Abstract: The various embodiments include methods and systems for facilitating the configuration of smart objects within a wireless communication system by leveraging the microphonic effect to enable a user to identify each smart object to a control device. By configuring the control device to monitor wireless signals from a plurality of smart objects for small modulations due to the microphonic effect from a user tap on a particular smart object, the control device may recognize a particular smart device to be configured. By coordinating the monitoring for small modulations in received signals with a user interface for registering smart objects, various embodiments provide a simple mechanism by which users can correlate smart objects to corresponding icons or object names in a control interface. The various embodiments enable a user to complete the onboarding a smart objects with a control device without requiring the need to enter information into a user interface.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for isolating a desired GNSS signal from a plurality of GNSS signals with the same code are presented. In some embodiments, a method may comprise receiving, by a mobile device, the plurality of GNSS signals, wherein the plurality of GNSS signals include the desired GNSS signal. Subsequently, the method may comprise processing the received plurality of GNSS signals to a down-converted signal, wherein the down-converted signal has a lower frequency than the desired GNSS signal, and wherein the down-converted signal includes a first channel associated with a non-zero frequency. Moreover, the method may comprise processing the down-converted signal to offset the first channel by an offset frequency corresponding to a fraction of the first channel to create an offset down-converted signal. Furthermore, the method may comprise determining the desired GNSS signal from the offset down-converted signal based on the offset frequency.

Abstract: A multichannel communications medium may have two or more channels available for transmitting information. A first transmission signal and a second transmission signal may be prepared from a same analog signal to be transmitted on a first channel and a second channel. For example, a phase shift or amplitude shift may be performed on the first transmission signal or the second transmission signal. The first transmission signal may be transmitted via the first channel, and the second transmission signal may be transmitted via the second channel. The phase shift or amplitude shift may be performed by analog components that are less complex than digital signal processors used for digital signal diversity. The analog components may be digitally controlled. The analog signal diversity may utilize cost effective analog components to improve the performance of the communications system over single channel communications without requiring complex digital signal processing of multiple signal paths.

Abstract: A first network device can implement null beamforming functionality to generate a NULL at a receive port of a second network device. In one embodiment, the first network device can estimate beamforming parameters to be used for transmitting the data signal to a first receive port of the second network device and for generating a null signal at a second receive port of the second network device, so that the second network device does not receive the data signal at the second receive port. In another embodiment, the first network device can estimate beamforming parameters to be used for transmitting the data signal to a receive port of the second network device and for generating a null signal at a receive port of a third network device, so that the receive port of the third network device does not receive the data signal.

Abstract: A powerline communication (PLC) device can receive a PLC signal transmitted through a powerline medium. The PLC device can compare a destination address of the PLC signal to a device address associated with the PLC device. The input impedance of the PLC device can be configured to an impedance value that is different from an impedance of the powerline medium when the destination address does not match the device address. The input impedance of the PLC device can be returned to an initial value when a PLC message included in the PLC signal is no longer received.

Abstract: A first network device can implement null beamforming functionality to generate a NULL at a receive port of a second network device. In one embodiment, the first network device can estimate beamforming parameters to be used for transmitting the data signal to a first receive port of the second network device and for generating a null signal at a second receive port of the second network device, so that the second network device does not receive the data signal at the second receive port. In another embodiment, the first network device can estimate beamforming parameters to be used for transmitting the data signal to a receive port of the second network device and for generating a null signal at a receive port of a third network device, so that the receive port of the third network device does not receive the data signal.

Abstract: A multichannel communications medium may have two or more channels available for transmitting information. A first transmission signal and a second transmission signal may be prepared from a same analog signal to be transmitted on a first channel and a second channel. For example, a phase shift or amplitude shift may be performed on the first transmission signal or the second transmission signal. The first transmission signal may be transmitted via the first channel, and the second transmission signal may be transmitted via the second channel. The phase shift or amplitude shift may be performed by analog components that are less complex than digital signal processors used for digital signal diversity. The analog components may be digitally controlled. The analog signal diversity may utilize cost effective analog components to improve the performance of the communications system over single channel communications without requiring complex digital signal processing of multiple signal paths.

