U.S. patent application number 11/312847 was filed with the patent office on 2007-07-26 for systems and methods for a multi-mode wireless modem.
This patent application is currently assigned to Novatel Wireless, Inc.. Invention is credited to Humphrey Gordon, Michael Loh, Slim Souissi.
Application Number | 20070171878 11/312847 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 38224267 |
Filed Date | 2007-07-26 |
United States Patent
Application |
20070171878 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Souissi; Slim ; et
al. |
July 26, 2007 |
Systems and methods for a multi-mode wireless modem
Abstract
A multi-mode modem comprises a first device configured to
communicate with a first communication system, a second device
configured to communicate with a second communication system, a
processor communicatively coupled the first and second devices, and
a control function configured to place the device in one of the
following communication modes: 1) communication with the first
communication system; 2) communication with the second
communication system; 3) simultaneous communication with both the
first and second communication systems; or 4) gateway communication
between the first and second communication systems.
Inventors: |
Souissi; Slim; (San Diego,
CA) ; Loh; Michael; (Calgary, CA) ; Gordon;
Humphrey; (Calgary, CA) |
Correspondence
Address: |
FOLEY & LARDNER LLP
P.O. BOX 80278
SAN DIEGO
CA
92138-0278
US
|
Assignee: |
Novatel Wireless, Inc.
San Diego
CA
|
Family ID: |
38224267 |
Appl. No.: |
11/312847 |
Filed: |
December 20, 2005 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
|
|
10028080 |
Dec 21, 2001 |
|
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11312847 |
Dec 20, 2005 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
370/338 ;
370/401 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04L 45/00 20130101;
H04W 40/00 20130101; H04W 92/02 20130101; H04W 88/16 20130101 |
Class at
Publication: |
370/338 ;
370/401 |
International
Class: |
H04Q 7/24 20060101
H04Q007/24 |
Claims
1. A wireless gateway device, comprising: a first device configured
to communicate with a first wireless communication system; a second
device configured to communicate with a second wireless
communication system; a controller communicatively coupled with the
first device and second device and configured to route data
received by the first device from the first wireless communication
system through the second device to the second wireless
communication and to route date received by the second wireless
communication system through the first device to the first wireless
communication system.
2. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a LAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless local area network, the second device is a WAN device, and
the second wireless communication system is a wireless wide area
network.
3. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless personal area network, the second device is a WAN device
and the second wireless communication system is a wireless wide
area network.
4. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless personal area network, the second device is a LAN device
and the second wireless communication system is a wireless local
area network.
5. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a LAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless local area network, the second device is a MAN device, and
the second wireless communication system is a wireless metropolitan
area network.
6. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless personal area network, the second device is a MAN device,
and the second wireless communication system is a wireless
metropolitan area network.
7. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, wherein the first device
is a WAN device, the first wireless communication system is a
wireless wide area network, the second device is a MAN device, and
the second wireless communication system is a wireless metropolitan
area network.
8. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, further comprising an
interface device for connecting at least one wired device to the
wireless gateway device such that data from the at least one wired
device can be routed to at least one of the first wireless
communication system or second wireless communication system.
9. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, further comprising a
voice module for providing a voice-over-IP input for connecting a
voice-over-IP device the wireless gateway such that voice-over-IP
data can be routed to at least one of the first wireless
communication system or second wireless communication system.
10. The wireless gateway device of claim 1, further comprising a
fax module for providing a fax input for connecting a fax device to
the wireless gateway such that fax data can be routed to at least
one of the first wireless communication system or second wireless
communication system.
11. An embedded multi-mode modem configured for connecting to a
host device having a processor, the modem comprising: a first
device configured to communicate with a first wireless
communication system; a second device configured to communicate
with a second wireless communication system; an interface device
coupled with the first and second devices, the interface device
configured to interface the first and second devices with the host
processor; and a control function configured to place the modem in
one of the following communication modes: communication with the
first communication system, communication with the second
communication system, simultaneous communication with both the
first and second communication systems, or gateway communication
with both the first and second communication systems.
12. The embedded of claim 11, wherein the first device is a LAN
device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless local
area network, the second device is a WAN device, and the second
wireless communication system is a wireless wide area network.
13. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device is a
PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless
personal area network, the second device is a WAN device and the
second wireless communication system is a wireless wide area
network.
14. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device is a
PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless
personal area network, the second device is a LAN device and the
second wireless communication system is a wireless local area
network.
15. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device is a
LAN device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless
local area network, the second device is a MAN device, and the
second wireless communication system is a wireless metropolitan
area network.
16. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device is a
PAN device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless
personal area network, the second device is a MAN device, and the
second wireless communication system is a wireless metropolitan
area network.
17. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device is a
WAN device, the first wireless communication system is a wireless
wide area network, the second device is a MAN device, and the
second wireless communication system is a wireless metropolitan
area network.
18. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the host device further
comprises a laptop computer.
19. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the host device further
comprises a mobile electronic device.
