By Signal Quality (e.g., Noise) Patents (Class 455/277.2)
  • Patent number: 7433725
    Abstract: A monopole antenna apparatus with dual purposes of being a multi-band mobile phone and a global positioning system. The antenna is formed on a substrate, and the substrate comprises a flat surface, a cambered surface, a first radiating metal line, including one high-frequency resonant path and one low-frequency resonant path, a second radiating metal line, a first feeding point, and a second feeding point. The high-frequency resonant path and the low-frequency resonant path for receiving and transmitting the signals of the multi-band mobile phone system are formed on the flat surface and the cambered surface separately, and both are connected to the first feeding point. The second radiating metal line for receiving the signals of the global positioning system is formed on the cambered surface and is connected to the second feeding point.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 9, 2005
    Date of Patent: October 7, 2008
    Assignee: High Tech Computer Corp.
    Inventors: Chia-I Lin, Yun-Ta Chen, Jui-Hung Hsu, Yen-Liang Kuo
  • Patent number: 7400872
    Abstract: In the diversity receiver, the RF switcher switches the received signals to supply them to the RSSI power detector equipped with diversity function. Subsequently, the RSSI power detector with diversity function feeds the RF switcher with an antenna switching signal. According to the determination of antennas at this instance, an IQ start-up signal for starting up the I/Q subsection is produced to make the I/Q subsection operate assuredly in response to a signal intended to receive, without operating the I/Q subsection in response to an erroneous detection of noise during processing therein, thereby eliminating useless operation.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 2, 2005
    Date of Patent: July 15, 2008
    Assignee: Oki Electric Industry Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Toshiharu Kogure
  • Patent number: 7398098
    Abstract: In a mobile communication system having a plurality of terminals including a diversity terminal, an adaptive array base station controls a down-link transmitting power waveform for a terminal establishing access such that transmitting power is decreased at a timing when a reception level of a chip antenna is measured and that transmitting power is increased at a timing when a reception level of a whip antenna as a transmission antenna is measured. In the diversity terminal, therefore, the whip antenna is more likely to be selected as a receiving antenna, thereby improving down-link reception performance.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 12, 2002
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Sanyo Electric Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Seigo Nakao
  • Patent number: 7398068
    Abstract: A dual receive path for a wireless communication device having one synthesizer that drives one or two receive VCOs.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 8, 2008
    Assignee: Marvell International Ltd.
    Inventors: Ronald D. Javor, Malcolm H. Smith, Nir Binshtok, Eran Segev
  • Patent number: 7392016
    Abstract: A method includes monitoring a variable-rate data communication channel to determine its signal-to-noise ratio, and adjusting the data transmission rate of the variable rate data communication channel based on its signal-to-noise ratio.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 12, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 24, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Chih C. Tsien, Jiewen Liu
  • Publication number: 20080146182
    Abstract: A diversity combining receiver may employ a switching architecture that permits multiple receiver chains to be coupled to multiple antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: February 19, 2008
    Publication date: June 19, 2008
    Applicant: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Xintian E. Lin, Qinghua Li
  • Patent number: 7389092
    Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 6, 2005
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: APEX/ECLIPSE Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry B. Smith
  • Patent number: 7389102
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for using common mode feedback to maintain a predetermined DC level for an intermediate frequency output signal. A common mode feedback capacitor-select switch module is operable to use a bandwidth control signal from a radio interface of a wireless device to selectively connect a plurality of common mode feedback capacitors to an operational amplifier, thereby generating a common mode feedback signal as an input to an active mixer conversion gain module. The predetermined combination of common mode feedback capacitors is used in combination with a plurality of bandwidth capacitors to generate an overall capacitance that maintains the bandwidth of the system at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 8, 2006
    Date of Patent: June 17, 2008
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Qiang Li
  • Publication number: 20080139153
    Abstract: Systems and methods for antenna configuration selection using weighted outdated channel state information are shown. Outdated channel state information may be used in combination with statistical channel information for estimating channel state information according to embodiments of the invention. For example, by combining channel state information, weighted by its temporal relevance, with statistical information, recent channel performance may be used along with historical performance information for antenna configuration selection. Antenna selection of embodiments may be provided for multiple input multiple output (MIMO) systems, such as wireless systems employing multiple radio frequency chains and multiple antennas.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 12, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Applicant: Hong Kong Applied Science and Technology Research Institute Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Luo Tuo, Tsang Yui Ming, Roger Shu Kwan Cheng, Vincent Kin Nang Lau
  • Publication number: 20080139154
    Abstract: Aspects of a method and system for signal processing are disclosed and may include receiving a plurality of wireless signals via a plurality of M receive antennas. Each of M phase shifters coupled to each of the M receive antennas may be set to operate in a bypass mode or with an arbitrary phase setting. Corresponding signal strengths of M signals generated when each of the M phase-shifters is coupled to each of the M receive antennas may be measured, while at least a portion of the M receive antennas are turned off. Selecting one of the M generated signals for processing without the use of an antenna switch, based on the measured signal strength. A signal strength of each of the generated M amplified signals may be measured while turning off at least one of the plurality of M receive antennas and without the use of the phase-shifters.
