Abstract: An antenna system for reception and transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals and a method for tuning the antenna system are provided. The antenna system includes a ground plane, a first element and a second element. The first element includes a driven unbalanced antenna element that resonates within at least one predetermined first frequency band to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals modulated at one or more frequencies within the at least one predetermined first frequency band. The second element is non-resonating within the at least one predetermined first frequency band and is located within an antenna volume of the first element to create a partial loop response within the antenna volume of the first element by capacitively coupling to the first element when connected to the ground plane.

Abstract: An antenna system for reception and transmission of radio frequency (RF) signals and a method for tuning the antenna system are provided. The antenna system includes a ground plane, a first element and a second element. The first element includes a driven unbalanced antenna element that resonates within at least one predetermined first frequency band to transmit and receive radio frequency (RF) signals modulated at one or more frequencies within the at least one predetermined first frequency band. The second element is non-resonating within the at least one predetermined first frequency band and is located within an antenna volume of the first element to create a partial loop response within the antenna volume of the first element by capacitively coupling to the first element when connected to the ground plane.

Abstract: A near-field communication circuit (100), such as a radio frequency identification circuit, includes a communication coil (104) and a communication circuit (108) configured to transmit data (109) through the communication coil (104). When the communication circuit (108) is in an idle mode, probing circuitry (124) is configured to detect the presence of a magnetically conductive object within close proximity of a communication coil (104). In one embodiment, a control circuit (110) selectively couples a capacitance (125) in parallel with the communication coil (104). The control circuit (110) then applies a probing signal (116) to the communication coil (104). A comparator (118) monitors a secondary parameter of the communication coil (104), such as inductance or impedance. When a magnetically conductive object is detected, the communication circuit (108) transitions to a communication state and attempts to communicate with the object.

Abstract: A near-field communication circuit (100), such as a radio frequency identification circuit, includes a communication coil (104) and a communication circuit (108) configured to transmit data (109) through the communication coil (104). When the communication circuit (108) is in an idle mode, probing circuitry (124) is configured to detect the presence of a magnetically conductive object within close proximity of a communication coil (104). In one embodiment, a control circuit (110) selectively couples a capacitance (125) in parallel with the communication coil (104). The control circuit (110) then applies a probing signal (116) to the communication coil (104). A comparator (118) monitors a secondary parameter of the communication coil (104), such as inductance or impedance. When a magnetically conductive object is detected, the communication circuit (108) transitions to a communication state and attempts to communicate with the object.

Abstract: Disclosed are methods and devices for automatically selecting which mobile communication device among two or more related mobile communication devices may establish communication or authorize a transaction for particular services or goods with an unrelated third communication device. The described method includes a first mobile communication device detecting the presence of a related second mobile communication device and authorizing a communication with a third unrelated entity, such as that of a vendor, based on the presence of the related second mobile communication device. Also described is a method of a first mobile communication device including detecting the presence of a related second mobile communication device and restricting wireless communication with a unrelated third communication device, such as that of a vendor.

Abstract: A bus interface and corresponding method is provided for conveying communication signals supporting multiple modes, where at least two of the modes have distinct operational communication signal levels. The bus interface is adapted to convert the communication signals between communication signals having distinct signal levels, and communication signals having compatible signal levels. Where in at least some instances, the conveyed communication signals are converted from communication signals having distinct signal levels to communication signals having compatible signal levels, and then back to communication signals having distinct signal levels, after the communication signals having compatible signal levels are transmitted and received via one or more associated communication paths.

Abstract: A multimode wireless receiver circuit (10) includes multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) and least two separate receivers: a first receiver (20) associated with a first radio access technology and a second receiver (30) associated with a second radio access technology. The multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) simultaneously controls the second receiver (30) to detect an interference blocker signal (100), while the first receiver (20) receives at least a portion of the wireless signal (80) and the interference product signal (90). In response to the second receiver (30) detecting the interference blocker signal (100), the multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) adjusts at least one operating condition of the first receiver (20) such that the interference product signal (90) received by the first receiver (20) is reduced.

Abstract: Techniques for adjusting the dynamic range of an A/D converter in response to various conditions are disclosed. A value output by the A/D converter is utilized to determine if the A/D converter is operating at or above its current dynamic range capabilities (i.e., the AID converter is potentially “saturated” at its current dynamic range setting). If potentially saturated, the dynamic range of the A/D converter may be increased. If not, the dynamic range of the A/D converter may be decreased or may be unchanged. Alternately, an upcoming or enacted change in the gain settings of one or more gain stages that condition the analog signal input to an A/D converter may be used as a condition that results in an adjustment to the dynamic range of the A/D converter.

Abstract: A user interface (210) includes an RC circuit (213). The RC circuit (213) includes a variable capacitance. The variable capacitance is produced by a sensing member (310) in cooperation with a user's finger (311). When a user makes a selection with the user interface (210), the user places a finger (311) in close proximity and in a facing relationship to a section, or discrete surface (320, 322, 324), of the sensing member (310). The discrete surfaces (320, 322, 324) can correspond to keys of a keypad (138) or to directions of a directional button (1030), for example. The time constant of the RC circuit (213) varies according to which discrete surface (320, 322, 324) is determining the capacitance of the RC circuit (213). A controller (118) determines the user's selection based on the time constant of the RC circuit (213).

