Patents by Inventor Amal Ekbal

Amal Ekbal has filed for patents to protect the following inventions. This listing includes patent applications that are pending as well as patents that have already been granted by the United States Patent and Trademark Office (USPTO).

  • Patent number: 10257329
    Abstract: A wireless communications apparatus includes first/second data source/sinks that respectively source/sink PDCP SDU and MAC PDU for transfer to/from a memory unit and hardware accelerators controlled by a control processor (CP). In response to sourcing transmit PDCP SDU for transfer to the memory unit, the CP controls the hardware accelerators to generate and write PDCP, RLC, MAC headers to the memory unit and assemble the generated headers and the transmit PDCP SDU from the memory unit into transmit MAC PDU for provision to the second data sink. In response to sourcing receive MAC PDU for transfer to the memory unit, the CP controls the hardware accelerators to decode PDCP, RLC MAC headers of the receive MAC PDU in the memory unit to determine locations of receive PDCP SDU in the memory unit and fetch the receive PDCP SDU from the determined locations for provision to the first data sink.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Date of Patent: April 9, 2019
    Assignee: National Instruments Corporation
    Inventors: Ahsan Aziz, Amal Ekbal, Vincent Kotzsch
  • Publication number: 20190082040
    Abstract: A wireless communications apparatus includes first/second data source/sinks that respectively source/sink PDCP SDU and MAC PDU for transfer to/from a memory unit and hardware accelerators controlled by a control processor (CP). In response to sourcing transmit PDCP SDU for transfer to the memory unit, the CP controls the hardware accelerators to generate and write PDCP, RLC, MAC headers to the memory unit and assemble the generated headers and the transmit PDCP SDU from the memory unit into transmit MAC PDU for provision to the second data sink. In response to sourcing receive MAC PDU for transfer to the memory unit, the CP controls the hardware accelerators to decode PDCP, RLC MAC headers of the receive MAC PDU in the memory unit to determine locations of receive PDCP SDU in the memory unit and fetch the receive PDCP SDU from the determined locations for provision to the first data sink.
    Type: Application
    Filed: September 8, 2017
    Publication date: March 14, 2019
    Inventors: Ahsan AZIZ, Amal EKBAL, Vincent KOTZSCH
  • Patent number: 9854552
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to detection of wireless signals. In some embodiments, a method includes generating an autocorrelation result for a training field in a received wireless message, generating differentiation information based on the autocorrelation result, and determining that one or more signal recognition criteria are met. In some embodiments, the signal recognition criteria include a first criterion that a first peak in the differentiation information satisfies a first threshold for at least a first time interval. In some embodiments, the signal recognition criteria include one or more additional criteria, including a second criterion that a second peak in the differentiation information satisfies a second threshold for at least a second time interval, wherein the first and second peaks have different polarities and/or a third criterion that the first peak corresponds to an autocorrelation result value that is below a particular autocorrelation threshold.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Max Koehler, Achim Nahler, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 9582342
    Abstract: A communication device and associated method which is configured to utilize an API constraint language for communication of resource constraints between different layers of a communication stack. A first layer of the communication stack executing in a first communication device may receive application programming interface (API) messages from a second layer of the communication stack also executing in the first communication device. In addition, the first layer may receive resource constraints with the one or more API messages. These one or more resource constraints may be generated by the second layer, or other software executing in the communication device. The first layer may then execute communication functions based on the API messages and subject to the resource constraints. The resource constraints may affect usage of hardware and/or software resources of the first communication device during execution of the communication functions.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Date of Patent: February 28, 2017
    Assignee: NATIONAL INSTRUMENTS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Rohit Gupta, Nikhil U. Kundargi, Amal Ekbal, Achim Nahler
  • Publication number: 20160374042
    Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to detection of wireless signals. In some embodiments, a method includes generating an autocorrelation result for a training field in a received wireless message, generating differentiation information based on the autocorrelation result, and determining that one or more signal recognition criteria are met. In some embodiments, the signal recognition criteria include a first criterion that a first peak in the differentiation information satisfies a first threshold for at least a first time interval. In some embodiments, the signal recognition criteria include one or more additional criteria, including a second criterion that a second peak in the differentiation information satisfies a second threshold for at least a second time interval, wherein the first and second peaks have different polarities and/or a third criterion that the first peak corresponds to an autocorrelation result value that is below a particular autocorrelation threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 16, 2015
    Publication date: December 22, 2016
    Inventors: Max Koehler, Achim Nahler, Amal Ekbal
  • Publication number: 20160314029
    Abstract: A communication device and associated method which is configured to utilize an API constraint language for communication of resource constraints between different layers of a communication stack. A first layer of the communication stack executing in a first communication device may receive application programming interface (API) messages from a second layer of the communication stack also executing in the first communication device. In addition, the first layer may receive resource constraints with the one or more API messages. These one or more resource constraints may be generated by the second layer, or other software executing in the communication device. The first layer may then execute communication functions based on the API messages and subject to the resource constraints. The resource constraints may affect usage of hardware and/or software resources of the first communication device during execution of the communication functions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 23, 2015