    Type: Application
    Filed: December 30, 2006
    Publication date: June 12, 2008
    Inventors: Arya Behzad, Ali Afsahi, Mark Gonikberg
  • Publication number: 20080125047
    Abstract: Apparatus and method for reducing or avoiding at least in part one or more interferences in a wireless communication device are described herein. The method may include initially sensing by the device an interference from an interference source received by one or more of a plurality of sector antennas of the device. The device may then select, based at least in part on the sensing, a subset of the plurality of sector antennas for communicating with other devices in the wireless network.
    Type: Application
    Filed: November 27, 2006
    Publication date: May 29, 2008
    Inventors: Guoqing C. Li, Srikathyayani Srikanteswara
  • Patent number: 7369833
    Abstract: A receive system, including special integrated circuits, for providing enhanced directivity in the form of a narrowed receive beam and a relatively small antenna with performance comparable to a much larger antenna at similar frequencies. Received signals are converted to digital values and stored in a manner which enables subsequent processing directed to improving the resolution of the received signals and to reduce the associated noise corresponding to the received data samples. The Signal-to-Noise ratio of the received data signals is improved as a result of processing techniques made possible by the configuration of the antenna and the digitally stored nature of the received data.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2006
    Date of Patent: May 6, 2008
    Assignee: Apex/Eclipse Systems, Inc.
    Inventor: Harry B Smith
  • Patent number: 7359692
    Abstract: The invention relates to the field of wireless communications, more particularly to a method of and device for switching between antennae in communication with a diversity receiver, each of the antennae receiving signals transmitted from a single source. A packet from a transmitter is received by respective antenna communicating with a diversity receiver. The signal strength of the preamble of the packet received in a first antenna is sampled. If the signal strength is of sufficient magnitude to affect reliable reception, the associated antenna is selected for the duration of the packet transmission. If the signal strength is below a predetermined threshold the signal strength of the preamble of the packet received in a second antenna is sampled and compared to the sample associated with the first antenna. If the magnitude of the second sample is greater, the signal associated with the second antenna is selected.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 30, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Zarbana Digital Fund, LLC
    Inventors: Aryan Saèd, Phil Guillemette
  • Patent number: 7359734
    Abstract: The invention relates to compensation of a radiation pattern in a radio system. The solution comprises forming a primary radiation pattern by weighting signals of antenna branches with primary weights. The primary radiation pattern is compensated with a compensating radiation pattern after one or more antenna branches have been disconnected. The solution enables operation of the radio system without interruptions in certain fault situations of the base station.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 24, 2002
    Date of Patent: April 15, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Juha Ylitalo
  • Patent number: 7356323
    Abstract: A diversity combining receiver may employ a switching architecture that permits multiple receiver chains to be coupled to multiple antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 15, 2003
    Date of Patent: April 8, 2008
    Assignee: Intel Corporation
    Inventors: Xintian E. Lin, Qinghua Li
  • Patent number: 7340236
    Abstract: The present invention provides a system for providing simultaneous operation of disparate wireless telecommunication technologies within a single device (102). The device comprises a plurality of antennas (112, 114). The system provides an antenna switching function (116) communicatively coupled to the plurality of antennas. A first wireless telecommunications function (104) is communicatively coupled to the antenna switching function, as is a second wireless telecommunications function (106). The system provides an arbitration function (118) communicatively coupled to the antenna switching function and the first and second wireless telecommunications functions. A defined prioritization scheme is provided. The arbitration function operates to control access to the plurality of antennas by the first and second wireless telecommunications functions according to the defined prioritization scheme.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 5, 2003
