System and method for WLAN signal strength determination

• US 20040203433A1
• Filed: 10/02/2002
• Published: 10/14/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 10/02/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Hmph Acquisitions LLC (Intellectual Ventures LLC)
• Original Assignee: CSI Wireless Incorporated
• Inventors: Wang, Xiping, Najafi, Hamid
• Granted Patent: US 7,020,442 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 455/67.11
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/23 Indication means, e.g. displays, alarms, audible means
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 17/318 Received signal strength
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/06 including a wireless LAN interface
• CPC Class Codes: H04W 84/12 WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Abstract

A method for WLAN signal strength determination comprises receiving a WLAN RF signal; converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal; comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage; and outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.

Claims

1. A method, comprising:

receiving a WLAN RF signal;

converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;

comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage; and

outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting includes outputting visual data.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting includes causing at least one LED to illuminate.

4. The method of claim 1, wherein the outputting includes emitting a sound corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength.

5. The method of claim 1, further comprising

comparing the voltage to a second reference voltage;

and

outputting additional data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.

6. The method of claim 5, further comprising

comparing the voltage to a third reference voltage;

and

outputting further data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the third reference voltage.

7. The method of claim 1, wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal.

8. A WLAN RF signal strength determination system, comprising:

a voltage data structure including at least one reference voltage;

a WLAN detection engine communicatively coupled to a WLAN detector and to the voltage data structure, the WLAN detection engine capable to compare voltage that is received from the WLAN detector with the at least one reference voltage in the voltage data structure, the received voltage being proportional to WLAN RF signal strength; and

an interface engine, communicatively coupled to the WLAN detection engine, capable to output data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength based on the comparison.

9. The system of claim 8, wherein the interface engine is further capable to output visual data corresponding to WLAN signal strength.

10. The system of claim 8, wherein the interface engine is further capable to emit a sound corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength.

11. The system of claim 8, wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal.

12. The system of claim 8, wherein the system is integrated with a wireless phone.

13. A WLAN RF signal strength determination system, comprising:

means for receiving a WLAN RF signal;

means for converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;

means for comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage; and

means for outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the reference voltage.

14. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a computer to execute a method, the method comprising:

converting a received WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;

digitizing the converted voltage;

comparing the digitized voltage to a first reference voltage; and

outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the digitized voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.

15. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the outputting includes outputting visual data.

16. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the outputting includes causing at least one LED to illuminate.

17. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the outputting includes emitting a sound corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength.

18. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, the method further comprising

comparing the digitized voltage to a second reference voltage;

and

outputting additional data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.

19. The computer-readable medium of claim 18, the method further comprising

comparing the voltage to a third reference voltage;

and

outputting further data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the third reference voltage.

20. The computer-readable medium of claim 14, wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal.

21. A WLAN RF signal strength determination system, comprising:

an antenna capable to receive WLAN RF signals;

a WLAN detector, coupled to the antenna, capable to convert a received WLAN RF signal into a DC voltage proportional to the strength of the WLAN RF signal;

an operational amplifier, coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a first reference voltage;

a timer, coupled to the operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the operational amplifier; and

a LED, coupled to the timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the timer.

22. The system of claim 21, wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal.

23. The system of claim 21, further comprising:

a second operational amplifier coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a second reference voltage that is higher than the first reference voltage;

a second timer, coupled to the second operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the second operational amplifier; and

a second LED, coupled to the second timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the second timer.

24. The system of claim 23, further comprising:

a third operational amplifier coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a third reference voltage that is higher than the second reference voltage;

a third timer, coupled to the third operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the third operational amplifier; and

a third LED, coupled to the third timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the third timer.