    Publication date: October 27, 2016
    Inventors: Rohit Gupta, Nikhil U. Kundargi, Amal Ekbal, Achim Nahler
  • Patent number: 9083448
    Abstract: An apparatus and method for wireless communications configured to receive simultaneous transmissions from a plurality of wireless devices, with each of the transmissions having a reference signal, acquire the reference signals and, based on information obtained from the acquisition of the reference signals, select the transmission from one of the wireless devices for timing synchronization and decoding.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: July 14, 2015
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhanfeng Jia, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8902894
    Abstract: In accordance with aspects of the disclosure, a method, apparatus, and computer program product are provided for wireless communication. The method, apparatus, and computer program product may be configured to generate packets, wherein each of the packets comprises a packet header comprising a packet format field comprising a first indicator that indicates whether the packet header comprises a payload length field and whether the packet comprises a payload. The method, apparatus, and computer program product may be further configured to generate a second indicator based on a type of data in the payload, and attach the second indicator to the data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2011
    Date of Patent: December 2, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Zhanfeng Jia, David Jonathan Julian, Qingjiang Tian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8886148
    Abstract: In a signal-based gain control scheme, one or more gain levels used for processing signals are selected based on characteristics of previously received signals. For example, different gain levels may be used to receive sets of signals whereupon certain characteristics of the received sets of signals are determined. One or more gain levels are then selected based on these characteristics whereby another signal is processed based on the selected gain level(s). In some aspects, the signal-based gain control scheme may be employed to facilitate two-way ranging operations between two devices. For example, leading edge detection may involve determining a characteristic of a received signal, determining a threshold based on the characteristic, and identifying a leading edge associated with the received signal based on the threshold. In some aspects, the signal-based gain control scheme may be employed in an ultra-low power pulse-based communication system (e.g., in ultra-wideband communication devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 11, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Petru Cristian Budianu, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8879407
    Abstract: In a two-way ranging scheme where a first apparatus (e.g., device) determines a distance to a second apparatus (e.g., device), specified packets are sent between these apparatuses at specified times to facilitate the determination of the distance. In some aspects, these packets may be defined and/or sent in a manner that enables the apparatuses to detect a leading edge of a received packet with a high degree of accuracy. For example, an apparatus may transmit a packet a defined period of time after transmitting or receiving another packet. In addition, a packet may comprise a defined symbol sequence that is used by an apparatus that receives the packet to identify a leading edge of the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 4, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Amal Ekbal, David Jonathan Julian, Petru Cristian Budianu
  • Patent number: 8837307
    Abstract: In a two-way ranging scheme where a first apparatus (e.g., device) determines a distance to a second apparatus (e.g., device), specified packets are sent between these apparatuses at specified times to facilitate the determination of the distance. In some aspects, these packets may be defined and/or sent in a manner that enables the apparatuses to detect a leading edge of a received packet with a high degree of accuracy. For example, an apparatus may transmit a packet a defined period of time after transmitting or receiving another packet. In addition, a packet may comprise a defined symbol sequence that is used by an apparatus that receives the packet to identify a leading edge of the packet.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 3, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 16, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Amal Ekbal, David Jonathan Julian, Petru Cristian Budianu
  • Patent number: 8831141
    Abstract: A leading edge associated with a received signal is detected to provide, for example, time of arrival information for a ranging algorithm. In some aspects, a method of leading edge detection involves sampling a received signal, generating a drift compensated signal based on the samples, reconstructing the received signal based on the drift compensated signal, and identifying a leading edge associated with the received signal based on the reconstructed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 2010
    Date of Patent: September 9, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Petru Cristian Budianu, Amal Ekbal, David Jonathan Julian
  • Patent number: 8811456
    Abstract: Aspects include methods and apparatuses for communicating in an ultra-wideband transmission. For example, some aspects include methods and apparatuses for multi-hop communication. For example, some aspects include a method of communicating data. The method includes receiving pulses indicative of a frame during a first time period and transmitting pulses indicative of the frame during a second time period to at least one device. The first and second time periods at least partially overlap. Other aspects include apparatus and devices for multi-hop communication.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 9, 2007
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal, Chong U. Lee, Fatih Ulupinar
  • Patent number: 8812063
