Signal Strength Patents (Class 455/226.2)
  • Publication number: 20100130151
    Abstract: A channel characteristic analyzing apparatus that can ensure modeling of a more adequate propagation path by processing position parameters needed in a two-wave model which is used as a line-of-sight propagation path model in a stochastic manner is provided. The channel characteristic analyzing apparatus for analyzing the propagation channel characteristics of a reception apparatus 11b which has received a radio signal of a millimeter wave band, transmitted from a transmission antenna 13a of a transmission apparatus 11a, via a reception antenna 13b, includes computation means which computes h(t) expressed by the following equation (1) as a channel response to the propagation channel characteristic. h(t)=??(t)??(1) where ? is derived as a result of processing the position parameters needed also in the two-wave model in the stochastic manner.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 10, 2007
    Publication date: May 27, 2010
    Inventors: Yozo Shoji, Hirokazu Sawada
  • Patent number: 7711341
    Abstract: Various embodiments of the present invention adjust an operating mode of a configurable receiver based at least in part on a selected communication service to be provided and an available signal quality. A control unit receives data related to one or more selected communication services to be provided. The control unit also receives information about the environmental operating conditions in which the configurable receiver is operating, via one or more signal quality metrics. The control unit adjusts the operating mode of the configurable receiver by modifying the gain of a received signal, the channel bandwidth, or controlling the synthesizers or equalizers.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 31, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Spreadtrum Communications Inc.
    Inventor: David Ryan Haub
  • Patent number: 7711353
    Abstract: A method and system is disclosed for reactively managing dropped calls in a wireless communication system. A mobile station determines that it has experienced a dropped call. In response, the mobile station allows a user to continue communicating, such as by recording the user's speech, for instance. The mobile station may then play out the recorded speech to the user or to another call participant, such as upon reestablishment of the call.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 5, 2008
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Sprint Spectrum L.P.
    Inventor: Durga Prasad Satapathy
  • Patent number: 7711027
    Abstract: A wireless communication control method of the present invention for wireless communication devices employing Adaptive Frequency Hopping that switches among a plurality of channels except a channel subject to interference by interference waves in a predetermined frequency band for communication includes steps of creating, setting, processing reception, and assessing channels. In the creating step, a hopping pattern is created by using available channels. In the setting step, channels used for the communication are set based on the hopping pattern. In the processing reception step, received signals on the channels are processed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: May 4, 2010
    Assignee: Oki Semiconductors Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Yuji Honda
  • Patent number: 7702307
    Abstract: A frequency modulation (FM) radio receiver includes a processing unit that may generate a magnitude value corresponding to a signal strength of each of a plurality of digital samples of a received FM signal. The receiver also includes a noise estimation unit that may filter the magnitude values using a high pass filter and may generate a noise value representative of a noise portion of the received FM signal based upon the filtered magnitude values.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: April 20, 2010
    Assignee: Silicon Laboratories, Inc.
