HK1145117A - Multiservice communication device with dedicated control channel - Google Patents

Description

Multi-service communication device with dedicated control channel

Technical Field

The present invention relates to communication devices, and more particularly, to communication devices that communicate with multiple networks over multiple frequency bands.

Background

It is known that wireless communication systems support wireless communication between wireless communication devices that join the system. Such wireless communication systems extend from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-point home (in-home) wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system may be constructed and operated in accordance with one or more standards. Such Wireless communication standards include, but are not limited to, IEEE802.11, 802.15, 802.16, LTE (Long Term Evolution), bluetooth, AMPS (Advanced Mobile Phone Service), digital AMPS, GSM (Global System for Mobile Communications, chinese), CDMA (code division Multiple Access), WAP (Wireless application communication protocol), LMDS (Local Multipoint Distribution Services), MMDS (multichannel Multipoint Distribution System), and/or other modified standards.

An 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes a plurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personal digital assistants, etc. connected to a station) that communicate with one or more access points over a wireless link. It should also be understood that many wireless communication systems in the art use CSMA (Carrier Sense Multiple Access) protocols, which may allow Multiple communication devices to share the same wireless spectrum. Before the wireless communication device transmits information, "listens" to the wireless link to determine whether the spectrum is occupied by another station, thereby avoiding embedded data collisions. In another system, the transmission may be scheduled using, for example, a management frame or PSMP (Power Save multi poll). In many cases, a transmitting device (e.g., a client device or an access point) transmits at a fixed power level, ignoring the distance (e.g., station or access point) between the transmitting device and a target device. Typically, the closer the transmitting device is to the target device, the fewer errors will be in receiving the transmitted signal.

Cognitive radio (cognitive radio) is a wireless communication device that can adjust transmit and receive parameters to achieve efficient communication to avoid interference, and the change of parameters can be achieved based on monitoring of some parameters of the external and internal radio environment, such as radio spectrum, user behavior, network status.

As one or more of these communication devices move, their transmission and reception characteristics may change as the device moves: when it is far from or near to a device with which it communicates, when a transmission environment changes due to the device location with respect to a reflecting member (reflecting member), an interfering station (interfering station), a noise source (noise sources), and the like.

Other drawbacks and disadvantages of the prior art will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art upon examination of the following system of the present invention as described in conjunction with the accompanying drawings.

Disclosure of Invention

The invention will be fully described in the operating device and method with reference to the accompanying drawings, examples and claims.

According to an aspect of the invention, the invention proposes a multi-service communication device comprising:

a plurality of transceivers for wirelessly transceiving data of a corresponding plurality of networks according to a corresponding plurality of network protocols;

a control channel transceiver to transceive control channel data using a remote management unit, the control channel data comprising: local control data sent to the management unit and remote control data received from the management unit; and

a processing module connected with the plurality of transceivers and the control channel transceiver, processing remote control data and generating at least one responsive control signal, the at least one control signal adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers based on the remote control data.

Preferably, the local control data comprises at least one of: RF environment data, battery headroom, desired quality of service, latency preference, cost preference, service request, device characteristics, data rate preference.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers controls a handover of communication of the multi-service communication device from the first network to the second network.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers changes a frequency channel used by at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a transmission parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a reception parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, the respective plurality of network protocols comprises at least one of: 802.11 protocol, WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) protocol, bluetooth protocol, wireless HDMI (High-Definition multimedia interface) protocol, 60GHz piconet (piconet) protocol, cellular data protocol, and cellular voice protocol.

Preferably, the multi-service communication device further comprises:

and the position generating module is connected with the control channel transceiver and generates position data (location data), wherein the local control data comprises the position data.

Preferably, the position generating module includes a Global Positioning System (Global Positioning System) receiver;

preferably, the processing module generates at least a portion of the local control data.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of transceivers comprises a cognitive radio transceiver (cognitive radio transceiver) configured based on remote control data.

Preferably, the control data is transceived in accordance with a control channel protocol different from the respective plurality of network protocols.

According to yet another aspect of the present invention, there is provided a multi-service communication device comprising:

a plurality of transceivers for wirelessly transceiving data of a corresponding plurality of networks according to a corresponding plurality of network protocols; wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers transceives control channel data with a remote management unit in a control channel mode of operation, the control channel data comprising: local control data sent to the management unit and remote control data received from the management unit; and

a processing module connected with the plurality of transceivers, processing remote control data and generating at least one responsive control signal, the at least one control signal adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers based on the remote control data.

Preferably, the local control data comprises at least one of: RF environment data, battery headroom, desired quality of service, latency preference, cost preference, service request, device characteristics, data rate preference.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers controls a handover of communication of the multi-service communication device from the first network to the second network.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers changes a frequency channel used by at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a transmission parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a reception parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

Preferably, the respective plurality of network protocols comprises at least one of: 802.11 protocol, WIMAX (Worldwide Interoperability for Microwave Access) protocol, bluetooth protocol, wireless HDMI (High-Definition multimedia interface) protocol, 60GHz piconet (piconet) protocol, cellular data protocol, and cellular voice protocol.

Preferably, the multi-service communication device further comprises:

and the position generating module is connected with the control channel transceiver and generates position data (location data), wherein the local control data comprises the position data.

Preferably, the position generating module includes a Global Positioning System (Global Positioning System) receiver;

preferably, the processing module generates at least a portion of the local control data.

Preferably, at least one of the plurality of transceivers comprises a cognitive radio transceiver (cognitive radio transceiver) configured based on remote control data.

Preferably, the plurality of transceivers comprises a plurality of cognitive radio transceivers configured based on remote control data.

Preferably, the control data is transceived in accordance with a control channel protocol different from the respective plurality of network protocols.

Various advantages, aspects and novel features of the invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of specific embodiments when considered in conjunction with the drawings.

Drawings

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 3 is a diagram of a wireless network 111 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 4 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 5 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123 according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 7 is a diagram of a frequency spectrum 210 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 8 is a diagram of a frequency spectrum 220 according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 9 is a block diagram of an RF receiver 127' in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 10 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 11 is a block diagram of a portion of a protocol stack in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 12 is a block diagram of a network protocol packet according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 13 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 14 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 15 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123' in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 16 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 17 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 18 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123 "in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 19 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123' "in accordance with one embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 20 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a management unit according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 22 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 24 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

fig. 26 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a management network according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 29 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 30 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 31 is a schematic diagram of a processing module 225 according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 32 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 33 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 34 is a block diagram of a communication system in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 36 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 39 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 40 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 41 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 42 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 43 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 44 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 46 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 47 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 48 is a flow diagram of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 49 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 50 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 51 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention.

Detailed Description

Fig. 1 is a block diagram of a communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the illustrated communication system includes a communication device 10 that wirelessly communicates real-time data 24 and/or non-real-time data 26 with one or more other devices, such as base stations 18, non-real-time devices 20, real-time devices 22, non-real-time and/or real-time devices 25 in networks 2 and 4. In addition, communication device 10 may optionally communicate with non-real-time device 12, real-time device 14, non-real-time and/or real-time device 16 via a wired connection.

In one embodiment of the present invention, wired connection 28 may be a wired connection operating in accordance with one or more standard protocols, such as Universal Serial Bus (USB), IEEE (Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers)488, IEEE1394 (firewire), Ethernet, SCSI (Small Computer System interface), Serial or Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA), PATA, Parallel Advanced Technology Attachment, other wired communication protocols, standards, or patents (proprietary). The wireless connection may communicate in accordance with a wireless networking protocol, such as IEEE802.11, bluetooth, UWB (Ultra-Wideband), WIMAX, or other wireless networking protocols, a wireless telephony Data/voice protocol such as global system for mobile Communications (GSM), GPRS (General Packet Radio Service), EDGE (Enhanced Data Rate for GSM Evolution), PCS (Personal Communications Service), wcdma (Wideband cdma), LTE or other mobile wireless protocols or other wireless communication protocols, standards or patents. Further, the wireless communication path includes transmit and receive paths using separate carrier frequencies and/or separate frequency channels, or alternatively, a single frequency or frequency channel for bi-directional communication of data from or to the communication device 10.

The communication device 10 is, for example, a cellular telephone, Personal Digital Assistant (PDA), gaming device (gameconsole), personal computer, portable computer, wireless display screen, or other device that performs one or more functions, including the transfer of voice and/or data over a wired connection 28 and/or a wireless communication path. In one embodiment of the present invention, real-time and/or non-real-time devices 12, 14, 16, 18, 20, 22, and 25 are base stations, access points, terminals, personal computers, portable computers, PDAs, storage devices, Cable Replacement devices (Cable Replacement), bridge/hub devices, wireless HDMI devices, mobile phones, such as cellular phones, equipped with a wireless local area network or bluetooth transceiver, FM tuners, TV tuners, digital cameras, digital camcorders (camcorders), or other devices that generate, process, or otherwise use audio, video signals, or data or communications.

