Abstract: In a portable electronic device having a data-storage drive that employs a rotatable data-storage carrier, as the data-storage carrier undergoes spin-up and spin-down cycles when the data-storage drive is being accessed, the electronic device recaptures at least a portion of the kinetic energy of the rotating data-storage carrier during the spin-downs to generate electrical currents and use them to either charge the battery or reduce the battery drain.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing registers of a PHY device in a network including an extended protocol software layer between the protocol and application layers, on the one hand, and the MAC driver, on the other hand. The extended protocol layer generates the PHY device register read and write commands and embeds them within standardized Ethernet data packets. The extended PHY device is adapted to distinguish these register read and write command packets from normal data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the commands. Likewise, the extended PHY device embeds the read and write acknowledgments in standardized Ethernet data packets that the extended protocol layer, in turn, can distinguish from normal Ethernet data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the acknowledgments.

Abstract: A data-based software type link integrity module is implemented separately in hardware (e.g., using physical gates, using a microcontroller, etc.) and separated from core CPU functionality in a network device, such that the link integrity module may remain powered in a cold power mode (e.g., when core functionality is powered down). The separately powered data-based link integrity module is powered by an auxiliary backup power source. Thus, when in a power down mode (e.g., when in an ACPI defined D3 type cold state) a minimal power source may be used to power the separate link integrity module separate from the power source to the core network device functionality. The separately powered data-based link integrity module may be redundant to a software driver type data-based link integrity module implemented in core memory and enabled or disabled as desired.

Abstract: A translation system and related method for use with a communications device having a physical layer system and a data link layer system with a media access control layer subsystem and coupleable to a communications network. In one embodiment, the translation system includes a generator that constructs a piggyback packet containing characteristics associated with the physical layer system. The translation system also includes a correlator, coupled to the generator, that receives the piggyback packet and extracts information about the physical layer system. The generator and correlator transmit and receive the piggyback packet without substantially modifying the media access control layer subsystem.

Abstract: A system and method for processing wake-up signals during a sleep mode of a computer in a communications network to wake up sleeping components of the computer. The system includes an extended PHY (physical layer) device for receiving wake-up signals from a network medium, converting the wake-up signals into an additionally-encoded data packet, and generating a standardized wake-up packet based on the additionally-encoded data packet. The system also includes a MAC (media access controller) device, coupled to the extended PHY device, for receiving the standardized wake-up packet and generating a wake-up notification signal in response to the standardized wake-up packet to wake up the sleeping to components of the computer.

Abstract: Combined IEEE 802.11 (WiFi) and Bluetooth transceiver and method of operation employing busy signals to monitor when transmissions of each type are being transmitted or received, and employing a synchronizing signal to synchronize the use of time slots. In one embodiment, a simple two-wire interface is exposed linking Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 radio systems. In another embodiment, the Bluetooth and IEEE 802.11 services can exchange information including scheduling, mode of operation, channel usage and device state via a shared resource such as a memory, referred to as a ‘mailbox’.

Abstract: A method and system for servicing data traffic in wireless local area networks (such as IEEE 802.11 networks) in multiple queues having different levels of priority. These queues include at least a low priority queue for ‘best effort’ traffic, a medium priority queue for streaming data such as video pictures, and a high priority queue for voice traffic, and are serviced in order of decreasing priority. To prevent the ‘best effort’ traffic in the low priority queue from being ‘starved’, a bit is set to indicate when such a condition is likely to occur, and the low priority queue is served first when that bit has been set. Alternatively, low and medium priority traffic is handled on a weighted round-robin basis, and high priority traffic is given strict priority over both. Transmit and receive queues are handled on a rotating priority basis.

Abstract: A method of dynamic spectral bandwidth allocation in home phone-line networking (HPN). An HPN terminal is configured to sense transmission activity in a frequency sub-band corresponding to a broad-band high-speed service, such as ADSL. If no activity is detected, the HPN terminal uses the sub-band for communication with other HPN terminals. As a result, major impediments to HPN networking, such as crosstalk from neighboring home networks and signal attenuation due to the unpredictable topology of the in-home wiring, are minimized or possibly mitigated. In addition, the capacity accessible to HPN terminals may be increased. Consequently, the robustness of HPN networking is improved and higher data throughput rates may be supported.