    Inventors: Dana J. Taipale, G. Tyson Tuttle, Gerald D. Champagne, Javier Elenes
  • Patent number: 7697898
    Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate generally to receivers. A frequency modulated (FM) receiver includes an equalizer control unit coupled to receive at least one FM signal quality indicator and provide a control signal based on the FM signal quality indicator. An adaptive equalizer coupled to receive the control signal from the equalizer control unit and an FM signal and provide a filtered FM signal corresponding to the received FM signal. Coefficients of the adaptive equalizer are reset in response to the control signal. Another embodiment relates to a method for processing a frequency modulated (FM) signal. An FM signal is received. At least one FM signal quality indicator is used to provide a control signal. Based on the control signal, the received FM signal is filtered using one of an adaptive filter and a static filter to provide a filtered FM signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 13, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 13, 2010
    Assignee: Freescale Semiconductor, Inc
    Inventors: Raghu G. Raj, Jon D. Hendrix, Junsong Li
  • Patent number: 7693290
    Abstract: A sound reproduction device such as a radio receiver or a cellular phone includes an antenna, a control unit and a speaker. The control unit determines whether a radio wave receiving condition is satisfactory. The receiving condition is represented by field strength of the radio wave or a degradation of a sound signal in the radio wave. If the receiving condition is not satisfactory, the control unit adds an acoustic effect to the sound signal thereby to notify listeners of degradation of receiving condition. The acoustic effect may be a changing of sound image localization, a changing of a frequency characteristic and a changing of a reverberation characteristic. The acoustic effect is stopped for a specified period after the acoustic effect is added, even when the receiving condition is not satisfactory.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 26, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 6, 2010
    Assignee: DENSO CORPORATION
    Inventor: Tomoaki Mizuno
  • Publication number: 20100056199
    Abstract: A mobile device for setting a signal strength value for the mobile device to receive needed radio signals. The mobile device includes a signal strength value configuring system and a radio signal receiving unit. The signal strength value configuring system is operable to set the signal strength value for the mobile device to receive needed radio signals, utilizing a number of radio station channels detected by the radio signal receiving unit of the mobile device.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 10, 2009
    Publication date: March 4, 2010
    Applicant: Chi Mei Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: KUN-YI CHEN
  • Patent number: 7672643
    Abstract: The present disclosure relates generally to systems and methods for transmitter leak-over cancellation. In one example, a method includes transmitting a signal via a transmit chain in a wireless device, where a portion of the signal leaks over into a receive chain of the wireless device. A portion of the signal is diverted from the transmit chain into cancellation circuitry coupled to the receive chain to manipulate an amplitude and phase of the portion before combining the manipulated portion with the signal and other portion to at least partially cancel interference caused by the leak-over portion. After downconverting, a remainder portion is filtered from the received signal. A power level of the remainder portion is detected and compared to a threshold value. An amplitude and phase configuration of the cancellation circuitry is modified based on a result of comparing the power level to the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 16, 2007
    Date of Patent: March 2, 2010
    Assignee: Samsung Electronics Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Lup Meng Loh
  • Patent number: 7668570
    Abstract: An information processing apparatus comprises a wireless communication unit which discovers wireless devices existing in surroundings, and a display unit which displays a list of wireless devices discovered by the wireless communication unit as selectable objects in which display icons of the objects are based on radio intensities of the discovered wireless devices.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 11, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 23, 2010
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hiroyuki Watanabe, Hiromasa Takato, Hiroto Yoshihara, Takahisa Yoneyama, Makoto Taki
  • Patent number: 7660567
    Abstract: An improved Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) circuit and method is provided herein for quickly and accurately detecting the strength of a received signal. The circuit described herein provides a more accurate RSSI signal, while consuming less power and die area, by utilizing digital rather than analog summing.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Cypress Semiconductor Corporation
    Inventors: Mark R. Gehring, Joseph D. Stenger
  • Patent number: 7660606
    Abstract: The present invention provides a method for controlling mobile unit response messages. One embodiment of the method includes providing, to a mobile unit, at least one message including information indicative of at least one parameter for configuring at least one response to said at least one message for transmission over an access channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 29, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Qi Bi, Yang Yang, Sigen Ye
  • Patent number: 7660565