20. The embedded modem of claim 11, wherein the first device
comprises a first RF section and a first baseband section, the
second device comprises a second RF section and a second baseband
section, and either the first baseband section or second baseband
section comprises the control function.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED PATENT APPLICATIONS
[0001] This application is a Continuation-In-Part to U.S. Utility
patent application Ser. No. 10/028,080, filed 12/21/2001,
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
[0002] The present invention relates generally to wireless
communications, but more specifically to the configuration and
operation of multi-mode wireless modems in a plurality of wireless
communication systems.
[0003] Consumer demand for high data rate services has helped fuel
the expansion of the wireless communication industry. In effort to
keep pace, the global wireless infrastructure has become an
intricate patchwork of largely non-interoperative systems. Worse,
to meet the demand for more wireless capability, it is expected
that the industry will proliferate, not consolidate, the number of
wireless telecommunications standards.
[0004] Currently a user wishing to gain access to multiple systems
will often carry at least two devices, each device supporting a
different system. For example, a personal computer capable of
supporting a wireless modem for Institute of Electrical and
Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.11 access must be re-equipped and
re-configured with a different modem, say a Global Packet Radio
System (GPRS) modem, when the user leaves the 802.11 coverage area
and enters a GPRS only coverage area.
[0005] Familiar wireless wide-area network (W-WAN, or simply WAN)
standards such as GPRS offer reasonable service quality at an
affordable price and have relatively wide coverage. Unfortunately,
for many high data rate applications, existing WAN technologies are
too slow and expensive. On the other hand, wireless local-area
network (W-LAN, or simply LAN) standards such as IEEE 802.11 have
proven superior for use in very localized data applications.
Moreover, LANs are faster, cheaper, and consume less power than
their WAN counterparts. For many subscribers, especially corporate
subscribers, LAN access is free--yet, for all practical purposes, a
mobile subscriber is not afforded continuous LAN coverage
throughout the day. That is, LAN coverage available to a subscriber
at work does not usually extend to the subscriber's home.
Therefore, it would be advantageous to provide a subscriber a way
to switch systems in a more seamless fashion as he or she moves
from system to system.
[0006] The current technique for managing such switching is clumsy
and requires heavy subscriber involvement. Typically, as mentioned,
the subscriber must "swap" modem devices. Further, a subscriber
must also typically initiate dial-up connectivity upon leaving one
system and entering a second. In many cases, multiple drivers and
different software are needed for configuration and operation of
the devices. Therefore, apart from being cumbersome for the
subscriber to manage, swapping modems is also impractical.
[0007] Thus, the market would benefit from a single modem device
systems that preferably conforms with a standard form factor and
that comprises the technology required to access a plurality of
communication systems. The design of such a "combinational" modem
device, however, raises other concerns. For example, regardless of
the form factor, space is almost always a concern in the design of
wireless modem devices, especially when more than one wireless
communication technology is supported. Further, designing,
certifying, and manufacturing such a combinational modem device
would be an expensive and lengthy task. A further concern is that
there are so many different types of wireless communication
systems. To cover all the possible combinations, many different
combinational modem devices would need to be manufactured.
Manufacturing a multitude of combinational modem devices increases
manufacturing costs. Such concerns also need to be addressed in the
design of a combinational, or multi-mode, modem in order for such a
modem to provide convenient, efficient access to a plurality of
wireless communication systems at an affordable cost.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0008] To overcome the problems that result from the current mish
mash of wireless communication systems and to ensure that a
subscriber has access to the most convenient and optimal service at
any given time, the systems and methods described herein provide
for a single combinational modem device that can be easily
reconfigured for different technology combinations after the
manufacturing process. Thus, the systems and methods described
herein present software and hardware architectures that can
effectively support various technology combinations, methods for
configuring the hardware and software architectures to achieve the
most optimal operation, and cost effective methods to incorporate
multiple technologies within modem devices in a manner that allows
for easy reconfiguration after the manufacturing process.
[0009] As such, there is provided a system for wireless
communication that comprises a host device comprising a processor
and a multi-mode modem. The multi-mode modem comprises a first
device configured to communicate with a first communication system,
a second device configured to communicate with a second
communication system, and an interface device coupled with at least
one of the first and second devices. The interface device is
configured to interface the first and second devices with the host
processor. The system also includes a control function configured
to place the device in one of the following communication modes: 1)
communication with the first communication system, 2) communication
with the second communication system, or 3) communication between
the first and second communication systems.