In operation, the communication device includes one or more applications including Voice communications such as standard telephone applications, VoIP (Voice over Internet Protocol) applications, local games, web games, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging, web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/video downloading, playing audio/video streams, office applications such as databases, spreadsheets, word processing, report authoring and processing, and other Voice and data applications. Along with these applications, real-time data 26 includes voice, audio, video, and multimedia applications including internet gaming and the like. Non-real-time data 24 includes text messages, e-mail, web browsing, file uploads and downloads, and the like.

In one embodiment of the present invention, communication device 10 is a multi-service device capable of communicating real-time and/or non-real-time data with multiple networks, such as networks 2 and 4, simultaneously or non-simultaneously. The multi-service function includes the ability to engage in communications over multiple networks, select an optimal network, or have an optional optimal network for a particular communication. For example, communication device 10 may wish to place a telephone call, initiate a traditional telephone call to a remote caller over a cellular telephone network via a cellular voice protocol, initiate a network telephone over a data network via a wireless local area network protocol, and initiate communication with another communication device in a point-to-point manner via a bluetooth protocol. In another example, a communication device 10 that wishes to access a video program may receive a video signal stream over a cellular telephone network via a cellular data protocol, receive a direct broadcast video signal, download a podcast video signal over a data network via a wireless local area network protocol, and so forth.

In one embodiment of the present invention, communication device 10 comprises an integrated circuit, such as an RF integrated circuit, that incorporates one or more features or functions of the present invention. Such an integrated circuit will be described in more detail below in conjunction with fig. 3-51.

Fig. 2 is a block diagram of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the communication system shown in fig. 2 includes many of the common components in fig. 1, referred to by common reference numeral designations. The communication device 30 is similar to the communication device 10 with any of the applications, functions and features of the communication device 10 as set forth in fig. 1. However, the communication device 30 includes two or more separate wireless transceivers to communicate with data devices 32 and/or data base stations 34 in the network 6 via RF data 40 and voice base stations 36 and/or to communicate with voice devices 38 in the network 8 via RF voice signals 32, simultaneously via two or more types of wireless communication protocols.

Fig. 3 is a diagram of a wireless network 111 according to an embodiment of the invention. Wireless network 111 includes an access point 110 connected to packet switched backbone network 101. The access point 110 manages the communication streams over the wireless network 111 from and to each of the communication devices 91, 93, 97 and 125. Each communication device 91, 93, 97, and 125 may access the service provider network 105 and the internet 103 through the access point 110 to browse websites, download audio and/or video programs, send and receive messages (such as text messages, voice messages, and multimedia messages, access broadcasts, stored or streaming audio, video, or other multimedia content), play games, send and receive telephone calls, and perform any other activities, either directly through the access point 110 or indirectly through the packet switched backbone network 101.

One or more of the communication devices 91, 93, 97, and 125, such as communication device 125, is a mobile device that includes the functionality of communication device 10 or 30. Additionally, the communication device 125 is capable of communicating over one or more of the other networks 2, 4, 6, 8 described in fig. 1 and 2.

Fig. 4 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the Integrated Circuit (IC)50 is shown for implementing the communication device 125 as well as the microphone 60, keypad/keyboard 58, memory 54, speaker/headset interface 62, display 56, camera 76, antenna interface 72.. 72', and antenna port 64. In operation, the RF IC50 includes a plurality of wireless transceivers, such as transceivers 73 and 73 ', which contain RF and baseband modules for transmitting and receiving data, such as RF real-time data 26 and non-real-time data 24, and transmitting data through the antenna interface 72.. 72' and the antenna. Each antenna may be a fixed antenna, a single-input single-output antenna, a multiple-input multiple-output antenna, a diversity antenna system, an antenna array (antenna array) that allows beam profile (beam shape), gain, polarization, or other antenna parameters to be controlled, or that allows other antenna configurations. In addition, the IC50 includes an input/output module 71 that includes appropriate interfaces, drivers, encoders and decoders for wired connection communication via the wired port 64, for communication with the off-chip memory 54 via an optional memory interface, for encoding voice signals from the microphone 60 into digital voice signals via a codec, for generating data for the keypad/keyboard 58 in response to user actions via the keypad/keyboard interface, for driving a display screen via a display driver, such as providing color video signals, text, graphics or other display data, for driving the microphone 62 via an audio driver (such as an audio amplifier) and one or more other interfaces for connection to the camera 76 or other peripheral devices.

The power management circuit (PMU)95 includes one or more DC-DC converters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other power supplies (power supplies) to power the IC50 and optionally other components of the communication device 10 and/or peripheral devices to which voltage and/or current (collectively, power signals) are supplied. The power management circuit 95 may employ one or more batteries, power lines (line powers), inductive powers received from remote devices, piezoelectric powers (piezo sources) that generate power in response to movement of the integrated circuit, and/or other power sources (not shown). In particular, power management module 95 may select to provide the following power signals: with different or adjustable voltage, current or current limits in response to a power mode signal received from the IC 50. While an off-chip module is shown, PMU 95 may also be implemented in on-chip circuitry.

In addition, IC50 includes a position generation module 48 that generates position or motion parameters, such as longitude (longitude), latitude (latitude), altitude (altitude), address, velocity vector (velocity vector), acceleration (including deceleration), and/or other position or motion parameters, based on the position or motion of the device. The location generation module 48 includes a GPS receiver, one or more accelerometers, gyroscopic (gyroscopic) or location sensors, a device that operates on triangulation (triangulation) data received over a network, or other location generation device that generates or receives location or motion parameters.

In operation, the RF transceivers 73.. 73' generate outbound RF signals from outbound data and inbound data from inbound RF signals to communicate with a plurality of networks, such as networks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the IC50 is an integrated circuit system on a chip that includes at least one processing device. Such as processing module 225, for example, a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that controls signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The associated memory is a single memory device or multiple memory devices, which may be on-chip or off-chip such as memory 54. The memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory (random access memory), volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when IC50 implements one or more functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructions for such circuitry may be embedded within the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

It should also be noted that some of the modules of the illustrated communication device 125 are included on the IC50 while others are not, and that the IC50 is used for exemplary purposes and may include more or less modules of the communication device 125 depending on the particular implementation. Further, the communication device 125 may include additional or fewer modules than those shown. In operation, the IC50 executes operational instructions to implement one or more applications (real-time or non-real-time) of the communication device 125 described in conjunction with fig. 1-3.

Fig. 5 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123, such as transceivers 73, 73', in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The RF transceiver includes an RF transmitter 129, an RF receiver 127. The RF receiver 127 includes an RF front end 140, a down conversion module 142, and a receiver baseband processing module 144 operating under control of a control signal 141. The RF transmitter 129 includes a transmitter baseband processing module 146, an up-conversion module 148, and a wireless transmitter (radio transmitter) front end 150 that operates under control of a control signal 141.

As shown, the receiver and transmitter are connected to an antenna, such as antenna interface 72 or 74, through antenna interface 171 and duplexer 177 (duplex), respectively, connecting transmit signal 155 to the antenna to produce outbound RF signal 170 and connecting inbound signal 152 to produce received signal 153. Alternatively, a transmit/receive switch is used instead of the duplexer 177. Although only a single antenna is shown, the receiver and transmitter may also share a multiple antenna structure including two or more antennas. In another embodiment, the receiver and the transmitter share a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna structure, a diversity antenna structure, a phased array (phased array), or other controllable antenna structure that includes multiple antennas. Each antenna may be fixed, programmable, and an antenna array or other antenna configuration.

In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data 162 from other portions of the host device, such as a communication application executed by the processing module 225 or other source through the transmitter processing module 146. The transmitter processing module 146 processes the outbound data 162 in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, etc.) to generate a baseband or low Intermediate Frequency (IF) Transmit (TX) signal 164 that includes the outbound data 162. The baseband or low IF Transmit (TX) signal 164 may be a digital baseband signal (e.g., having a 0 IF) substrate digital low intermediate frequency signal, where the low intermediate frequency is typically in the frequency range of several hundred KHz to several Hz. Note that the processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146 includes, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing (puncturing), mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion.

The up-conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section (mixing section). The DAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signal 164 from the digital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain module filters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signal prior to providing the signal to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analog baseband or low IF signal to an upconverted signal 166 based on the transmitter local oscillation.

The wireless transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and may also include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies the upconverted signal 166 to produce an outbound RF signal 170, which if included, needs to be filtered by a transmit filter module. The antenna structure transmits the outbound RF signal 170 to a target device, such as an RF tag (tag), a base station, an access point and/or another wireless communication device that is connected to the antenna through an antenna interface 171, providing impedance matching and optional band pass filtering (bandpass filtering).

