Abstract: A radio frequency receiver 30, 32, includes a first component block 12, 16, 18, 20; a second compensating component block 22, 22a–22b, 34; and control circuitry 26 operable for controlling the state (e.g., load, bias, gain) of the first component block. When the control circuitry 26 causes a change in the state of the first component block that is expected to induce a DC offset in a signal, the control circuitry 26 changes the state of the second component block to compensate for an estimate of the DC offset. Preferably, the second component block is a filter 22, 22a–22b, 34, that temporarily changes from a nominal cutoff frequency to an elevated cutoff frequency so that voltage will settle quickly and accurately at an estimated voltage, the estimated voltage being predetermined and based on the state change to the first component block. A method is also described for practicing the invention.

Abstract: A semiconductor device for demodulating a received signal in a satisfactory manner when the frequency of the received signal deviates. The semiconductor device is used in a receiver having a reference oscillator. The semiconductor device includes a local oscillator, a PLL controller, and a comparator. The local oscillator generates a local signal having a local frequency. The PLL controller controls the local frequency in accordance with a reference signal of the reference oscillator. The comparator compares the frequency of the received signal with the frequency of the reference signal or the phase of the received signal with the phase of the reference signal to generate an error signal for correcting the local frequency in accordance with the comparison.

Abstract: The use of wideband or software defined radio is attractive in terms of cost reduction since it allows re-use of base stations for different transmission modes. However, wideband radio also introduces the problem of how to deal with high level interfering signals. Presently, such signals saturate parts of the receive circuit—typically the ADC. By detecting interference and determining its frequency, it is possible to tune a bandpass or bandpass with notch filter, to take the interfering signal out of the reception band of the receiver thereby taking the ADC out of saturation whilst retaining the ability to resolve low level signals.

Abstract: An RF power oscillator for contactless card antennas shapes a carrier signal at the operating frequency utilizing a delay circuit having a number of taps for delaying the carrier signal by different lengths of time. The delayed signals are input into a buffer and output through impedance elements to a node coupled to the antenna. The resulting waveform for a square wave input signal, and equal-length delay taps, is a trapezoidal wave output. Any input wave form can be shaped in a variety of ways depending upon the combinations of delay taps used. Since the buffer drivers for each delayed wave switch state at slightly different times, the amplitude and bandwidth of emitted electromagnetic interference (EMI) is reduced for the transmission circuit.

Abstract: The velocity of a wireless communications device (106) is estimated. In response to this estimate, a filter bandwidth, such as a pilot filter (310) bandwidth, is adjusted so that the introduction of noise and distortion to a signal received by the device is mitigated. The filter bandwidth is adjusted by increasing it as the estimated velocity increases; and decreasing it as the estimated velocity decreases. Such adjustments may be accomplished through providing a number of predetermined bandwidths that each correspond to a particular velocity range, and setting the filter bandwidth to the predetermined bandwidth that corresponds to the estimated velocity.

Abstract: A radio telecommunications network comprises a transmitter (2) and a receiver (4). The transmitter (2) is operative to send signals indicative of data, and the receiver (4) is operative to receive the signals (12) and decode the signals to determine the data. The receiver (4) comprises indicator means to send to the transmitter (2) an indication of whether data has been correctly determined, and the transmitter (2) is operative to retransmit at least some data not correctly determined. The receiver (4) further comprises a buffer (14) operative to store the determined data. The buffer (14) is operative to output the determined data at a predetermined rate.

Abstract: A method for power control in an ultra wideband impulse radio system includes: (a) transmitting an impulse radio signal from a first transceiver; (b) receiving the impulse radio signal at a second transceiver; (c) determining at least one performance measurement of the received impulse radio signal; and (d) controlling output power of at least one of the first transceiver and the second transceiver in accordance with the at least one performance measurement.