[0010] Other aspects, advantages, and novel features of the
invention will become apparent from the following Detailed
Description of Preferred Embodiments, when considered in
conjunction with the accompanying drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0011] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary patch work of
wireless communication systems;
[0012] FIG. 2 is a logical block diagram illustrating one example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be used in the wireless
communication systems of FIG. 1 in accordance with the
invention;
[0013] FIG. 3 is a flow chart illustrating on example method of
mode control that can be implemented in the multi-mode modem of
FIG. 2 in accordance with the invention;
[0014] FIG. 4 is a logical block diagram illustrating another
example embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be used in the
wireless communication systems of FIG. 1 in accordance with the
invention;
[0015] FIG. 5 is a logical block diagram illustrating still another
example embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be used in the
wireless communication systems of FIG. 1 in accordance with the
invention;
[0016] FIG. 6 is a logical block diagram illustrating still another
example embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be used in the
wireless communication systems of FIG. 1 in accordance with the
invention;
[0017] FIG. 7 is a logical block diagram illustrating an example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be implemented in a PCMIA
modem card in accordance with the invention;
[0018] FIG. 8 is a logical block diagram illustrating an example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be implemented in a
module for use with a PDA in accordance with the invention;
[0019] FIG. 9 is a logical block diagram illustrating an example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem that can be implemented in a
Multiport card in accordance with the invention;
[0020] FIG. 10 is a logical block diagram illustrating one example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem in more detail;
[0021] FIG. 11 is a diagram illustrating one example embodiment of
a PCMCIA--Compact Flash combination multi-mode modem in accordance
with the invention;
[0022] FIG. 12 is a logical block diagram illustrating one example
embodiment of an interface device that can be used in the
PCMCIA--Compact Flash combination multi-mode modem of FIG. 11 in
accordance with the invention;
[0023] FIG. 13 is a functional diagram showing various types of
data transmission that may occur to and from a wireless gateway
device in accordance with the invention;
[0024] FIG. 14 is a functional diagram showing the types of devices
that may communication though a wireless gateway device in
accordance with the invention; and
[0025] FIG. 15 is a representation of a gateway device architecture
according to the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS
[0026] FIG. 1 illustrates how the coverage area for various
different wireless communication systems can overlap. System 102
can, for example, be a WAN type system configured for data
communication such as, for example, a Global Packet Radio Service
(GPRS) Enhanced Data-Rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), High Speed
Circuit Switched Data (HSCSD), Enhanced Circuit Switched Data
(ECSD),a 1RTT data communication system, a Wideband Code Division
Multiple Access (WCDMA) system, a Universal Mobile
Telecommunication System (UMTS), a High Speed Downlink Packet
Access (HSDPA) system, a High Speed Uplink Packet Access (HSUPA),
an Evolution Data-Voice (EV-DV) system or an Evolution Data
Optimized (EV-DO) system. While systems 104 can, for example, be
another type of WAN system, also configured for data or, a WAN
system configured for voice communication such as a GSM, IS-136, or
IS-95 system. Alternatively, system 104 can, for example, be a
Metropolitan Area Network (MAN) such as Worldwide Interoperability
for Microwave Access (WiMAX) or Wireless Broadband (WiBro). Systems
108 can be smaller LAN or personal area network (PAN) systems,
which will typically be configured for high speed data
communication. In general, however, it will be understood that
systems 102, 104, and 106 can be any type of WAN, LAN, MAN, or PAN
system. Further, as a subscriber moves through systems 102, 104,
and 106 along a path such as path 108, for example, the subscriber
may have service accounts on some or all of the systems.
[0027] If systems 102, 104, and 106 are data communication systems,
for example, then the subscriber may be using a laptop or handheld
computer, or possibly a personal digital assistant (PDA) device,
with an appropriate modem card or module to access each system 102,
104, and/or 106. A common type of modem card used for laptop
computers is a Personal Computer Memory Card International
Association (PCMCIA) wireless modem card. The subscriber simply
purchases the appropriate type of PCMCIA wireless modem card, e.g.,
GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, CDMA IxRTT or 1xEV-DO, and
then installs it in an available PCMCIA slot in the laptop. The
problem, as described above, is that the subscriber must remove the
card and install another as he moves from system 102 in order to
then access system 104 (assuming the subscriber has an account on
both systems). This presents several problems briefly described
above. First, the subscriber is probably not aware of the actual
coverage areas of systems 102 and 104, and therefore may not be
aware that he has a particular coverage area. Second, the
subscriber must carry around and keep track of multiple cards.
Third, the process of removing one card and installing another is
inconvenient, especially when the fact that a new dial up
connection may need to be established each time the subscriber
wants to access a new system. The problems get worse when a third
system, such as system 106, is factored in.
[0028] FIG. 2 is a logical block diagram illustrating one example
embodiment of a multi-mode modem 200 configured in accordance with
the system and methods described herein. As can be seen, multi-mode
modem 200 includes a first modem device 210 and a second modem
device 216. It will be understood that both the first and second
modem devices, 210 and 216, can be any type of WAN, LAN, MAN, or
PAN modem device. Further, the first and second modem devices, 210
and 216, can be configured for data communication, voice
communication, or both. For the sake of illustration, however, it
will be assumed throughout the examples that follow that the first
modem device 210 is a WAN modem device configured for data
communication, such as a UMTS modem device, and that the second
modem device 216 is a LAN modem device also configured for data
communication, such as an IEEE 802.11 modem device. It should also
be noted that the systems and methods described herein are not
restricted to multi-mode modems comprising only two modem devices.
The number of devices can, in fact, be more than two in which case
the systems and methods described herein must simply be extended to
cover the number of devices included in modem 200.
[0029] In addition to first and second modem devices, 210 and 216,
multi-mode modem 200 further comprises and interface device 208
configured to interface modem devices 210 and 216 with host
processor 204 in host device 202. Thus, for example, multi-mode
modem 200 can be a PCMCIA modem card and host device 202 can be a
laptop computer with the appropriate PCMCIA card slot.
