Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a first antenna and a second antenna in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system receives a request to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit a signal to a cellular receiver. Next, the system loads a set of radio-frequency (RF) calibration values for the second antenna. Finally, the system performs the switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit the signal, wherein the second antenna is operated using the RF calibration values after the switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a peripheral processor to retrieve and load firmware for execution within the constraints of its memory. The peripheral processor is allocated a portion of the host processor's memory, to function as a logical secondary and tertiary memory for memory cache operation. The described embodiments enable the peripheral processor to support much larger and more complex firmware. Additionally, a multi-facetted locking mechanism is described which enables the peripheral processor and the host processor to access the secondary memory, while minimally impacting the other processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for enabling a peripheral processor to retrieve and load firmware for execution within the constraints of its memory. The peripheral processor is allocated a portion of the host processor's memory, to function as a logical secondary and tertiary memory for memory cache operation. The described embodiments enable the peripheral processor to support much larger and more complex firmware. Additionally, a multi-facetted locking mechanism is described which enables the peripheral processor and the host processor to access the secondary memory, while minimally impacting the other processor.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for locking at least a portion of a shared memory resource. In one embodiment, an electronic device configured to lock at least a portion of a shared memory is disclosed. The electronic device includes a host processor, at least one peripheral processor and a physical bus interface configured to couple the host processor to the peripheral processor. The electronic device further includes a software framework that is configured to: attempt to lock a portion of the shared memory; verify that the peripheral processor has not locked the shared memory; when the portion of the shared memory is successfully locked via the verification that the peripheral processor has not locked the portion of the shared memory, execute a critical section of the shared memory; and otherwise attempt to lock the at least the portion of the shared memory at a later time.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for limiting wake requests from one device to one or more other devices. In one embodiment, the requests are from a peripheral processor to a host processor within an electronic device such as a mobile smartphone or tablet which has power consumption requirements or considerations associated therewith. In one implementation, the peripheral processor includes a wake-limiting procedure encoded in e.g., its software or firmware, the procedure mitigating or preventing continuous and/or overly repetitive “wake” requests from the peripheral processor.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the design and dynamic tuning of antenna circuitry for use across multiple radio frequency bands in wireless communication devices is disclosed herein. An antenna apparatus includes antenna tuning control, antenna tuning circuitry, and a set of one or more physical antennas. The antenna tuning controller includes a combination of baseband and front-end hardware and software. The antenna circuitry collectively includes antenna tuning circuitry and the set of one or more physical antennas. Based on a set of radio frequency bands and on communication channel conditions, the antenna tuning controller determines an optimal antenna tuning configuration and provides appropriate parameters to the antenna tuning circuitry. The antenna apparatus configures and optimizes the tuning of the antenna circuitry for a future time period, which can be a next time slot. The antenna tuning controller utilizes a cost/gain function to calculate the optimal antenna tuning configuration.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a first antenna and a second antenna in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system receives a request to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit a signal to a cellular receiver. Next, the system loads a set of radio-frequency (RF) calibration values for the second antenna. Finally, the system performs the switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit the signal, wherein the second antenna is operated using the RF calibration values after the switch.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for a synchronized multi-directional transfer on an inter-processor communication (IPC) link. In one embodiment, the synchronized multi-directional transfer utilizes one or more buffers which are configured to accumulate data during a first state. The one or more buffers are further configured to transfer the accumulated data during a second state. Data is accumulated during a low power state where one or more processors are inactive, and the data transfer occurs during an operational state where the processors are active. Additionally, in some variants, the data transfer may be performed for currently available transfer resources, and halted until additional transfer resources are made available. In still other variants, one or more of the independently operable processors may execute traffic monitoring processes so as to optimize data throughput of the IPC link.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for controlled recovery of error information between two (or more) independently operable processors. The present disclosure provides solutions that preserve error information in the event of a fatal error, coordinate reset conditions between independently operable processors, and implement consistent frameworks for error information recovery across a range of potential fatal errors. In one exemplary embodiment, an applications processor (AP) and baseband processor (BB) implement an abort handler and power down handler sequence which enables error recovery over a wide range of crash scenarios. In one variant, assertion of signals between the AP and the BB enables the AP to reset the BB only after error recovery procedures have successfully completed.

