Abstract: A method of fabricating integrated circuits includes the steps of: a) with reference to a physical design of a hardware unit, preparing an integrated circuit component mask layout set associated with component photomasks suitable for fabricating an array of the hardware units on a wafer; b) preparing the component photomasks with reference to the integrated circuit component mask layout set; c) forming the array of the hardware units and interconnections between adjacent hardware units on the wafer using the component photomasks prepared in step b) ; and d) cutting the wafer along selected ones of the scribe lines so as to form a plurality of integrated circuit dies. Each of the integrated circuit dies is independently selected from a single-type including only one of the hardware units, and a multi-type including a plurality of the hardware units that are interconnected electrically via uncut ones of the conductive paths.

Abstract: Multiple out-of-plane planar reflectors can be used to build a receive/transmit high-gain directional antenna. The driver portion and the first reflector of the antenna are formed within a metal layer of a PWB. A plurality of sets of reflector plates can be placed on the PWB, on a non-conductive low-dielectric constant material coating both opposing planar surfaces of the PWB, or on the opposing sidewalls of the product housing unit. The metal layer in the PWB is placed between the reflector plates. The plates can have either a parallel or non-parallel orientation to each another. This greatly increase the received power and thus increases the operating range of a low-power UWB system, as well as significantly improves wireless data transmission throughput. This antenna is applicable for USB communications systems.

Abstract: Certified Wireless USB 1.0 defines two different types of association: cable association and numeric association. In order to implementation these two association methods, the CWUSB device needs to have either upstream USB connector (for cable association) or display capability (for numeric association). These extra requirements make the CWUSB device bulkier (one more USB connector) and/or more expensive (extra display components). For cheap and simple CWUSB devices, we need a simpler association method that is easy and cheap to implement. In a pre-packaged total solution, which includes a host and one or more device(s), we can use pre-association to smooth the user experience. The host and device(s) are pre-associated. When an end user starts to use this solution, they do not need to worry about the association at all.

Abstract: Multiple out-of-plane planar reflectors can be used to build a receive/transmit high-gain directional antenna. The driver portion and the first reflector of the antenna are formed within a metal layer of a PWB. A plurality of sets of reflector plates can be placed on the PWB, on a non-conductive low-dielectric constant material coating both opposing planar surfaces of the PWB, or on the opposing sidewalls of the product housing unit. The metal layer in the PWB is placed between the reflector plates. The plates can have either a parallel or non-parallel orientation to each another. This greatly increase the received power and thus increases the operating range of a low-power UWB system, as well as significantly improves wireless data transmission throughput. This antenna is applicable for USB communications systems.

Abstract: A method of fabricating integrated circuits includes the steps of: a) with reference to a physical design of a hardware unit, preparing an integrated circuit component mask layout set associated with component photomasks suitable for fabricating an array of the hardware units on a wafer; b) preparing the component photomasks with reference to the integrated circuit component mask layout set; c) forming the array of the hardware units and interconnections between adjacent hardware units on the wafer using the component photomasks prepared in step b) ; and d) cutting the wafer along selected ones of the scribe lines so as to form a plurality of integrated circuit dies. Each of the integrated circuit dies is independently selected from a single-type including only one of the hardware units, and a multi-type including a plurality of the hardware units that are interconnected electrically via uncut ones of the conductive paths.

Abstract: Certified Wireless USB 1.0 defines two different types of association: cable association and numeric association. In order to implementation these two association methods, the CWUSB device needs to have either upstream USB connector (for cable association) or display capability (for numeric association). These extra requirements make the CWUSB device bulkier (one more USB connector) and/or more expensive (extra display components). For cheap and simple CWUSB devices, we need a simpler association method that is easy and cheap to implement. In a pre-packaged total solution, which includes a host and one or more device(s), we can use pre-association to smooth the user experience. The host and device(s) are pre-associated. When an end user starts to use this solution, they do not need to worry about the association at all.

Abstract: According to the present invention there is provided a method of transmitting user data in a TDMA system in which the number of channels is increased by partitioning at least one time-slot in a TDMA frame into at least two sub-time-slots. Each sub time-slot may be allocated to a different user. User data may be transmitted in each time slot in a burst structure, user data being transmitted in each sub time-slot in a corresponding burst structure. User data may be transmitted in each time slot in a burst structure having n bits and wherein each time slot is partitioned into m sub time slots, user data being transmitted in each sub time-slot in a corresponding burst structure having n/m bits.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single unified decoder for performing both convolutional decoding and turbo decoding in the one architecture. The unified decoder can be partitioned dynamically to perform required decoding operations on varying numbers of data streams at different throughput rates. It also supports simultaneous decoding of voice (convolutional decoding) and data (turbo decoding) streams. This invention forms the basis of a decoder that can decode all of the standards for TDMA, IS-95, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000. Processors are stacked together and interconnected so that they can perform separately as separate decoders or in harmony as a single high speed decoder. The unified decoder architecture can support multiple data streams and multiple voice streams simultaneously. Furthermore, the decoder can be dynamically partitioned as required to decode voice streams for different standards.

Abstract: The key of the invention is to introduce an interoperability device in a communication system which integrates an IEEE 802.11 transceiver and a Bluetooth transceiver. The device prevents that one transceiver is transmitting while the other is receiving, which would cause interference at the receiving transceiver. In addition, the device preferably prevents that both systems are transmitting at the same time to avoid interference at the receiving device(s). Optionally the device prohibits simultaneous reception of both transceivers. In that way the radio receiver can be shared between the devices, allowing a cheaper and smaller hardware design.