Abstract: A multiple purpose antenna system for installation on a highway truck to receive and transmit signals. The system includes an antenna for communication of electromagnetic frequency signals having multiple band widths, a multiplex unit coupled to the antenna having circuitry for simultaneously passing multiple signals of band widths, and a filter unit. The filter is coupled to the multiplex unit for filtering signals received from the multiplex unit into multiple sets of band width ranges. The sets include a first frequency range for use by a first receiver apparatus, a second frequency range for use by a second receiver apparatus, and a third frequency range for use by a third receiver apparatus. The filter unit may be included within a satellite electronic communications unit. The first receiver apparatus may be a weather band radio apparatus. The third receiver apparatus may be an AM/FM commercial radio.

Abstract: A single conversion tuner is provided for receiving digital terrestrial broadcast signals. The tuner comprises a single frequency changer comprising a mixer and local oscillator controlled by a PLL synthesiser. A non-alignable variable low pass filter is provided between the tuner input and the mixer, which is of the image reject type. The bandwidth of the filter is varied so as to track the local oscillator frequency to provide sufficient attenuation of the image channel without requiring any alignment during manufacture.

Abstract: Apparatus, and an associated method, for facilitating communications in a radio communication system that utilizes shared, packet channels. One or more common control channels are defined upon a forward link extending between a network part of the radio communication system and the mobile stations thereof. Assignment information sets so generated by an assignment information generator and formatted into data frames for communication to the mobile stations. The mobile stations monitor a single shared packet control channel to receive the assignment information sent thereto upon the common shared channel.

Abstract: A frequency tracking loop (100) includes: a mixer (122) for correcting frequency offset of an input radio signal that includes bursts of known data; a frequency offset estimator (134), for providing an estimate of frequency offset; a variable bandwidth filter (142), for providing a filtered signal; an oscillator (146) for supplying a second input of the mixer with a signal whose frequency depends on the filtered signal; the frequency tracking loop (100) is adapted to change the bandwidth of the variable bandwidth filter (142) in dependence on at least one characteristic of the currently received burst of known data.

Abstract: A receiver having multi-mode and multi-band functionality and capabilities is described herein. The receiver is capable of selectively operating over a plurality of bands and channels. The receiver operates in a plurality of modes, including but not limited to a single band/channel mode, and a multiple band/channel mode. The receiver may form a portion of a transceiver. The transceiver may also include a transmitter. In an embodiment, the transceiver is a family radio service (FRS) unit, although the invention is not limited to this embodiment.

Abstract: A heterodyne receiver includes a tuner to select a frequency of a received signal and a converter to change the frequency of the received signal to an intermediate frequency. A single-pole/double throw switch has an input coupled to an output of the converter, a first output connected to a first band-pass filter and a second output connected to an amplifier. A second band-pass filter is coupled to an output of the amplifier, and a demodulator is coupled to an output of the second band-pass filter to produce an output signal and a characteristics signal. A logic circuit is coupled to receive the characteristics signal and for by-passing the first band-pass filter if the characteristics signal is less than a predetermined threshold.

Abstract: Receivers accommodating carrier frequency selection methods in wireless communications systems employing multiple carrier frequencies are described. Although the receiver is tuned to a single band, an estimate of the channel quality corresponding to the currently used carrier and an alternative carrier is generated without switching between carriers. Transmitters of different cells and/or different sectors primarily use different carrier frequencies but periodically transmit using a neighboring sector's carrier frequency. Mobile node receivers use a single RF chain with a controllable RF filter to receive and process a signal within a first selected carrier band including two components, a first signal component identified with the first currently selected band and a second signal component identified with a second alternative band.

Abstract: A demodulator has a resistor and a capacitor that may be subject to tolerances. For tolerance correction, the FM demodulator is preferably supplied with a reference frequency, which corresponds to the nominal mid-frequency of the demodulator, which is a function of the resistor and the capacitor. Any discrepancy between the actual mid-frequency of the demodulator and its nominal mid-frequency leads to the production of a voltage that differs from a nominal voltage at the output. A detector detects this error and adjusts the values of the resistor or capacitor until the error between the nominal voltage and the voltage is zero or is a minimum. The described principle can be used, for example, in integrated mobile radio receivers.

