Abstract: A wireless (radio) receiver receives RF signals carrying data synchronized with a first clock. The wireless receiver demodulates the RF signals to extract the data signals and the first clock signals. The wireless receiver uses the first clock signals as write signals to write the data signals in a first-in first-out memory device (FIFO). The data signals stored in the FIFO may be read out with read signals synchronized to a second clock. In one example, a host associated with the wireless receiver reads out data signals stored in the FIFO with read signals synchronized to the system clock of the host receiver. In another example, the wireless receiver includes a data processing circuit (e.g., including forward error correction, de-whitening, and cyclical redundancy check circuits) that reads out data signals stored in the FIFO with read signals synchronized to the system clock of the wireless receiver.

Abstract: An output buffer includes first and second circuit portions coupled between input and output terminals. Each circuit portion includes a capacitive element; an output transistor having a gate coupled to the capacitive element, and a drain that drives a voltage at the output terminal; and a current generator configured to generate a charging current that is directed to the capacitive element responsive to a logic transition at the input terminal, wherein the charging current causes a substantially linear ramp voltage to form at the gate of the output transistor, whereby the ramp voltage controls a slew rate of the output terminal voltage.

Abstract: Provided is a method and system for transmitting MPEG frames between a DOCSIS based satellite modem termination system (SMTS) and a corresponding satellite modem (SM) system. The method includes identifying at least one data stream requiring transmission between the SMTS and the SM, the data stream including one or more MPEG frames. Next, the MPEG frames are organized within SMTS data queues based upon predetermined parameters and then transmitted based upon their organization within the data queues.

Abstract: An improved cell layout for a C3MOS circuit with inductive broadbanding positions the inductor at a distance from the active region to improve isolation and aligns the edges of the resistor, inductor, and transistor regions near the common edge of adjacent cells to decrease the length of the cell-to-cell interconnect lines.

Abstract: A graphics integrated circuit chip is used in a set-top box for controlling a television display. The graphics chip processes analog video input, digital video input, and graphics input. The chip includes a single polyphase filter that preferably provides both anti-flutter filtering and scaling of graphics. Anti-flutter filtering may help reduce display flicker due to the interlaced nature of television displays. The scaling of graphics may be used to convert the normally square pixel aspect ratio of graphics to the normally rectangular pixel aspect ratio of video.

Abstract: A method for parallel concatenated (Turbo) encoding and decoding. Turbo encoders receive a sequence of input data tuples and encode them. The input sequence may correspond to a sequence of an original data source, or to an already coded data sequence such as provided by a Reed-Soloman encoder. A turbo encoder generally comprises two or more encoders separated by one or more interleavers. The input data tuples may be interleaved using a modulo scheme in which the interleaving is according to some method (such as block or random interleaving) with the added stipulation that the input tuples may be interleaved only to interleaved positions having the same modulo-N (where N is an integer) as they have in the input data sequence. If all the input tuples are encoded by all encoders then output tuples can be chosen sequentially from the encoders and no tuples will be missed.

Abstract: A varactor folding technique reduces noise in controllable electronic oscillators through the use of a series of varactors having relatively small capacitance. A folding circuit provides control signals to the varactors in a sequential manner to provide a relatively smooth change in the total capacitance of the oscillator. Consequently, effective control of the oscillator is achieved with accompanying reductions in oscillator noise such as flicker noise.

Abstract: A method for dynamically regulating the power consumption of a high-speed integrated circuit which includes a multiplicity of processing blocks. A first metric and a second metric, which are respectively related to a first performance parameter and a second performance parameter of the integrated circuit, are defined. The first metric is set at a pre-defined value. Selected blocks of the multiplicity of processing blocks are disabled in accordance with a set of pre-determined patterns. The second metric is evaluated, while the disabling operation is being performed, to generate a range of values of the second metric. Each of the values corresponds to the pre-defined value of the first metric. A most desirable value of the second metric is determined from the range of values and is matched to a corresponding pre-determined pattern. The integrated circuit is subsequently operated with selected processing blocks disabled in accordance with the matching pre-determined pattern.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for providing local control of processing elements in a network of multiple context processing elements (MCPEs). A MCPE stores configuration memory contexts and maintains data of a current configuration. State information is received from at least one other MCPE. A configuration control signal is generated in response to the state information and current configuration data. A MCPE is selected in response to the configuration control signal to control the MCPE. Each MCPE in the networked array has an assigned physical and virtual identification. Data comprising control data, configuration data, an address mask, and a destination identification is transmitted to a MCPE. The transmitted address mask is applied to either a physical or a virtual identification, and to a destination identification. The masked physical or virtual identification is compared to the masked destination identification.

Abstract: A current source DAC has calibration of the current sources used for providing the analog output. There are two outputs, one of which provides the output current or else a differential output is provided. The calibration is cyclic and the current source outputs switched to the output terminals are selected as a function of the point within the calibration cycle. The current stage of the cyclic calibration process is thus taken into account in the D/A conversion. For example, the average time since calibration for all current sources having outputs switched to the first output may be approximately equal to the average time since calibration for all current sources having outputs switched to the second output. In this way, the average current of the cells switched to one terminal is identical to the average current of the cells switched to the other terminal, and the average current of the cells switched to each terminal remains constant in time irrespective of the digital signal value being converted.