    Date of Patent: March 4, 2008
    Assignee: Texas Instruments Incorporated
    Inventors: Jie Liang, Matthew B. Shoemake, Kofi Anim-Appiah, Anuj Batra
  • Patent number: 7330700
    Abstract: When a CQI that is based on CQI update cycle information and a CQI that is based on repetition count information have an overlapping transmission timing, CQI transmission timing controller 110 and CQI transmission timing priority determiner 120 transmit the CQI that is based on the CQI repetition count with priority. As a result, the receiving side is able to secure the combining count of the CQI and prevent deterioration in CQI error rate characteristics.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 29, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 12, 2008
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventor: Junichi Aizawa
  • Publication number: 20080032654
    Abstract: A comparative quality factor may be based on quantities indicative of signal and noise received at multiple antennas and may be used to control switching in a switched diversity system.
    Type: Application
    Filed: August 2, 2006
    Publication date: February 7, 2008
    Applicant: INTEL CORPORATION
    Inventors: Sigang Qiu, Sathish K. Kumar, Atul A. Salvekar
  • Patent number: 7317751
    Abstract: Disclosed is a method and a device for estimating the signal to interference ratio of a signal, in particular in a base station of a WCDMA system, providing at least a first estimating process and a second estimating process, wherein for current use with the signal a selection among said estimating processes is made in accordance with a current characteristic or current characteristics of the signal so that an estimating process is selected which is most suitable in view of the current characteristic(s) of the signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: April 24, 2001
    Date of Patent: January 8, 2008
    Assignee: Nokia Corporation
    Inventor: Pekka Kyösti
  • Patent number: 7315733
    Abstract: An antenna-switching diversity receiver is capable of switching antennas without bringing about deterioration of reception characteristics even when applied to the CDMA communication method. A TFCI bit decoding/determination unit decodes TFCI bits that have been extracted by a TFCI bit extractor and determines the presence or absence of communication control data based on the TFCI bits that have been decoded. An antenna switching control unit uses a timer to check for the presence or absence of communication control data in each of fixed time intervals based on the determination results of the TFCI bit decoding/determination unit and then controls the antenna switch in intervals that lack communication control data to measure the reception level of the common pilot channel at the other antenna that differs from the antenna that is currently receiving and then select the antenna having the higher reception level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 13, 2005
    Date of Patent: January 1, 2008
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventor: Michihiro Ohsuge
  • Patent number: 7313413
    Abstract: An RF (Radio Frequency) receiving apparatus and method of a mobile communication terminal are disclosed to perform a GPS signal receiving function for a position tracking service while minimizing interference from a telecommunication signal. The RF receiving apparatus includes a first RF matching unit for RF-matching the telecommunication signal without a change in power strength and a second RF matching unit for RF-matching a telecommunication signal while reducing power strength. When a position tracking service is requested, the first RF matching unit or the second RF matching unit is selected as an RF matching path of the telecommunication signal according to the power strength of the received signal. Thus, with interference or influence of the telecommunication signal minimized, a GPS signal is received and therefore a satellite search performance of the mobile communication terminal is enhanced.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 9, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 25, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics Inc.