Abstract: A communication device includes a noise flattening filter having a filter response that dynamically adjusts based on the current noise spectrum in a wireless channel. The noise spectrum of the wireless channel is estimated and used to determine a noise classification for the channel. A noise flattening filter response is then selected based upon the noise classification for use in filtering signals received from the channel. The filtered signals are then delivered to an equalizer for further processing.

Abstract: A system and method for canceling DC offset for Mobile Station Modems having direct conversion architectures. The present invention is a fast acquiring DC offset cancellation block that provides rapid and accurate DC offset estimates and cancellation techniques to support direct conversion architectures. The fast acquiring DC offset cancellation block combines four mechanisms to rapidly acquire and remove a DC offset estimate after power up, temperature changes, receiver frequency changes, and gain setting changes by increasing high pass loop bandwidth and adjusting DC offset levels at baseband. After removing the DC offset in large portions, the high pass loop bandwidth is decreased to fine tune the previous estimate and to remove any small variation in DC offset due to receiver self-mixing products.

Abstract: An image rejection mixer includes an input terminal for receiving an input radio frequency (RF) signal, a mode selector coupled to the input terminal generating an output signal for either high side mixing or low side mixing, a first mixer coupled to receive the input RF signal and a signal from a local oscillator providing a signal having a local oscillator frequency, a phase converter coupled to convert the phase of the signal from the local oscillator, a second mixer coupled to receive the output signal from the mode selector and the phase-converted local oscillator signal, and a tunable polyphase filter coupled to receive output signals from the first mixer and the second mixer, the tunable polyphase filter providing an output signal having a variable intermediate frequency. In one embodiment, the variable intermediate frequency the tunable polyphase filter is implemented as a switchable intermediate frequency.

Abstract: A tuning arrangement in a radio receiver includes a front-end circuit having a tunable band-pass filter that is capable of tunably selecting channels within at least one frequency band of an RF signal. A noise source coupled to an input of the tunable band-pass filter introduces a wide-band noise signal into the front-end circuit. A signal detector coupled to an output of the front-end circuit measures at least one signal power associated with a filtered noise signal derived from the wide-band noise signal. A tuning controller, coupled to the tunable band-pass filter by a tuning control signal, adjusts the tuning control signal in response to the at least one measured signal power for tuning the tunable band-pass filter to a desired filter response.

Abstract: Disclosed is a method for operating a mobile station (100) that includes an RF receiver (220) having an RF front end (1A) followed by a base band section (1B). The base band section includes an AGC block (7?) that contains a DC blocking capacitor (C1) coupled in series between an input node (Vin) of the AGC block and an input to a gain element (7A). The method has steps of tuning from a current RF channel to another RF channel to make a signal strength measurement, and reducing a time constant of the AGC circuit by shorting around the DC blocking capacitor. Also disclosed is a method for operating the mobile station where the base band section includes the AGC block that contains an AC coupling capacitance coupled in series with a first resistance (R1) between an input node of the AGC block and an input to the gain element.

Abstract: A method for processing a radio signal which may include a narrowband signal or a wideband signal or both, comprises the steps of receiving the radio signal, initially processing the radio signal using a narrowband filter, switching to a wideband filter for further processing of the radio signal, determining if the wideband signal is acquired, and if the wideband signal is not acquired, alternating between narrowband filter processing for a narrowband filter hold time and wideband filter processing for a wideband filter hold time, where the narrowband filter hold time is gradually increased until a predetermined maximum time limit is reached. If the wideband signal is acquired, the narrowband filter hold time can be set to a predetermined minimum time limit. Receivers which implement the method are also provided.

Abstract: A tuner comprises a frequency changer which converts an input signal to a predetermined fixed intermediate frequency. The frequency changer is followed by an IF filter having a filter parameter, such as center frequency, which is electronically adjustable. A controller adjusts the adjustable filter characteristic so as to achieve a predetermined desired filtering performance, such as ensuring that the filter center frequency corresponds to the desired intermediate frequency. The controller comprises a local oscillator having the same type of tuned circuit as the IF filter. A phase locked loop compares the local oscillator frequency with a reference frequency and controls the tuned circuits of the IF filter and the local oscillator.

