Abstract: A method for multiple input multiple output wireless communication begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by determining the number of transmit antennas. The method continues, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of the like protocol, formatting a preamble of a frame of the wireless communication utilizing at least one of cyclic shifting of symbols, cyclic shifting of tones, sparse tone allocation, and sparse symbol allocation based on the number of transmit antennas.

Abstract: An RF transceiver includes a baseband processing module, a transmitter section, and a receiver section. The baseband processing module convert outbound data into a plurality of outbound symbol streams, wherein each of the plurality of outbound symbol streams is outputted as one or more frames, wherein a frame of the one or more frames includes a setup portion and a data portion, wherein the set up portion includes at least one of a training sequence field and a signal field, and wherein the set up portion is formatted in accordance with one of a plurality of protocols. The baseband processing module further converts a plurality of inbound symbol streams into inbound data. The transmitter section converts the plurality of the outbound symbol streams into a plurality of outbound RF signals. The receiver section converts a plurality of inbound RF signals into the plurality of inbound symbol streams.

Abstract: Discriminating a modulation type based upon a predetermined portion of symbols for a received encoded signal. While receiving the encoded signal, at least a first and a second cumulative soft metrics are generated using the plurality of symbols over a predetermined portion of the received encoded signal. The first cumulative soft metric is compared with the second cumulative soft metric to generate or provide a discriminated modulation type. With the discriminated modulation type, the signal field is decoded, allowing for decoding of the accompanying data payload with the encoded signal.

Abstract: A programmable transmitter generates a frame in a frame format according to one of a plurality of operating modes using a frame structure table storing a respective frame format for each of the operating modes. The transmitter includes a frame structure engine that receives a mode selection signal indicative of a select operating mode, and accesses the frame structure table to determine the frame format of the select operating mode. The frame structure engine produces a control signal to a frame generator to control the generation of a frame in the frame format of the select operating mode.

Abstract: A multiple input multiple output (MIMO) RF transceiver system includes a plurality of RF transceiver ICs, a crystal, and master oscillation coupling. Each of the plurality of RF transceiver ICs includes crystal oscillator circuitry. Crystal oscillator circuitry of the first RF transceiver IC and a crystal are operable to produce a master oscillation. Master oscillation coupling couples the master oscillation produced by the first RF transceiver IC to the at least one other RF transceiver IC. In one embodiment, the master oscillation is passed from the first RF transceiver IC to each other transceiver RF ICs. In another embodiment, the master oscillation is used to produce a slave oscillation at a second RF transceiver IC and subsequent RF transceiver ICs produce there own slave oscillation based upon a slave oscillation received from a prior RF transceiver IC.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for carrier detection associated with the receipt of MIMO RF packet communications. This involves receiving multiple MIMO RF packet communications with multiple receiver pathways, wherein the RF packet communications each comprise a preamble and data. The RF packet communications are sampled by a carrier detector before, during or after conversion to baseband. The carrier detectors are used to produce a set of carrier detection metrics for each reception pathway. These carrier detection metrics may be combined arithmetically with those of other reception pathways to produce a multi-reception pathway carrier detect. Alternatively, these carrier detection metrics can be processed to produce a logical decision or binary detection signal value associated with each reception pathway, which is then logically combined with the logical decisions of other reception pathways to produce a multi-reception pathway carrier detect.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method for automated gain control associated with the receipt of multiple input multiple output (MIMO) radio frequency (RF) packet communications. This involves receiving multiple MIMO RF packet communications with multiple receiver pathways, wherein the RF packet communications each comprise a preamble and data. A gain is applied to the RF packet communication with a programmable gain amplifier operable to adjust the gain based on received control signals from the baseband processing module. The RF packet communication(s) are down converted to produce a baseband packet communication. This communication in then converted from an analog signal to a digital signal. The digital signal is sampled for a valid preamble. The results of the sampled digital signal are used to produce a control signals to the programmable gain amplifier based on the sampling of the digital signal and upstream analog signals associated with the RF packet communication.

Abstract: A method for generating a preamble of a frame for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by, for a first transmit antenna of the MIMO communication, generating a legacy preamble portion for the frame in accordance with a legacy wireless communication protocol, wherein the legacy preamble portion includes at least a first training sequence and a second training sequence and generating a current protocol preamble portion for the frame in accordance with a protocol of the MIMO wireless communication.

Abstract: A method for configuring a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by generating a plurality of preambles for a plurality of transmit antennas. Each of the plurality of preambles includes a carrier detection sequence at a legacy transmit rate, a first channel sounding at the legacy transmit rate, a signal field at the legacy transmit rate, and Z?1 channel soundings at a MIMO transmit rate, where L corresponds to a number of channel soundings. The method continues by simultaneously transmitting the plurality of preambles via the plurality of transmit antennas.

Abstract: A method for transmitting wide bandwidth signals in a network that includes legacy devices begins by determining channel bandwidth of a channel that supports the wide bandwidth signals in the network. The method continues by determining overlap of legacy channel bandwidth with the channel bandwidth of the channel. The method continues by providing a legacy readable preamble section within the channel where the legacy channel bandwidth overlaps the channel bandwidth of the channel.

Abstract: A method for generating a preamble of a frame for a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by, for each transmit antenna of the MIMO wireless communication, generating a carrier detect field, wherein, from transmit antenna to transmit antenna, the carrier detect field is cyclically shifted. The method continues by, for a first grouping of the transmit antennas of the MIMO wireless communication: generating a first guard interval following the carrier detect field; and generating at least one channel sounding field, wherein, from transmit antenna to transmit antenna in the first grouping, the at least one channel sounding field is cyclically shifted, and wherein the at least one channel sounding field follows the first guard interval.

Abstract: A method for multiple protocol wireless communications begins by determining protocols of wireless communication devices within a proximal region. The method then continues by determining whether the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are of a like protocol. The method continues by, when the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region are not of a like protocol, selecting a protocol of the protocols of the wireless communication devices within the proximal region based on a protocol ordering to produce a selected protocol. The method continues by utilizing the selected protocol by the wireless communication devices within the proximal region to set up a wireless communication within the proximal region.

Abstract: A method for configuring a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) wireless communication begins by generating a first preamble for a first antenna of the MIMO communication, wherein the first preamble includes a carrier detect field, a first channel select field, a first signal field, and a second signal field. The method continues by generating a second preamble for at least one other antenna of the MIMO communication, wherein the second preamble includes the carrier detect field, a plurality of channel select fields, and the second signal field. The method continues by simultaneously transmitting the carrier detect field via the first antenna and the least one other antenna. The method continues by transmitting the first channel select field and the first signal field via the first antenna.