    Inventor: Jeong-Seok Han
  • Patent number: 7310503
    Abstract: The circuit size of a diversity receiver for an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing signal is reduced, and the diversity effect is increased, by providing a power ratio comparator that calculates a difference value as a ratio of powers derived from channel estimation results for subcarrier components received from two antennas (11), (21) and compares the calculated difference value with a predetermined threshold, and a selective/equal gain combining selector (33) that outputs one of the received demodulated signals when the comparison result indicates that the calculated difference value is greater than the threshold value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 27, 2003
    Date of Patent: December 18, 2007
    Assignee: Mitsubishi Denki Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventor: Jun Ido
  • Patent number: 7295825
    Abstract: A diversity antenna arrangement to reduce cost and the number of switching operations between different antennas includes an antenna changeover switch for switching between antennas, and an evaluation circuit for evaluating reception quality of a signal derived from a signal received from at least one of the antennas and conveyed to a receiving device via the antenna changeover switch. The evaluation circuit emits an evaluation signal based on the determined reception quality. A control device drives the antenna changeover switch based on the evaluation signal. A weighting device, using a first coefficient, weights the signal conveyed to the receiving device via the antenna changeover switch, and using a second coefficient, weights a signal received from at least one further antenna. A summing circuit adds the weighted signals. A regulating circuit generates the coefficients to minimize the temporal amplitude fluctuations of the composite signal, which is evaluated by the evaluation circuit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 21, 2002
    Date of Patent: November 13, 2007
    Assignee: Robert Bosch GmbH
    Inventor: Hans-Joachim Raddant
  • Patent number: 7283800
    Abstract: An improved adaptive mixer for use in the down conversion module of a wireless transceiver. The adaptive mixer comprises a conversion gain module that is operable to receive a radio frequency signal and to generate an intermediate frequency that is provided to a radio interface in a wireless transceiver. The radio interface is operable to generate a gain control signal and a bandwidth control signal. The gain control signal is provided to a gain control module that is operable to select a combination of load resistance values that will provide a predetermined gain level for the output of the conversion gain module. Bandwidth control logic in the adaptive mixer uses the bandwidth control signal to operably connect a plurality of bandwidth control capacitors to the conversion gain module to control the bandwidth of the output signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 16, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 7277686
    Abstract: An apparatus determines an optimal antenna and frequency combination by selecting the optimal antenna from among a plurality, N, of antennas associated with a receiver and also selects the optimal frequency from among a plurality, M, of alternative receiving frequencies transmitted from a transmitter. This is achieved by determining all N×M possible antenna/frequency combinations, by determining the received signal quality at each combination, by comparing the N×M received signal qualities, and by selecting the one antenna/frequency combination having the optimal received signal quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 12, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 2, 2007
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Stefan Gierl, Joachim Wietzke, Erich Geiger
  • Patent number: 7272372
    Abstract: A diversity antenna apparatus has N (N is 3 or more integer) elements of antennas which receive radio signals, a priority storage unit configured to store priority data of the N elements of antennas, a first antenna selector which selects two antennas from among the N elements of antennas based on the priority data, a second antenna selector which selects one of the selected two antennas based on a prescribed condition, and a priority update unit configured to update priority data of the N elements of antennas stored in the priority storage unit based on the antenna selected by the second antenna selector.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 21, 2004
    Date of Patent: September 18, 2007
    Assignee: Kabushiki Kaisha Toshiba
    Inventors: Hideo Kasami, Kazumi Sato
  • Patent number: 7254378
    Abstract: A system for decoding data, such as travel and traffic information, configured in data blocks embedded in an electromagnetic signal, such as a broadcasted radio signal, has been developed. The system includes a method and receiver for decoding the data with a background tuner in a manner that does not impair the ability of the background tuner to demodulate other signals. While a main tuner is tuned to demodulate a first electromagnetic signal to produce a data stream, the background tuner is switched to decode the data blocks only when the data blocks are expected to be received. In the remaining time, the background tuner is free to demodulate other signals to support a diversity or other function. If a data block is not received, or not received when expected, the background tuner returns to demodulating one or more other frequencies after a predetermined time interval has elapsed.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 7, 2004
    Date of Patent: August 7, 2007
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventors: Christoph Benz, Andreas Körner, Stefan Gierl
  • Patent number: 7245938
    Abstract: A beam shaping antenna matrix for use in wireless cell towers that is manually-configured at a patch panel by a wireless operator based on selection of a desired beam size and point of direction. The traffic matrix allows a wireless operator to sculpt and resculpt the beams to accommodate demographic or other changes preferably without a large amount of hardware or intensive processing capability.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: October 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 17, 2007
    Inventors: David M. Sobczak, Abdelaziz Benalla, Gregory Case
  • Patent number: 7242424
    Abstract: Disclosed is a digital TV smart antenna system and controlling method of the same, the system converges a smart antenna into an optimal reception by detecting a maximum signal power in a signal acquisition process for a fast acquisition performance and selectively assembling information such as signal power, multi-channel, SNR, and SER, and particularly, calculates signal power according to the antenna direction by fixing AGC as a specific value for detecting the maximum signal power.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 18, 2004
    Date of Patent: July 10, 2007
    Assignee: LG Electronics, Inc.
