APPARATUS FOR AND METHOD OF DETECTING WIRELESS LOCAL AREA NETWORK SIGNALS USING A LOW POWER RECEIVER
First Claim
1. A method of detecting wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission signals for use in communication systems incorporating a WLAN radio and a secondary lower power receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
- de-activating said WLAN radio;
activating and tuning said secondary receiver to a WLAN transmit frequency;
detecting received signal energy at said WLAN transmit frequency on said secondary receiver;
activating said WLAN radio and receiving a WLAN packet header in response to detecting signal energy at said WLAN transmit frequency over said secondary receiver; and
receiving the remainder of said packet over said WLAN radio if a valid WLAN signal is detected.
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Accused Products
Abstract
A novel and useful apparatus for and method of reducing or minimizing the power required to detect WLAN signals. The present invention provides a mechanism of detecting WLAN signals using either a modified receive path or a separate low power receiver co-located with the WLAN radio. A secondary radio (such as a Bluetooth receiver) is used to detect the WLAN signals, rather than the primary WLAN radio, wherein the secondary radio consumes significantly less power than the primary radio. To search for a new packet to receive, the WLAN device de-activates or shuts down most of its RF, MAC and PHY circuitry to a level that permits it to be re-activated (i.e. turned back on) within a certain time. The lower power receiver is then used to detect the WLAN signal. If a WLAN signal is detected, the WLAN radio is notified which causes it to be re-activated within sufficient time to receive the packet header. If the WLAN radio detects a valid WLAN packet, the WLAN radio proceeds to receive the remainder of the packet.
101 Citations
30 Claims
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1. A method of detecting wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission signals for use in communication systems incorporating a WLAN radio and a secondary lower power receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
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de-activating said WLAN radio; activating and tuning said secondary receiver to a WLAN transmit frequency; detecting received signal energy at said WLAN transmit frequency on said secondary receiver; activating said WLAN radio and receiving a WLAN packet header in response to detecting signal energy at said WLAN transmit frequency over said secondary receiver; and receiving the remainder of said packet over said WLAN radio if a valid WLAN signal is detected. - View Dependent Claims (2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7)
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8. A method of detecting wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission signals for use in communication systems incorporating a WLAN radio and a secondary receiver, said method comprising the steps of:
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utilizing said secondary receiver as a WLAN preamble detector wherein said secondary receiver is configured to detect WLAN transmit energy; and activating said WLAN radio if a WLAN signal is detected. - View Dependent Claims (9, 10, 11, 12, 13, 14, 15, 16, 17)
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18. An apparatus for detecting wireless local area network (WLAN) transmission signals, comprising:
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a WLAN radio; a secondary receiver; signal detection means coupled to said WLAN radio and said secondary receiver, said signal detection means operative to; utilize said secondary receiver as a WLAN preamble detector wherein said secondary receiver is configured to detect WLAN transmit energy; and activate said WLAN radio and switch reception to said WLAN radio if signals received by said secondary receiver indicate reception of a suspected WLAN packet. - View Dependent Claims (19, 20, 21, 22, 23, 24, 25, 26, 27, 28)
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29. A mobile communications device, comprising:
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a cellular radio; a WLAN radio; a secondary receiver; a processor coupled to said WLAN radio, said secondary receiver and said cellular radio, said processor operative to; utilize said secondary receiver as a WLAN preamble detector wherein said secondary receiver is configured to detect WLAN transmit energy; and activate said WLAN radio and switch reception to said WLAN radio if signals received by said secondary receiver indicate reception of a suspected WLAN packet. - View Dependent Claims (30)
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Specification
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Current AssigneeTexas Instruments, Inc.
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Original AssigneeTexas Instruments, Inc.
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InventorsTzoreff, Yaniv, Baum, Avi, Sherman, Itay
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Application NumberUS11/669,315Publication NumberTime in Patent OfficeDaysField of SearchUS Class Current370/311CPC Class CodesH04W 52/0229 where the received signal i...H04W 88/06 adapted for operation in mu...Y02D 30/70 in wireless communication n...