The receiver receives inbound RF signals 152 through an antenna and off-chip antenna interface 171, the off-chip antenna interface 171 being used to process the inbound signals 152 into received signals 153 for the receiver front-end 140. In general, the antenna interface 171 provides antenna impedance matching for the RF front end 140, optional bandpass filtering for the inbound RF signals 152, and optional control for the configuration of the antenna in response to one or more control signals 141 generated by the processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/or gain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 to a down-converted signal 156, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal, based on receiver local oscillation. The ADC module converts the analog baseband or low IF signal to a digital baseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a baseband or low IF signal 156. Note that the order of the ADC block and the filtering and/or gain block may be switched, and then the filtering and/or gain block is an analog block.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IF signal 156 to generate inbound data 160 in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, etc.). The processing performed by the receiver processing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

Further, the processing module 225 generates one or more control signals 141 for configuring or adapting the RF transceiver 123 to communicate with one or more networks 2, 4, 6, 8. In operation, the processing module 225 generates control signals to modify transmit and/or receive parameters of the RF transceiver 125, such as protocol parameters, data rates, modulation types, and other data parameters, frequency bands, channels and bandwidths, filter settings, gains, power levels, ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by the receiver processing module 144 and the transmitter processing module 146, and by the RF front end 140, the wireless transmitter front end 150, the down conversion module 142, and the up conversion module 148, as well as antenna configurations used by the antenna interface 171 for setting beam patterns (beam patterns), gains, polarizations, or other antenna configurations of the antenna.

The control signal 141 may be an analog signal, a digital signal, or a discrete-time signal of other signals, and is used to control the modules of the RF transceiver 123 to adapt to different network communications. For example, in one mode of operation, the communication device 125 includes a plurality of different transceivers 73.. 73', designed and implemented by a particular RF transceiver 123 to communicate with one of the plurality of networks 2, 4, 6 and/or 8. Each RF transceiver 123 may be selectively enabled or disabled by control signal 141 to communicate with its respective network 2, 4, 6, or 8 under the control of processing module 225, if desired. In another embodiment of the invention, one or more transceivers 73.. 73' may be implemented by a cognitive radio transceiver or other flexible RF transceiver 123 configured to communicate with different networks based on a selected mode of operation. For example, the flexible RF transceiver may be configured to operate as a bluetooth transceiver, a GSM transceiver, or an 802.11 transceiver based on the generation of the control signal 141 to implement the respective transmit and receive characteristics. Details regarding the particular conditions under which the control signal 141 is generated will be discussed later in connection with fig. 6-51.

Fig. 6 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the communication device shown includes many of the general components shown in FIG. 4. In this embodiment, IC50 includes an optional receiver 77, such as an environment monitoring receiver, capable of estimating the RF environment by analyzing the RF spectrum 203.

In particular, the communication device 125 includes a plurality of transceivers 73 for wirelessly transceiving data with a corresponding plurality of networks (such as networks 2, 4, 6, 8, etc.) in accordance with a corresponding plurality of network protocols. The receiver 77 receives and processes the received RF signals over a wideband (broadband) spectrum, such as the RF signal spectrum 203, and generates environmental data in response. The processing module 225 processes the environmental data and generates one or more control signals 141 in response to adapt the transceiver 73 based on the environmental data.

In operation, the receiver 77 analyzes the RF spectrum including the frequency bands used by each transceiver 73, including alternative frequency bands that can be used by each transceiver. The environmental data can identify unused spectrum, used spectrum, desired channels, undesired channels, noise and interference for enabling the transceiver 73 to adapt to more favorable conditions.

In one embodiment, when the conditions of the channel associated with a particular frequency begin to deteriorate or the receiver 77 finds a better frequency channel for use by one of the plurality of transceivers 73, the processing module 225 can generate the control signal 141 and outbound data to coordinate with the remote site via the control signal, switch to a new frequency channel, and change the transceiver 73 to the new frequency channel. In another embodiment, when communication with a particular network begins to deteriorate or the receiver 77 finds a better network available to the communication device 125, the processing module 225 can generate the control signal 141 and outbound data for coordinating the switch to the new network or new network device, or to adapt the transceiver 73 to the new network or switch the transceiver 73 being used to a transceiver adapted to communicate with the new network or new network device. In addition, the transceiver 73 can assume the function of the receiver 77 during the idle period. In a further embodiment, when communication conditions, such as noise and interference, change for a particular transceiver, the processing module 225 can generate the control signal 141 for modifying the transmit parameters and/or receive parameters of the transceiver 73 to accommodate the change in conditions.

Fig. 7 is a diagram of a frequency spectrum 210 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, spectrum 210 represents an example of RF signal spectrum 203 received by an environment monitoring receiver, such as receiver 77. In one embodiment of the present invention, the receiver 77 receives and analyzes the RF signal spectrum and identifies unused portions of the spectrum, such as the available spectrum 212, based on the lack of energy in these spectral (spectra) signals. In addition, the receiver 77 is able to identify undesired channels by identifying unacceptable levels of noise and interference 214 based on signal-to-noise ratio, signal-to-noise and interference ratio, packet error rate, data rate, etc.

Fig. 8 is a diagram of a frequency spectrum 220 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, spectrum 220 represents yet another example of a spectrum 203 of RF signals received by an environment monitoring receiver, such as receiver 77. In addition to the functions and features described in connection with fig. 7, the receiver 77 is capable of identifying a desired channel, such as the desired channel 222, based on the likelihood that a remote site can service the communication device 125. In particular, the desired signal may be identified based on the presence of a strong beacon signal (beacon signal) or other communication from a remote device indicating that a network is present and that the signal can be received with an acceptable level of noise and/or interference.

Fig. 9 is a block diagram of an RF receiver 127' according to an embodiment of the invention. The RF receiver 127', such as receiver 77, shares many common components of the RF receiver 127, which are identified by common reference numerals. The receiver 127' may be implemented by a dedicated radio receiver or a cognitive radio receiver or other flexible transceiver, such as one of the transceivers 73: transceiver 73 is configured by control signal 141 as an environment monitoring transceiver operating in an environment monitoring mode of operation. In operation, the RF receiver 127' receives inbound RF signals 152 through the antenna and off-chip antenna interface 171, the off-chip antenna interface 171 for processing the inbound RF signals 152 into signals 153 suitable for reception by the receiver front end 140. In general, the antenna interface 171 provides antenna impedance matching for the RF front end 140, optional bandpass filtering for the inbound RF signals 152, and optional control for the configuration of the antenna in response to one or more control signals 141 generated by the processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog-to-digital conversion module, and may also include a filtering and/or gain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal 154 to a down-converted signal 156, such as an analog baseband or low IF signal, based on receiver local oscillation. The ADC module converts the analog baseband or low IF signal to a digital baseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a baseband or low IF signal 156. Note that the order of the ADC block and the filtering and/or gain block may be switched, and then the filtering and/or gain block is an analog block.

The receiver processing module 144 processes the baseband or low IF signal 156 to generate inbound data 161 in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, etc.). The processing performed by the receiver processing module 144 includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling, and further includes optional processing: unused spectrum, used spectrum, desired channels, undesired channels, noise and interference, etc. are identified.

In one embodiment of the invention, the RF receiver 127' includes an RF front end 140, a down conversion module 142, scanning over a wide band spectrum, such as the RF signal spectrum 203, to implement a narrow band receiver. In this manner, individual portions of the spectrum, the RF receiver 127' may be tuned to individual frequency bands or individual frequency channels for analysis to generate the environmental data 161. In one mode of operation, the RF receiver 127' may adaptively scan across a wideband spectrum to avoid transmission interference from at least one of the plurality of transceivers 73. In particular, the RF receiver 127 ' can be operated by the control signal 141 ' generated by the processing module 225 to avoid being tuned to a particular frequency band or channel used for transmission by the other transceivers 73.. 73 ' of the communication device 125 at the same time.

In another embodiment of the present invention, the RF receiver 127' includes an RF front end 140 and a down-conversion module 142, which may be implemented as a wideband receiver capable of simultaneously capturing a received RF signal over a wideband spectrum and analyzing the wideband spectrum using frequency domain analysis to generate environmental data. For example, the down-conversion module 142 can digitize baseband or low IF signals over a wide frequency range and perform a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) or other frequency domain method in the receiver processing module 144 to generate the environmental data 161 in one mode of operation, the RF receiver 127' can adaptively capture data from a wide frequency spectrum to avoid transmission interference by at least one of the plurality of transceivers 73. In particular, the RF receiver 127 ' may be operated by the control signal 141 ' generated by the processing module 225 to avoid that one of the transceivers 73.. 73 ' of the communication device 125 is also transmitting while the inbound signal 152 is being captured or analyzed.

Fig. 10 is a block diagram of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. The communication device 125 transceives network data of the plurality of networks 107 and 109, such as networks 2, 4, 6, 8, in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In this embodiment of the invention, control data is communicated between the remote management unit 200 and the communication device 125 over logical control channels that carry network data that is communicated with the network 107 or the network 109. The management unit 200 assists the communication device 125 in configuring one or more transceivers 73.. 73'.