    Inventor: Tae Won Lee
  • Patent number: 7221963
    Abstract: An antenna selection diversity apparatus capable of shortening, when antennas are switched in frame units, a measuring time of antennas and shortening the time of selecting an optimal antenna from among a plurality of antennas on standby. In this apparatus, an antenna selection section (109) selects one of three antennas as an antenna in actual use for a period of a plurality of frames consecutively according to selection priority stored in an antenna information storage section (108) and gives an instruction for selecting one of two antennas on standby as an antenna to be measured once at a period of a plurality of frames to an antenna selection switch (104).
    Type: Grant
    Filed: November 4, 2004
    Date of Patent: May 22, 2007
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Yoshiharu Ishihara, Yasushi Iwata, Toshio Obara
  • Patent number: 7212789
    Abstract: The method and apparatus herein identifies tunable duplexer in a communication system. The tunable duplexer includes a tunable receiver filter, a tunable transmitter filter, a variable receiver phase shifter, and variable transmitter phase shifter. Each filter and phase shifter is optimized based on characteristics of impedance within the duplexer. The duplexer may be adjusted to changing environments or desired changes in the frequency of operation, reducing circuitry architecture and providing greater flexibility in communication function. The method commences by tuning tunable filters within the duplexer and then optimizing phase shifters within the duplexer for adjusting impedance matching with antenna and isolating the receiver from the transmitter during duplexing operations. Optimizations and calibration may be performed during manufacture, upon initialization of the system, or during operation of the communication device.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 30, 2002
    Date of Patent: May 1, 2007
    Assignee: Motorola, Inc.
    Inventor: Stephen L. Kuffner
  • Patent number: 7203461
    Abstract: RF communications received by a wireless terminal from a servicing base station are used to determine the channel quality such as reported bit error probability (BEP). The RF communications may be in the form of RF bursts that are part of a data frame. An estimated BEP may be determined from the signal to noise ratio (SNR) of the RF bursts and or a sequence of soft decisions extracted from the RF bursts, and their historical performance. The SNR maps to an estimated BEP based upon the modulation format of the RF bursts. The soft decisions decode to produce a data block. When the soft decisions decoded favorably, the re-encoded data block produces a sequence of re-encoded decisions. Comparing the re-encoded decisions to the soft decisions yields a re-encoded bit error (RBER). The reported BEP may be based upon the estimated BEP, RBER, and/or RBER threshold. The RBER threshold may be adaptively incremented or decremented depending upon whether or not the RF communications were properly decoded.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 14, 2004
    Date of Patent: April 10, 2007
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Li Fung Chang, Yongqian Wang, Xiaoxin Qiu, Nelson R. Sollenberger
  • Patent number: 7200376
    Abstract: A smart antenna steering algorithm operates in response to different functions monitored by the media access control (MAC) layer within a client station. One function is when the MAC layer indicates that the client station has been placed in a power savings mode. In response, the antenna algorithm stores an index of the currently selected antenna. Another function is when the MAC layer indicates that the client station has not been synchronized, associated and authenticated with an access point. In response, the algorithm selects an omni-directional antenna beam as the default antenna beam. Another function is when the MAC layer provides beacon period synchronization information to the antenna steering algorithm so that the algorithm can update its own timer.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: April 3, 2007
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Inhyok Cha, Zheng Zhao, Thomas Eric Gorsuch, Ross L. Lintelman
  • Patent number: 7184729
    Abstract: An automatic gain controller for transceiver elements uses a digital topology to achieve an efficient and rapid gain settling so that an output signal of the variable gain section is within a predefined range. In one embodiment, an input signal is periodically sampled and latched so as represent the gain excess of a variable gain section. An accumulator, including an adder having saturation characteristics and a latch as a feedback element, creates a number for a new gain setting so that the variable gain section may adapt to the new gain setting within one clock period. In one example, a gain range of 84 dB is controllable and settling is achieved within 3 clock periods at most.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 27, 2002
    Date of Patent: February 27, 2007
    Assignee: Advanced Micro Devices, Inc.
