A system, method, software and related functions are provided for managing activity in a radio frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by signals of multiple types. An example of such a frequency band is an unlicensed frequency band. Radio frequency energy in the frequency band is captured at one or more devices and/or locations in a region where activity in the frequency band is happening. Signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or the entire frequency band for time intervals. Signal pulse energy in the band is detected and is used to classify signals according to signal type. Using knowledge of the types of signals occurring in the frequency band and other spectrum activity related statistics (referred to as spectrum intelligence), actions can be taken in a device or network of devices to avoid interfering with other signals, and in general to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals. The spectrum intelligence may be used to suggest actions to a device user or network administrator, or to automatically invoke actions in a device or network of devices to maintain desirable performance.

System and method for management of a shared frequency band

An intelligent spectrum management (ISM) system and method are provided that includes sophisticated features to detect, classify, and locate sources of RF activity. The system comprises one or more sensors positioned at various locations in a region where activity in a shared radio frequency band is occurring and a server coupled to the sensors. Each sensor monitors communication traffic, such as IEEE WLAN traffic, as well as classifies non-WLAN signals occurring in the frequency band. The server receives data from each of the plurality of sensors and that executes functions to process the data supplied by the plurality of sensors. In particular, the server aggregates the data generated by the sensors and generates event reports and other configurable information derived from the sensors that is interfaced to a client application, e.g., a network management station.

Server and multiple sensor system for monitoring activity in a shared radio frequency band

A system and method are provided for managing communication with a plurality of wireless client devices operating in a radio frequency band shared by other types of devices, comprising a step of controlling at least one parameter associated with radio communication with each of the plurality of wireless devices based on the radio frequency environment associated with each corresponding one of the plurality of wireless client devices. Spectrum profile information describing the radio frequency environment (activity in the frequency band) at a wireless client device is sent to the wireless base station device (where the parameter controls are made) from either a wireless client device or another radio device in the proximity of one or more wireless client devices that is capable of generating the spectrum profile information. The spectrum profile information may include information identifying signals that are occurring in the frequency band in the proximity of a wireless client device. Examples of parameters that may be controlled at the wireless base station device include packet fragmentation threshold (the length of a data packet), transmission data rate and transmission scheduling (synchronizing a transmission to quiescent intervals of one or more periodic interfering signals).

System and method for management of a shared frequency band using client--specific management techniques

An intelligent spectrum management (ISM) system and method that includes sophisticated features to detect, classify, and locate sources of RF activity. The system comprises one or more radio sensor devices positioned at various locations in a region where activity in a shared radio frequency band is occurring. A server is coupled to the radio sensor devices and aggregates the data generated by the sensor devices. Data collected and processed by the server from the sensors may be coupled to a console application that displays the data in desirable user interface format. According to one aspect, the server continuously stores spectrum analysis data pertaining to activity in a frequency band over time and/or protocol analysis data pertaining to analysis of packets transmitted in the frequency band according to a communication protocol. A console application includes a time-shift display mode that permits a user to specify an instant of time prior to the current time from which to playback spectrum analysis data and/or protocol analysis data generated by one or more radio sensor devices.

User interface and time-shifted presentation of data in a system that monitors activity in a shared radio frequency band

A system and method for managing the spectrum utilization of a frequency band that is shared, both in frequency and time, by multiple devices. At one or more devices operating in the frequency band, pulses associated with signals occurring in the frequency band are detected by sampling part or all the frequency band for a time interval. From the detected signal pulses, the signals can be classified. In addition, overall spectrum activity can be measured. Using classification information for signals detected in the frequency band, policies can be executed so that a device may take certain actions in order to avoid interfering with other signals, or to optimize simultaneous use of the frequency band with the other signals. Signal detection occurs at one or more devices operating in a frequency band. Signal classification and measurement, as well as policy execution may occur within a processor of the same device where signal detection occurs, or in another device (located remotely or within the operating region of the frequency band).

System and method for spectrum management of a shared frequency band

Techniques for efficiently generating a power supply are described In one design, an apparatus includes an envelope amplifier and a boost converter The boost converter generates a boosted supply voltage having a higher voltage than a first supply voltage (eg, a battery voltage) The envelope amplifier generates a second supply voltage based on an envelope signal and the boosted supply voltage (and also possibly the first supply voltage) A power amplifier operates based on the second supply voltage In another design, an apparatus includes a switcher, an envelope amplifier, and a power amplifier The switcher receives a first supply voltage and provides a first supply current The envelope amplifier provides a second supply current based on an envelope signal The power amplifier receives a total supply current including the first and second supply currents In one design, the switcher detects the second supply current and adds an offset to generate a larger first supply current than without the offset

Low-voltage power-efficient envelope tracker

A method and apparatus for use in a wireless communication base station which provides real-time, continuous detection of in-band jammers with negligible impact on base station cost. In addition to providing jammer detection, the use of the invention to provide improved hardware and system diagnostic capabilities is presented. The jammer detection apparatus utilizes automatic gain control techniques, digital sampling, and digital signal processing to identify anomalous frequency components in the received power spectral density curve. Also described are the use of complex sampling, the complex fast Fourier transform (FFT), and Hanning windows to improve jammer detection capabilities. A method of estimating the location of in-band jammers is described using the computed received power spectral density curves of multiple base stations.

Method and system for detecting in-band jammers in a spread spectrum wireless base station

A low power programmable digital filter (10) adapted for use with a telecommunications system transceiver. The digital filter (10) includes a first finite impulse response filter section for receiving an input signal and having a first transfer function. An infinite impulse response filter section (18) is connected to the first finite impulse response filter section and has a second transfer function. A second finite impulse response filter section (22) is connected to the infinite impulse response filter section and outputs a filtered output signal in response to the receipt of the input signal (28) by the programmable digital filter (10).

Low-power programmable digital filter

Systems, methods and apparatus for configuring a fingerprint sensor to operate in a capacitive sensing mode and an ultrasonic sensing mode are disclosed. A fingerprint sensor may be configured to operate in a capacitive sensing mode by driving a sensing electrode using a controller. In some implementations, an object positioned on or near the sensing electrode may be detected using the fingerprint sensor in the capacitive sensing mode, and the controller can drive electrodes of the fingerprint sensor differently to configure the fingerprint sensor to operate in an ultrasonic sensing mode. In some implementations, an applications processor may be instructed to authenticate a fingerprint of the object from image data obtained when the fingerprint sensor is operating in the ultrasonic sensing mode. In some implementations, a display of a mobile device containing the fingerprint sensor may be unlocked, or the mobile device may be woken up when the fingerprint is authenticated.

Hybrid capacitive and ultrasonic sensing

A successive approximation analog-to-digital converter (ADC) includes a binary-weighted capacitor array, quantizer, and control block. One end of each capacitor is connected to the input of the quantizer, and a second end of each capacitor is controlled by the control block through a driver. A voltage is sampled, quantized, and stored as the most significant bit of the ADC's output. Depending on the result of the quantization, the control block toggles the driver of one of the capacitors corresponding to the most significant bit. The voltage at the common node is sampled again to obtain a second bit of the ADC's output. The operations are repeated as needed to obtain and store additional bits of the ADC's output. Similar configuration and process are described for a differential ADC. The operation is asynchronous, allowing extra time for metastable states only when such states occur.

Lennart Mathe

Papers

Low-voltage power-efficient envelope tracker

Method and system for detecting in-band jammers in a spread spectrum wireless base station

Low-power programmable digital filter

Hybrid capacitive and ultrasonic sensing

Apparatus and method for successive approximation analog-to-digital conversion