Abstract: A mechanism can be implemented for reducing the power consumption of a wireless radio device in establishing a wireless connection by utilizing a wideband signal to detect a narrowband trigger signal at a potential narrowband trigger frequency. The wireless radio device may operate a wideband receiver to receive an RF signal. Being aware of the potential narrowband trigger frequencies, the wideband receiver may utilize the received RF signal to detect the presence of a narrowband trigger signal at one of the potential narrowband trigger frequencies.

Abstract: Bluetooth file transfers using FTP do not provide upper-layer reliability checking and rely on the Bluetooth device physical layer providing reliable data to upper layers of a Bluetooth stack. However, reliability checks implemented by the physical layer are typically not very robust and in some cases may fail to detect errors, thus may provide corrupted data to the upper layers for further processing and may result in data corruption/transfer failure. Non-FTP Bluetooth file transfers are typically more robust when it comes to reliability checking because of upper layer reliability checks. Functionality can be implemented to vary packet transmission parameters depending on a Bluetooth profile implemented on a communication link. A packet error rate of received packets can be compared against a different set of thresholds depending on whether the Bluetooth profile is an FTP profile. Appropriate values of packet transmission parameters can be selected based on the above comparison.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for wirelessly transmitting real-time data streams is described. To ensure continuous data flow, fast diversity and slow diversity can be used. Fast diversity chooses a receive antenna based on received signal parameters, such as signal strength, during the transmission header and prior to information transfer. Slow diversity stores received signal parameters from previous packets, associates the parameters with a selected antenna, and uses the parameter history to denote a “default” antenna. Additionally, receive and/or transmit beam forming can be used to maintain continuous communication between stations. Beam forming, which combines antenna signals to maximize performance, is possible when at least two transmit/receive signal processing chains are available.

Abstract: System and method for performing clear channel assessment for simultaneous transmission in a device implementing multiple wireless protocols. The system may include first and second wireless protocol circuitry configured to generate first and second signals, respectively, for wireless transmission according to first and second wireless protocols, respectively. A first in-band signal strength threshold and a second in-band signal strength threshold may be maintained by the first wireless protocol circuitry. It may be determined whether the first or second in-band signal strength threshold should be used in performing the clear channel assessment. Clear channel assessment may be performed using the determined in-band signal strength threshold. Performing clear channel assessment may include comparing an ambient signal strength on a channel with the determined in-band signal strength threshold.

Abstract: A single receive chain of a MIMO receiver is activated during a low power listen mode. Upon detecting a legacy short training field (L-STF) in a received packet, the single receive chain performs a first frequency estimation, and activates one or more additional receive chains of the MIMO receiver. The MIMO receiver uses maximal ratio combining (MRC) to receive the signal using the first receive chain and the one or more additional activated receive chains, wherein the MRC is based, at least in part, on the first frequency estimation. The MIMO receiver may determine whether the received packet is a high throughput/very high throughput (HT/VHT) packet, and if not, deactivate the one or more additional receive chains. In one alternative, the additional receive chains are not activated until determining that a HT/VHT packet has been received.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a wireless device with a suppressor that couples to the aggressor signal of a frequency source to generate a cancelling signal for suppressing spurs resulting from operation of the frequency source. The amplitude and phase delay of the cancelling signal are adjusted to optimize the cancellation of the spur. Preferably, a calibration routine is performed to establish appropriate delay and amplitude values to cancel the spurs occurring at each device gain setting.

Abstract: A mechanism can be implemented in a communication unit of a network device to utilize periods of silence encountered in voice communication to conserve power at the network device. In some embodiments, it can be determined that one or more packets of a received RF signal comprise audio data. The communication unit of the network device can determine whether the audio data associated with the one or more packets comprises voice information. The network device can switch to a power save mode based, at least in part, on determining that the audio data associated with the one or more packets does not comprise voice information.

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to wireless communication systems having a receiver configured to search for transmitted packets using a single chain and then receive the transmitted packets using multiple chains. Such receivers feature a chain controller that operates a single chain during search mode and turns on additional chains after packet detection. As will be appreciated, the techniques of this disclosure take advantage of the structure of the mixed mode data packet preamble to allow multiple chains to be brought on line after detection of a packet by a single chain.

Abstract: An apparatus is disclosed comprising collocated primary receiver (PR) and a time synchronized receiver (TSR), with a Low Noise Amplifier (LNA) configured by a LNA gain control signal to create a shared amplified signal sent to the PR and the TSR for them to concurrently receive packets. The TSR is configured to generate a timed signal strength prediction signal based on the shared amplified signal and the LNA gain control signal. The primary receiver is configured to generate the LNA gain control signal based, at least in part, on the timed signal strength prediction signal. The PR may include a spread spectrum receiver, and the TSR may include a frequency hopping receiver.

Abstract: A Bluetooth paging procedure can implement a mechanism for predicting a Bluetooth paging channel in a paging channel hopping sequence. One or more Bluetooth paging channels, on which one or more page requests intended for a Bluetooth device were received, are determined from a plurality of Bluetooth communication channels. One of a plurality of paging channel hopping sequences associated with the Bluetooth device that comprises each of the one or more determined Bluetooth paging channels is identified. A time delay associated with determining a target Bluetooth paging channel from the plurality of Bluetooth communication channels on which to transmit a page response is determined. The target Bluetooth paging channel is determined based, at least in part, on the identified one of the plurality of the paging channel hopping sequences and the time delay.