In particular, at least one of the plurality of transceivers 73.. 73' further transceives control channel data with remote management unit 200 using a corresponding one of the plurality of network protocols, the transceiving of the control channel data being in communication with the transceiving of network data over the logical control channel. The control channel data includes local control data to the management unit 200 and remote control data received from the remote management unit 200. According to this embodiment, the processing module 225 processes the remote control data and generates at least one control signal 141 in response, the at least one control signal 141 adapting the at least one transceiver 73.. 73' based on the remote control data.

The local control data sent to the management unit 200 includes local data or movement data generated by the local generation module 48; RF environment data such as environment monitoring data 161, battery remaining level generated by the power management unit 95; a desired quality of service generated by a communication application executed by the processing module 225 or other module of the communication device 125; latency preference (latency preference); cost preference (cost preference); a business request, such as a request for a particular network service or application; device characteristics; and/or a data rate preference (data rate prediction).

In an embodiment of the invention, the processing module 225 operates or calculates through a state machine, algorithm, look-up table and generates the control signals 141 and/or 141' based on remote control data received from the management unit 200. In this way, the management unit 200 is able to evaluate a task request desired by the user communication device 125, for example, downloading an audio file; making a call; sending a short message; playing a game; watching a video; and collecting other information of the communication device 125 by local control data regarding capabilities, performance and device status and environmental data, along with other relevant data, if any; the assisting communication device configures its transceiver to satisfy the requested task via the networks 107, 109, etc. In addition, the management module 200, in providing certain network services to assist the communication device 125 in adjusting transmit and receive parameters for better performance, switching frequency channels, and/or switching to another network, can estimate local control data,

fig. 11 is a block diagram of a portion of a protocol stack according to an embodiment of the invention. As described in connection with fig. 10, control data may be communicated between the remote management unit 200 and the communication device 125 over a logical control channel. In this embodiment, the control data is carried by a control channel protocol 230, such as an application specific control channel protocol (application specific control channel protocol) or a general protocol such as an IP protocol. The control channel protocol 230 is on top of a specific network protocol 232 in a protocol stack 231 for communication between the communication device 125 and the wireless network 107 or 109.

In operation, local control data in the network data received from the communication device 125 over the network 107 or 109 is routed to the management unit 200. The local control data further includes a device identification code, such as an identification number or address specific to the communication device 125 and used to re-route the remote control data from the management unit 200 back to the communication device 125 via additional network data.

Fig. 12 is a block diagram of a network protocol packet according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the network protocol packet 234 is shown to include a packet payload (payload)238 and a packet header section (overhead section)236, such as a packet header or other packet header section. In this embodiment, the logical control channel is implemented by pipe control data, such as control data 235 in a packet payload, such as packet payload 238.

In this embodiment, local control data in the network data that includes the control data 235 and is received from the communication device 125 over the network 107 or 109 may be routed to the management unit 200. The local control data further includes a device identification code, such as an identification number or address specific to the communication device 125 and used to re-route the remote control data from the management unit 200 back to the communication device 125 via the control data 235.

Fig. 13 is a block diagram of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the illustrated embodiment includes a management unit 201. In this embodiment, the management unit 201 operates similarly to the management unit 200 shown in fig. 10, except that the management unit 201 communicates with the communication device 125 over a particular wireless control channel, such as a direct wireless channel between the management unit 201 and the communication device 125. In one embodiment of the invention, the control channel communicates with the communication device 125 using a control channel protocol, such as a standard protocol different from the plurality of network protocols used by the networks 108, 109, etc. Alternatively, network protocols may be reused or general protocols such as IP protocols may be used for this purpose.

Under this configuration, the communication device 125 includes a dedicated control channel transceiver that communicates with the management unit 201. In this manner, the control channel may be used to communicate control data and to assist the communication device 125 in configuring one or more transceivers 73.. 73'. In another embodiment, the communication device 125 may configure one of the transceivers 73.. 73' to operate in a control channel fashion. For example, upon device startup, movement to a new area or in a default mode of operation, the communication device can configure one or more transceivers 73.. 73' to operate in a control channel fashion and communicate with the management unit 201 to determine which networks and network resources are available. The management unit 201 is capable of exchanging (exchange) control data with the communication device 201 based on a particular task or tasks requested by the communication device 125 to determine particular device parameters that configure one or more transceivers 73.. 73' to operate with the available networks such as 107, 109, etc.

Furthermore, after the start-up is complete, the remote control data received by the management unit 201 may include a reconfiguration of the particular transceiver 73.. 73', which is used to implement a control channel for communication with the networks 107, 109, etc. Optionally, the communication device 125 may return the transceiver to the control channel mode of operation when the network is lost, the transceiver 73.. 73' becomes available, initialization is initiated, the communication device moves to a new area, or triggered by a communication application executed by the processing module 225 or under user control.

Fig. 14 is a block diagram of a communication device 125 according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the communication devices shown share many of the common components of the communication device 125 described in fig. 4 and 9, which have been given the same reference numerals. In this embodiment, the RFIC50 includes a control channel transceiver that communicates with the management unit 201. Transceiver 75 may be a dedicated control channel transceiver. In this manner, the control channel may be used to communicate control data and to assist the communication device 125 in configuring one of the transceivers 73.. 73'. In another embodiment, the communication device 125 may configure one of the transceivers 73.. 73' as the control channel transceiver 75 in the control channel mode of operation.

Fig. 15 is a block diagram of an RF transceiver 123' according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, many common components in the illustrated RF transceiver 123' share many common components with the RF transceiver 123 depicted in fig. 5, where common components have been given the same reference numerals. The RF transceiver 123 ' may be a dedicated control channel transceiver implementing a physical control channel via the outbound RF signal 170 ' and the inbound RF signal 152 '. The inbound RF signal 152' from the management unit 201 is processed by the RF receiver 127 to generate remote control data 252. In addition, the local control data is processed by the RF transceiver 129 to generate an outbound RF signal 170' directed to the management unit 201. In this manner, the control channel may be used to communicate control data and to assist the communication device 125 in configuring one or more transceivers 73.. 73'. In another embodiment, communication device 125 may configure one of transceivers 73.. 73 'to operate with RF transceiver 123' in a control channel mode of operation via optional control signal 141.

Fig. 16 is a block diagram of a communication system according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a communication system is shown in which a management unit provides cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 to configure one or more cognitive radio transceivers of the communication device 125 via a control channel. In this manner, the cognitive radio transceiver may communicate with different networks on different frequency channels, different frequency bands, through different data rates and different protocols to adapt to environmental conditions, equipment conditions, and/or other transmission and reception characteristics that may be adapted thereto.

For example, a logical control channel may be established between the communication device 125 and the management unit 200 through a dedicated control signal transceiver, a transceiver operating in a control channel mode of operation, or a cognitive radio transceiver operating as a control channel transceiver. The local control channel data is sent to the management unit 200, including environmental data collected by a dedicated environmental monitoring transceiver, a transceiver operating in an environmental monitoring mode of operation, or a cognitive radio transceiver operating as an environmental monitoring transceiver. In addition, local control data may include task requests such as calls, and further include device conditions such as preferred data rates, battery margins, device models and optionally operating system or communication application characteristics and other parameters. In response, the management unit selects a particular network, such as the network 107, in this example a 900MHz GSM mobile telephone network, over which the management unit 200 knows that the communication device 125 can receive data well based on the received environment data as part of the local control data. Further, the management unit 200 generates cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 and sends the data to the communication device 125. The communications device receives the cognitive transceiver configuration data and configures one of its cognitive radio transceivers to operate as a 900MHz GSM transceiver, establishes communication with the network 107, and begins to perform the requested call request.

The implementation of a particular cognitive radio transceiver will be described below in conjunction with fig. 18-19.

Fig. 17 is a block diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. Similar to the communication system of fig. 16, a communication system is illustrated in which a management unit provides cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 to configure one or more cognitive radio transceivers of the communication device 125 via a control channel. In this manner, the cognitive radio transceiver may communicate with different networks on different frequency channels, different frequency bands, through different data rates and different protocols to adapt to environmental conditions, equipment conditions, and/or other transmission and reception characteristics that may be adapted thereto. In this embodiment, as shown in fig. 13-14, the management unit 201 communicates with the communication device 125 over a direct or separate physical control channel instead of a management unit.

Fig. 18 is a block diagram of the rf transceiver 123 ″ according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the radio frequency transceiver 123 "is shown sharing many common elements of the radio frequency transceivers 123 and 123 'as depicted in fig. 5 and 15, which are labeled with common reference numerals and may be used to implement the transceivers 73, 73', and 75. The radio frequency transceiver 123 "includes a radio frequency transmitter 229 and a radio frequency receiver 227. The rf transmitter 227 includes an rf front end 140, a down conversion module 142 and a receiver processing module 144'. The radio frequency transmitter 229 includes a transmitter processing module 146', an up conversion module 148 and a radio transmitter front end 150.

