Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication of non-OFDM radio signals are disclosed. The non-OFDM radio signals are force-modulated into OFDM signals. In one example, a non-OFDM signal is received and is processed into an OFDM signal to produce a created OFDM signal. An actual OFDM signal is also received and is processed together with the created OFDM signal.

Abstract: The concepts relate to radio channel utilization. One example can monitor a location of a mobile device that has cellular capabilities. The example can identify a set of channels that are available to the mobile device at the location. The example can also send the set of channels to the mobile device with a suggestion for the mobile device to utilize one or more of the channels of the set to accomplish data communication rather than using the cellular capabilities.

Abstract: A system in which wireless devices form a group in accordance with a peer-to-peer protocol and, at a later time, a device may send an invitation request to trigger the devices to re-form the peer-to-peer group. The invitation request may contain an identifier that is associated with a set of a plurality of devices. Those devices may be related such that they perform a function for which a user would want to use those devices together. The group of devices, for example, may be multimedia devices that receive and present streaming multimedia content or may be human interface devices that collectively act as an interface for a work station incorporating a wireless computing device operated by a user. Requesting that remote devices concurrently re-form a group reduces the time and spectral congestion associated with re-forming the group, particularly when the remote devices may periodically enter a low power state.

Abstract: A dock for interacting with a computing device. The computing device configures itself for operations based on its context, which may be determined form the dock by reading a value from a tag on the dock. The computing device may use low power transmissions such that receiving a value from the tag provides an indication of proximity to the dock. The value read provides an indication of a desired operation, and, in response to reading a value of the tag, the computing device may launch an application, pair with devices in the vicinity of the dock, or take other actions that configure the computing device. A universal dock, usable with computing devices of a plurality of form factors, may be implemented by providing an array of tags and, in some cases, a non-contact power supply.

Abstract: A wireless computer that pairs with a remote audio-video presentation device, such as a television. As a result of the pairing, a communication channel is established for the computer to transmit audio-video content for presentation through that device. Additionally, as part of the pairing, the computer and remote device select a side channel for communication of user commands. The wireless computer may display a user interface through which a user may input commands that control the manner in which the remote audio-video device presents the content. As a result, a user may use the wireless computer as a remote control for the audio-video device, controlling both the content presented and the manner in which it is presented. The side channel may use different frequencies than the channel used to communicate audio-video content, and may use very low power at frequencies in the digital TV spectrum.

Abstract: Techniques for connection information for inter-device wireless data communication are described. In at least some embodiments, a broker device maintains wireless connection information for various wireless devices. The wireless connection information includes wireless channels at which particular wireless devices can be accessed. The broker device can provide the wireless connection information to various other devices to enable wireless communication with the wireless devices.

Abstract: A wireless communication system that concurrently communicates information in multiple regulatory domains to facilitate audio/video media streaming and other high bandwidth operations. One domain may be licensed and the other may be unlicensed. Transmission in the licensed domain may occur in white space in the domain, and the amount of information transmitted in that domain may be limited by regulations. The amount of information conveyed in the licensed domain may also depend on channel conditions in either or both of the domains. As a result, the relative amount of information transmitted in each domain may vary dynamically. The system includes a transmitter that dynamically determines weighting coefficients applied to each of a plurality of channels to set power levels in both domains to achieve a desired metric for the overall communication. A corresponding receiver assembles the substreams into a stream that can then be displayed or otherwise processed.

Abstract: Techniques for priority access to a priority access channel are described. In at least some embodiments, a portion of the radio spectrum is divided into general access (GA) channels and priority access (PA) channels. Levels of access to the different channels are controlled based upon priority levels of devices attempting to access the channels. For instance, embodiments employ a channel database that tracks available GA channels and PA channels, and notifies various devices of the available channels. The channel database may also track keys for PA channels that enable authentication of devices for priority access to PA channels. In at least some embodiments, tracking available GA channels and PA channels enables underutilized radio channels to be identified for various uses, such as for wireless broadband communication.

Abstract: Techniques for propagating routing awareness for autonomous networks are described. In at least some embodiments, routing awareness refers to attributes of autonomous networks that route communication sessions between different endpoints. According to various embodiments, routing awareness indicates whether a particular autonomous network supports a protocol for propagating routing awareness among different autonomous networks. Routing awareness may also include performance attributes of autonomous networks. Such routing awareness enables entities involved in routing communication sessions to make informed decisions regarding routing and handling of communication sessions.

Abstract: The concepts relate to radio channel utilization. One example can channel bond a first available channel from a first radio frequency band with a second available channel from a second radio frequency band. The example can transmit a portion of a forward error correction coded data stream over the first available channel and a different portion of the forward error correction coded data stream over the second available channel.