Alternatively, host device 202 can be a PDA or some other type of
portable computing device, in which case multi-mode modem 200 is
included in the appropriate type of card or module for use with the
particular type of host device 200. Further, multi-mode modem 200
can be embedded in host device 202, in which case interface device
208 may not be needed. For the descriptions that follow, it is
assumed that modem 200 is not within host device 202 and,
therefore, interface device 208 is present.
[0030] As can be seen, interface device 208 communicates with first
modem device 210 over communication interface 212, second modem
device 216 over communication interface 214, and host processor 204
over communication interface 206. Specific implementations of
multi-mode modem 200 are described below, including specific
configurations for these interfaces.
[0031] Thus, to solve the problems described above, as the
subscriber moves from system 104 to system 106 for example,
multi-mode modem 200 can be configured to automatically switch from
first modem device 210 to second modem device 216. In order to
effectively integrate multiple modem devices, such as devices 210
and 216, into a multi-mode modem 200, however, several issues must
be effectively overcome. First, a cost effective and efficient
method for integrating multiple modem devices should be developed.
Size and cost are ubiquitous concerns when it comes to the design
of modem cards and modules. Integrating multiple modem devices into
one modem only exacerbates these concerns. Therefore, a
cost-effective method of integration that conserves space within
modem 200 is an important aspect in the design of any multimode
modem 200. Second, efficient hardware and software architectures
should be used. Third, the most effective means of configure
multi-mode modem 200 for various operating modes should be
developed.
[0032] One example of a cost efficient method for integrating
multiple modem devices 210 and 216 into a multi-mode modem 200 is
described below. In addition, while, FIG. 2 illustrates one example
of a high level hardware architecture for a multi-mode modem 200.
Other alternative embodiments are described below, as are lower
level hardware implementations. The software architecture will be
described next in the context of configuring multi-mode modem 200
for various operational modes.
[0033] In a multi-mode modem 200 that incorporates two modem
devices 210 and 216 there are 4 possible operation modes. Assuming
modem device 210 is a WAN modem device and modem device 216 is a
LAN modem device, then the possible modes are: [0034] 1) WAN mode
in which modem device 210 is enabled; [0035] 2) LAN mode in which
modem device 216 is enabled; [0036] 3) LAN-WAN simultaneous mode in
which modem devices 210 and 216 are both enabled; and [0037] 4)
LAN-WAN gateway mode in which modem 200 is configured to act as a
gateway between the WAN and the LAN.
[0038] In order to effectively implement each of these modes on one
multi-mode modem 200, a control function is required to control the
operation of modem devices 210 and 216. Preferably, such a control
function is implemented in software. For example, FIG. 3 is a flow
diagram illustrating mode selection between a LAN mode and a WAN
mode, where the mode selection is controlled by host processor 204
running software resident on host device 202. As such, host device
200 includes a memory (not shown) in which the software
instructions accessed by processor 204 to implement the control
function are stored.
[0039] In step 302, LAN modem device 210 is enabled and host
controller 204 interrogates LAN modem device 216 to determine,
among possibly other status information, if LAN coverage is
available. If LAN coverage is available, step 304, then multi-mode
modem 200 establishes a connection with a LAN access point
compatible with LAN modem device 216 in step 306. If no LAN
coverage is available, step 304, then in process block 308, host
processor 204 commands LAN modem device 216 to switch interface 208
to WAN mode. Switching interface 208 is dependent on the
implementation of interface 208. Specific implementations of
interface 208 are described below. In step 310, LAN modem device
216 switches interface 208 to WAN mode. Both of steps 308 and 310
are for an embodiment of multi-mode modem 200 having a multiplexer
(described below) as a component of interface 208, and are
therefore optional steps as diagrammed by the dashed borders in
FIG. 3.
[0040] Now, in step 312, WAN modem device 216 is amended and host
processor 204 interrogates WAN modem device 210 to determine, among
possibly other status information, if WAN coverage is available. If
WAN coverage is available, step 314, then multi-mode modem 200
establishes a connection with a WAN base station compatible with
WAN modem device 210, step 316. If no WAN coverage is available,
step 314, then in step 318 WAN modem device 210 initiates a search
for WAN coverage until WAN coverage is found, step 320, or the
search times out, step 322. If searching for WAN coverage has not
timed out and WAN coverage is finally found, step 320, then host
processor 204 commands WAN modem device 210 to establish a
connection with a WAN base station, step 316. If no WAN coverage is
found and the searching period has timed out, host interface
processor 204 commands WAN modem device 210 to switch interface 208
to LAN mode in step 324. In step 326, WAN modem device 210 switches
interface 208 to LAN mode and the process reverts to step 302. Both
of steps 324 and 326 are for an embodiment of multi-mode modem 200
having a multiplexer (described below) as a component of interface
208, and are therefore optional steps as diagrammed by the dashed
borders in FIG. 3.
[0041] If on the other hand, the control function is going to place
modem 200 in LAN-WAN simultaneous or gateway mode, then after a LAN
connection is established in step 308, for example, processor 204
can instruct WAN modem device 210 to establish a WAN connection in
step 316. Once both connections are established, either
simultaneous communication or gateway communication can occur.