Abstract: A networking device includes a legacy preamble injector that inserts a legacy preamble based on an indication that a legacy device is coupled to a common network. The legacy preamble injector inserts the legacy preamble if a legacy device is a target device for communication from a network appliance. Alternately, a device may be adapted to output a payload portion at a native rate, for example, if a legacy device is not a target. A Home Phone Line Network Alliance (HomePNA) system includes a telephone line network and a plurality of devices couple to the telephone line network. The plurality of devices may include at least one V2.x device and at least one V1.x device. The at least one V2.x device is adapted to recognize a presence on the telephone line network of at least one V1.x device, and to modify a transmission frame format based on this recognition.

Abstract: Signature apparatus and techniques that make home networking devices, e.g., in-Home Phoneline Network (herein referred to as “HPN”) devices, isolation filters, network interface devices, etc., detectable by commercially available metallic loop termination (MLT) test equipment. The invention also provides a method of testing a telephone line for the existence of a signature circuit identifying a home network. The home network signature circuit includes a series combination of a voltage breakdown device (e.g., Zener diodes) and an impedance (e.g., 200K ohm resistor). In operation, the home network signature circuit shunts the tested subscriber line loop with a voltage-dependent impedance in the presence of an appropriate test voltage exceeding 80 volts. Different high voltage thresholds of the voltage breakdown portion and/or different resistance values of the shunt impedance can be implemented in the home network signature device to produce uniquely detectable signatures.

Abstract: Remote analysis method and system for Home Phoneline Networks (HPNs), i.e., local area networks made up of telephone wiring in residential premises. In such a network connected to the Internet, a host computer collects measurements of the frequency response of the local network as well as values of addresses and other important network parameters of devices also located on the local network. The results of this data collection, having been sent via the Internet, may be displayed within a web browser on a remote computer external to the local network in a web. This data can then be monitored conveniently by a service technician or the like at any location.

Abstract: A system and method for accessing registers of a PHY device in a network including an extended protocol software layer between the protocol and application layers, on the one hand, and the MAC driver, on the other hand. The extended protocol layer generates the PHY device register read and write commands and embeds them within standardized Ethernet data packets. The extended PHY device is adapted to distinguish these register read and write command packets from normal data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the commands. Likewise, the extended PHY device embeds the read and write acknowledgments in standardized Ethernet data packets that the extended protocol layer, in turn, can distinguish from normal Ethernet data packets and intercept and parse them to retrieve the acknowledgments.

Abstract: A system and method for processing wake-up signals during a sleep mode of a computer in a communications network to wake up sleeping components of the computer. The system includes an extended PHY (physical layer) device for receiving wake-up signals from a network medium, converting the wake-up signals into an additionally-encoded data packet, and generating a standardized wake-up packet based on the additionally-encoded data packet. The system also includes a MAC (media access controller) device, coupled to the extended PHY device, for receiving the standardized wake-up packet and generating a wake-up notification signal in response to the standardized wake-up packet to wake up the sleeping to components of the computer.

Abstract: The invention is a method and apparatus for ensuring synchronization for digital communication between a transmitting and a receiving device, particularly when the clock and/or frame synchronization is sourced from a different location than the transmit data. In accordance with the first aspect of the invention, the transmitting device employs a look ahead algorithm to begin transmitting data before actual receipt of the frame synchronization signal.

Abstract: A translation system and related method for use with a communications device having a physical layer system and a data link layer system with a media access control layer subsystem and coupleable to a communications network. In one embodiment, the translation system includes a generator that constructs a piggyback packet containing characteristics associated with the physical layer system. The translation system also includes a correlator, coupled to the generator, that receives the piggyback packet and extracts information about the physical layer system. The generator and correlator transmit and receive the piggyback packet without substantially modifying the media access control layer subsystem.

Abstract: A data-based software type link integrity module is implemented separately in hardware (e.g., using physical gates, using a microcontroller, etc.) and separated from core CPU functionality in a network device, such that the link integrity module may remain powered in a cold power mode (e.g., when core functionality is powered down). The separately powered data-based link integrity module is powered by an auxiliary backup power source. Thus, when in a power down mode (e.g., when in an ACPI defined D3 type cold state) a minimal power source may be used to power the separate link integrity module separate from the power source to the core network device functionality. The separately powered data-based link integrity module may be redundant to a software driver type data-based link integrity module implemented in core memory and enabled or disabled as desired.