the devices, providing a different amount of power to different ones of the devices, or providing power for different durations to different ones of the devices. In an alternate embodiment, in response to receiving the notification, the switch communicates with a remote device and causes the remote device to activate at least one power saving feature.