Abstract: The invention allows for a common integrated circuit PHY of a wireless modem to be used with different RF sections for making different modems by providing different RF adjustment interfaces. The RF adjustment interfaces can be provided by programmable hardware, and in some cases the same programmable hardware that is used for at least some of the MAC section of the modem.

Abstract: A wireless modem includes an RF module adapted to be connected to an antenna, comprising an intermediate frequency input and an intermediate frequency output, a PHY module receiving the intermediate frequency output and generating the intermediate frequency input, and a low level media access control (LL-MAC) module connected to the PHY and using a direct memory access (DMA) connection for data exchange with a high level media access control module (HL-MAC). A direct memory access (DMA) to computer bus interface module is adapted to be connected to the DMA connection of the LL-MAC and to a computer bus. The DMA interface module responds to the LL-MAC as memory and is adapted to cooperate with the HL-MAC connected to the computer bus. The architecture allows for a modem to be placed on a mini-PCI module with the HL-MAC residing in software on a host computer.

Abstract: There is provided a wireless modem PHY having a selectable IF signal format output, e.g. between baseband, complex IF and low IF.