    Inventors: Wolfram Kluge, Lutz Dathe, Dietmar Eggert
  • Patent number: 7181182
    Abstract: A smart antenna steering algorithm performs a self-monitored re-scan during a sustained use period after having selected a preferred antenna beam. During a sustained use period, a re-scan of the other antenna beams is not performed. The steering algorithm periodically monitors a quality metric of the ongoing radio link provided by the preferred antenna beam. The quality metric is based upon a signal quality metric and a link quality metric. If the quality metric drops below certain thresholds during the sustained use period, the steering algorithm either swaps the preferred antenna beam with an alternate antenna beam or initiates a re-scan of the available antenna beams for selecting a new preferred antenna beam.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 15, 2005
    Date of Patent: February 20, 2007
    Assignee: InterDigital Technology Corporation
    Inventors: Inhyok Cha, Zheng Zhao, Thomas Eric Gorsuch, Ross L. Lintelman
  • Patent number: 7174138
    Abstract: A power-based hardware antenna diversity method for a wireless transceiver with multiple antennas is disclosed. The method is characterized in the steps of setting the transceiver gain at a maximum level to establish a first story of dynamic power range above a noise floor level, using a high-resolution ADC at a large back-off level relative to the noise floor to detect weak signals within the first story of the dynamic power range, switching antennas and measuring power level for each antenna during signal onset, and selecting an antenna having a largest power level.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: August 23, 2004
    Date of Patent: February 6, 2007
    Assignee: Conexant Systems, Inc.
    Inventors: Mark A. Webster, Albert L. Garrett, Steven D. Halford
  • Patent number: 7171161
    Abstract: A system and method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band. One or more characteristics of one or more signals in the frequency band are detected using any suitable technology, such as a device that can generate characteristics of signal pulses detected in the frequency band. Data pertaining to the signal pulses is accumulated over time. The accumulated signal data is compared against reference data associated with known signals to classify the one or more signals in the frequency band based on the comparison. The accumulated data may include one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses, and wherein the reference data associated with each of a plurality of known signals comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration and time between pulses.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 28, 2003
    Date of Patent: January 30, 2007
    Assignee: Cognio, Inc.
    Inventor: Karl A. Miller
  • Patent number: 7164932
    Abstract: A millimeter band transmitter transmits one or more indirect path signal waves from the main lobe of a transmit antenna, and a direct path signal wave is transmitted in a side lobe of the transmit antenna. A receiver simultaneously receives each of the indirect and direct path signal waves if the receive antenna is unobstructed. If the direct line of sight path between the transmitter and receiver is blocked, the receiver only receives one or more of the indirect path signal waves.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 22, 1999
    Date of Patent: January 16, 2007
    Assignee: Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha
    Inventors: Hiroya Sato, Eiji Suematsu, Yoshihisa Amano, Tamotsu Aoki, Yoshinori Seki
  • Patent number: 7158769
    Abstract: An alerting device allowing easy estimation of possible interference and useful suggestions to eliminate deteriorated communication quality due to interference is disclosed. A signal including a band used by a target radio communication system is selected from a received signal based on a prescribed system specification of the radio communication system. A detected signal level of the selected signal is detected and compared with the prescribed interference level. When the detected signal level is greater than the prescribed interference level, it is determined that interference occurs. Further, an interference source is estimated by analyzing the selected signal with respect to time and frequency components.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 28, 2002
    Date of Patent: January 2, 2007
    Assignee: NEC Corporation
    Inventors: Kazuhiro Okanoue, Shuntaro Yamazaki
  • Patent number: 7155192
    Abstract: The present invention is a system for increasing Signal-to-Noise Ratio (SNR) in a wireless communication system comprising a plurality of antennas each antenna providing a signal, a device for selecting a subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, a maximum ratio combiner for summing the selected subset of signals provided by the plurality of antennas, and a decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The device for selecting the subset of signals is coupled to the plurality of antennas. The maximum ratio combiner is coupled to the selected subset of signals and the decision device for measuring the selected subset of signals against a predefined threshold. The decision device is coupled to the selecting device such that one selected signal of the selected subset of signals is replaced by an unused signal provided by the plurality of antennas.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: September 25, 2001
    Date of Patent: December 26, 2006
    Assignee: AT&T Corp.