As shown, the transmitter and receiver are coupled to the antenna through an antenna interface 171 and a diplexer (duplexer) 177, such as antenna interface 72 or 74, the diplexer 177 couples the transmit signal 155 to the antenna to generate the outbound radio frequency signal 170, and the antenna interface 171 couples the inbound signal 152 to generate the receive signal 153. On the other hand, a transmission/reception switch may be used instead of the duplexer 177. Although only a single antenna is shown, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antenna structure including two or more antennas. In another embodiment, the transmitter and receiver may share a multiple-input multiple-output (MIMO) antenna structure including multiple antennas, which may be fixed, programmable, an antenna array or other antenna configurations, a diversity antenna structure, a phased array or other controllable antenna structure.

In operation, the receiver receives outbound real-time data 162 from other portions of its master device, such as a communication application executed by the processing module 225 or other source through the transmitter processing module 146'. The transmitter processing module 146' processes the outbound data 162 according to certain wireless communication standards (e.g., IEEE802.11, bluetooth technology, radio frequency identification technology RFID, GSM, CDMA) to generate a baseband or low-if transmit signal 164 that includes the outbound data 162. The baseband or low intermediate frequency transmit signal 164 may be a digital baseband signal (e.g., having an intermediate frequency of zero) or a digital low intermediate frequency signal, where the low intermediate frequency would be in a frequency range between 100 kilohertz and several megahertz. Note that: the processing performed by the transmitter processing module 146' includes, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to intermediate frequency conversion.

The up-conversion module 148 includes a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. The DAC converts the baseband or low intermediate frequency transmit signal 164 from the digital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain module filters and/or adjusts the acquired analog baseband signal prior to providing the acquired analog baseband signal to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analog baseband or low intermediate frequency signal to an up-converted signal 166 based on the transmitter local oscillation.

The radio transmitter front end 150 includes a power amplifier and may also include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies the upconverted signal 166 to generate an outbound radio frequency signal 170, and if included, a transmitter filter module may filter the outbound radio frequency signal 170. The antenna structure transmits an outbound radio frequency signal 170 to a target device such as a video tag, base station, access point and/or other wireless communication device by connecting to an antenna interface 171 that provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtering.

The inbound rf signal 152 is received by the receiver through the antenna and off-chip antenna interface 171. the off-chip antenna interface 171 processes the inbound rf signal 152 into a received signal 153 for the receiver front end 140. In general, the antenna interface 171 provides impedance matching of the antenna to the rf front end 140, optional bandpass filtering of the inbound rf signals 152, and selective control of the configuration of the antenna based on one or more control signals 114 generated by the processing module 225.

The down conversion module 142 includes a mixing section, an analog-to-digital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/or gain module. The mixing section converts the desired radio frequency signal 154 to a down converted signal 156 based on the receiver local oscillation, such as an analog baseband or low intermediate frequency signal. The ADC module converts the analog baseband or low intermediate frequency signal to a digital baseband or low intermediate frequency signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low intermediate frequency signal to produce a baseband or low intermediate frequency signal 156. Note that: the order of the ADC block and the filtering and/or gain block may be interchanged, so that the filtering and/or gain block is an analog block.

The receiver processing module 144' processes the baseband or low if signal 156 to generate inbound data 160 according to a certain wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE802.11, bluetooth technology, RFID, GSM, CDMA). The processing performed by the receiver processing module 144' includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the radio frequency transceiver 123 "may be configured as a control channel transceiver to receive inbound data 160 including cognitive transceiver configuration data 260. The radio frequency transceiver 123 "may be configured as a control channel transceiver in a default operating mode and then the radio frequency transceiver 123" reconfigures itself based on the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 received over the physical or logical control channel established with the management unit 200 or 201. For example, when the communication device 125 completes its assigned task in its configured state, the radio frequency transceiver 123 "may reconfigure itself to resume operation as a control channel transceiver.

The processing module 225 receives the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 and generates one or more control signals 141 to configure or adapt the radio frequency transceiver 123 ". Similar to the processing module 225 of the radio frequency transceiver 123', the processing module 225 generates the control signal 141 to modify the transmit and/or receive parameters of the radio frequency transceiver 125, such as protocol parameters, data rates, modulation types and other data parameters, frequency bands, channels and bandwidths, filtering settings, gains, levels, ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by the radio frequency front end 140, the radio transmitter front end 150, the down conversion module 142, the up conversion module 148, and the antenna configuration used by the antenna interface 171 to set the beam pattern, gains, polarizations, frequency bands or other antenna configurations of the antenna.

For example, the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include receiver band configuration data that configures the frequency band of the receiver front-end 140 by adjusting the local oscillation frequency, filtering the bandwidth, etc. via the control signal 140. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include transmitter band configuration data that configures the frequency band of the transmitter front-end by adjusting the local oscillation frequency, filtering the bandwidth, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include baseband processing configuration data that configures at least one baseband processing parameter of the receiver baseband processing module 144', such as a particular modulation scheme, protocol, data rate, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include baseband processing configuration data that configures at least one baseband processing parameter of the transmitter baseband processing module 146', such as a particular modulation scheme, protocol, data rate, etc.

The control signals 141 may be analog signals, digital signals, discrete time signals that control the modules of the radio frequency transceiver 123 "to accommodate other signals communicated over different networks. In this manner, such a cognitive radio transceiver 123 "may be used to operate as a bluetooth transceiver, a GSM transceiver, or an 802.11 transceiver to implement corresponding transmission and reception characteristics based on the generation of the control signal 141.

In a further mode of operation, the receiver processing module 144 'includes a receiver application memory 240, the receiver application memory 240 storing a receiver application that is executed by the receiver processing module to perform the functions of this receiver processing module 144'. In a default mode of operation, the receiver application memory may store a default receiver application that causes the receiver processing module to operate in a particular configuration, such as a GSM receiver, a bluetooth receiver, a CDMA receiver, a WIMAX receiver, a UWB receiver, an 802.11 receiver or as a control channel receiver, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include other baseband processing application data that may be received and stored in the receiver application memory 240 and executed by the receiver baseband processing module 144' under the new configuration. For example, when operating as a control channel receiver, the radio frequency receiver 227 may receive cognitive transceiver configuration data 260, the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 including baseband processing application data with a new receiver application, such as a GSM receiver application, stored in the receiver application memory 240 and executed by the receiver baseband processing module 144' as part of the reconfiguration by the processing module 225 of the radio frequency receiver 227 as a GSM receiver.

In a similar manner, the transmitter processing module 146 'includes a transmitter application memory 241 that stores a transmitter application that is executed by the transmitter processing module to perform the functions of the transmitter processing module 146'. In a default mode of operation, the transmitter application memory may store a default transmitter application that causes the transmitter processing module to operate in a particular configuration, such as a GSM transmitter, a bluetooth transmitter, a CDMA transmitter, a WIMAX transmitter, a UWB transmitter, an 802.11 transmitter or as a control channel transmitter, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include other baseband processing application data that may be received and stored in the transmitter application memory 241 and executed by the transmitter baseband processing module 146' under the new configuration. For example, when operating as a control channel transceiver, the radio frequency transceiver 123 "may receive cognitive transceiver configuration data 260, the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 including baseband processing application data with a new transmitter application, such as a GSM transmitter application, stored in the transmitter application memory 241 and executed by the transmitter baseband processing module 146' as part of the processing module 225 reconfiguring the radio frequency receiver 227 as a GSM receiver.

It should be noted that: the above described examples are merely illustrative of the many possible configurations and reconfigurations of the cognitive radio transceiver 123 ".

Fig. 19 is a block diagram of the rf transceiver 123' ″ according to an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the radio frequency transceiver 123 "' is shown sharing many common elements of the radio frequency transceivers 123, 123 ' and 123" depicted in fig. 5, 15 and 18, which are labeled with common reference numerals and may be used to implement the transceivers 73, 73 ' and 75. However, in this embodiment, the cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 is received by the other transceiver, 73, 73' or 75 of the communication device 125 configured as a physical or logical control channel transceiver. In this way, the multiple transceivers of the communication device 125 may be configured or reconfigured to different applications under the control or cooperation of the management unit 200 or 201.

Fig. 20 is a block diagram of another communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a network management unit 200 is presented for managing a plurality of multi-service communication devices 125, each multi-service communication device 125 being capable of communicating over a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. In particular, the management unit 200 communicates with each multi-service communication device 125 via a logical control channel for transmitting (tunneled) and/or carrying network data communicated between the multi-service communication device 125 and the networks 107, 109, etc. The control data exchange between the management unit 200 and each multi-service communication device 125 may include remote control data that optionally includes cognitive transceiver configuration data and local control data.

