Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: An SDARS receiver includes an analog front end configured to receive a composite signal. An A/D converter is coupled to the analog front end and converts the signal to a digitized signal. A digital down converter (DDC) is coupled to the A/D converter and down converts the digitized signal to a down converted signal. A demodulator demodulates the down converted signal. The receiver includes a digital automatic gain control (DAGC) coupled to an output of the A/D converter and before the demodulator. An automatic gain controller is coupled to the DAGC for providing an automatic gain control signal.

Abstract: In one embodiment, a satellite radio receiver is capable of simultaneously processing (i) a first radio channel that is playing on a first speaker and (ii) a second radio channel, different from the first radio channel, that is not playing on the first speaker. The second radio channel can simultaneously be playing on a second speaker, be recorded onto a non-volatile memory, and/or have its processing modified. A user can control the satellite radio receiver using vocal commands, while the first channel is playing on the first speaker. The radio receiver has a microphone connected to a voice-recognition command interpreter that includes an interfering-sound canceller, which reduces sounds interfering with the vocal commands, and a command-recognition module, which recognizes vocal commands and provides a control signal to a multi-channel control processor, which processes and controls the first and second radio channels, received from corresponding decoders connected to a satellite radio receiver antenna.

Abstract: An automatic gain control (AGC) for a Satellite Digital Audio Radio Service (SDARS) receiver, a method of automatically controlling gain and a SDARS receiver incorporating the AGC or the method. In one embodiment, the AGC includes: (1) an AGC function selector configured to compare first and second time division multiplexed (TDM) power signals and a nonzero threshold and select an AGC function based thereon and (2) an AGC function applier associated with the AGC function selector and configured to apply the AGC function to the first and second TDM power signals to develop therefrom an AGC control signal.

Abstract: The present invention provides a broadcast retransmitter for use with a wireless local area network (WLAN). In one embodiment, the broadcast retransmitter includes a gateway configured to format a bitstream received from a broadcast receiver for delivery to a wireless access point (WAP) of the WLAN and subsequent conversion by the WAP into a wireless transmission over the WLAN to make the bitstream available for reception by a client of the WLAN.

Abstract: An SDARS receiver includes an analog front end configured to receive a composite signal. An A/D converter is coupled to the analog front end and converts the signal to a digitized signal. A digital down converter (DDC) is coupled to the A/D converter and down converts the digitized signal to a down converted signal. A demodulator demodulates the down converted signal. The receiver includes a digital automatic gain control (DAGC) coupled to an output of the A/D converter and before the demodulator. An automatic gain controller is coupled to the DAGC for providing an automatic gain control signal.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for reducing channel distortion in a broadband, wireless network comprising a residential communications gateway that accepts all incoming communications signals and securely broadcasts those signals throughout a residence. In one embodiment, the gateway comprises a space time block encoder to reduce the effects of multipath and at least one error correction encoder to provide error correction. The space time block encoder generates at least two space time block coded signals that are transmitted via the wireless network. Each space time block coded signal is transmitted using a different antenna.

Abstract: A technique for controlling the transmission power level of a transmitter, particularly in a wireless personal communication system, is disclosed. This technique assists in the prevention of interference between transceivers from degrading the quality of transmissions. Transmission power level is controlled through a hybrid circuit containing both digital and analog electronics. The transmission power level is set by controlling both the amount by which a data stream is compressed and the gain of an analog transmit power amplifier. This approach allows adequate control over the transmission power level; it avoids the need for utilizing excessively wide data paths for the digital transmit signals (which may compromise portable terminal battery consumption), or utilizing expensive, hard-to-calibrate analog electronics.