Abstract: There is disclosed in a packet switched network a method of encoding at least two packets into a single block. Each packet is associated with a header portion. The at least two packets are associated with the same user. The method comprises encoding the at least two packets and only one of the associated header portions. An EDGE network utilizing such a method is also disclosed.

Abstract: In the GPRS, a method of decoding uplink status having reduced interleaving depth in a RLC/MAC block is proposed; for RT-EGPRS users, all of the uplink flag bits are provided in the first burst of the four bursts; and for EGPRS users, nine bits of the uplink status flags are provided in the first burst of the RLC/MAC block and the remaining bits in the next three bursts. On receiving the first nine bits, a mobile performs an autocorrelation to identify the USF whether it belongs to the EGPRS or to the RT-EGPRS group.

Abstract: A mobile telephone system includes a base station which establishes a link with a selected mobile station. The received signal from the mobile station will include a noise component as well as a possible interference component from another mobile station operating at the same frequency in another cell. The base station has a trellis based equalization system which operates on the assumption that the received signal includes components which have a predominantly Gaussian characteristic. A switch controller determines when the interference component (which is non-gaussian) in the received signal becomes a dominant component and operates to switch a spatio-temporal filter into the circuit instead of the trellis based equalization system, to improve the bit error rate performance.

Abstract: The system includes a network having a base controller (30) and a mobile station (32). The base controller (30) has a packet measurement order unit (34) which causes a package measurement reporter (68) in the mobile station to provide a measurement report. This report is stored in a buffer (44) and compared with reference values on a reference unit (48). If a change of cell is warranted, a packet cell change order unit (50) issues a command which is recorded by packet cell change unit (58) of the mobile station to retune the transmitter and receiver (54 and 56) to a new cell. The mobile station also has a unit (64) which generates a package cell change request to the base controller (30) to initiate a package cell change order from the unit (50) when a change is warranted.

Abstract: In the GPRS, a method of decoding uplink status having reduced interleaving depth in a RLC/MAC block is proposed; for RT-EGPRS users, all of the uplink flag bits are provided in the first burst of the four bursts; and for EGPRS users, nine bits of the uplink status flags are provided in the first burst of the RLC/MAC block and the remaining bits in the next three bursts. On receiving the first nine bits, a mobile performs an autocorrelation to identify the USF whether it belongs to the EGPRS or to the RT-EGPRS group.

Abstract: A resonator for rf frequencies, especially microwave, in telecommunications systems, with an extremely stable resonant frequency over a desired operating temperature range, of predetermined width (Y) and thickness (X) and having a predetermined length (Z) in the direction of propagation for achieving a desired resonance, comprises a dielectric substrate of rutile, and first and second temperature compensating layers of sapphire on two opposite faces of the substrate and extending along the length of the substrate, these sapphire layers having a predetermined thickness, and first and second superconducting layers formed on the outer surfaces of the temperature compensating layers.

Abstract: The dimensions of a resonator filter comprising at least one puck (12, 14) in a metal cavity (16) are calculated by deriving the diameter c and thickness j of the puck, the spacing of the puck from the cavity walls by a mode-matching technique, then optimized by applying electromagnetic simulation of a full filter response. Other dimensions of the puck may also be optimized. If two or more pucks are present in the cavity, the inter-puck spacing is also optimized.

Abstract: A cellular multicarrier wireless communication system is disclosed, in which base stations for a cluster of two or more respective cells transmit the same signaling information in synchronism on the same group of subcarriers. This allows the combination of several base station signals ‘on the air’ prior to the receiver's antenna, without using any additional hardware for signal combination in the mobile terminal.

Abstract: A method of estimating channel impulse response in a signal transmitted over a channel in a communication system is described. The channel estimator obtains a priori knowledge about the transmitted signal, and then uses the transmitted signal and the a priori knowledge to choose an estimate of channel impulse response which minimizes the expected distance between the transmitted signal and a reconstructed signal. The expected distance that is minimized is a cost function, represented by E{∥r−Bh∥2r}. By using soft decision feedback, the invention minimizes erroneous decision feedback which can cause error propagation. The decisions are usually in the form of log likelihood ratios (LLR).

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating channel impulse response and data in a signal transmitted over a channel in a communication system. The channel impulse response is estimated uses correlative channel sounding, and then, using the estimated channel impulse response, the data in the signal is estimated. The output is then fed back to the channel impulse response estimator and the channel impulse estimation is repeated. The data estimation and channel impulse response estimation may be iterated a number of times.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a single unified decoder for performing both convolutional decoding and turbo decoding in the one architecture. The unified decoder can be partitioned dynamically to perform required decoding operations on varying numbers of data streams at different throughput rates. It also supports simultaneous decoding of voice (convolutional decoding) and data (turbo decoding) streams. This invention forms the basis of a decoder that can decode all of the standards for TDMA, IS-95, GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, and CDMA2000. Processors are stacked together and interconnected so that they can perform separately as separate decoders or in harmony as a single high speed decoder. The unified decoder architecture can support multiple data streams and multiple voice streams simultaneously. Furthermore, the decoder can be dynamically partitioned as required to decode voice streams for different standards.