In one embodiment of the present invention, the management unit 200 collects device identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identification number, MAC address or other device identifier consistent with each multi-service communication device 125, by local control data sent from each device to the management unit 200 via a logical control channel. The remote control data sent from the management unit 200 to a particular multi-service communication device 125 is addressed by the device identifier of the particular device.

A possible implementation of the management unit 200 is explained in further detail below with reference to fig. 21.

FIG. 21 is a block diagram of a management unit according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, a management unit 200 is shown, the management unit 200 including a management processing unit 270 and a network interface 272 that receives network resource data 280 from a plurality of networks, such as networks 107, 109, and the like. In operation, the network interface 272 facilitates bi-directional data communication with a plurality of multi-service communication devices via a wireless control channel. The two-way data communication includes outbound control data 278, such as remote control data, sent to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices 125. The bi-directional data communication further includes inbound control data 276, such as local control data, received from the at least one plurality of multi-service communication devices 125. As described in connection with fig. 20, the wireless control channel may be implemented as a logical control channel used to carry communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices 125 and one or more of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc.

The management processing unit 270 is implemented by at least one dedicated or shared processing device. The processing device may be a microprocessor, microcontroller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array (field programmable gate array), digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or multiple memory devices, on-chip or off-chip. The memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that: when the management processing unit 270 implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructions for that circuitry has been embedded within the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry.

In embodiments of the present invention, the network interfaces may include modems, switches, routers, network cards, or other interfaces capable of sending and receiving inbound control data 276 and outbound control data 278 over one or more of the networks 107, 109, etc., if connected to the networks 107, 109, etc. In addition, the network interface 272 includes a control channel interface, a receiver such as an environmental monitoring receiver, or other input device for receiving or generating network resource data indicating the availability of network resources such as frequency channels, time slots, or other resources of the networks 107, 109, etc.

The management processing unit 270 processes inbound control data 276 and network resource data 280 and generates corresponding outbound control data. The outbound control data 278 may include network connection data, transmit and receive parameters, protocol parameters, cognitive transceiver configuration data 260, or other control information used to adapt or configure the multi-service communication device 125 to operate with the wireless network 107, 109. The cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 may include receiver band configuration data for configuring a frequency band of the receiver front end, transmitter band configuration data for configuring a frequency band of the transmitter front end, baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the receiver baseband processing module, baseband processing application data for execution by the receiver baseband processing module, baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the transmitter baseband, and/or processing module baseband processing application data for execution by the transmitter baseband processing module.

For example, the inbound control data 276 may include at least one service request, such as a request to download a file, send a message, browse a video program, place a call, and the like. The management processing unit 270 allocates at least one of the at least one resource of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. based on the inbound control data and the network resource data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data 276 may further include device characteristics, device status parameters, further preferences such as rf environment data, battery headroom, desired quality of service, latency preferences, cost preferences, device characteristics, data rate preferences, and the management processing unit 270 may select a network from the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. to implement services in accordance with the service request based on the inbound control data 276. The management processing unit 270 selects a network from the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc., also based on the network resource data 280, which network resource data 280 provides information about network resources available to fulfill the request. The outbound control data 278 may include a selection of one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc., as well as other remote control data for accommodating at least one transceiver of at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices.

Fig. 22 is a block diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, a network management unit 201 is presented for managing a plurality of multi-service communication devices 125, each multi-service communication device 125 being capable of communicating over a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. In particular, the management unit 201 communicates with each multi-service communication device through a separate wireless control channel. The control data exchange between the management unit 201 and each multi-service communication device 125 may include remote control data that optionally includes cognitive transceiver configuration data and local control data.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the management unit 200 collects device identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identification number, MAC address or other device identifier consistent with each multi-service communication device 125, by local control data transmitted from each device to the management unit 201 via a physical control channel. The remote control data sent from the management unit 201 to a particular multi-service communication device 125 is addressed by the device identifier of the particular device.

A possible implementation of the management unit 201 is explained in further detail below with reference to fig. 23.

FIG. 23 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, the management unit comprises similar elements to those of the management unit 200, which similar elements have been given the same reference numerals. However, the network interface 273 operates in a similar manner as the network interface 272, however, inbound control data 276 and outbound control channel data 278 are communicated through a communication device interface, such as the control channel transceiver 274. In operation, the control channel transceiver, such as the radio frequency transceiver and the radio frequency transceiver 123 "complement each other to facilitate two-way data communication with a plurality of multi-service communication devices via a wireless control channel.

Fig. 24 is a block diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the communication system is shown sharing similar elements to the communication system shown in fig. 20, which are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment, the management unit 200 includes a local agent 292 that collects environmental data from remote devices 290 and/or from multi-service communication devices 125 in communication with the wireless networks 107 and 109. Remote devices 290 include base stations, access points and other network devices, individual serving communication devices connected to networks 107, 109, such as Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) enabled computers, wireless telephones or other devices that communicate with wireless networks 107, 109, etc.

The environment data may include radio frequency spectrum information and location data from each remote device 290, which the management unit 200 uses to map the current radio frequency environment to determine such factors as available channels, unused spectrum, used spectrum, sources and locations of noise and interference, the location of other "fault regions" communicated via one or more channels over one or more networks 107, 109, etc., which may be very difficult. For use by the management unit 200, the home agent 292 collects and processes this information to determine the location where a handoff is required due to the multi-service communication device entering a fault area, and allocates frequency channels and other network resources and generates other outbound control data 278 such as remote control data.

FIG. 25 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, it is shown that the management unit 200 comprises many similar elements as described in fig. 21, which elements are referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, the management processing unit 270 includes a local agent 292, which may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, that collects environmental data via inbound data 276 from the multi-service communication device 125 and via other remote devices in communication with or part of the networks 107, 109, etc. The management processing unit 270 processes inbound control data including environment data, network resource data, and generates corresponding outbound control data.

In particular, the home agent 292 can collect environmental data from a plurality of remote devices other than the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel and/or from at least one device of the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel.

Fig. 26 is a block diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the communication system is shown sharing similar elements to the communication system shown in fig. 22, which are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment, the management unit 201 includes a local agent 292 that collects environmental data from the remote device 290, from the network 107, 109, etc., and/or from the multi-service communication device 125 via a physical wireless control channel that may be implemented separately from the wireless network 107, 109, etc. Remote device 290 includes a dedicated sensor for collecting environmental data, or other device in communication with management unit 201.

The environmental data includes radio frequency spectrum information, power supply measurements and location data from each remote device 290, and the management unit 201 uses the location data to map the current radio frequency environment to determine the location of such factors as available channels, unused spectrum, used spectrum, sources and locations of noise and interference, other "fault areas" communicated via one or more channels over one or more networks 107, 109, etc., which is very difficult. In addition, the management unit 201 selectively collects environmental data from one or more networks, such as networks 107, 109, and the like. For use by the management unit 201, the home agent 292 collects and processes this information to determine the location where a handoff is required due to the multi-service communication device entering a fault area, and allocates frequency channels and other network resources and generates other outbound control data 278 such as remote control data.

FIG. 27 is a block diagram of a management unit according to another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a management unit 201 is illustrated comprising many similar elements as described in fig. 23, these similar elements being referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, the management processing unit 270 includes a local agent 292, which may be implemented in hardware, firmware, or software, that collects environmental data via inbound data 276 from the multi-service communication device 125 and via other remote devices in communication with or part of the networks 107, 109, etc. In particular, the home agent 292 can collect environmental data from a plurality of remote devices other than the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel and/or from at least one device of the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel. As previously described, the management processing unit 270 processes inbound control data, including environmental data and network resource data 280, and generates corresponding outbound control data.

FIG. 28 is a block diagram of a management network according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, a hierarchical management unit network for managing a plurality of multi-service communication devices capable of communicating over a plurality of networks is presented. The management unit network includes a plurality of local management units 300 each participating in bi-directional data communications with at least one of a plurality of multi-service communication devices, such as communication device 125, via a physical or logical wireless control channel. In a similar manner to the management units 200 and 202, each local management unit 300 transmits outbound control data to and receives inbound control data from one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices. The one or more regional management units are configured to receive inbound control data from at least one of the plurality of local management units, process the progress data and generate outbound data and transmit the outbound data to the at least one of the plurality of local management units. In one embodiment, the local management unit 300 is configured to accept the network resource data 280 from at least one of the plurality of networks, such as 07, 109, etc., and to send the network resource data 280 to the regional management unit 302. Accordingly, the zone management unit 302 generates outbound control data 276 further based on the network resource data 280. In another embodiment, the area management unit 302 receives the network resource data 280 from a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. An optional zone management unit 304 is connected to the zone management unit 302 for selectively participating in the generation of outbound data. The local management unit 300 may also be directly connected to the networks 107, 109, etc. to receive the network resource data 280.