    Inventors: Saeed S. Ghassemzadeh, Richard Henry Erving, Robert Raymond Miller, II, Christopher W. Rice
  • Patent number: 7149492
    Abstract: An improved method and apparatus for using common mode feedback to maintain a predetermined DC level for an intermediate frequency output signal. A common mode feedback capacitor-select switch module is operable to use a bandwidth control signal from a radio interface of a wireless device to selectively connect a plurality of common mode feedback capacitors to an operational amplifier, thereby generating a common mode feedback signal as an input to an active mixer conversion gain module. The predetermined combination of common mode feedback capacitors is used in combination with a plurality of bandwidth capacitors to generate an overall capacitance that maintains the bandwidth of the system at a predetermined value.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: December 12, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventor: Qiang Li
  • Patent number: 7139592
    Abstract: A method and apparatus is described for modifying a smart antenna processing strategy determined from a set of signals received at an array of antenna elements of a wireless station, such as a set of weights for processing received antenna signals or forming a set of antenna signals for transmission. The method and apparatus uses the signatures of one or more interferers to produce a modified processing strategy that improves the nulling to the one or more interferers in that, when the modified strategy is applied on the downlink, the transmit signal strength in the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased, and, when the modified strategy is applied on the uplink, the sensitivity to signals from the direction of the one or more interferers is decreased.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 21, 1999
    Date of Patent: November 21, 2006
    Assignee: ArrayComm LLC
    Inventors: Mark C. Leifer, Tibor Boros, Mitchell D. Trott, Louis C. Yun
  • Patent number: 7133698
    Abstract: The fading correlation monitor 103 detects an angle spread of the communication terminal apparatus 200-1 and decides whether the angle spread has a larger or smaller relationship with a preset threshold value. When the estimated angle spread is smaller than the threshold value, the interference wave is suppressed by carrying out directive reception which is carried out by an AAA receiver 106 as well as performing directive transmission which is carried out in a transmitting circuit 122.While, when the estimated angle spread is larger than the predetermined value, the distortion of the signals due to the fading is compensated by carrying out diversity receiving which is carried out in a diversity receiver 107 as well as performing diversity transmission which is carried out in a diversity transmitter 123.On account of this, even when the fading correlation is small, it is possible to carry out a radio communication with a satisfactory communication quality.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 26, 2001
    Date of Patent: November 7, 2006
    Assignee: Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd.