    Abstract: A dual or multi-mode wireless communication device has a first microprocessor for a first type of wireless signal, such as an IEEE 802.11 (“WiFi”) signal, and a second microprocessor for a second type of wireless signal, such as a cellular network signal. The received signal strength of the first type of wireless signal is monitored by the first microprocessor when the communication device is operating in a first wireless mode, and a notification message is sent from the first microprocessor to the second microprocessor whenever the received signal strength is determined to have changed from one level to another level. The second microprocessor then updates a received signal strength indicator (“RSSI”) icon on the screen of the wireless device to indicate the new received signal strength level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 14, 2006
    Date of Patent: February 9, 2010
    Assignee: Kyocera Corporation
    Inventors: Mehul B. Patel, Subramanya Ravikanth Uppala
  • Publication number: 20100029236
    Abstract: A receiving apparatus is for selecting and receiving a radio signal in a frame structure having an information body part including at least information body and an additional part including information for receiving field intensity measurement by using a plurality of antennas. The apparatus includes a controller that measures a receiving field intensity of not a first antenna which has received the information body in a transmission period of the additional part in a current frame but a second antenna, and measures a receiving field intensity of the first antenna in a transmission period of the information body part in the current frame, and if the receiving field intensity of the second antenna exceeds the receiving field intensity of the first antenna, selects and changes to the second antenna as the first antenna of a next frame.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 31, 2009
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Applicant: OLYMPUS CORPORATION
    Inventors: Seiichiro Kimoto, Toshiaki Shigemori, Ayako Nagase, Manabu Fujita, Akira Matsui, Kazutaka Nakatsuchi
  • Publication number: 20100029235
    Abstract: A receiver searches for and identifies the locations of narrowband interference by sweeping across a wideband frequency channel to measure power levels of at least three narrowband frequency regions and determines if at least one interfering signal is present as a function of the measured power levels.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 1, 2006
    Publication date: February 4, 2010
    Inventor: Aaron Reel Bouillet
  • Patent number: 7656958
    Abstract: A system and method for estimating a channel in a wireless receiver is disclosed. The method preferably applies to a communication system using the OFDM standard. The method comprises receiving a block of “n” transmitted symbols, the symbols including pilot symbols and “d” data symbols, estimating a channel using the pilot symbols to create a channel estimate, choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols from the “d” received symbols, compensating the “m” strongest symbols using the channel estimate to create a group of “m” compensated symbols, re-estimating the channel using the group of “m” compensated symbols and pilot symbols; and either (1) repeating the steps of choosing a group of “m” strongest symbols, compensating the group of “m” strongest symbols and re-estimating the channel, or (2) using a latest channel estimate to compensate all symbols within the block.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2008
    Date of Patent: February 2, 2010
    Assignee: AT&T Mobility II LLC
    Inventors: Titus Lo, Ruifeng Wang
  • Patent number: 7650116
    Abstract: Method and device for interference cancellation. A radio access unit comprises a plurality of directionally separated antenna elements (41k, K=1, 2, . . . , L) for receiving signals transmitted by a plurality of remote units. From signals received by each of the antenna elements (41k) first weighing factors (g(1)k) are determined (49), for optimally selecting signal of a first remote unit (521). A first radio signal (s1) of the first communication unit (521) is provided by weighing (44) the received signals using the first weighing factors (g(1)k). For a further radio communication unit (52i) further weighing factors (g(i)k) are determined. A corrected further radio signal (s?i) is provided each time by subtracting (46) from the further radio signal (si), previously obtained corrected radio signal (S?i-1, S?i-1, . . . ) weighed by the further weighing factors (g(i)k), till a stop criterium has been satisfied.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 19, 2010
    Assignee: Telefonaktiebolaget L M Ericsson (PUBL)
    Inventor: Jacobus Cornelis Haartsen
  • Publication number: 20100003939
    Abstract: This disclosure discloses methods and apparatus for calibrating received signal strength indicators.
    Type: Application
    Filed: October 23, 2008
    Publication date: January 7, 2010
    Inventors: Ronghui Kong, Dawei Guo
  • Patent number: 7643811
    Abstract: A wireless communications device includes a first receiver and a second receiver. The first receiver is configured to receive a first wireless signal (such as a Bluetooth or WLAN signal), while the second receiver is configured to receive a second wireless signal (such as a UWB signal). In addition, the second receiver is configured to determine spectral characteristics of the first wireless signal. Based on these determined spectral characteristics, an interference detection module may identify interference in the first wireless signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 26, 2004
    Date of Patent: January 5, 2010
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventors: Jukka Reunamäki, Arto Palin
  • Publication number: 20090318090
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus in a mobile receiver for selecting among methods of estimating a received power of at least one signal. A method includes selecting a first method or a second method of measuring the received power based on a cell timing and a measurement interval. Information is received from a first base station about the measurement interval during which to perform the first method and the second method on a signal transmitted by at least one second base station. The timing of the at least one second base station is determined, and based on the timing of the at least one second base station and the measurement interval, one of the first method and the second method is selected.
