Abstract: Method and apparatus for enhanced WLAN (Wireless Local Area Network) wireless access point (AP) bandwidth via use of a WLAN mailbox. A WLAN mailbox is implemented in an integrated circuit employed by the wireless AP that is coupled to a WLAN sub-system including a WLAN controller and WLAN radio hardware for facilitating communication with WLAN stations. Packets received from a network via an Ethernet link are written by an Ethernet controller to memory blocks in the WLAN mailbox, and henceforth are forwarded to the WLAN sub-system for subsequent WLAN transmission. Packets received by the WLAN sub-system are written by a communications interface to memory blocks in the WLAN mailbox and forwarded to the Ethernet controller for transmission to a destined network. In some embodiments, MAC (Media Access Control) headers are translated between Ethernet- and WLAN-based protocols by corresponding embedded hardware in the WLAN mailbox.

Abstract: Flow control is provided for a packet switch. An incoming packet is classified according to its priority based on predefined rules to produce a weight value based on the priority of the packet. A lifetime value associated with the packet is produced based on the weight value and the queue occupancy in a queue to which the packet is assigned. The packet is discarded if its associated lifetime value is less than or equal to a threshold value. Otherwise the packet and associated lifetime value are sent to the queue. The lifetime value is periodically changed and compared to a threshold value. The packet is removed from the queue when its lifetime value reaches the threshold value.

Abstract: Flow control is provided for a packet switch. An incoming packet is classified according to its priority based on predefined rules to produce a weight value based on the priority of the packet. A lifetime value associated with the packet is produced based on the weight value and the queue occupancy in a queue to which the packet is assigned. The packet is discarded if its associated lifetime value is less than or equal to a threshold value. Otherwise the packet and associated lifetime value are sent to the queue. The lifetime value is periodically changed and compared to a threshold value. The packet is removed from the queue when its lifetime value reaches the threshold value.

Abstract: A method for a first semiconductor device (1) coupled to a non-floating bus (3) to determine whether a second semiconductor device (2) is also coupled to the non-floating bus (3). The first semiconductor device (1) sends a control signal for the second semiconductor device (2) to the non-floating bus (3), and the first semiconductor device waits for a response signal from the non-floating bus (3). The first semiconductor device (1) determines that the second semiconductor device (2) is coupled to the non-floating bus (3) if a response signal is received, and determines that the second semiconductor device (2) is not connected to the non-floating bus (3) if a response signal is not received.