    Abstract: In a signal-based gain control scheme, one or more gain levels used for processing signals are selected based on characteristics of previously received signals. For example, different gain levels may be used to receive sets of signals whereupon certain characteristics of the received sets of signals are determined. One or more gain levels are then selected based on these characteristics whereby another signal is processed based on the selected gain level(s). In some aspects, the signal-based gain control scheme may be employed to facilitate two-way ranging operations between two devices. For example, leading edge detection may involve determining a characteristic of a received signal, determining a threshold based on the characteristic, and identifying a leading edge associated with the received signal based on the threshold. In some aspects, the signal-based gain control scheme may be employed in an ultra-low power pulse-based communication system (e.g., in ultra-wideband communication devices).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 19, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Petru Cristian Budianu, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8804483
    Abstract: A method of transmitting and receiving data frames using pulses is disclosed. According to the transmitting method, a first signal is transmitted including one or more bursts of pulses during a first portion of a transmission frame, and not transmitting the first signal during a second portion of the transmission frame. The not transmitting the first signal may include maintaining one or more silence periods for the second portion of the transmission frame, or transmitting a second signal distinct from the first signal. According to the receiving method, a signal including one or more bursts of pulses is received during a first portion of a transmission frame, an analysis of the one or more bursts of pulses is performed, and the transmission frame is detected based on the analysis of the one or more bursts of pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2010
    Date of Patent: August 12, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jun Shi, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8787440
    Abstract: Adverse effects associated with collisions in a wireless communication system are mitigated by defining one or more values for receive data. Here, data that is expected to be received during a data transmission may be set to a defined value. In some cases the defined value is a predefined value (e.g., zero or some other value). In some cases the defined value is based on noise and/or signals levels in the system. In some implementations a device may define receive data values for a period of time during which data is expected to be received and during which a transmission occurs. In some aspects a hybrid on-off keying scheme is employed to determine received data values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 27, 2009
    Date of Patent: July 22, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Jun Shi, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8698572
    Abstract: A tunable delay line is calibrated to maintain the delay of the delay line at a desired value or within a desired range of values. In some aspects a signal is passed through a delay line multiple times so that the cumulative delay of the signal through the delay line (e.g., as indicated by a count) may be calculated over a period of time. The count is compared with an expected count and, based on this comparison, the delay of the delay line is adjusted as necessary. In some aspects the signal may comprise a digital signal. In some aspects a delay through a delay line may be calculated based on analysis of amplitude changes in a signal caused by a phase shift imparted on the signal by the delay line. In some aspects a delay line is incorporated into a transmitted reference system to generate and/or process transmitted reference signals.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 14, 2010
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2014
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Chong U. Lee, David Jonathan Julian, Amal Ekbal
  • Patent number: 8611474
    Abstract: Methods of detecting a pulse sequence in a received signal are disclosed, each of which entails operating on samples of the received signal. One method entails determining a correlation of samples with a reference sequence, and detecting the pulse sequence based on the correlation. Another method entails selecting a reference sample associated with a pulse, and detecting the pulse sequence by analyzing samples based on one or more lengths of a time hopping interval and the reference sample. Another method entails selecting a reference sample associated with non-restricted time hopping intervals, and detecting the pulse sequence by analyzing samples that are based on substantially one or more lengths of a half pulse interval and the reference sample. Further, disclosed is a method of determining a timing drift by selecting samples, determining a time delay between the selected samples, and determining the timing drift based on the determined time delay and an expected time delay.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 23, 2010
    Date of Patent: December 17, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Petru C. Budianu, Jun Shi, Amal Ekbal, David Jonathan Julian
  • Patent number: 8600373
    Abstract: Aspects include methods and apparatuses for communicating in an ultra-wideband transmission. For example, some aspects include methods and apparatuses for wireless communications. The method includes, at a first device in communication with at least a second device via a wireless link, monitoring at least one resource for performing at least one function. The method further includes determining whether to assign the at least one function to the at least one second device. The determining is based on information that is indicative of at least one function and indicative of at least one resource of the at least one second device. Other aspects include apparatus and devices for communicating data, including according to one or more aspects of the method. For example, some aspects include devices such as headsets, watches, and medical devices configured to use such methods and apparatuses for communicating data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 26, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 3, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Kamran Moallemi, Amal Ekbal, Chong U. Lee, David Jonathan Julian, Manuel E. Jaime, Zhanfeng Jia
  • Patent number: 8593331
    Abstract: Example methods, apparatuses, and articles of manufacture are disclosed herein that may be utilized to facilitate or otherwise support RF ranging-assisted local motion sensing based, at least in part, on measuring one or more characteristics of a range between communicating devices in one or more established RF links.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 16, 2010
    Date of Patent: November 26, 2013
    Assignee: QUALCOMM Incorported
    Inventors: Ming-Chang Tsai, Amal Ekbal, David Jonathan Julian, Chong U. Lee