Abstract: A method for processing radio signals of a plurality of radio communication standards occupying a broadband frequency having a step which consists in broadband analysis to acquire information on the signals contained in the frequency broadband and selecting an appropriate narrowband processing to demodulate the radio signals; and a step which consists in processing in narrowband the radio signals contained in the frequency broadband to demodulate them.

Abstract: A radio receiver performs a tune to a target frequency channel to recover a main audio program signal from a duplicative signal wherein the duplicative signal includes a primary signal and a backup signal both containing the main program audio signal. The backup signal is provided in a center portion of the target frequency channel and the primary signal is provided in an upper and lower sideband portion of the target frequency channel. The backup signal contains an identifying data which relates to the presence of the primary signal. The method includes tuning to the target frequency channel. The receiver filters the target frequency channel using a narrow bandwidth. A determination is made whether the identifying data is present. If the identifying data is present, then the main audio program is retrieved from the primary signal using a wide bandwidth, otherwise the narrow bandwidth is used to retrieve the main audio program from the backup signal.

Abstract: A tunable filter circuit includes a first differential pair biased by a first current, a second differential pair biased by a second current, a first capacitor and a second capacitor. The tunable filter circuit of the present invention can be configured as a bandpass filter or a bandstop filter by connecting the input voltage signal to different input nodes of the tunable filter circuit. The tunable filter circuit can be tuned by adjusting the values of the first current and the second current. In an alternate embodiment, frequency tuning is achieved either by switching capacitive loads or changing resistive impedances introduced at the emitter of the differential pairs, which also extends the input voltage range of the filter. This emitter resistance is implemented using MOS switches whose on-resistance can be controlled for a precise tuning within a large frequency range.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for direct tuning of a component embedded within an integrated circuit includes processing that begins by providing a plurality of frequency dependent control input signals to an input of the integrated circuit. The processing continues for each of the plurality of frequency dependent control input signals by incrementally adjusting the power level of each frequency dependent controlled input signal until the signal strength of an output of the integrated circuit is at a desired signal strength level. The corresponding power level is recorded to produce an adjusted power level for the frequency dependent control input signal. The adjusted power level of each of the plurality of frequency dependent control input signals is plotted to produce a signal strength to frequency relationship. The processing continues by comparing the signal strength to frequency relationship with a desired signal strength to frequency relationship.

Abstract: Transmission bandwidth consumption during the on-hold condition in telecommunications is reduced in a telecommunications system providing communication channels for the transmission of data between system stations. Two bandwidth states for each connecting channel are provided: an active state granting maximum bandwidth for the transmission of data and, for an on-hold condition, a minimal activity state for the connecting channel granting a minimal bandwidth. The active state prevails during the communication unless detecting means detect an on-hold condition in said connecting channel. Then, means responsive to a detection of on-hold condition switch to and provide a minimal activity state for said connecting channel granting a minimal bandwidth.

Abstract: An RF modulator/switch selectably couples a locally generated and conducted RF signal or an antenna RF signal to a broadcast radio receiver. A local RF input receives the conducted RF signal. An antenna RF input receives the antenna RF signal in response to a radiated RF broadcast in a broadcast band. A resonant network has a first node coupled to the antenna RF input and has a resonant frequency corresponding to the broadcast band. A first relay has a first output selectably coupled to either the antenna RF input or a second node of the resonant network. A second relay has a second output selectably coupled to either the local RF input or the first output of the first relay. When the second relay selects the local RF input then the first relay selects the second node of the resonant network and when the second relay selects the first output of the first relay then the first relay selects the antenna RF input.

Abstract: A switchable bandwidth optical receiver is implemented in a front-end of the receiver in at least one of three ways. A switchable impedance may be provided at the input to a preamplifier of the front end, the preamplifier of the front-end may have a switchable impedance therein, and/or a switchable filter may be provided at an output of the preamplifier.