In operation, the functions of the management unit 201 or 200 are split between two or more layers of a hierarchical management network. Local tasks such as communication of inbound control data 276 and outbound control data 278, and operations of local agents to collect and process local environment data are handled at the network edge (edge of the network). One or more processing functions, such as the collection of network resources, the storage of cognitive transceiver configuration data, and the generation of other outbound control data 278, may be performed at the zone management unit level or, alternatively, at the regional management unit level.

Fig. 29 and 30 are block diagrams of a management unit according to other embodiments of the present invention. In particular, management units 300 and 300' are similar in operation to management units 200 and 202. However, both management units 300 and 300' include a management layer interface 310, and the management layer interface 310 may be a wired or wireless connection that is managed or implemented by communicating over one or more networks, such as the Internet, with a complementary management layer interface 312 included in the regional management unit 302. Both management units 300 and 300' are shown in an alternative configuration whereby the local management unit itself collects network resource data. However, as depicted in fig. 28, the area management units 302 may collect the network resource data 280 directly from the respective networks 107, 109, etc. through their own network interfaces that are similar in operation to the network interface 272. Further, in the configuration shown in fig. 28, where the management unit network includes the zone management units 304, each of the zone management units 302 may further communicate with the zone management units 304 via the management layer interface 312.

As depicted in fig. 28, the functions of the management unit 201 or 200 are split between two or more layers of a hierarchical management network. Communication of local tasks such as inbound control data 276 and outbound control data 278, operations of local agents to collect and process local environment data, are handled at the network edge (edge of the network) of local management unit 300 through their management processing unit 270. One or more processing functions, such as the collection of network resources, the storage of cognitive transceiver configuration data, and the generation of other outbound control data 278, may be performed at the zone management unit level, or an optional zone management unit level, by the management processing unit 270 included in the zone management unit 302 and/or by the management unit 270 included in the zone management unit 304. In an embodiment of the present invention, the functions described in the management processing units 270 of the management units 200 and 201 may be distributed among the management processing units 270 of the local layer of the management unit network, the management processing units 270 of the regional layer, and optionally the management processing units 270 of the regional layer.

FIG. 31 is a diagram of a processing module 225 according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, the processing module 225 of the communication device 125 is shown, the processing module 225 comprising a coordination module 320, the coordination module 320 being implemented by hardware, software or firmware depending on the implementation of the processing module 225. In this embodiment, the outbound control data 278 is generated by a management unit, such as the management processing unit 200, 201 or a network of management units, and the coordination module 320 receives the outbound control data 278 to cooperatively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices 125.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data 276 includes service requests and at least one suggested resource allocation generated by the collaboration module 320 generation and management unit 200, 201 or management unit network, allocating at least one resource of at least one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. based on the inbound data 276 and the network resource data 280. In another embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data 276 includes a service request and at least one proposed resource allocation and management unit 200, 201 or management unit network, and based on the inbound control data 276 and the network resource data 280, one of the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. is selected to implement the service in accordance with the service request. In these embodiments, the decision belongs to a management unit 200, 201 or a network of management units. In this manner, the collaboration module 320 may generate suggested configurations based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, device capabilities, device preferences, user preferences, and device status.

In other embodiments, the decision may belong to the collaboration module 320. For example, the management unit 200, 201 or a network of management units may generate outbound control data 278 that includes a suggested selection of a network from the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc., and the coordination module 320 may select a network from the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc., based on the suggested selection. In another example, the outbound control data 278 generated includes suggested remote control data for adapting at least one transceiver of at least one device of the plurality of multi-service communication devices. The coordination module selects whether to accommodate the at least one transceiver based on the suggested remote control data. Further, the outbound control data 278 may include suggested cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver of the multi-service communication device 125, the coordination module selecting whether to configure the at least one cognitive transceiver. In this way, the management unit 200 or 201 can generate a suggested configuration based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, device capabilities, device preferences, user preferences and status of the device. In this manner, the coordination module 320 selects from the suggested configurations based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, environment, noise and interference, spectral characteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and device status.

Fig. 32 is a block diagram of another communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a service aggregator 325 is shown, the service aggregator 325 allocating network resources to a plurality of multi-service communication devices 125 capable of communicating over a plurality of networks 107, 109, etc. In one embodiment of the invention, the service aggregator is implemented in connection with a management unit 200 or 201 or a network of management units, such as the network of management units shown in fig. 28.

In operation, the service aggregator engages in two-way data communication with a plurality of multi-service communication devices, such as communication device 125, over a wireless control channel. The bi-directional data communication includes outbound control data, such as outbound control data 278 transmitted to the plurality of multi-service communication devices, and inbound control data, such as inbound control data 276 received from the plurality of multi-service communication devices. Network resources are collected from a plurality of networks. A management processing unit, such as management processing unit 270, processes inbound control data and network resource data and generates corresponding outbound control data, wherein the inbound control data includes at least one traffic request, and the service aggregator allocates at least one resource of at least one of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data.

For example, the communication device 125 may send a request to make a call over a wireless control channel. The service aggregator 125 finds an available network and sends outbound control data 278 to the communication device 125 to communicate with the network. The outbound control data may include cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 that configures the cognitive transceiver of the communication device 125 to communicate with the selected network to complete the dialing of the phone.

In another example, when the communication device 125 is used as a web browser, the communication device 125 finds out broadcast video programs of interest that are not available over the web. The communication device 125 responds to access to the broadcast video program using a logical control channel that carries a protocol over IP to contact the service aggregator. Based on the location data provided by the communication device 125, the service aggregator finds the local broadcaster through inbound control data 276. The service aggregator downloads the baseband processed data executed by the receiver processing unit and the transmitter processing unit of the cognitive transceiver of the communication device 125, as well as specific channel information that will allow the cognitive transmitter to be tailored to receive and encode the video broadcast.

These examples are merely illustrative of the wide range of possible services in accordance with the present invention.

Fig. 33 is a block diagram of another communication system in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, the management unit 200 is engaged in two-way data communication with the plurality of multi-service communication devices 125 over logical control channels, the two-way data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices. In this example, the wireless control channel carries communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices 125 and the plurality of networks 107, 109, etc.

The management unit 200 processes inbound control data and network resource data received from the networks 107, 109, etc., and generates corresponding outbound control data. In operation, the management unit 200 facilitates real-time service switching provided by the real-time service provider 330 from one network, such as network 107, to a second network, such as network 109, via a corresponding management processing unit, such as management processing unit 270. Although only a single service provider 330 is shown, the management unit 200 may similarly be implemented to facilitate switching among multiple service providers.

For example, the real-time service may be a telephone call, a game, a sound play, a video play, a file download, a multimedia application, or other real-time service or application. Further, through the management processing unit 270, the management unit 200 detects potential handover conditions such as deterioration of performance, behavior that is likely to enter a faulty area, failure of network resources, expected service opportunities such as when higher data rate services are available, or other conditions through inbound control data. Accordingly, the management unit 200, through the management processing unit 270, is based on one or more of: radio frequency environment data, battery margin, desired quality of service, delay priority, cost priority, device characteristics, data rate priority, selecting the second network and transmitting the selection to the communication device 125 via the outbound control data 278.

In an embodiment of the present invention, the management unit 200 facilitates the establishment of the connection between the communication devices 125 prior to the real-time service handover by the management processing unit 270 based on the outbound control data 278 sent prior to the real-time service handover. For example, the management unit 200 may transmit outbound control data 278 including cognitive transceiver configuration data for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver of at least one multi-service communication device according to the second network. In this manner, the communication device 125 may configure itself for communication with the second network.

In an embodiment of the invention, the user of the communication device 125 places a call over the wireless network 107, the wireless network 107 being a GSM mobile phone network, connects to a public switched telephone network, and provides services through the real-time service provider 350. Based on the location data from the communication device 125, when the management unit 200 detects that the communication device 125 is from the range of the user's home of the wireless network 109, in which case the home wireless network, the management unit prepares for a handover to the network 109. In particular, the management unit 201 communicates cognitive transceiver configuration data 260 or other outbound control data 276 to the communication device 125 to configure the communication device for communication with the wireless network 109.

Based on the inbound control data 276, when the management unit 201 detects through the inbound control data 276 that the communication device 125 has configured its own cognitive radio transceiver and is within range of the wireless network 109, the management unit 201 goes over switching over the telephone and fulfillment services provider 330 over the IP protocol from the network 107 to the network 109. In particular, when the phone is converted to a voice over IP phone that is accessed via the network 109 through the network device 125, the management unit 201 provides the IP address of the communication device 125 and the GSM device identifier to the real-time service provider 330, and the real-time service provider 330 places the phone in the wireless network 107 waiting for or terminating the phone.

Fig. 34 is a block diagram of another communication system according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, a communication system is shown that functions in a similar manner to the communication system of fig. 33. In this embodiment, however, the control data exchange between the communication device 125 and the management unit 201 is via a separate physical control channel. As depicted in fig. 33, the management unit 201 communicates control data to facilitate real-time service switching by the networks 107 to 109 provided by the real-time service provider 330. Such convenience may include the establishment of a real-time service over network 109 prior to the handoff. Such facilitation may further include adaptation or configuration of one or more transceivers of the communication device 125, the one or more transceivers of the communication device 125 being used to communicate with the network 109.