Abstract: Electronic devices may be provided that contain wireless communications circuitry. The wireless communications circuitry may include radio-frequency transceiver circuitry with first and second ports that are coupled by switching circuitry to first and second antennas. A first receiver in the transceiver circuitry may be associated with the first port and a second receiver in the transceiver circuitry may be associated with the second port. An electronic device may be operated in a single receiver mode in which only one of the receivers is active to conserve power or a dual receiver mode in which signals from both antennas may be received in parallel to compare antenna performance. Based on antenna performance metrics, the electronic device may adjust the switching circuitry to ensure that an optimal antenna is being used.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for an inter-processor communication (IPC) link between two (or more) independently operable processors. In one aspect, the IPC protocol is based on a “shared” memory interface for run-time processing (i.e., the independently operable processors each share (either virtually or physically) a common memory interface). In another aspect, the IPC communication link is configured to support a host driven boot protocol used during a boot sequence to establish a basic communication path between the peripheral and the host processors. Various other embodiments described herein include sleep procedures (as defined separately for the host and peripheral processors), and error handling.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for the design and dynamic tuning of antenna circuitry for use across multiple radio frequency bands in wireless communication devices is disclosed herein. An antenna apparatus includes antenna tuning control, antenna tuning circuitry, and a set of one or more physical antennas. The antenna tuning controller includes a combination of baseband and front-end hardware and software. The antenna circuitry collectively includes antenna tuning circuitry and the set of one or more physical antennas. Based on a set of radio frequency bands and on communication channel conditions, the antenna tuning controller determines an optimal antenna tuning configuration and provides appropriate parameters to the antenna tuning circuitry. The antenna apparatus configures and optimizes the tuning of the antenna circuitry for a future time period, which can be a next time slot. The antenna tuning controller utilizes a cost/gain function to calculate the optimal antenna tuning configuration.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a first antenna and a second antenna in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system receives a request to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit a signal to a cellular receiver. Next, the system loads a set of radio-frequency (RF) calibration values for the second antenna. Finally, the system performs the switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit the signal, wherein the second antenna is operated using the RF calibration values after the switch.

Abstract: A wireless communication device declares one of a plurality of extended instant messaging states and transmits the declared states to a presence information server. Declared extended instant messaging states for destination devices are received, and an enhanced instant message based on declared extended instant messaging states is generated.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a first antenna and a second antenna in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system receives a request to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit a signal to a cellular receiver. Next, the system loads a set of radio-frequency (RF) calibration values for the second antenna. Finally, the system performs the switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit the signal, wherein the second antenna is operated using the RF calibration values after the switch.

Abstract: A wireless communication device declares one of a plurality of extended instant messaging states and transmits the declared states to a presence information server. Declared extended instant messaging states for destination devices are received, and an enhanced instant message based on declared extended instant messaging states is generated.

Abstract: A communication link between a host device and a client device can be suspended based on a suspend request or notification provided by the client device. The suspend request can be transmitted by a client device to a host device if the client device determines that suspension is appropriate, and can be sent in response to receiving a polling request from the host device. After receiving a suspend request, the host device can initiate an operation to suspend the communication link between the devices.

Abstract: The disclosed embodiments provide a system that uses a first antenna and a second antenna in a portable electronic device. During operation, the system receives a request to switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit a signal to a cellular receiver. Next, the system loads a set of radio-frequency (RF) calibration values for the second antenna. Finally, the system performs the switch from the first antenna to the second antenna to transmit the signal, wherein the second antenna is operated using the RF calibration values after the switch.