Abstract: A programmable band-pass filter in a radio-frequency receiver. The band-pass filter has a bandwidth substantially covering a channel bandwidth. Once the appropriate channel in use is determined, the frequency band of the band-width filter is set to correspond to it.

Abstract: A method for producing an output signal (42) with a specific frequency from an input signal (40) received, the frequency of which changes quickly in steps of the size of an input frequency resolution or a multiple of the input frequency resolution, on the input frequency band. Furthermore, a method is presented for producing an output signal (72) from an input signal (70) with a specific frequency, and for changing the frequency of the output signal (72) quickly in steps of the size of an output frequency resolution or a multiple of the output frequency resolution, on the output frequency band. Methods, as well as a receiver and a transmitter that implement the methods are based on the setting of an intermediate frequency from an intermediate frequency band, which comprises at least two different values. The difference between the values, i.e. the intermediate frequency resolution, is higher than the input or output frequency resolutions.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting and/or receiving ultra wideband (UWB) signals using differential phase shift keying (DPSK). A UWB transmitter includes a DPSK conversion unit for converting a first bitstream (data stream) by DPSK into a second bitstream, a modulation unit for generating UWB wavelet series based on the second bitstream, allowing the phase difference to be 180 degrees between the bit of 0 and the bit of 1, and an RF module for transmitting the generated UWB wavelet series through a wireless channel. A UWB receiver includes an RF module for receiving UWB wavelet series transmitted through a wireless channel, a time delay unit for delaying the UWB wavelet series received though the RF module for time period corresponding to an inter-pulse space, and a demodulation unit for demodulating data stream based on a correlation of the UWB wavelet series received through the RF module and the delayed UWB wavelet series passing through the time delay unit.

Abstract: A circuit configuration for filtering a radio-frequency signal, in particular, in tuners for television sets, includes a control signal connection for feeding in a control signal, a controllable-frequency oscillator, at least one filter having an adjustable passband for a useful signal, and a device for providing a correction signal. The filters are, preferably, tracking filters whose filter band can be shifted by a control signal. At least one filter has a variable-frequency element with a first connection and a second connection. The first connection is coupled to the control signal connection, and the correction signal device is coupled to the second connection. For fine tuning production tolerances, the filters are supplied with a correction signal, which is applied to the other pole of the variable-frequency element of the filter as compared with the control signal. The value range of the correction signals is limited to the correction range and is much lower than the value range for the control signal.

Abstract: A radio frequency receiver 30, 32, includes a first component block 12, 16, 18, 20; a second compensating component block 22, 22a-22b, 34; and control circuitry 26 operable for controlling the state (e.g., load, bias, gain) of the first component block. When the control circuitry 26 causes a change in the state of the first component block that is expected to induce a DC offset in a signal, the control circuitry 26 changes the state of the second component block to compensate for an estimate of the DC offset. Preferably, the second component block is a filter 22, 22a-22b, 34, that temporarily changes from a nominal cutoff frequency to an elevated cutoff frequency so that voltage will settle quickly and accurately at an estimated voltage, the estimated voltage being predetermined and based on the state change to the first component block. A method is also described for practicing the invention.

Abstract: An ultra wideband (UWB) transceiver and a UWB signal transmitting and receiving method are provided, wherein data transmission can be efficiently performed according to channel condition by forwarding channel information obtained from a received signal to a data transmitter and changing the data transmission scheme in the transmitter according to the received channel condition, contrary to a related art UWB transceiver. In the UWB transceiver, channel information is calculated from a UWB pulse signal received over a UWB channel so that a UWB channel condition can be predicted and a data transmission scheme is changed according to the calculated channel information, whereby information transmission can be efficiently made according to the UWB channel condition. Thus, there is an advantage in that efficient data transmission/reception can be made by changing the data transmission scheme in accordance with the UWB channel condition.