FIG. 35 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-34. The method begins at step 400 by wirelessly transceiving data with a corresponding plurality of networks via a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols at step 400. At step 402, signals received from the environmental monitoring receiver over a broadband spectrum are processed to generate environmental data. At step 404, the environmental data is processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 36 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-35. At step 410, data is wirelessly transmitted to and received from a corresponding plurality of networks via a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols. At step 412, signals received from one of the plurality of transceivers configured as an environmental monitoring receiver in an environmental monitoring mode of operation are processed through the wideband spectrum to generate environmental data. At step 414, the environmental data is processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 37 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-36. At step 420, data is wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks via a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols. At step 422, signals are transceived through a control channel transceiver having a remote management unit that includes local control data and remote control data. At step 424, the remote control data is processed to generate at least one control signal that is adapted to at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 38 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-37. At step 430, data is wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks via a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers is configured as a control channel transceiver for transceiving data via a control channel receiver with a remote processing unit in a control channel mode of operation. The signal includes local control data and remote control data. At step 432, the remote control data is processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 39 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-38. At step 440, network data is wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks through a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the plurality of transceivers, along with the remote management unit and the network data, further transceives control channel data over a logical control channel carrying one of the plurality of network protocols using the corresponding plurality of network protocols, the control data including local control data and remote control data. At step 442, the remote control data is processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 40 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-39. At step 450, network data is wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks via a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols, wherein a first one of the plurality of transceivers, together with the remote management unit, further transceives control channel data via a logical control channel embedded in the network data, the network data transceived with a corresponding one of the plurality of networks, the control data including local control data and remote control data. At step 452, the remote control data is processed to generate at least one control signal that is adapted to at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers.

FIG. 41 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-40. At step 460, network data is wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks through a plurality of transceivers according to a plurality of network protocols through a multi-service device, wherein at least one transceiver of the plurality of transceivers comprises a cognitive radio transceiver. In step 462, cognitive transceiver configuration data is received from a management unit in communication with the multi-service communication device over a control channel. At step 464, at least one cognitive radio transceiver is configured based on the cognitive transceiver configuration data.

FIG. 42 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-41. As shown in step 470, the method includes processing the cognitive transceiver configuration data to generate a corresponding at least one control signal.

FIG. 43 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-42. At step 480, the first cognitive radio transceiver is configured to implement a control channel.

FIG. 44 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-43. At step 490, bidirectional data communications are facilitated with the plurality of multi-service communication devices over the wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communications including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from the at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices. At step 492, network resource data is received from the plurality of networks. At step 494, the progress control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data.

FIG. 45 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-44. Step 500 is a beginning step of the method for engaging in two-way data communications between a plurality of local management units and a plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the two-way data communications including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from the at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices. In step 502, inbound control data is received at a first zone management unit. At step 504, the inbound control data is processed to generate corresponding outbound control data.

FIG. 46 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-45. At step 510, bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, the wireless control channel being separate from communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and a plurality of networks. At step 512, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 514, the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data. The inbound control data includes at least one service request and allocates at least one network resource of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data.

FIG. 47 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-46. At step 520, bidirectional data communication is facilitated with the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel carries communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and the plurality of networks. At step 522, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 524, inbound control data and network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data, wherein the inbound control data includes at least one service request and allocates at least one network resource of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data.

FIG. 48 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-47. At step 530, facilitating two-way data communication with the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the two-way data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from the at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separate from communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and the plurality of networks. At step 532, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 534, the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data to facilitate real-time service switching, accessed by at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, through a first network of the plurality of networks to a second network of the plurality of networks.

FIG. 49 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-48. At step 540, bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multi-service communication devices is facilitated via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel carries communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and the plurality of networks. At step 542, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 544, the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data to facilitate real-time service switching through a first network of the plurality of networks to a second network of the plurality of networks for access by at least one multi-service communication device of the plurality of multi-service communication devices.

FIG. 50 is a flow chart of a method according to an embodiment of the invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-49. At step 550, facilitating bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separate from communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and the plurality of networks. At step 552, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 554, the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data to cooperatively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the plurality of multi-service devices via the coordination module.

FIG. 51 is a flow diagram of a method in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, methods of use are presented in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in fig. 1-50. At step 560, bidirectional data communication is facilitated with the plurality of multi-service communication devices over a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data transmitted to at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multi-service communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel carries communications between the plurality of multi-service communication devices and the plurality of networks. At step 562, network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. At step 564, the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate corresponding outbound control data to cooperatively establish at least one device setting for at least one of the plurality of multi-service devices via the coordination module.

One of ordinary skill in the art will appreciate that the term "substantially" or "approximately", as may be used herein, provides an industry-accepted tolerance to corresponding terms and/or dependencies between components. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than 1% to 50% and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process fluctuations, temperature fluctuations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. The correlation between these components ranges from a difference in percentage to a difference in magnitude. As used herein, the term "coupled" includes direct connection between components and/or indirect connection of two components through intervening components (e.g., components including, but not limited to, components, elements, circuits, and/or modules). Where for indirect connections, the intervening component does not alter the information of the signal, but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As further used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two elements in the same manner as "coupled". As further used herein, the term "operatively connected" indicates that a component comprising one or more power connections, inputs, outputs, etc., performs one or more corresponding functions, and further includes inferred connections to one or more other components. As used herein, the term "associated connection" includes a direct and/or indirect connection between an individual element and/or an element embedded in another element. As used herein, the term "compares favorably", as may be used herein, means that a comparison between two or more component signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal 1 has a greater amplitude than signal 2, favorable comparison results may be obtained when the amplitude of signal 1 is greater than the amplitude of signal 2 or the amplitude of signal 2 is less than the amplitude of signal 1.

The invention has been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships. For convenience of description, the boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been defined herein specifically. However, given the appropriate implementation of functions and relationships, changes in the limits and sequences are allowed. Any such boundaries or sequence of changes should be considered to be within the scope of the claims.

The invention has also been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain important functions. For convenience of description, the boundaries of these functional building blocks have been defined specifically herein. When these important functions are implemented properly, varying their boundaries is permissible. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may be specifically defined herein to illustrate certain important functions, and the boundaries and sequence of the flow diagram blocks may be otherwise defined for general application so long as the important functions are still achieved. Variations in the boundaries and sequence of the above described functional blocks, flowchart functional blocks, and steps may be considered within the scope of the following claims. Those skilled in the art will also appreciate that the functional blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules, and components described herein may be implemented as discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors with appropriate software, and the like, or any combination thereof.

Claims (10)

1. A multi-service communication device, comprising:

a plurality of transceivers for wirelessly transceiving data of a corresponding plurality of networks according to a corresponding plurality of network protocols;

a control channel transceiver to transceive control channel data with a remote management unit, the control channel data comprising: local control data sent to the management unit and remote control data received from the management unit; and

a processing module connected with the plurality of transceivers and the control channel transceiver, processing remote control data and generating at least one responsive control signal for adapting (adapt) at least one of the plurality of transceivers based on the remote control data.

2. The multi-service communications device of claim 1, wherein the local control data comprises at least one of: RF environment data, battery headroom, desired quality of service, latency preference, cost preference, service request, device characteristics, data rate preference.

3. The multi-service communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers controls a handover of communications of the multi-service communications device from a first network to a second network.

4. The multi-service communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers changes a frequency channel used by at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

5. The multi-service communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a transmission parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

6. The multi-service communications device of claim 1, wherein said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers modifies a reception parameter of at least one of said plurality of transceivers.

7. The multi-service communication device of claim 1, wherein the respective plurality of network protocols comprises at least one of: 802.11 protocol, WIMAX protocol, bluetooth protocol, wireless HDMI protocol, 60GHz piconet protocol, cellular data protocol, cellular voice protocol.

8. A multi-service communication device, comprising:

a plurality of transceivers for wirelessly transceiving data of a corresponding plurality of networks according to a corresponding plurality of network protocols; wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers transceives control channel data with a remote management unit in a control channel mode of operation, the control channel data comprising: local control data sent to the management unit and remote control data received from the management unit; and

a processing module connected with the plurality of transceivers, processing remote control data and generating at least one responsive control signal, the at least one control signal adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers based on the remote control data.

9. The multi-service communications device of claim 8, wherein the local control data comprises at least one of: RF environment data, battery headroom, desired quality of service, delay priority, cost priority, service request, device characteristics, data rate priority.

10. The multi-service communications device of claim 8, wherein said at least one control signal for adapting at least one of said plurality of transceivers controls a handover of communications of the multi-service communications device from a first network to a second network.