Abstract: A signal-generated locator for locating at least one device can include a transmitter configured to transmit at least one first signal and a receiver configured to receive at least one second signal. In addition, the signal-generated locator can have a first processing unit configured to process the at least one second signal with respect to the at least one first signal, and a display unit configured to display information processed by the processing unit, wherein the information is related to at least one device.

Abstract: The present invention finds the optimum organization of compiled code within an application to ensure maximal cache efficiency. A configuration file specifies predefined cache, optimization, and application parameters. The cache parameters include a cache size, cache line size, set associativity, address-to-cache-line mapping algorithm, and set replacement algorithm. The optimization parameters specify the minimum acceptable efficiency level. The application parameters include a list of object modules and functions within those modules. All possible orderings of the modules are stepped through to determine where the specified functions fall within the cache given the location of the function within the module. The function locations in each permutation of the orderings are analyzed to find a solution that matches or beats the optimization parameters. In an embodiment, a front-end analysis program (“tool”) and a back-end processing stage, usually related to a linker, are provided.

Abstract: A central entity and/or a remote device in a communication system are designed to address the problem of maintaining upstream synchronization in the remote device after loss of the downstream signal. One issue of particular importance is maintaining upstream transmissions from the remote device in an S-CDMA (or perhaps S-TDMA) mode that do not degrade performance of the communication system via poor upstream timing or a need for re-ranging. By providing novel functionality at the central entity for synchronizing first and second downstream signals and/or by providing novel functionality at the remote device for determining a symbol clock offset between a first terminated downstream signal and a second re-acquired downstream signal, embodiments of the present invention facilitate maintenance of synchronization through the loss of the downstream signal, thereby minimizing the need for re-ranging and avoiding poorly timed upstream bursts.

Abstract: A system for dynamically adapting a communication channel to channel impairments includes a spectrum monitor configured to determine a channel impairment characteristic related to a channel impairment present in the channel. The system includes a system manager configured to determine a quality metric indicative of channel performance for the channel, and adjust one or more operating parameters in a set of channel operating parameters when the quality metric is not within a target range, whereby the communication channel operates in accordance with the adjusted parameters.

Abstract: A central entity and/or a remote device in a communication system are designed to address the problem of maintaining upstream synchronization in the remote device after loss of the downstream signal. One issue of particular importance is maintaining upstream transmissions from the remote device in an S-CDMA (or perhaps S-TDMA) mode that do not degrade performance of the communication system via poor upstream timing or a need for re-ranging. By providing novel functionality at the central entity for synchronizing first and second downstream signals and/or by providing novel functionality at the remote device for determining a symbol clock offset between a first terminated downstream signal and a second re-acquired downstream signal, embodiments of the present invention facilitate maintenance of synchronization through the loss of the downstream signal, thereby minimizing the need for re-ranging and avoiding poorly timed upstream bursts.

Abstract: A process of enabling and controlling access to a wireless hotspot by a wireless portable device is disclosed. An access request is sent, seeking access to a wireless hotspot, to an authenticating entity and response to the access request is awaited. Additional verification information is provided when requested by the wireless hotspot and wireless network data is exchanging between the wireless portable device and the wireless hotspot. Additionally, the access request includes an identifier used by the authenticating entity to authenticate the wireless portable device.

Abstract: A configuration device for configuring a wireless device within a wireless cell can include a receiving unit configured to receive a request message from a wireless device within a wireless cell. In addition, the configuration device can include a first processing unit configured to determine location information of the wireless device, and a second processing unit configured to determine a communication capacity of the wireless device, and to estimate a communication requirement based on the request message. Furthermore, the configuration device can have a transmitting unit configured to transmit optimal information to the wireless device with respect to the request message.

Abstract: A power control device for adjusting power output levels can include a transmitter configured to transmit at least one first signal, and a receiver configured to receive at least one second signal. In addition, the power control device can have a processing unit configured to determine at least one location information based on the first signal and the second signal, and a power adjusting unit configured to adjust a power output level corresponding to the at least one location information.

Abstract: A process of determining locations of and services offered by wireless hotspots is disclosed. Locations of and services offered by wireless hotspots, for wireless portable devices to wirelessly connect to a larger network, are requested from a selected one of a wireless telephone service provider and a nearby hotspot and a response is awaited from the selected one. Information regarding locations of and services offered by wireless hotspots is received from the selected one and data is provided to a user related to the received information.

Abstract: The present invention provides for a system for operating a communication device (20) for reception of scheduled intermittent information messages (22) with a dual mode timer (70) that extends battery life. A controller (50) schedules the timer (70) to power down all idle components of the device (20) between message receptions in a power saving sleep mode to conserve battery power. During active mode when the device is fully active in reception of messages, the timer (70) uses a reference oscillator (90) with a relatively high frequency to support digital processing by the receiver (26). During sleep mode when only the timer is powered on, a much lower frequency sleep oscillator (96) is used to maintain the lowest possible level of power consumption within the timer itself. The timer (70) has provision for automatic temperature calibration to compensate for timing inaccuracies inherent to the low-power low-frequency crystal oscillator (96) used for the sleep mode.