    Type: Application
    Filed: April 9, 2009
    Publication date: December 24, 2009
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Jose Flordelis, Joakim Axmon, Bengt Lindoff
  • Publication number: 20090311985
    Abstract: A Received Signal Strength Indicator (RSSI) circuit includes a subsampling circuit that processes an input signal comprising a sampling frequency, fs, wherein the subsampling circuit subsamples the input signal, wherein the input signal is subsampled to concentrate a power in a narrow bandwidth; an analog-to-digital converter (ADC) operatively connected to the subsampling circuit, wherein the ADC digitizes the subsampled signal; and a baseband detector operatively connected to the ADC, wherein the baseband detector detects a power from the digitized subsampled signal and creates an output signal. The subsampling circuit and the ADC may operate as a single subsampling ADC. The RSSI circuit may further comprise ignoring higher order aliases at a multiple of the sampling frequency if the baseband detector is clocked at the sampling frequency.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 11, 2008
    Publication date: December 17, 2009
    Applicant: NEWPORT MEDIA, INC.
    Inventors: Edward Youssoufian, Amr Fahim
  • Patent number: 7630695
    Abstract: A system and method are provided for measuring the amplitude of a received signal. The method receives an analog input signal, and compares a peak value of the analog input signal to a threshold level. Threshold transition data is generated, and the threshold level is adjusted in response to the transition data. The above-mentioned processes of comparing, generating, and adjusting are reiterated until the threshold level is about equal to the analog input signal peak value. As a result, a measurement of the analog input signal peak value is supplied. In one aspect, threshold transition data is converted into a digital value. Then, the measurement of the analog input signal peak value uses the digital value to represent the analog input signal peak value. Further, the digital value is converted into an analog voltage as feedback, and the analog voltage is used as the threshold level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 12, 2007
    Date of Patent: December 8, 2009
    Assignee: Applied Micro Circuits Corporation
    Inventors: Julian Uribe, Wei Fu
  • Patent number: 7623484
    Abstract: In a method of multipath acquisition for a dedicated traffic channel, path positions of the traffic channel that have desired signal energy for processing in a base station receiver may be determined as a function of pilot signal information and other control information contained in a control part of the traffic channel.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2005
    Date of Patent: November 24, 2009
    Assignee: Alcatel-Lucent USA Inc.
    Inventors: Francis Dominique, Hongwel Kong
  • Publication number: 20090285116
    Abstract: Embodiments for bandwidth allocation methods, detecting interference with other systems, and/or redeploying in alternate bandwidth are described. Higher bandwidth channels may be deployed at channel boundaries (410), which are a subset of those for lower bandwidth channels (310), and may be restricted from overlapping. Interference may be detected (930) on primary, secondary, or a combination of channels, and may be detected in response to energy measurements (910) of the various channels. When interference is detected, a higher bandwidth Basic Service Set (BSS)(100) may be relocated to an alternate channel, or may have its bandwidth reduced to avoid interference. Interference may be detected based on energy measured on the primary or secondary channel, and/or a difference between the two. An FFT (1010) may be used in energy measurement in either or both of the primary and secondary channels. Stations may also monitor messages from alternate systems to make channel allocation decisions.