Abstract: The transmission range of a network communication device can be extended by enabling transition between legacy and non-legacy communication protocols. A communication device can receive a packet in a legacy packet format from a host device via a legacy network interface. In response to determining that the packet received via the legacy network interface is to be transmitted using one of a plurality of non-legacy communication protocols, a processing path within the communication device in accordance with which to process the packet for transmission using the non-legacy communication protocol is determined. The packet in the legacy packet format is reformatted to yield a target packet in a non-legacy packet format based, at least in part, on the non-legacy communication protocol. The target packet is provided to the destination network device in accordance with the non-legacy communication protocol.

Abstract: Interference between wireless devices communicating in close proximity to each other can result in performance degradation. Although the wireless devices may exchange information to schedule their communications, in some instances, a first wireless device may not notify the second wireless device before initiating a transmission. In addition to interference, components of the second wireless device may be damaged. Functionality can be implemented on the second wireless device to detect transmissions in the first wireless device and accordingly suspend communications of the second wireless device. This can help mitigate interference between the first and second wireless devices and prevent component damage of the second wireless device.

Abstract: A wireless communication device includes a core logic, first and second transceiver chains, first and second antennas, and an interference processor. The core logic is coupled to both the first and second transceiver chains, which in turn are coupled to the first and second antennas, respectively. The interference processor is coupled between the first and second transceiver chains. To calibrate circuitry within the first transceiver chain using first signals generated in the first transceiver chain while the second transceiver chain is transmitting second signals via the second antenna, the interference processor connects the transmit circuit of the second transceiver chain to the receive circuitry of the first transceiver chain to form an interference feedback path that can be used to compensate for unwanted components of the second signal undesirably picked up by the first antenna.

Abstract: An adaptive frequency hopping system and method uses two separate channel masks in an electronic device with collocated frequency hopping and single frequency systems to permit simultaneous transmissions by both systems without reducing a rate of data communication through the single frequency system. A first channel mask, corresponding to a transmission mask, and a second channel mask, corresponding to a reception mask, are separated from a carrier frequency used by the single frequency system, and optionally from two different carrier frequencies used by two different single frequency systems, by a selected magnitude of frequency difference. The selected magnitude of frequency difference may optionally be reduced to permit a channel mask to contain a minimum selected number of frequency hopping channels.

Abstract: Techniques are disclosed relating to oscillator settling time allowance. In one embodiment, an apparatus may include an oscillator and oscillation detection and control circuitry. The oscillation detection and control circuitry may be configured to awaken an oscillator at a predetermined time and detect an edge transition of oscillations. The oscillation detection and control circuitry may further be configured to measure the time from the power-on indication to edge transition detection. In one embodiment, the oscillation detection and control circuitry may be configured to store the measured time and use the measured time instead of the predetermined time for subsequent oscillator awakenings. In some embodiments, the apparatus may further include circuitry configured to compensate for an expected oscillator settling behavior.

Abstract: Controlling power consumption in a wireless device. The wireless device may include first wireless protocol circuitry. The first wireless protocol circuitry may be configured to receive and process first signals according to a first wireless protocol. The wireless device may include a power controller coupled to the first wireless protocol circuitry. The power controller may be configured to control power consumption of elements of the first wireless protocol circuitry based on a current state. More specifically, in response to the first wireless protocol circuitry being in a listening state, the power controller may be configured to lower power consumption of one or more first elements of the first wireless protocol circuitry. Additionally, in response to the first wireless protocol circuitry being in a receiving state, the power controller may be configured to return power consumption of the one or more first elements to a higher power level.

Abstract: A device and method for adjusting transmit power in a wireless communication device. The wireless communication device comprises a transmitter having a power amplifier, wherein the amplifier may introduce distortion into the transmit signal. The method may periodically determine an error vector magnitude (EVM) level in the transmitter of the wireless communication device. The EVM level may be determined based on differences between an ideal transmit signal without amplification, and an actual transmit signal with amplification. The method may then adjust one or more transmit gain settings of at least one gain stage of the wireless device based on the measured EVM level in the transmitter. In one embodiment, as the EVM increases, indicating that more distortion is being introduced, the method may reduce the gain settings of the gain stage(s) to reduce this distortion. If the EVM decreases, the method may increase the gain of the gain stage(s).

Abstract: This disclosure is directed to a wireless device with a suppressor that couples to the aggressor signal of a frequency source to generate a cancelling signal for suppressing spurs resulting from operation of the frequency source. The amplitude and phase delay of the cancelling signal are adjusted to optimize the cancellation of the spur. Preferably, a calibration routine is performed to establish appropriate delay and amplitude values to cancel the spurs occurring at each device gain setting.

Abstract: Performing wireless communication using first and second wireless communication protocols. The first and second wireless communication protocols may operate in a common communication medium. The wireless communication may be performed using the protocols over the common communication medium, e.g., in a time sharing fashion. Properties of voice traffic on current frames of the second wireless communication protocol may be measured. The method may further include predicting whether one or more subsequent frames of the second wireless communication protocol will have voice traffic. If the prediction indicates that the one or more subsequent frames of the second wireless communication protocol will not have voice traffic data may be transmitted using the first wireless communication protocol on the common communication medium during a subsequent second wireless communication protocol time slot.

Abstract: A system and method are described for binding together a plurality of wireless data communications channels, whereby an aggregate throughput improvement is realized. A master channel amongst the channels to be bound is compatible with existing standards-based wireless data communications equipment. The master channel serves to perform MAC association and flow control. Aggregate throughput is improved by sending and receiving either multiple sets of separately encoded packets, commonly encoded packets or redundantly encoded packets.