Abstract: A computer system comprises a host computer coupled to a wireless module via a digital interface. The wireless module permits the computer system to communicate with a wireless network. The host computer repeatedly polls the wireless module to determine whether it has received any incoming data from the wireless network, but preferably does not poll the wireless module all of the time. Periodic cessation of polling advantageously helps to extend battery life in the case of a host computer that operates off battery power. This concept, however, can be applied and is useful in the context of desktop electronic systems that operate from AC power.

Abstract: A system and method of using dynamic clock control to reduce RF interference in digital equipment is disclosed. In one embodiment, the digital equipment comprises a clock module, a wireless module, and a control module. The wireless module is designed to receive RF signals, but may also receive RF interference from the digital equipment. The control module responsively adjusts the clock module to reduce the RF interference, preferably by shifting clock signal harmonics outside selected frequency regions of interest (e.g., a receive channel). The selected frequency regions may change, e.g., due to channel hopping. The control module preferably continues to shift the clock signal harmonics as needed to reduce RF interference. The control module may also adjust display scan rates, hardware states, and computational load assignments. The control module may be further configured to adaptively minimize the RF interference.

Abstract: An availability analysis software tool for estimating the downtime and cost of downtime in an information technology network. The tool can create a computer element model of software and hardware components in the network. The elements are combinable into logical group models and element and group models are further combinable into a model tree to simulate the network. Each element is assigned a workload and the sum of element workloads determine group and model workloads. Simulated element failures reduce workload in the group and model tree. Cost per unit workload lost during an element failure are assignable, wherein the estimated cost of downtime caused by element failures is determined by multiplying the amount of workload that is lost from the simulated element failures by the cost per unit workload.