Abstract: A transceiver comprising a plurality of components coupled to one another to form a transmit path and a receive path and a balun. The balun comprises a primary inductor, two pairs of secondary inductors and switched impedance modules. The primary inductor is configured to couple to the communications medium at an unbalanced port end. The two pairs of secondary inductors are each configured to electromagnetically couple with the primary inductor and each providing an associated one of two balanced, ports coupled to components forming the transmit path and the receive path. The switched impedance modules are each coupled to a corresponding one of the two pairs of secondary inductors to switchably split into a virtual open, one pair of secondary inductors associated with an inactive, one of the balanced ports and to couple another pair of secondary inductors associated with an active one of the balanced ports either to each other or to a virtual ground.

Abstract: Interference cognitive devices are described. An interference cognitive device can be collocated with a transmitter of an interference cognitive transmitter (ICT), as receive chains or portions thereof at the ICT. An interference cognitive device can also be remote with respect to the transmitter, which operates in an interference cognitive network and receives data directly or indirectly from the interference cognitive device. The ICT uses the data to mitigate interference while continuing to operate in accordance with a performance metric.

Abstract: A wireless access point configured to support a wireless home network among multiple wireless devices contending with one another for access to a shared wireless communication medium. The wireless access point comprises a link monitor and a link manager. The link monitor monitors communication links with each of the wireless devices and for detects oversubscription of the wireless communication medium by the communication links. The link manager couples to the link monitor and is responsive to an oversubscription indication therefrom to arbitrate access to the shared wireless communication medium among the contending wireless devices.

Abstract: A wireless device with multiple antennae and configured to support orthogonal frequency-division multiplexed (OFDM), multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communications of a wireless local area network (LAN) among multiple wireless devices over a shared wireless communication medium on a shared communication channel. The wireless access device comprises: a mixed-mode MIMO detector configured to allocate a mix of linear and non-linear MIMO detectors among received OFDM sub-channels of the shared communication channel, thereby reducing a level of complexity associated with reception of MIMO streams exclusively via non-linear MIMO detectors.

Abstract: Adjusting a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) or more generally, Layer One parameters, for a data packet based on packet information and priority is disclosed. The packet information can typically be extracted from the packet's header. Considering packet-specific information enables cross-layer optimization that can include consideration of packet error rate (PER) constraints, delay constraints, relative importance of packets within a data stream, beamforming (e.g., off or on, implicit or explicit—longer distances are more likely to merit implicit beamforming) constraints, and aggregation as a function of MCS or channel condition (more aggregation is generally desirable for higher MCS or better channels), to name several examples. It is also possible to differentiate drop probability based on the importance of frames like anchor frames, etc.

Abstract: A diagnostic apparatus including a signal analyzer and a throughput projector for diagnosing a wireless home network. The signal analyzer analyzes wireless communication parameters at identifiable locations within a coverage area associated with the wireless home network. The throughput projector projects wireless throughput levels for at least one proposed wireless device differing in communication capabilities from the diagnostic apparatus at each of the identifiable locations, based on the communication parameters analyzed by the signal analyzer together with parameters which identify relative differences in communication capabilities of the diagnostic apparatus and the at least one proposed wireless device.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and apparatuses related to the routing of communications in a wireless mesh network so as to provide improved range, reliability and/or throughput. At least some aspects of the techniques and apparatuses can be implemented in an intermediary node (relay node) on a wireless mesh network. The relay node and other devices on the wireless network may implement a form of multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication, such as multi-user MIMO (MU-MIMO). The devices on the network can communicate in accordance with IEEE standard 802.11.

Abstract: Wireless devices capable of one or more of extended multiple input multiple output (MIMO), dual bonded, and dual concurrent operation are disclosed. Methods for switching between the operational states for wireless devices capable of multiple operational states are also disclosed.

Abstract: A technique for expanding the range of coverage for a wireless local area network (WLAN) involves locating a wireless access point (WAP) away from an interworking unit (IWU) at the edges of the WLAN and a (typically) wired network. The WAP, when located away from the IWU, can be referred to as an untethered access point (UAP) because it communicates with the IWU on a wireless channel. Stations on the WLAN will be capable of communicating with the WAP, whether or not it is a UAP, via a known or convenient wireless protocol, such as Wi-Fi, and may or may not be capable of communicating with one another via a direct station-to-station protocol.

