Method of sharing at least one functional block in a communication system

• US 7,756,551 B2
• Filed: 09/07/2006
• Issued: 07/13/2010
• Est. Priority Date: 09/08/2005
• Status: Expired due to Fees

• Current Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Original Assignee: Infineon Technologies AG
• Inventors: Lewis, Michael
• Primary Examiner(s): Le; Lana N
• Application Number:
  US11/470,734
• Publication Number:
  US 20070077962A1
• Time in Patent Office: 1,405 Days
• Field of Search: 455/569.1, 455/433, 455/114.1, 455/67.11, 455/63.1
• US Class Current: 455/569.1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/3805 with built-in auxiliary receivers
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 1/403 using the same oscillator for generating both the transmitter frequency and the receiver local oscillator frequency
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 1/6025 implemented as integrated speech networks
• CPC Class Codes: H04M 2250/02 including a Bluetooth interface

Abstract

A communication system (10) has an audio receiver path (12), and a digital transceiver path (14), wherein both paths (12, 14) are integrated on a single integrated circuit. The audio receiver path (12) has a concealment device (16), and the communication system (10) also has at least one functional block (18) connected to and shared by the both paths (12, 14). The communication system (10) has a digital controller (20) connected to both paths (12, 14), the at least one functional block (18), and the concealment device (16). The digital controller (20) is operable to schedule the operation of the digital transceiver path (14), and to inform the concealment device (16) of start and end points of the activity of the digital transceiver path (14). The concealment device (16) is operable to mask interruptions in the audio stream from the audio receiver path (12) caused during periods of activity of the digital transceiver path (14).

Claims

1. A communication system comprising an audio receiver path and a digital transceiver path, wherein both paths are integrated on a single integrated circuit, wherein said audio receiver path comprises a concealment means, and said communication system also comprises at least one functional block connected to and shared by said both paths, and a digital controller means connected to said both paths, said at least one functional block, and said concealment means, and operable to schedule the operation of said digital transceiver path, and to inform said concealment means of start and end points of the activity of said digital transceiver path, wherein said concealment means is operable to mask interruptions in the audio stream from said audio receiver path caused during periods of activity of said digital transceiver path.

2. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said digital controller means also is operable to control the operation mode of said at least one functional block in dependence of which of said both paths is active.

3. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said concealment means masks said interruptions in the audio stream by storing previously received audio data, and to create an estimate of a missing section of said audio stream during said interruptions by using said stored audio data.

4. A communication system according to claim 3, wherein said concealment means makes use of compressed audio data.

5. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said audio receiver path is an FM audio receiver path.

6. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein said FM audio receiver path comprises an antenna means, said antenna means connected to a low noise amplifier means, said low noise amplifier means connected to a mixer means also connected to said at least one functional block, said mixer means connected to an intermediate frequency means, said intermediate frequency means connected to an analog-digital converter means, said analog-digital converter means connected to a detector means which in turn is connected to said concealment means, and said concealment means connected to loudspeakers means.

7. A communication system according to claim 5, wherein said at least one functional block is a voltage controlled oscillator means, which is operable to generate a local oscillator frequency.

8. A communication system according to claim 1, wherein said digital transceiver path is a transceiver path using low power, and comprises a digital receiver path and a digital transmitter path.

9. A communication system according to claim 8, wherein said digital receiver path comprises an antenna means, said antenna means connected to a low noise amplifier means, said low noise amplifier means connected to a first mixer means, also connected to said at least one functional block, said first mixer means connected to an intermediate frequency means, said intermediate frequency means connected to an analog-digital converter means, said analog-digital converter means connected to a demodulator means which in turn is connected to said digital controller means.

10. A communication system according to claim 8, wherein said digital transmitter path comprises a power amplifier means connected to said antenna means, said power amplifier means connected to a second mixer means also connected to said at least one functional block, said second mixer means connected to a digital-analog converter means, and said digital-analog converter means connected to a modulator means which in turn is connected to said digital controller means.