Further, processor 204, or the control function being executed, can
acquire status information from both devices 210 and 216
simultaneously. This can be accomplished in several ways. For
example, one way is to have both modem devices 210 and 216
simultaneously enabled and reporting status to processor 204.
Processor 204 can then determine what connections to make based on
the reported information. Alternatively, one of the devices 210 and
216 can be enabled, with or without a connection and processor 204
can periodically cause the other device to be enabled and to report
status information. Processor 204 can then make connection
determinations based on the reported information.
[0042] The control function (CF) does not need to be executed on
host processor 204. For example, FIG. 4 represents an architectural
embodiment having at least part of control function (CF) resident
within interface 40&. In this embodiment, mode control and
configuration of multi-mode modem 400 is implemented within an
existing chip as part of interface 408, or within a separate chip
(not shown). FIG. 5 and FIG. 6 represent two other architectural
embodiments where control function (CF) is resident within WAN
modem device 510 (FIG. 5) and LAN modem device 616 (FIG. 6)
respectively. In these two embodiments, control function (CF)
resides within the baseband processing sections of the respective
modem controllers 510 and 616. For example, mode control
functionality can be included in an ARM7 or an ARM9 processor
within WAN or LAN modem devices 510 and 616. In these embodiments,
an additional bus 560 and 660 is preferably included to link WAN
modem device 510 with LAN modem device 516 and to link LAN modem
device 616 with WAN modem device 610. Buses 560 and 660 allow the
control function (CF) to more efficiently query the opposite modem
device and to pass instructions thereto.
[0043] Several specific implementations will now be described,
beginning with the PCMCIA card implementation illustrated in FIG.
7. In FIG. 7, multi-mode modem 700 includes an interface device 708
configured to interface modem 700 with host processor 704 in host
device 702. Because modem 700 is included in a PCMCIA card,
interface 706 between interface device 708 and host processor 704
is necessarily a PCMCIA interface. Once the PCMCIA signals are
received from interface 706, device 708 is configured to convert
them into the appropriate format for communication with modem
devices 710 and 716, which are again assumed to be a WAN and LAN
device, respectively. The appropriate communication format for
modem devices 710 and 716 will depend on the particular baseband
implementations included therein. In the specific implementation of
FIG. 7, it is assumed that the baseband section of WAN modem device
710 comprises a Universal Asynchronous Receiver Transmitter (UART)
732 for communication over interface 712 and that the baseband
section of LAN modem device 716 comprises a Universal Serial Bus
(USB) controller 734 for communicating over interface 714. Other
baseband implementations are, of course, possible; however, many
conventional WAN modem devices include a UART 732 and many
conventional LAN modem devices include a USB controller 732.
Therefore, for this, and the example implementations that follow,
such implementations will be assumed. But the example
implementations described herein are for illustration only and
should not be seen as limiting the systems and methods described
herein to any particular implementation or implementations.
[0044] Therefore, interface device 708 must convert the PCMCIA
signals received from interface 706 into UART signals and USB
signals for communication with modem devices 710 and 716
respectively. One way to do this, as illustrated in FIG. 7, is to
include a USB host 736 in device 708 configured to convert the
PCMCIA signals to USB signals, which are then sent to HUB interface
722. HUB interface 722 can then send the signals intended for modem
device 716 directly to USB controller 734 over interface 714. The
signals intended for modem device 710, however, can be sent to a
bridge circuit 724 configured to convert the USB signals to UART
signals that can be sent to UART 732 over interface 712.
[0045] Signals from LAN modem device 716 are sent to HUB interface
722, which forwards them to USB host 736 so that they can be
converted to PCMCIA signals and sent to host processor 704. Signals
from WAN modem device 710 are first sent to bridge circuit 724,
which converts them to USB signals and sends them to HUB interface
722. HUB interface 722 again forwards the USB signals to USB host
736 for conversion to PCMCIA signals. Thus, USB host 736 and HUB
722 preferably control the flow of signals to and from modem
devices 710 and 716, eliminating the need for bulky interface
switching mechanisms.
[0046] Preferably, interface device 708 actually comprises two
integrated circuit chips: one comprising bridge circuit 724, and
one application specific integrated circuit (ASIC) comprising HUB
interface 722, USB host 736, and PCMIA interface 720.
Alternatively; all of the circuits can be included in a single
ASIC, or some or all of the circuits can be included as separate
components depending on the implementation. Further, in the
implementation of FIG. 7, host processor 704 is able to communicate
directly with WAN modem device 710 and LAN modem device 716 without
the need for bulky interface switching mechanisms. As such,
optional steps 308, 310, 324, and 326 in FIG. 3 are not required
for PCMCIA multi-mode modem 700. Therefore, such a PCMCIA card
implementation is preferable, because it reduces the signaling
complexity and eliminates any bulky switching circuits.
[0047] In certain implementations, such as PDA implementations for
example, switching mechanisms may be unavoidable. Thus, FIG. 8
illustrates an example embodiment of a multi-mode modem 800 for use
in conjunction with a PDA host device 802, which includes PDA host
processor 804. As will often be the case, PDA host processor 804
comprises a UART (not shown) for communicating with modem 800 over
interface 806. Thus, PDA host processor 804 will be able to
communicate directly with UART 832 in WAN modem device 810 over
interface 812. To communicate with LAN modem device 816, however,
interface device 808 preferably includes bridge circuit 824
configured to convert UART signals to USB signals and vice versa.
