Abstract: A data communication system has a station that includes multiple antenna elements. The station communicates to the antenna elements by way of digital data channels. Each antenna is connected to an RF module that receives data by way of a corresponding digital data channel, encodes and transmits the data. Adaptive beamforming may be performed for interference mitigation. Embodiments use the strength of pilot signals and/or error vector magnitudes as cost functions for an adaptive beamforming alogorithm such as optimum combining. Unused sub-carriers may be applied to provide in-band communication to facilitate channel switching, data reallocation and other interference mitigation strategies.

Abstract: A data communication system has a station that includes multiple antenna elements. The station communicates to the antenna elements by way of digital data channels. Each antenna is connected to an RF module that receives data by way of a corresponding digital data channel, encodes and transmits the data. Adaptive beamforming may be performed for interference mitigation. Embodiments use the strength of pilot signals and/or error vector magnitudes as cost functions for an adaptive beamforming alogorithm such as optimum combining. Unused sub-carriers may be applied to provide in-band communication to facilitate channel switching, data reallocation and other interference mitigation strategies.

Abstract: An enhancer that is added to a receiver to increase the dynamic range thereof. The enhancer comprises a downconverter for converting a received signal to an intermediate frequency of the receiver, and a coupler for sending the downconverted signal to the receiver. The dynamic range of the enhancer is greater than the dynamic range of the receiver such that the receiver can now receive strong signals via the enhancer. The downconverter may comprise a local oscillator that is operative to generate a local oscillator signal and a mixer operative to mix the received signal with the local oscillator signal in order to downconvert the received signal to the intermediate frequency of the receiver. In this respect, the enhancer may be an add-on device which is plugged directly into the antenna port of the receiver and immediately increases the dynamic range thereof.

Abstract: A radio modem is connectable to a booster unit to boost the power of the transmitted RF signal. In order to detect the presence or absence of the booster unit, a DC offset is placed on the connector line between the radio modem and the booster unit. The value of the DC offset depends upon whether the booster unit is connected and this DC value can be detected at the radio modem. Baseband signals are sent on the connector line between the radio modem and the booster unit. The baseband signals can include a power control message which allows the booster unit to determine the power level to transmit. Additionally, a switch placed in the transmit line of the booster unit to prevent the input to a power amplifier in the booster to be destructively high if the radio modem unit does not correctly detect the connection to the booster unit.

Abstract: A detachable battery pack is connected to a personal computer card modem at the same side as an antenna. An advantage of this system is that the detachable battery pack can be added and removed from the personal computer card without affecting the antenna connection to the personal computer card. The antenna need not be connected to the personal computer card through the battery pack.

Abstract: An extendable antenna for a personal computer card uses two main antenna elements. A movable antenna element can be positioned in an extended position such that the base of the second antenna element electrically contacts the top of the other antenna element. The antenna in the extended position is connected to the antenna port through matching circuitry. In a closed position of the antenna, the second antenna element is electrically connected to the antenna port bypassing the matching circuitry. In one embodiment, the antenna is a quarter-wave length antenna in the closed position and a half-wave length antenna in the extended position.

Abstract: A computing device (100) including a wireless packet data communications modem (101) used in conjunction with a computer (103) to provide untethered access to data bases and other computer users. A method is provided for controlling data transmission and reception using the wireless packet data communications modem (101) in tandem with the computer (103). Two-way communications is achieved using a small, low-cost, light-weight wireless packet data communications modem contained in a housing, integral to a computing device, or a removable housing conforming to a PCMCIA industry standard.

Abstract: An antenna system (20) provides low radio frequency interference (RFI) using an unbalanced antenna (21) comprised of three eighths wavelength whip antenna element (22) and associated counterpoise (23). Antenna counterpoise (23) may be formed by an EMI shielding conductor which is isolated at the frequency of operation of antenna system (20) from EMI shielding serving as host interface ground conductor (28) using resonant structure (25). Resonant structure (25) isolates antenna counterpoise (23) from host interface ground conductor (28) thereby improving antenna efficiency, and substantially eliminating RFI effects arising from use of antenna system (20).

Abstract: A computing device (100) including a wireless packet data communications modem (101) used in conjunction with a computer (103) to provide untethered access to data bases and other computer users. A method is provided for controlling data transmission and reception using the wireless packet data communications modem (101) in tandem with the computer (103). Two-way communications is achieved using a small, low-cost, light-weight wireless packet data communications modem contained in a housing, integral to a computing device, or a removable housing conforming to a PCMCIA industry standard.

Abstract: An integral diversity antenna especially suited for use in a laptop computer device without the need for changing or otherwise altering such devices pre-established form factor. Two separately located printed circuit board antenna structures are orthogonally mounted in an associated counterpoise. One such antenna structure is vertically polarized and the other horizontally polarized. In this manner, both spatial and polarization diversity is achieved. The counterpoise serves the additional purpose of affecting both RFI and EMI shielding of the laptop computer's LCD display and driven circuitry.