Abstract: A computing device with a configurable antenna. The antenna is configured through a switching circuit operating under software control. Operating characteristics of the antenna are configured based on connections between conducting segments established by the switching circuit, allowing the nominal frequency, bandwidth or other characteristics of the antenna to be configured. Because the switching is software controlled, the configurable antenna may be integrated with a software defined radio. The radio and antenna can be reconfigured to support communication according to different wireless technologies at different times or to interleave packets according to different wireless technologies to support concurrent sessions using different wireless technologies.

Abstract: Information bits may be superimposed onto a transmitted image while reducing or minimizing the effects of the superimposed information bits on the transmitted image signal's frequency spectrum or image quality. A placement of superimposed information bits onto pixels of an image signal to be transmitted may be determined by testing a placement functions to determine whether the spectrum and/or image quality of the image signal with the superimposed information bits placed according to a placement function meets system criteria. Successive placement functions may he tested until an acceptable placement function is found. The information bits may be superimposed onto complete pixels or the information bits may be superimposed onto one or more least significant bits (LSBs) of each of the selected pixels. A transmitter may transmit superimposition information associated with a transmitted image to a receiver. A receiver may use the superimposition information to extract the information bits.

Abstract: A computing device operating according to a frequency division multiplexed protocol in which communication occurs over a signal formed from a plurality of sub-channels selected from anywhere in a frequency spectrum. A computing device may select sub-channels cognitively by using information about sub-channels previously deemed suitable or unsuitable by that computing device or other computing devices. A described technique for determining sub-channel suitability includes analyzing radio frequency energy in the sub-channel to detect signals generated by another computing device or high noise levels. Information may also be used to cognitively select sub-channels to be analyzed, such as by first selecting for analysis previously-used sub-channels.

Abstract: The concepts relate to radio channel utilization. One example can identify a channel for communicating data. The channel can include a set of sub-channels that span from a lower frequency adjacent channel to a higher frequency adjacent channel. This example can encode the data on the set of sub-channels of the channel in a manner so that an individual sub-channel that is closer to either the lower frequency adjacent channel or the higher frequency adjacent channel than another individual sub-channel has a smaller amplitude than an amplitude of the another individual sub-channel.

Abstract: The concepts relate to radio channel utilization and more specifically to determining whether individual radio channels are available for use. One example can cause multiple sensing devices in a region to sense radio channels. The example can obtain signal information sensed by the multiple sensing devices in relation to an individual radio channel. The example can collectively analyze the signal information from the multiple sensing devices to determine whether the individual radio channel is being used for a licensed broadcast in the region.

Abstract: A system in which wireless devices form a group in accordance with a peer-to-peer protocol and, at a later time, a device may send an invitation request to trigger the devices tore-form the peer-to-peer group. The invitation request may contain an identifier that is associated with a set of a plurality of devices. Those devices may be related such that they perform a function for which a user would want to use those devices together. The group of devices, for example, may be multimedia devices that receive and present streaming multimedia content or may be human interface devices that collectively act as an interface for a work station incorporating a wireless computing device operated by a user. Requesting that remote devices concurrently re-form a group reduces the time and spectral congestion associated with re-forming the group, particularly when the remote devices may periodically enter a low power state.

Abstract: Techniques for device quarantine in a wireless network are described. According to various implementations, a device (e.g., a mobile client device) that requests a connection to a wireless network is placed in a quarantine state in the wireless network. Attributes of the device are determined and connection parameters are specified based on the attributes. In at least some embodiments, the device can be released from the quarantine state subject to the connection parameters.

Abstract: Methods and apparatuses for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing (OFDM) communication of non-OFDM radio signals are disclosed. The non-OFDM radio signals are force-modulated into OFDM signals. In one example, a non-OFDM signal is received and is processed into an OFDM signal to produce a created OFDM signal. An actual OFDM signal is also received and is processed together with the created OFDM signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus is disclosed by which a device in a wireless network may determine and reduce interference when using channels in restricted frequency bands and when other networks may be transmitting in the same restricted frequency. The wireless network may be a Wi-Fi system utilizing channels/frequencies in the television white space. Receivers, such as a client device and access point (AP), may determine information on one or more interfering signals and utilize the information to reduce or cancel the interference caused by the interfering signals generated by a second network. The information may be parameters or information on the structure of the interfering signal, and may be determined by retrieving stored cache information, receiving information on a beacon signal or sampling an interfering signal. The interference cancellation may be performed by joint demodulation or parallel interference cancellation.

Abstract: A communication system in which an access point and one or more devices communicating through the access point adaptively apply Orthogonal Frequency Division Multiple Access (OFDMA). The access point may assign orthogonal subcarriers to devices as in conventional OFDMA, but the access point senses activity on the subcarriers and selects subcarriers without activity for assignment. In an alternative approach, a device that is configured for OFDMA communication may receive a channel assignment from a device that does not support OFDMA. The OFDMA-capable device may use only a portion of the subcarriers in the assigned channel, which may be communicated to the non-OFDMA device. During the non-OFDMA device may then ignore unused subcarriers in error detection and correction to avoid incorrectly classifying communications as erroneous.