    Type: Application
    Filed: July 23, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Sanjiv Nanda, Shravan K. Surineni, Jay Rodney Walton
  • Publication number: 20090286496
    Abstract: Transmit power (e.g., maximum transmit power) may be defined based on the maximum received signal strength allowed by a receiver and a total received signal strength from transmitting nodes at the receiver. Transmit power may be defined for an access node (e.g., a femto node) such that a corresponding outage created in a cell (e.g., a macro cell) is limited while still providing an acceptable level of coverage for access terminals associated with the access node. An access node may autonomously adjust its transmit power based on channel measurement and a defined coverage hole to mitigate interference and perform a self-calibration process.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 11, 2009
    Publication date: November 19, 2009
    Applicant: QUALCOMM Incorporated
    Inventors: Mehmet Yavuz, Farhad Meshkati, Mostafa S. El-Khamy, Sanjiv Nanda
  • Patent number: 7620371
    Abstract: A single chip radio transceiver includes circuitry that enables received wideband RF signals to be down-converted to baseband frequencies and baseband signals to be up-converted to wideband RF signals prior to transmission without requiring conversion to an intermediate frequency. The circuitry includes a low noise amplifier, automatic frequency control circuitry for aligning a local oscillation frequency with the frequency of the received RF signals, signal power measuring circuitry for measuring the signal to signal and power ratio and for adjusting frontal and rear amplification stages accordingly, and finally, filtering circuitry to filter high and low frequency interfering signals including DC offset.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: November 17, 2009
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Alireza Zolfaghari
  • Publication number: 20090280764
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for on-demand linearity in a receiver are provided. In this regard, in a receiver such as on-chip receiver, a strength of a signal received by one or more antennas may be measured and linearity of the receiver may be controlled in response to the measured signal strength. The linearity may be controlled based on signal strength of in-band and/or out-of-band signals and by configuring component(s) of the receiver. Exemplary components may comprise one or more filter, amplifier, mixer, analog-to-digital converter, feedback loop, and equalizer and/or post corrector. Linearity may be increased, by switching one or more feedback loops and/or an equalizers and/or post correctors into a signal path of the receiver. Power consumption may be decreased, at the expense of reduced linearity, by switching one or more feedback loops and/or an equalizers and/or post correctors out of a signal path of the receiver.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 6, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Publication number: 20090280765
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for on-demand filtering in a receiver. In this regard, one or more filters in a receiver may be configured based on measurement and/or characterization of a signal received by the receiver and based on power consumption of the filters. In this regard, the filters may be configured based on a strength of in-band and/or out-of-band signals, and signal to noise ratio of a signal, and/or a dynamic range of a signal. The filters may be configured by switching one or more stages and/or components into and/or out of a signal path. In this manner, a trade off may be made between filter response and power consumption by powering down portions of a filter not in use. Additionally, the filters may be configured by tuning one or more variable elements within the filters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 7, 2008
    Publication date: November 12, 2009
    Inventors: Ahmadreza Rofougaran, Maryam Rofougaran
  • Patent number: 7615188
    Abstract: In an apparatus for measuring absorbed power including an electromagnetic field probe 1 fixedly mounted within a head simulation phantom 2 which simulates the configuration and the electromagnetic characteristics of a head of a human body, and wherein the strength of an electric field or a magnetic field of a radio wave externally irradiated upon the head simulation phantom 2 is measured by the electromagnetic field probe 1, and the power of the radio wave absorbed by the head is estimated on the basis of measured values, the head simulation phantom 2 comprises a solid dielectric 10? which simulates the configuration and the electromagnetic characteristics of a head of a human body or a liquid dielectric 10 which simulates the electromagnetic characteristics of a head of a human body and which is filled in an enclosed vessel 10 which simulates the configuration of a head of a human body. The volume of the solid dielectric 10? or the volume of the enclosed vessel 11 is equal to or less than 5×105 mm3.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 30, 2006
    Date of Patent: November 10, 2009
    Assignee: NTT DoCoMo, Inc.
    Inventors: Takahiro Iyama, Yoshiaki Tarusawa, Shinji Uebayashi, Toshio Nojima
  • Patent number: 7606543
    Abstract: The quality of radio frequency signals received at a mobile phone or cellphone is sampled. The results are employed to produce a human discernible indication such as by blinking a received signal strength bar on a display. The bar remains constant without blinking if the signal quality is at or below a preselected minimum and can have the blinking rate increase as the sensed signal quality decreases. Distortion can be determined in either the digital or analog mode. Digital signal quality can be reflected in the sensed bit error rate while the level of analog signal quality can be determined from the supervisory audio tone.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 3, 1999
    Date of Patent: October 20, 2009
    Assignee: Nokia Mobile Phones
    Inventor: Jorma Antero Seppanen
  • Patent number: 7603092
    Abstract: A method for selecting at least one operating parameter of a communication system (100). The method can include determining a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) for a communication signal (330). An intermediate value (D) for the communication signal can be determined based on, at least in part, a received value (ri) of at least one known datum, a predetermined value (pi) of the known datum and a channel estimate ({tilde over (h)}i). Further, a carrier to interference and noise ratio (CINR) can be estimated based on, at least in part, the RSSI and the intermediate value. The operating parameter can be selected based on, at least in part, the estimated CINR.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 19, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 13, 2009
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventors: Xiaoyong Yu, Alan P. Rottinghaus, Jian J. Wu
  • Patent number: 7599674
    Abstract: An embodiment is a receiver for a communications system that may substantially block unwanted signals in a frequency range to protect the receiver from overload. Simultaneously, the receiver of an embodiment substantially passes a desired signal so that its information may be processed by the, for example, communications system of which the receiver is part.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 17, 2006
    Date of Patent: October 6, 2009
    Assignee: Pine Valley Investments, Inc.