The USB signals can then be sent to USB controller 834 over
interface 814.
[0048] Unlike modem 700, however, some switching mechanism for
controlling the flow of signals to and from modem device 810 and
816 should be included in interface device 808. Thus, in this
particular example, interface device 808 comprises Multiplexer
(MUX) 818, which is controlled by modem devices 810 and 816. It
should be noted that MUX 818 could be controlled by PDA host
processor 804, but this would require that interface 806 be
modified to include the appropriate control line(s) and that the
software being executed by processor 804 be modified to include a
control routine. The typical multi-mode modem manufacturer may not
be able to effect such changes and there may not be a way to ensure
that all PDA manufacturers implement the changes in a uniform
manner. Therefore, the implementation illustrated in FIG. 8 may be
preferable. It should also be noted, however, that as PDA devices
begin to incorporate USB support, the implementation of FIG. 7 can
be used in connection therewith, thus eliminating the need for MUX
818 and flip-flop 822.
[0049] J-K flip-flop 822 can be included in interface device 808 to
allow modem devices 810 and 816 to control MUX 818 via control
lines 836, 838, and 820. For this implementation, optional steps
308, 310, 324, and 326 in FIG. 3 are required. Thus, when the
processor 804 instructs LAN modem device 816 to switch the
interface to WAN mode (step 308), LAN modem device 816 can toggle
control line 838, causing the output 820 of flip-flop 822 to
transition and thereby cause the MUX output to switch from
interface 830 to interface 812 (step 310). Similarly, when
processor 804 instructs WAN modem device 810 to switch the
interface to LAN mode (step 324), WAN modem device -810 can toggle
control line 836, causing the output 820 of flip-flop 822 to
transition and thereby cause the MUX output to switch from
interface 812 to interface 830 (step 326).
[0050] Preferably, some or all of the components included in
interface device 808 can be integrated into a single ASIC.
Alternatively, some or all of the components that comprise
interface device 808 can be included in separate devices. The
requirements of the particular implementation will typically
determine what level of integration is required.
[0051] FIG. 9 illustrates another example embodiment of a
multi-mode modem 900 that implements Compaq's Multiport standard.
In this case, host device 902 will be a personal or laptop computer
that includes a Multiport slot. As such, host processor 904 will
include a USB controller 918. Therefore, interface device 908 can
simply include HUB interface 920, which will operate similarly to
HUB device 722, and bridge circuit 924, which will operate
similarly to bridge circuit 724. Thus, interface device 908, which
can comprise a single ASIC or multiple chips, will be even more
compact and less costly than interface device 708. Although, the
Multiport standard is probably less universal than the PCMCIA
standard.
[0052] FIG. 10 is an exemplary high-level architectural block
diagram showing the components of a multi-mode modem 1000 and host
1002 in greater detail. Multi-mode modem 1000 comprises WAN modem
device 1010, LAN modem device 1012, interface device 1008, and
connector 1020. WAN modem device 1010 further includes WAN RF
section 1028 and WAN baseband section 1030. Similarly, LAN modem
device 1011 further includes LAN RF section 1022 and LAN baseband
section 1026. WAN RF section 1028 is responsible for mixing a
message data stream with a carrier signal for transmission over a
WAN air interface. Similarly LAN RF section 1022 is responsible for
mixing a message data stream with a carrier signal for transmission
over a LAN air interface. WAN baseband section 1030 and LAN
baseband section 1026 comprise WAN modem controller 1032 and LAN
modem controller 1024 respectively for facilitating mode selection
and interfacing with interface device 1008.
[0053] Host device 1002 can comprise power source 1014, memory
1018, user interface 1016, and host processor 1004. Power source
1014 provides power to components of both host device 1002 and
multi-mode modem 1000. Memory 1018 can be a RAM, ROM or other
shared memory device accessible and addressable by host processor
1004 for storing command and control instructions to be executed by
processor 1004 in order to control the operation of multi-mode
modem 1000. User interface 1016 interfaces with host processor 1004
for sending and receiving messages between the subscriber and
multi-mode modem 1000, such as status and error messages.
Multi-mode modem 1000 can be implemented using a number of common
form factors, including an external device arrangement whereby host
bus 1006 would comprise a serial bus cable, such as a USB cable,
for cabling external multi-mode modem 1000 to host 1002. FIGS. 7-9
depict such an external modem arrangement for ease of illustration.
However, an internal device arrangement is also possible whereby
host bus 1006 could become, for example, a hard-wired bus embedded
on a mainboard or expansion printed circuit board (PCB) of host
1002.
[0054] Where the control function (CF) is implemented in either WAN
modem device 1010 or LAN modem device 1012, WAN modem controller
1032 and LAN modem controller 1024 respectively, will need to be
configured in such a manner as to carry out the mode control steps
as described above. Also, as described, an additional bus linking
the two may be included to facilitate more efficient operation. If
the control function is implemented in interface device 1008, then
device 1008 may need to include a memory to store the appropriate
instructions and a processor configured to implement the
instructions.