Abstract: A technique involves using a fast Fourier transform (FFT) module to transform multiple different types of signals. This may be accomplished using one or more of three techniques: logic within the FFT module can enable different processing depending upon a processing state, the FFT module can be called iteratively to transform a signal that is larger than the FFT implemented in the FFT module, the FFT module can be used for parallel transformation of multiple signals that are smaller than the FFT implemented in the FFT module. Thus, a single FFT module can be used to transform a first type of signal (e.g., WIFI) and a second type of signal (e.g., GPS) if configured according to the technique.

Abstract: A geolocation utilization manager for managing wireless local area networks (WLAN) each supporting wireless communications between an associated access point node and associated station nodes on a corresponding one of a plurality of communication channels. The geolocation utilization manager for aggregating channel utilization information from the WLANs, and consolidating channel usage between neighboring underutilized ones of the WLANs, thereby maximizing utilization of a shared channel between neighboring underutilized ones of the WLANs. Whereby underutilized neighboring WLANs otherwise utilizing unique channels instead share a single channel, thereby freeing up other communication channels across an available WiFi, IEEE 802.11 or other such spectrum.

Abstract: Interference cognitive devices are described. An interference cognitive device can be collocated with a transmitter of an interference cognitive transmitter (ICT), as receive chains or portions thereof at the ICT. An interference cognitive device can also be remote with respect to the transmitter, which operates in an interference cognitive network and receives data directly or indirectly from the interference cognitive device. The ICT uses the data to mitigate interference while continuing to operate in accordance with a performance metric.

Abstract: A technique for processing received signals in multiple-antenna systems. Received signals from the different antennas may be amplified by a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) and time-multiplexed by a switch to form a single analog signal. The time-multiplexed analog signal is down-converted and processed using a single RF chain for each signal component. This may result in an N-fold decrease in hardware in multiple antenna receiver systems.

Abstract: A method and apparatus to select the best channel of a wireless network for data communication at any given time, during normal operation of the network, is described. The network may be an IEEE standard 802.11 compliant network. Channel scanning may be performed in any station on the wireless network, such as an access point (AP) or a mobile station, or both. Channel scanning may be performed during data communication idle time, or simultaneously with data communication on the network. The technique can be implemented in a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) communication system, where the antenna or antennas used for channel scanning can be selected dynamically during operation, to optimize one or more performance characteristics.

Abstract: A technique for low-density parity-check (LDPC) coding involves utilizing a fixed point implementation in order to reduce or eliminate reliance on floating point operations. The fixed point implementation can be used to calculate check node extrinsic L-value as part of an LDPC decoder in an LDPC system. The technique can include one or more of linear approximations, offset approximations, and node-limiting approximation. A system constructed according to the technique implements one or more of linear approximations, offset approximations, and node-limiting approximation.

Abstract: Interference cognitive devices are described. An interference cognitive device can be collocated with a transmitter of an interference cognitive transmitter (ICT), as receive chains or portions thereof at the ICT. An interference cognitive device can also be remote with respect to the transmitter, which operates in an interference cognitive network and receives data directly or indirectly from the interference cognitive device. The ICT uses the data to mitigate interference while continuing to operate in accordance with a performance metric.

Abstract: Adjusting a Modulation and Coding Scheme (MCS) or more generally, Layer One parameters, for a data packet based on packet information and priority is disclosed. The packet information can typically be extracted from the packet's header. Considering packet-specific information enables cross-layer optimization that can include consideration of packet error rate (PER) constraints, delay constraints, relative importance of packets within a data stream, beamforming (e.g., off or on, implicit or explicit—longer distances are more likely to merit implicit beamforming) constraints, and aggregation as a function of MCS or channel condition (more aggregation is generally desirable for higher MCS or better channels), to name several examples. It is also possible to differentiate drop probability based on the importance of frames like anchor frames, etc.

Abstract: Several adaptive techniques are described to combat interference in multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) systems. In addition to adaptive frequency selection, interference suppression techniques for a selected carrier frequency are presented. The interference suppression technique can be adaptively selected based on the availability and quality of channel state information (CSI) and interference statistics. Techniques to estimate interference statistics are also presented. Interference mitigation techniques are also presented for automatic gain control (AGC), intermittent interference, and interference caused to other networks.

Abstract: A low complexity primary user detection system is disclosed. Signals are filtered to reduce the number of signals that must be processed. Width and PRI of the signals are used to match a constellation associated with a primary user. If the constellation is matched, communication parameters are adjusted to make way for the primary user.

Abstract: A technique for efficient power amplification includes providing multiple baseband signals to an amplifier. The signals may be converted to RF and combined through one or more impedance inverters.