Abstract: Methods, systems, computer-readable media, and apparatuses for isolating a desired GNSS signal from a plurality of GNSS signals with the same code are presented. In some embodiments, a method may comprise receiving, by a mobile device, the plurality of GNSS signals, wherein the plurality of GNSS signals include the desired GNSS signal. Subsequently, the method may comprise processing the received plurality of GNSS signals to a down-converted signal, wherein the down-converted signal has a lower frequency than the desired GNSS signal, and wherein the down-converted signal includes a first channel associated with a non-zero frequency. Moreover, the method may comprise processing the down-converted signal to offset the first channel by an offset frequency corresponding to a fraction of the first channel to create an offset down-converted signal. Furthermore, the method may comprise determining the desired GNSS signal from the offset down-converted signal based on the offset frequency.

Abstract: The present invention determines those mathematical processes that are repeated in the standard search schema, and uses this information to simplify the process by eliminating repetition of processes that have already been performed. The present information can be implemented in standard circuitry and with fewer instructions than the standard approach. As such, the present invention allows for receiver implementations that are of lower cost and lower power consumption, while achieving the same functionality as the standard receiver topology. The present invention achieves these goals by forming a lookup table of partial accumulations, and presents a method to efficiently address these partial accumulations for use during the accumulation and correlation processes performed by the receiver. These partial accumulations are in turn added together, or accumulated, to form the total accumulation over the desired time period.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for detecting the presence of a specified voltage source and automatically switching off a second voltage source regardless of voltage source potential of the two voltage sources are disclosed. The present invention uses pinch-off of a JFET, controlled by an inverter, to control a backup power supply based on the availability of the main supply.

Abstract: A highly integrated GPS RF Front End, an interface thereto, and a GPS receiver that incorporates the GPS RF front end, which uses a single conversion stage employing an image rejection mixer stage to eliminate the need for an image reject RF bandpass filter. Also a relatively high sample rate A/D is employed which allows a timeless monolithic IF Filter to be used. The disclosure also discusses a GPS Front End topology that is easily integrated from industry standard building blocks. With the broad variation in potential receiver designs, the present invention includes some specific receiver topologies that lend themselves to a high level of integration. The specific designs presented here are comprised of industry standard building blocks and functions that have been described elsewhere in the related art.

Abstract: The present invention discloses a method and apparatus for allowing for GPS receiver functions and GPS digital processing functions to co-exist and function optionally or nearly optimally while in close proximity on a common die.

Abstract: A highly integrated GPS RF Front End which uses a single conversion stage employs an image rejection mixer stage to eliminate the need for an image reject RF bandpass filter. Also a relatively high sample rate A/D is employed which allows a timeless monolitic IF Filter to be used. The disclosure also discusses a GPS Front End topology that is easily integrated from industry standard building blocks. With the broad variation in potential receiver designs, the present invention includes some specific receiver topologies that lend themselves to a high level of integration. The specific designs presented here are comprised of industry standard building blocks and functions that have been described elsewhere in the related art.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for minimizing the interference between wireless transmissions and a proximately located or co-located GPS receiver is disclosed. By feedforward of a phase and amplitude adjusted version of the transmitted signal and combining said signal with the composite signal at the input of the GPS receiver, the GPS receiver sensitivity degradation is reduced or eliminated in the case of perfect cancellation, and the GPS receiver is not jammed by the wireless transmissions. The invention allows a single antenna to be implemented for GPS reception and wireless transmission and reception without unduly complicating the diplexing/filtering network required to separate the multiple signals being transmitted and/or received by the single antenna.

Abstract: A highly integrated GPS RF Front End which uses a single conversion stage employs an image rejection mixer stage to eliminate the need for an image reject RF bandpass filter. Also a relatively high sample rate A/D is employed which allows a timeless monolitic IF Filter to be used. The disclosure also discusses a GPS Front End topology that is easily integrated from industry standard building blocks. With the broad variation in potential receiver designs, the present invention includes some specific receiver topologies that lend themselves to a high level of integration. The specific designs presented here are comprised of industry standard building blocks and functions that have been described elsewhere in the related art.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and apparatuses for tuning a circularly polarized patch antenna to compensate for manufacturing tolerance variation, and to compensate for mistuning of the antenna due to the implementation of the product in which the antenna is used. Varactors are coupled to the metal patch portion of the antenna, and a dc voltage is applied to tune the antenna capacitance. The varactors can receive different voltages if desired.

Abstract: A wrist mounted wireless instrument is provided with a wrist strap containing an antenna therein. An electrically conductive shield is disposed in the wrist strap between the antenna and the wrist to shield the antenna from the effects of the body of the user.