Abstract: A method for processing a radio signal which may include a narrowband signal or a wideband signal or both, comprises the steps of receiving the radio signal, initially processing the radio signal using a narrowband filter, switching to a wideband filter for further processing of the radio signal, determining if the wideband signal is acquired, and if the wideband signal is not acquired, alternating between narrowband filter processing for a narrowband filter hold time and wideband filter processing for a wideband filter hold time, where the narrowband filter hold time is gradually increased until a predetermined maximum time limit is reached. If the wideband signal is acquired, the narrowband filter hold time can be set to a predetermined minimum time limit. Receivers which implement the method are also provided.

Abstract: Fast switching and fast settling is achieved in a phase locked loop (“PLL”) containing a bandwidth switched active loop filter (8) by feeding the phase error signal of the phase detector (1) of the PLL to the non-inverting input of the amplifier (7) within the loop filter and having the electronic switch (17) control the loop filter bandwidth through changing the resistance (9, 11) to ground at the inverting input of the amplifier between a high and low value associated respectively with broad bandwidth and narrow bandwidth to the loop filter. Switching is possible in as little as one microsecond, and is accompanied by fast settling of the loop with minimal generation of phase/frequency perturbation. The foregoing PLL is of particular benefit in fast switching frequency synthesizers, such as used in frequency hopping frequency synthesizers of frequency and time division multiplexing systems.

Abstract: In a variable rate wireless communication system, an explicit reduced-bit rate indicator is used to communicate the data rate and configuration of the transmission to the receiver. Data throughput is increased by reducing the number of bits required to indicate data rate and channel configuration. Related allocation of total transmit power, and related receive processing are conserved. Reception is enhanced by increased probability of correct decoding. Receiver performance is enhanced by reducing the probability of false erasures and associated outerloop setpoint adjustment errors when the receiver is notified of channels with zero data rates. Power consumption is reduced by using fewer bits to communicate data rate and channel configuration information, and by more accurate setpoint adjustment.

Abstract: A method and implementation disclosed for detecting interference. A state machine controller is provided for establishing an interference detection cycle including a power sample period and a periodic sampling interval. A receiver component, responsive to the state machine controller, performs an energy measurement at a predetermined wireless band during the power sample period. A threshold comparator determines whether the energy measurement exceeds a predetermined threshold. A processing implementation processes the energy measurement to determine whether it corresponds to interference on the predetermined wireless band, if the measurement exceeds the predetermined threshold. A deactivating implementation is used to instruct the state machine controller to await the next power sample period, if the energy measurement does not exceed the predetermined threshold.

Abstract: An impulse radio system estimates a separation distance between an impulse radio transmitter and an impulse radio receiver. The system includes an impulse transmitter that transmits an impulse signal having an ultra-wideband frequency characteristic. An impulse receiver spaced from the transmitter receives the transmitted impulse signal and measures a signal strength of the received impulse signal. The receiver estimates the separation distance based on the measured signal strength. The receiver classifies a signal propagational/multipath environment using the received impulse signal, and then selects a radio propagation path loss model corresponding to a classified multipath environment. The receiver translates the measured signal strength to a separation distance based on the selected radio propagation path loss model.

Abstract: A communication system with variable filter bandwidth includes a first mixer circuit configured to receive a communication signal and shift the frequency range of the communication signal to a first frequency range. A second mixer circuit is configured to receive the same communication signal and shift the frequency range of the communication signal to a second frequency range. An activation circuit is coupled to the first and second mixer circuits so as to provide an activation signal that activates at least one of the mixer circuits. A plurality of filter circuits are provided such that each filter circuit is configured to receive a signal from a corresponding mixer circuit, when said corresponding mixer circuit is activated.