[0055] Thus, various hardware and software implementations have
been described, at various levels of abstraction, configured to
carry out mode control in accordance with the methods described
herein. As mentioned, however, a cost effective approach to
integrating multiple modem devices into a single card or modem is
also desirable, because it can allow multi-mode modem manufacturers
to reduce costs. Further, the method of integration should allow a
single multi-mode modem to be produced that can be reconfigured
after the manufacturing process for different modem combinations.
One way to do this is to use software defined radios. At present,
however, this may not be feasible. An alternative method is
illustrated in FIG. 11.
[0056] FIG. 11 is a perspective view of a PC Card 1100 having
Compact Flash card module 1102, and Compact Flash card socket 1104.
PC Card 1100 is designed for insertion into a PC Card slot of a
portable communication device such as a laptop or palmtop computer.
For example, many portable computers ship with a Type II PC Card
slot for expanding the computer's functionality, as in allowing
memory expansion modules to be inserted, complementing the primary
storage capacity of the computer.
[0057] Using this form factor, a primary PC Card function and a
secondary Compact Flash card function can cooperate within one PC
Card slot. Up to fifty percent of the available space occupied by
PC Card 1100 is used for the Compact Flash card 1102, leaving
approximately fifty percent of the space for implementation of the
primary function circuitry. Additional space may be possible by
allowing the Compact Flash to extend past the outside edge of PC
Card 1100. Implementing a multi-mode modem in such a PC Card
embodiment would permit greater user flexibility and ease of
configuration than other form factor embodiments due to automatic
slot configuration and other capabilities of the PC Card
standard.
[0058] Any of the multi-mode embodiments previously described
having dual modem controllers could be easily implemented in PC
Card 1100. Compact flash socket 1104 could contain circuitry
including a WAN modem device, while Compact Flash module 1102 could
contain circuitry that includes LAN modem device or vise versa.
[0059] One embodiment of PC Card 1100 can enable internetwork
handoff, particularly LAN-WAN, LAN-MAN, PAN-MAN, MAN-WAN or PAN-WAN
handoff. In this embodiment, the primary function would implement a
core wireless technology, for instance a WAN technology such as
GSM, GPRS, EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, CDMA IxRTT, or 1xEV-DO. Dual
modem capability could then be enabled by implementing one or more
Compact Flash modules with local or personal network technology
such as IEEE 802.11 LAN or Bluetooth.TM. PAN.
[0060] In another embodiment, PC Card 1100 is used to combine a WAN
modem with global positioning system (GPS) functionality. In this
embodiment, the primary function implemented in Compact Flash
socket 1104 would be a WAN technology such as GSM, GPRS' EDGE,
UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, CDMA IxRTT, or 1xEV-DO for communication
services, while the secondary function implemented in Compact Flash
module 1102 would be a location service such as GPS for pinpointing
the location of the wireless host housing PC Card 1100.
[0061] In addition to GPS Compact Flash modules and IEEE 802.11,
Bluetooth.TM., and other types of LAN/PAN Compact Flash modules,
there are several other types of Compact Flash modules that can be
implemented in Compact Flash module 1102. For example, there are
Ethernet LAN modules, standard 56 k modem modules, and bar code
scanner modules. Further, many more types of modules will
undoubtedly be developed in the future that will be capable of
implementation in Compact Flash module 1102. It should be noted
that in the case of bar scanner modules, for example, the module
does not communicate with a communication system per say. But for
this specification and the claims that follow, the bar code, the
data that it comprises, and the physical connection, which in the
case of a bar code scanner is typically an optical connection, can
be said to comprise a communication system. Thus, it can generally
be said, by similarly defining communication system for other types
of modules that do not communicate with a communication system per
say, that Compact Flash module 1102 always comprises a device
configured to communicate with a communication system.
[0062] Mode switching between the devices of Compact Flash module
1102 and Compact Flash socket 1104 can be accomplished by a
software or firmware driver that expands and complements the
functionality of the existing PC Card driver interface. For
example, a driver to implement mode selection and control in PC
Card 1100 would be written to accomplish such tasks as bus
arbitration, memory storage and retrieval, status and message
coding/decoding, power usage, interrogation, and signaling. A mode
switching driver also would perform and understand any required
bridging and multiplexing functionality. Memory for storing a
software driver could be borrowed from the host device or included
in PC Card socket 1104 or as part of Compact Flash card module
1102.
[0063] Several additional advantages accrue from the PC Card 1100
form factor embodiment. First, combining existing technologies,
i.e., and existing, standardized form factor, to implement a
multi-mode modem improves overall product life cycle efficiency by
side-stepping the introduction of a novel form factor. Second, PC
Card technology is reliable, having been in the marketplace for a
number of years. Third, certification and approval by the various
government-sponsored regulatory bodies is easier because PC Card
and Compact Flash technologies are known, helping to focus testing
to an isolated and identifiable feature set. Fourth, it allows the
manufacturer to produce a single, or a minimum number of, PC card
product(s). The single PC card product will incorporate the primary
functionality such as a WAN modem device. Various technology
combinations can then be produced by installing the appropriate
Compact Flash module. Thus, manufacturing process and costs can be
streamlined, while still providing the benefit of multiple
multi-mode mode combinations.
