Abstract: A system and method for secure biometric identification. The inventive system includes a mobile unit and a server. The mobile unit is adapted to receive biometric input and provide a first signal in response thereto. In the illustrative implementation, the mobile unit is a Personal Digital Assistant (PDA) and the biometric input is provided by a fingerprint sensor mounted thereon. A first transceiver is mounted on the PDA for transmitting the first signal and receiving a second signal in response thereto. The PDA is adapted to encrypt the first signal and decrypt the second signal. A secure device is mounted at the PDA. The secure device has two modes of operation: a first locked mode by which access thereto is prohibited and a second unlocked mode by which access thereto is enabled on receipt of the second signal. In the illustrative implementation, the secure device is an encrypted database for which the second signal is a decryption key.

Abstract: A traffic prioritization system and method performs a coarse classification of upstream bursts at the physical interface of a wireless communications device. The wireless device monitors and controls communications with a plurality of remote wireless communications devices throughout a widely distributed network, including the Internet. The traffic prioritization system includes a burst receiver that receives and sends the upstream bursts to a classifier. At an appropriate time, the classifier receives the upstream bursts and queries a priority lookup table (LUT) to determine a priority classification. The priority classification is used to separate the bursts into two or more priority levels. The higher priority level is used to designate services having a low tolerance for delay, such as telephony. Upon classification, the upstream bursts are forwarded to one of several priority queues. Each priority queue corresponds to at least one priority level.

Abstract: A method to reduce transmitted output power and the battery consumption is provided. This involves first determining the required output level. The amplitude of the input signal provided to a PA driver may be based on the required output power level. This amplitude may be set by a PGA. A number of cascode bias signals are also provided to the PA driver. These cascode bias signals are based on the required output power level as well. Reducing the cascode bias signals by enabling/disabling circuits within the PA driver allows power consumption of the wireless device to be reduced.

Abstract: A bandpass filter includes a plurality of resonators. An input pin is connected to a first resonator of the plurality of resonators. An output pin is connected to a second resonator of the plurality of resonators. The first and second resonators are magnetically coupled to each other. The first and second resonators are coupled to other resonators using mixed coupling. The other resonators are coupled to each other using electric coupling.

Abstract: A metal-insulator-metal (MIM) capacitor is made according to a copper dual-damascene process. A first copper or copper alloy metal layer if formed on a substrate. A portion of the first metal layer is utilized as the lower plate of the MIM capacitor. An etch stop dielectric layer is used during etching of subsequent layers. A portion of an etch stop layer is not removed and is utilized as the insulator for the MIM capacitor. A second copper or copper alloy metal layer is later formed on the substrate. A portion of the second metal layer is utilized as the upper plate of the MIM capacitor.

Abstract: A Viterbi decoding demapping scheme for a wireless communications device processor substantially implemented on a single CMOS integrated circuit is described. By using log and antilog techniques, simplified multiplication and division operations in the branch metric calculation may be performed. A fully integrated receiver circuit with Viterbi decoder with branch metric computation consumes less circuit space and power than conventional solutions.

Abstract: A radio frequency integrated circuit includes a transmitter section, and a receiver section. The receiver section includes a low noise amplifier, down conversion module, an orthogonal-normalizing module, and a baseband processor. The low noise amplifier is operably coupled to amplify the inbound RF signals to produce amplified inbound signals. The down conversion module is operably coupled to convert the amplified inbound RF signals into baseband in-phase components and baseband quadrature components. The orthogonal normalizing module is operably coupled to obtain a 1st and 2nd coefficients that are based on at least one of power of the baseband in-phase components, power of the baseband quadrature components, and/or cross-correlation between the baseband in-phase component and baseband quadrature components.

Abstract: The present invention relates to a transceiver for bidirectional frequency division multiplexed transmission, a communication system including one or more transceivers. Optionally, the communication system is a communication system for a digital subscriber line. The transceiver comprises transmission means with a voltage source output or a current source output for transmitting data in a transmission frequency range, receiving means for receiving data in a receiving frequency range, and a coupling impedance for connecting the transmission means and the receiving means to a transmission medium. The magnitude of the coupling impedance in the transmission frequency range is smaller than the magnitude of the coupling impedance in the receiving frequency range if the transmission means has a voltage source output and is higher than the magnitude of the coupling impedance in the receiving frequency range if the transmission means has a current source output.

Abstract: A radio frequency integrated circuit (RFIC) includes a die and a package. The die includes a radio frequency (RF) input/output (I/O) section, an RF to baseband conversion section, and a baseband processing section. The package includes a ball grid array and an antenna. The antenna is located on one edge of the package and the solder balls of the ball grid array proximal to the antenna are used to couple the RF I/O section of the die to the antenna.