    Inventor: Dennis Ray Layne
  • Publication number: 20090247103
    Abstract: A technique for determining a received signal strength from multiple messages filters noise from the received signal to provide an accurate signal strength value. Advantageously, the more accurate output signal strength value can be used to identify movement of a station as well as estimate locations and direction of movement.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 28, 2008
    Publication date: October 1, 2009
    Inventor: David B. Aragon
  • Patent number: 7596461
    Abstract: A system for measuring air quality in wireless networks. In particular implementations, a method includes computing an interference severity level for a plurality of interference sources detected at an access point; aggregating one or more of the computed interference severity levels relative to the access point; and computing an air quality metric for the access point, wherein the air quality metric based at least in part on an equation: 1—aggregated interference severity level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 6, 2007
    Date of Patent: September 29, 2009
    Assignee: Cisco Technology, Inc.
    Inventors: Brian Donald Hart, Christopher Sean Johnson, Igal Gutkin, Sanjeev Hemantkumar Desal
  • Publication number: 20090239490
    Abstract: A method of detecting a carrier signal includes generating a first signal that represents a strength of a received signal. A variable threshold signal is generated based on the first signal. A fixed threshold signal is generated. The method includes detecting whether a carrier signal is present in the received signal based on a comparison of the first signal with a sum of the variable threshold signal and the fixed threshold signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 20, 2008
    Publication date: September 24, 2009
    Inventor: Walter Schuchter
  • Patent number: 7593491
    Abstract: The present invention is a quadrature multi-mode RF receiver that uses a single quadrature mixer for tuning to desired frequency bands. In a direct conversion mode of operation, the RF receiver down converts a received RF signal directly into a baseband signal. In a VLIF mode of operation, the RF receiver down converts a received RF signal into a VLIF signal. When receiving a wanted RF signal, the frequency of the resulting VLIF signal is called the wanted VLIF frequency, and is based on the signal strength of the received RF signal. In one embodiment of the present invention, the wanted VLIF frequency is selected to be one of two VLIF frequencies. The wanted VLIF frequency is inversely related to the signal strength of the received RF signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 3, 2006
    Date of Patent: September 22, 2009
    Assignee: RF Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Nadim Khlat, Marcus Granger-Jones, Mark Alexander John Moffat
  • Publication number: 20090233566
    Abstract: A calibration circuit for calibrating an output level of a demodulator includes a test signal generator, an RSSI module and a calibration module. The test signal generator generates a test signal, and the RSSI module detects the test signal to generate a control signal, wherein the control signal controls the demodulator to process the test signal to generate a determined output signal. The calibration module then calibrates the RSSI module according to the output signal in order to calibrate the output level of the demodulator. When the control signal is utilized to selectively enable or disable a soft-mute function of the demodulator, the calibration module can be utilized to calibrate or determine the soft-mute function of the demodulator.