Abstract: A single chip superhetrodyne AM receiver is disclosed herein. To compensate for process variations in the implementation of the IC, bias currents setting the operating conditions for various amplifiers and other components in the system are adjusted based on frequency control signals in a PLL circuit in the local oscillator. Since the magnitude of the control signal reflects the process variations, the bias currents are adjusted based on the control signal to offset these variations in other portions of the receiver. To further improve the signal to noise ratio of the receiver, the IF filter is tuned within a range so as not to include any integer multiple or integer divisor of the timing reference frequency. Various techniques are described for enabling a complete superhetrodyne AM receiver to be implemented on a single chip which receives an antenna input signal and outputs a digital data signal.

Abstract: A system and method for matching first and second mobile communications devices are provided. Preference or profile information associated with the first and second mobile communications devices is transmitted to a central server for matching the first and second devices. Location information and transmission statuses of the first and second mobile communications device are also transmitted to the central server. Data related to the location of either device is transmitted to the other device depending upon the matched statuses of the mobile communications devices and the location and transmission status information associated with the mobile communications devices.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for controlling incoming power to a receiver in a dual mode communication device. According to the method and apparatus, the received signal is simultaneously processed by two separate filters, one filter to process the incoming desired communication signal and the other filter to process the noise for power estimation. With the communication device operating in a first mode initial filtering is attuned to the corresponding bandwidth. When the noise level reaches a predetermined level, the first bandwidth is adjusted to get a better estimate of the noise present. In Response to high noise levels, the incoming gain to the receiver is adjusted accordingly.

Abstract: A receiver provides received analog signals to a plurality of channel branches, and on at least one of the channel branches, the frequency of the received analog signals is adjusted independent of the relative positions of the corresponding analog signals in the radio frequency (RF) spectrum. The analog signals on the channel branches are then combined, and the combined analog signals are converted into the digital domain. For example, the receiver comprises at least one antenna(s) which receives radio frequency (RF) analog signals. A channel branch arranger receives the analog RF signals from the antenna(s) and provides the RF analog signals to a plurality of channel branches.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for moderating interference with impulse radio wireless control of an appliance; the control is effected by a controller remote from the appliance transmitting impulse radio digital control signals to the appliance. The control signals have a transmission power and a data rate. The method comprises the steps of: (a) in no particular order: (1) establishing a maximum acceptable noise value for a parameter relating to interfering signals; (2) establishing a frequency range for measuring the interfering signals; (b) measuring the parameter for the interference signals within the frequency range; and (c) when the parameter exceeds the maximum acceptable noise value, effecting an alteration of transmission of the control signals.

Abstract: In one embodiment, the invention is directed toward frequency tracking techniques using control symbols that include both pilot and non-pilot symbols. For example, both the pilot and non-pilot symbols can be used in estimating frequency error of a received signal. The contribution of non-pilot symbols to the estimation can be weighted according to a confidence level associated with each non-pilot symbol. In some cases, soft decisions are generated for the non-pilot symbols and then used with the pilot symbols for frequency tracking. In this manner, the frequency tracking loop can be improved.

Abstract: According to the invention a digital signal path includes a first filter and an analog signal path includes a second filter. For analog reception both filters are connected in cascade, the first filter aiding the second filter in achieving a desired selectivity. Additional selection devices are obviated. Preferably the filters are surface acoustic wave filters.

Abstract: A tuning circuit, as for a television receiver or video recorder, employs switchable tuning circuits including micro-electronic electro-mechanical switches for selecting the ones of an array of capacitors and/or inductors as is useful in tunable circuits. The array of capacitors and/or inductors and micro-electro-mechanical switches of the switched tuning matrix is formed on an integrated circuit or an electronic circuit substrate along with amplifiers and other electronic elements of the tuning circuit for which the switched tuning matrix is employed. The switchable capacitance and inductance matrices are well suited for use in the resonators employed in the pre-selector filters, post-selector filters and oscillators of electronic tuners, such as those employed in television receivers and video recorders.

Abstract: A regulation circuit, incorporated in a single integrated circuit with a first circuit load, which as an input coupled to a power supply which produces a source voltage, and a first output coupled to the first circuit load. The regulation circuit comprises an input capacitor for reducing the magnitude of a voltage change at the first output, and at least a first voltage regulator for producing a predetermined voltage at the first load.