Abstract: A method in a radio communication device having a receiver receiving a wideband signal in the presence of narrowband blockers method in direct conversion and intermediate frequency RF receivers including determining power for signal distortion products (40), determining power for a desired signal and the distortion products (41), filtering the signal distortion products with a filter having a bandwidth of rejection, and dynamically adjusting a rejection property (43) as a function of the power for both the desired signal and the signal distortion products. In some embodiments, a determination is made whether a ratio of powers exceeds a threshold (45) as a condition for adjusting the rejection property.

Abstract: A multi-mode wireless communications device (100) and methods therefor, including a first transceiver having a continuous reception mode receiver coupled to a first antenna (138) and a second transceiver having a second transmitter coupled to a second antenna (140). In one mode of operation, the continuous reception mode receiver receives an uncompressed downlink signal at the same time the other receiver receives a signal. In another mode of operation, the continuous reception mode receiver receives an uncompressed downlink signal at the same time a transmitter of the second transceiver transmits a signal. In another mode of operation, a continuous reception mode transmitter of the first transceiver transmits an uplink signal at the same time the other receiver receives a signal.

Abstract: A method to reduce crossmodulation in a multimode radio communication device with a transmitter, a receiver, and a second receiver (400) that operates in a receiver channel bandwidth (402) includes a step of measuring a first signal strength in the receiver channel bandwidth (404), a second signal strength outside of the receiver channel bandwidth (406), and a power level of the transmitter. A next step (408) includes determining a signal-to-crossmodulation interference ratio (SCMIR). A next step (410) includes calculating a SCMIR threshold. A next step (412) includes comparing the ratio to the threshold. A next step (416,420) includes increasing the linearity of the receiver if the ratio is less than the threshold.

Abstract: A narrowband interference cancellation system, method and digital signal processor is disclosed that removes narrowband interference in wide band communication systems. The system includes a narrowband processing component, wideband processing component, soft metric generator and at least one filter. The system is configured to receive a signal, identify one or more narrowband interferers in the received signal and filter out identified narrowband interferers. The narrowband processing component includes a filter bank configured to separate the received signal into a predetermined number of channel bands and identify a band with interference. The wide band processing component provides an average level for an unfiltered version of the received signal. The soft decision metric generator produces metrics based on predetermined thresholds.

Abstract: A multimode wireless receiver circuit (10) includes multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) and least two separate receivers: a first receiver (20) associated with a first radio access technology and a second receiver (30) associated with a second radio access technology. The multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) simultaneously controls the second receiver (30) to detect an interference blocker signal (100), while the first receiver (20) receives at least a portion of the wireless signal (80) and the interference product signal (90). In response to the second receiver (30) detecting the interference blocker signal (100), the multi-receiver control and interference detection logic (50) adjusts at least one operating condition of the first receiver (20) such that the interference product signal (90) received by the first receiver (20) is reduced.

Abstract: A method to reduce crossmodulation in a multimode radio communication device with a transmitter, a receiver, and a second receiver (400) that operates in a receiver channel bandwidth (402) includes a step of measuring a first signal strength in the receiver channel bandwidth (404), a second signal strength outside of the receiver channel bandwidth (406), and a power level of the transmitter. A next step (408) includes determining a signal-to-crossmodulation interference ratio (SCMIR). A next step (410) includes calculating a SCMIR threshold. A next step (412) includes comparing the ratio to the threshold.

Abstract: A method and apparatus, locally inserts non-noise background audio information (104), such as music or other suitable information, as comfort audio information with other audio information (110), such as voice, to produce a combined audio signal (112) containing non-noise comfort audio. The combined audio signal (112) is transmitted over a communication channel such as wireline or wireless communication channel during a communication session or output locally over a speaker on a user device. The method and apparatus may locally insert non-noise background audio information (104) by selecting stored non-noise background audio information (104) from memory (102) local to a sending device (100) or selecting real time audio, such as an audio stream from a live broadcast as received by a radio, cable or television tuner.

Abstract: A multi-mode wireless communications device (100) and methods therefor, including a first transceiver having a continuous reception mode receiver coupled to a first antenna (138) and a second transceiver having a second transmitter coupled to a second antenna (140). In one mode of operation, the continuous reception mode receiver receives an uncompressed downlink signal at the same time the other receiver receives a signal. In another mode of operation, the continuous reception mode receiver receives an uncompressed downlink signal at the same time a transmitter of the second transceiver transmits a signal. In another mode of operation, a continuous reception mode transmitter of the first transceiver transmits an uplink signal at the same time the other receiver receives a signal.

Abstract: A method in a radio communication device having a receiver receiving a wideband signal in the presence of narrowband blockers method in direct conversion and intermediate frequency RF receivers including determining power for signal distortion products (40), determining power for a desired signal and the distortion products (41), filtering the signal distortion products with a filter having a bandwidth of rejection, and dynamically adjusting a rejection property (43) as a function of the power for both the desired signal and the signal distortion products. In some embodiments, a determination is made whether a ratio of powers exceeds a threshold (45) as a condition for adjusting the rejection property.

Abstract: A mobile wireless communication device, for example a cellular handset, for selecting communication services and methods therefore, based on user specified communication objectives related to characteristics of communications executed by the device. The user specified characteristics are used to assess a plurality of communication services by comparing the specified characteristic with corresponding service characteristics of each of a plurality of available communication services. A communication service is selected from the plurality of communication services having service characteristics that correlate most closely with the specified characteristics of the communication executed by the device.