    Type: Application
    Filed: March 11, 2008
    Publication date: September 17, 2009
    Inventors: Tsung-Ling Li, Hsiang-Hui Chang, Chia-Huang Fu, En-Hsiang Yeh, Hsueh-Kun Liao, Chieh-Hung Chen
  • Patent number: 7590991
    Abstract: Method and apparatus to determine the channel to which a TV tuner is tuned from a return loss ratio measurement circuit in a set top decoder. The method comprises generating a plurality of probe signals having frequencies spread throughput the TV channel band, preferably using harmonics of a zero order hold D/A converter. The return loss ratio of the reflected probe signals is then determined and stored as a signature for the TV channel and the signatures can subsequently be used along with new return loss ratio measurements to determine the TV channel to which a TV or VCR tuner is tuned.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 9, 2003
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Terayon Communication Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Oren Arad, Selim Shlomo Rakib
  • Patent number: 7590401
    Abstract: A resonant tunneling diode or diode array oscillator (10) including a resonant diode (11) is coupled to a millimeter-wave source (14) and a quench generator (16) for periodically quenching the oscillations so that the average oscillation time of the oscillator is proportional to signal strength of the source (14). The signal source can be from an antenna such as a dipole or tapered slot line antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 17, 2005
    Date of Patent: September 15, 2009
    Assignee: Raytheon Company
    Inventor: Gary Frazier
  • Publication number: 20090221329
    Abstract: A method for determining a channel quality in wireless communications includes receiving a high speed shared control channel (HS-SICH) transmission. An expected number of HS-SICH transmissions and a number of unsuccessful HS-SICH transmissions are counted. The number of unsuccessful HS-SICH transmissions includes a number of failed HS-SICH transmissions and a number of missed HS-SICH transmissions. The expected number of HS-SICH transmissions and the number of unsuccessful HS-SICH transmissions over a fixed time period are periodically reported, whereby the reporting is an indication of the channel quality.
    Type: Application
    Filed: May 12, 2009
    Publication date: September 3, 2009
    Applicant: INTERDIGITAL TECHNOLOGY CORPORATION
    Inventors: Marian Rudolf, Stephen G. Dick, James M. Miller
  • Publication number: 20090203338
    Abstract: Selective fast image rejection. Selective down conversion processing is performed on a received signal based on the signal strength of that received signal. As few as two possible down conversion frequencies can be employed so that the received signal is down converted either to a first down converted signal having a first intermediate frequency or to a second down converted signal having a second intermediate frequency. If desired, the received signal can either be down converted using low side injection or high side injection down conversion processing. Alternatively, a larger number of possible down conversion frequencies so that the received signal is down converted to one of the possible down conversion frequencies based on the signal strength of the received signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 8, 2008
    Publication date: August 13, 2009
    Applicant: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Hooman Darabi
  • Publication number: 20090197555
    Abstract: Methods and apparatus in a receiver for estimating a received power of at least one signal having a pattern known to the receiver, the signal having being transmitted by at least one antenna. A method includes using a first method of measuring the received power based on the pattern, the first method generating a first sequence of first power estimates; determining whether a predetermined first event has occurred; and if the first event has occurred, changing to a second method of measuring the received power, the second method being different from the first method and generating a second sequence of second power estimates.
    Type: Application
    Filed: June 23, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Applicant: TELEFONAKTIEBOLAGET L M ERICSSON (PUBL)
    Inventors: Bengt Lindoff, Niklas Andgart, Muhammad Ali Kazmi, Anders Rosenqvist
  • Publication number: 20090197554
    Abstract: A system for detecting a broadcast channel in a radio receiver includes a receive signal strength indicator (RSSI) element configured to develop an RSSI signal that is representative of a power in a desired channel, a switchable bandwidth channel select filter having a power detector configured to compare a power output of the desired channel and at least one channel adjacent to the desired channel to develop a signal to adjacent channel power ratio (SACPR) signal that is representative of the noise in the desired channel, and a seek element configured to determine whether the RSSI signal is greater than a predetermined RSSI threshold and configured to determine whether the SACPR signal is greater than a predetermined SACPR threshold.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 4, 2008
    Publication date: August 6, 2009
    Inventors: Ying Shi, James P. Young, Gary L. Rohret, Russell W. DeHoedt
  • Patent number: 7570946
    Abstract: The invention relates to a method for determining the strength of a signal (18) at the input of a tuner (1a.) In this, the frequency-dependent amplification characteristic for the tuner is measured and stored in a memory assigned to the tuner. With the help of this characteristic the frequency-dependent variation of the amplification can be compensated during tuner operation, in order that the input signal strength can be deduced more precisely. For a tuner with automatic gain control (AGC), the frequency dependence of the AGC can also be recorded and stored in the memory by representative characteristics. The consideration of the AGC characteristics results in a further improvement to the precision of estimation of the input signal strength.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 25, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 4, 2009
    Assignee: NXP B.V.