    Inventors: Kenichi Miyoshi, Mitsuru Uesugi
  • Patent number: 7127218
    Abstract: A scanning antenna diversity system for mobile FM radio having an antenna system with controllable logic switch, wherein a different high-frequency reception signal is passed to a receiver. An IF signal turns on a diversity processor, which switches the logic switch into a different switching position in response to reception interference. The diversity processor has two interference detectors whose signals are passed to a logic circuit for evaluation and to produce a logic control signal, so that a different switching positions are selected at the earliest possible time after the occurrence of interference in the reception signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: January 30, 2004
    Date of Patent: October 24, 2006
    Assignee: Fuba Automotive GmbH & Co. KG
    Inventor: Heinz Lindenmeier
  • Patent number: 7120404
    Abstract: A method and apparatus for operating a radio reception system, which comprises a plurality of receivers assigned to a common output device, in which one of the receivers is designated as audio receiver and is tuned to a frequency of a radio transmitter, and outputs a signal received from the transmitter to the output device. At least one second receiver is designated as search receiver, and continuously searches its own reception frequency band for a frequency of the same transmitter. The system changes to a frequency of this transmitter, which was found by the search receiver, if the quality of the signal received by the audio receiver falls below a certain limit.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: July 13, 2001
    Date of Patent: October 10, 2006
    Assignee: Harman Becker Automotive Systems GmbH
    Inventor: Stefan Gierl
  • Patent number: 7106382
    Abstract: An information processing system and apparatus receiving a television broadcast includes: a direct receiving unit directly receiving television broadcast waves; an indirect receiving unit indirectly receiving the television broadcast waves; and a switching unit determining whether the television broadcast waves are to be received by the direct receiving unit or the indirect receiving unit by switching between the direct receiving unit and the indirect receiving unit based on their reception conditions. With this configuration, it is possible to obtain television-broadcast video signals from the selected receiving unit. The indirect receiving unit is preferably formed of a communication device provided with a wireless cellular telephone function using a wideband code division multiple access (W-CDMA) system in which signals having a large transmission capacity can be transmitted and received, or a communication device provided with a wireless LAN communication function.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: March 26, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 12, 2006
    Assignee: Fujitsu Limited
    Inventor: Shinichi Shiotsu
  • Patent number: 7103340
    Abstract: An antenna diversity arrangement is applicable to frequency hopping receiver (34) for receiving data packets transmitted on frequency channels lying within an overall frequency bandwidth, divided into a plurality of sub-bands. In each sub-band the frequency characteristics of the channel will be substantially the same. The choice of antenna (10, 12) for a particular sub-band is done by carrying-out frequency diversity measurements and the selection is treated as being valid for a period of time which may be preset or determined dynamically. In operation the hopping sequence is known to the receiver so that it can determine in advance the frequency of the next data packet to be received and can select the particular antenna without the necessity of carrying out diversity measurements. At the end of the time period the suitability of the selected antenna is checked and if necessary the selection is updated in the receiver.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: May 22, 2002
    Date of Patent: September 5, 2006
    Assignee: Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V.
    Inventors: Adrian G. Spencer, Kevin R. Boyle, Christopher B. Marshall
  • Patent number: 7099644
    Abstract: A vehicle radio receiver has a beamsteering control system with two signal paths. One signal path generates an audio signal in response to incoming radio signals. Another signal path generates a test signal in response to the incoming radio signals. The audio signal is adjusted in response to the test signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: December 28, 2001
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Visteon Global Technologies, Inc.
    Inventors: J. William Whikehart, Darby Edward Hadley, John Elliott Whitecar
  • Patent number: 7099415
    Abstract: A receiver which receives broadcast waves from a plurality of broadcasting systems is provided with signal amplifiers that amplify signals received from each of the broadcasting systems. The outputs of the signal amplifiers are superposed to produce a superposed signal. The superposed signal is then demodulated and reception information is reproduced. When the condition of the reception information has deteriorated, at least one of the signals from the signal amplifiers whose signal quality has deteriorated and the signals from the signal amplifiers whose noise level is high are excluded from the superposed signal.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: February 8, 2002
    Date of Patent: August 29, 2006
    Assignee: Pioneer Corporation
    Inventor: Susumu Ohsawa
  • Patent number: 7079816
    Abstract: An on chip diversity antenna switch includes a first switch, a second switch, a third switch, and a fourth switch. The first switch is operably coupled to a pin associated with a first antenna, to a transmit path and to receive a transmit receive (T/R) control signal. The second switch is operably coupled to the pin associated with the first antenna, to a receive path, and to receive the T/R control signal. The third switch is operably coupled to a pin associated with a second antenna, the transmit path, and to receive the T/R control signal. The fourth switch is operably coupled to the pin associated with the second antenna, to the receive path, and to receive the T/R control signal. Based on the T/R control signal, the first or second antenna is coupled to the transmit or receive path via a single switch.
    Type: Grant
    Filed: June 12, 2003
    Date of Patent: July 18, 2006
    Assignee: Broadcom Corporation
    Inventors: Shahla Khorram, Brima B. Ibrahim, Bojko F. Marholev