Abstract: A hand held radio host includes circuitry for selectively providing power to radiating transceiver elements and non-radiating application elements according to a plurality of power modes of operation to achieve desired effects and in a way that saves power and extends battery life. In one embodiment of the invention, the hand held host operates in one of three modes. In a full power mode, any selected application element, as well as all transceiver elements, are powered on at the same time. Thus, for example, a cell phone module, a wireless personal access network module, a wireless local area network module, and one of a pager/short message service message module may all be powered on at the same time to receive corresponding messages, calls, data sessions, etc.

Abstract: In a method and apparatus for communicating data, a decision feedback equalizer equalizes received data to reduce channel related distortion in the received data. An extracted clock signal is generated from the equalized data. The phase of the extracted clock signal may be adjusted to compensate for processing delay during equalization of the received data. The extracted clock signal may be used to clock a retimer of the decision feedback equalizer to generate recovered data.

Abstract: A low complexity, robust speech/music classifier useful for performing frame loss concealment (FLC) in an audio decoder or for other applications are described. The classifier uses a feature set that is to a large extent common to audio decoders and frame loss concealment (FLC) systems. The classifier uses running averages to eliminate feature set buffering. Classification is performed using a simple parameter normalization and sum scheme that consumes an insignificant number of processor cycles and an insignificant amount of memory. An advanced energy tracker is integrated within the classifier to provide robust classification in the presence of noise.

Abstract: A system and method for meeting performance goals in an electronic system in an energy efficient manner. Various aspects of the present invention may comprise operating an electrical circuit at a current level of performance and a current level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a current set of power characteristics (e.g., utilizing a power control module). The current level of performance may be determined (e.g., by a performance monitor) and compared to a desired level of performance (e.g., by the power control module). If the current level of performance is higher than the desired level of performance, then the electrical circuit may be operated at a next (e.g., lower) level of performance and a next (e.g., higher) level of energy efficiency by providing the electrical circuit with electrical power characterized by a next set of power characteristics.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a device to reduce the voltage swing for control signals. An input signal with a maximum potential of DVDD and minimum potential of AVSS is level shifted to a maximum potential of AVDD and a minimum potential of AVDD-DVDD. A series of control signals are generated from the level shifted input signal by standard logic cells. The shifting of the input signal reduces the voltage swing for the control signals. These control signals are then used to drive a device operating at a potential of AVDD.

Abstract: A radio frequency identification (RFID) interface includes first coil, a plurality of coils, and a control module. The first coil is associated with an RFID tag and the plurality of coils is associated with an RFID reader. Each of the plurality of coils has a different orientation with respect to at least one axis of a multi-dimensional axis system. The control module is coupled to enable at least one of the plurality of coils based on electro-magnetic coupling between the first coil and the least one of the plurality of coils.

Abstract: Switching between communication ports of a notebook is typically accomplished using an off-chip local area network (LAN) switch or an off-chip high speed analog multiplexer. This off-chip component is disadvantageous for several reasons, including: added cost of an additional component; increased overall power consumption because transmit amplitude loss; and reduced cable reach and link performance due to hybrid mismatch and signal distortions. To reduce cost and preserve electrical and networking performance, an integrated switch is provided to multiplex signals of a networking communication chip to multiple network paths.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for communicating between devices is described. In one embodiment, the method comprises allowing a mobile station to have a first connection to a network over a first interface and determining that the mobile station is attempting to have a second connection to the network over a second interface other than the first interface.

Abstract: An audio decoding system performs frame loss concealment (FLC) when portions of a bit stream representing an audio signal are lost within the context of a digital communication system. The audio decoding system employs two different FLC methods: one designed to perform well for music, and the other designed to perform well for speech. When a frame is deemed lost, the audio decoding system analyzes a previously-decoded audio signal corresponding to previously-decoded frames of an audio bit-stream. Based on the results of the analysis, the lost frame is classified as either speech or music. Using this classification, other signal analysis, and knowledge of the employed FLC methods, the audio decoding system selects the appropriate FLC method which then performs FLC on the lost frame.

Abstract: A system includes at least one adaptive filter coupled to a first communication channel and at least one other communications channel. The at least one adaptive filter includes at least one set of adaptive filter coefficients. A memory stores at least one predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds. The filter coefficient thresholds may be indicative of channel faults, channel to channel faults or a length of the channel. A controller is configured to compare the set of filter coefficients to the predetermined set of filter coefficient thresholds. The controller is configured to determine the information about the channels based on compare results.

Abstract: A differential preamplifier includes an active load with adjustable common-mode output level. The active load includes a transistor pair, a resistor pair, and a current source. The transistor load is employed to provide high gain, low offset, and a large bandwidth for the differential preamplifier. The resistor pair and current source are used to increase the common-mode output level of the differential preamplifier and to bias the transistor load. The current source can be varied to provide an adjustable common-mode output level suitable for driving next stage devices. The active load design allows the differential preamplifier to operate using only low power voltage supplies and with small-sized transistors.