    Inventor: Hendricus Martinus Van Der Wijst
  • Publication number: 20090184819
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for sensing radio frequency signals. A radio frequency strength sensing apparatus converts a sensed radio frequency signal to an audible tone. The apparatus comprises a radio frequency detector, a voltage to frequency converter, and a speaker system. The radio frequency detector is capable of detecting radio frequency signals over a selected frequency range with different signal strengths and capable of outputting a logarithmic voltage that varies with signal amplitude change. The voltage-to-frequency converter is connected to the radio frequency detector and is capable of producing an electrical signal waveform in the audio frequency range to generate the audible tone. The speaker system is connected to the voltage-to-frequency converter circuit, wherein the speaker system outputs the audible tone, with pitch of the tone related to the strength of the radio frequency signal.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 21, 2008
    Publication date: July 23, 2009
    Inventor: Samuel I. Green
  • Patent number: 7565124
    Abstract: Disclosed herein is an automatic gain control circuit including a power detector. The automatic gain control circuit includes a receiving unit for receiving an RF signal and a gain control unit for controlling the gain of the receiving unit. The receiving unit comprises an amplification part including a low noise amplifier and a gain amplifier for amplifying the RF signal, a mixer for down-converting and tuning the RF signal output from the gain amplifier, a low pass filter for receiving the down-converted signal from the mixer, and an intermediate frequency variable gain amplifier for amplifying the signal filtered by the low pass filter to an intermediate frequency signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 21, 2009
    Assignee: Integrant Technologies Inc.
    Inventors: Junghwan Lee, Bonkee Kim
  • Publication number: 20090181725
    Abstract: A cellular telephone is provided including a receiver, a processor, a speaker, and an actuator. The receiver may receive a received signal having a level of quality and may supply the received signal to the processor. The actuator when activated may send an actuator signal to the processor. The processor may determine a first sound that will be emitted from the speaker based on the actuator signal and the level of quality of the received signal. The processor after determining the first sound, may send a speaker signal to the speaker which causes the speaker to emit the first sound.
    Type: Application
    Filed: January 24, 2008
    Publication date: July 16, 2009
    Inventor: Lawrence J. Koncelik, JR.
  • Patent number: 7555295
    Abstract: A test method is described for determining radiated radio frequency (RF) receiver sensitivity may include determining a bit error rate (BER) versus traffic channel (TCH) power level function for an initial channel, determining an estimated TCH power level for a subsequent channel based upon the BER versus TCH power level function and a desired BER, and measuring a BER of a subsequent channel based upon the estimated TCH power level. The method may further include comparing the measured BER to the desired BER and using a difference therebetween along with the BER versus TCH power level function to determine a next estimated TCH power level, and repeating measuring and comparing if the difference is greater than a threshold to thereby determine a TCH power level in the subsequent channel corresponding to the desired BER.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Perry Jarmuszewski, Michael Certain
  • Patent number: 7555294
    Abstract: A test method for determining total isotropic sensitivity (TIS) of a mobile wireless communications device including a radio frequency (RF) receiver and an antenna coupled thereto may include measuring a sensitivity of the RF receiver, and measuring a three-dimensional (3D) gain pattern of the antenna independent of measuring the sensitivity of the RF receiver. The method may further include determining the TIS of the mobile wireless communications device based upon the sensitivity of the RF receiver and the 3D gain pattern of the antenna.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 1, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 30, 2009
    Assignee: Research In Motion Limited
    Inventors: Yihong Qi, Perry Jarmuszewski, Michael Certain
  • Patent number: 7551907
    Abstract: The invention enables automatic gain control in ultra wideband applications over multiple channels and frequency bands.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 23, 2009
    Assignee: Sigma Designs, Inc.
    Inventors: Catherine A. French, Ruoyang Lu, Jayesh Desai, Can Tri Nguyen, Hung C. Nguyen, John Tero