Abstract: An apparatus, a carrier medium storing instructions to implement a method, and a method for controlling the gain of a radio receiver for receiving packets of information in a wireless network. The receiver is connected to an antenna subsystem and has receive signal path including a plurality of sections including a first section coupled to the antenna subsystem and a next section. Each section has an adjustable gain and is able to provide a measure of the signal strength at its output. The method includes waiting for a start of packet indication, providing a measure of the signal strength at the output of the first section and the next section, and adjusting the gains of the first and the next sections using the provided measured signal strengths. In one embodiment, the receive signal path includes a filter, the provided measure for the first section is before the filter, and the provided measure for the second section is after the filter.

Abstract: Devices, such as tracking devices, cooperate with one another to establish the routing necessary for a relay network in which a device having power-efficient and data-reliable communication with an access portal, operates to relay messages from devices which do not have an acceptable communication path to and/or from the access portal. In one aspect of the present invention, a plurality of devices synchronously determine whether an acceptable communication path can be established between themselves and one or more access portals by measuring the signal strength of an access portal beacon. In another aspect of the present invention, one or more devices, which have determined that an acceptable communication path can be established between themselves and an access portal, transmit information regarding their availability to relay messages on behalf of devices which have determined that an acceptable communication path cannot be established between themselves and an access portal.

Abstract: A digital AGC system for burst operation, particularly suited for receiving packets in a wireless local area network. One embodiment includes a log detector that provides a signal strength measure, called the received signal strength indication (RSSI) over a wide dynamic range. The AGC system includes estimating the power in a received signal by averaging the log of the signal power. The Start of Packet detection avoids using the radio receiver's main analog to digital converters to preserve power.

Abstract: A wireless computer data network includes several untethered mobile units that make ad-hoc data connections with an Internet-connected base station using the IEEE-802.11a standard. Each unit includes a radio transceiver fully integrated on a single semiconductor chip. The receiver portion is a double-conversion superheterodyne type, and shares the same intermediate and local oscillator frequencies with a two-stage up-conversion transmitter. Two on-chip synthesizers that each include a voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop can be operated independently for each conversion stage, or operated in offset mode. External reference frequencies can be injected for voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop testing, chip characterization, and automatic compensation modeling. Each mobile and base unit can be outfitted with transmit/receive antenna transfer switches, RF-power amplifiers, and low-noise receiver amplifiers to increase operating range.

Abstract: A wireless computer data network includes several untethered mobile units that make ad-hoc data connections with an Internet-connected base station using the IEEE-802.11a standard. Each unit includes a radio transceiver fully integrated on a single semiconductor chip. The receiver portion is a double-conversion superheterodyne type, and shares the same intermediate and local oscillator frequencies with a two-stage up-conversion transmitter. Two on-chip synthesizers that each include a voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop can be operated independently for each conversion stage, or operated in offset mode. External reference frequencies can be injected for voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop testing, chip characterization, and automatic compensation modeling. Each mobile and base unit can be outfitted with transmit/receive antenna transfer switches, RF-power amplifiers, and low-noise receiver amplifiers to increase operating range.

Abstract: An apparatus, a carrier medium storing instructions to implement a method, and a method in a node of a wireless network able to receive packets that exactly or substantially conform to a wireless network standard according to which each packet includes a header having bits that have respective correct values in the case that the packet exactly conforms to the standard. The method includes receiving a start-of-packet (SOP) trigger that indicates that a packet may have been received, checking one or more bits in the header to determine whether or not they have their respective correct values, and continuing to process the packet in the case that the checking indicates that the checked bits have their respective correct values. In one implementation, the header includes a first field modulated at a known rate that has one or more reserved bit locations, and a second field modulated at a data rate indicated in the first field.

Abstract: A configurable Viterbi decoder to decode a coded signal for inclusion in a radio receiver for implementing the physical layer receiving function (PHY) of a wireless data network. The decoder includes a branch metric generator with an input to the coded signal, an ACS subsystem coupled to the branch metric generator, and a survivor memory unit coupled to the ACS subsystem. The decoder includes a plurality of outputs each providing a decoded version of the input signal decoded to a distinct decision depth such that the Viterbi decoder is programmable to decode the signal to one of a plurality of decision depths.

Abstract: A method of determining a geographical location of an asset tracking device, includes searching, by the asset tracking device, for available location determination schemes at the geographical location, selecting one of the available location determination schemes, and determining coordinates of the geographical location using the selected location determination scheme. Some embodiments also include making a decision based, at least in part, upon the geographical location coordinates determined by using the selected location determination scheme. Some embodiments include transmitting a location message, the location message including the coordinates of the geographical location and an indication as to the selected location determination scheme.

Abstract: A wireless computer data network includes several untethered mobile units that make ad-hoc data connections with an Internet-connected base station using the IEEE-802.11a standard. Each unit includes a radio transceiver fully integrated on a single semiconductor chip. The receiver portion is a double-conversion superheterodyne type, and shares the same intermediate and local oscillator frequencies with a two-stage up-conversion transmitter. Two on-chip synthesizers that each include a voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop can be operated independently for each conversion stage, or operated in offset mode. External reference frequencies can be injected for voltage-controlled oscillator and phase-locked loop testing, chip characterization, and automatic compensation modeling. Each mobile and base unit can be outfitted with transmit/receive antenna transfer switches, RF-power amplifiers, and low-noise receiver amplifiers to increase operating range.

Abstract: Methods and systems for enabling communication include a third party wireless access point and authorization mechanism that forwards messages between an asset tracking device and a remote tracking entity based, at least in part, upon whether an outbound message contains a destination address that is on an approved list maintained by the authorization mechanism, and upon whether an inbound message contains a source address that is on an approved list maintained by the authorization mechanism. In further aspects of the present invention, error handling is provided for circumstances in which the destination or source addresses are not on the approved list maintained by the authorization mechanism.

Abstract: A method of wirelessly transmitting or receiving a packet of information, and an apparatus to wirelessly transmit or receive a packet of information. In the case of transmitting, the method includes streaming a data element, including at least some of the contents of the packet, over a network link during transmit time. In the case of receiving, the method includes streaming a data element, including at least some of the contents of the received packet, over a network link during receive time. The transmitting or receiving is by a station of a wireless network and the streaming is to or from the station from or to a network device coupled to the station by the network link.