[0064] Furthermore, for supporting audio and voice applications, PC
Card 1100 can be equipped with a headphone or earphone jack. Other
useful components to PC Card 1100 include an antenna (not shown)
attached to, and possibly shared by a LAN modem RF section and a
WAN modem RF section as well as one or more LED's (not shown) for
indicating status and call processing.
[0065] In order to implement mode control as described above, PC
Card socket 1104 preferably includes an interface device configured
to perform the signal conversion, routing, and switching that may
be required. FIG. 10 illustrates a one example embodiment of such
an interface device 1202. In one configuration, In the example
illustrated in FIG. 12, it is assumed that PC Card socket 1104
comprises a WAN modem device and that PC Card 1102 includes a LAN
modem device. This is for illustration only, however, and is not
intended to limit PC Card 1100 to any particular configuration.
[0066] As such, interface device 1202 includes a PC card host
interface 1204, a WAN interface 1228 and a LAN, or CF socket
interface, 1220. As can be seen, host interface 1204 can include
address and data lines 1206 and 1208, respectively. WAN interface
1228 can include serial 1212, and CF socket interface 1220 can
include address and data lines 2116 and 1218, respectively.
[0067] In one embodiment, interface device 1202 communicates
serially over serial/USB bus 1212 with WAN modem device 1224 having
antenna 1226. However, interface device 1202 interface to WAN modem
device 1224 can also be configured according to other communication
standards and protocols such as peripheral component interconnect
(PCI) or the 16550 serial standard. Serial/USB bus 1212 may also
require bridging, depending on the capabilities of WAN modem device
1224 and interface device 1202. For application supporting voice
communication, PC Card 1100 can provide pulse code modulation (PCM)
over voice bus 1214 to WAN modem 1224.
[0068] Preferably, CF socket interface 1220 is interrupt driven, as
indicated by interrupt control line 1222. Interface device 1202
responds to CF socket interface 1220 when Compact Flash card 1102
issues an interrupt request. If the control function (CF) resides
with interface device 1202, then interface device 1202 would
monitor common resources like interrupt handling and other bus
arbitration tasks. Interface device 1202 also supports a PC Card
host interface 1204 with a host device. The host device in this
instance would be a computer having a Type II PC Card slot into
which PC Card 1100 is inserted. PC Card host interface 1204
comprises address bus 1206 and data bus 1208 for accessing CF
socket data. PC Card host interface 1204 is also preferably
interrupt-driven as indicated by interrupt control line 1210. PC
Card interface 1204 responds to interface device 1202 when CF
socket interface 1220 issues an interrupt request. Therefore,
interface device 1202 preferably acts as a bus pass-through that
provides a PC Card to Compact Flash conversion.
[0069] Thus, the PC Card form factor would satisfy the development
of a combination modem having a GSM, GPRS EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA,
CDMA IxRTT, or 1xEV-DO modem core deployed in card socket 1104, and
an 802.11 card as the LAN modem deployed in Compact Flash module
1102. In similar fashion, the a CDMA modem core could replace the
GSM, GPRS EDGE, UMTS, HSDPA, HSUPA, CDMA IxRTT, or 1xEV-DO modem
core. In still other embodiments, an emerging array of products,
e.g., from Socket Communications, Inc. and others, have hit the
market that would be suitable for implementation in PC Card 1100.
For example, the Bluetooth.TM. Card Compact Flash and the In-Hand
Scan Card.TM. for hand-held scanning, both from Socket
Communications Inc., are possible combination technologies.
[0070] FIGS. 13-15 illustrate a residential gateway device
embodiment configured in accordance with the system and methods
described herein. A residential gateway device according to the
present invention can be placed at a center of convergence among
WAN/LAN networks, WAN/PAN networks, MAN/WAN networks, MAN/LAN
networks, MAN/PAN networks, LAN/PAN networks, one or more WAN
networks, one or more PAN networks, one or more MAN networks, one
or more LAN networks, voice/data transfer systems, and VoIP/Voice
Over CS systems. In various embodiments of the invention, such a
device can support 802.11 LAN, Bluetooth pan-access networks (PANs)
and/or Ultrawideband PAN/LAN. In this arrangement, data packets can
be routed between the WAN/LAN networks and the WAN network, as well
as any other combination of networks.
[0071] A gateway device of the present invention can be configured
to support a wide variety of interface mechanisms. For example, the
device can be configured to support multiple Ethernet ports for
connecting to desktop computers. In addition, the device can
support USB ports for connections to devices such as computer
printers. Still further, other devices such as cordless telephones
using Bluetooth or IEEE 802 technology, wireless cameras, or any
other wireless sensor can be operatively connected to the gateway
device in various embodiments of the present invention. When the
gateway device of various embodiments of the present invention is
in a "router" mode, it is capable of routing voice, video, and
multimedia content back and forth among all of the devices
discussed herein and the Internet over a WAN or other link.
[0072] FIG. 13 is a functional diagram showing several types of
transmission modes that can be used to transmit data and content
through a gateway device 1300 with a controller of the present
invention. It should be noted, however, that the present invention
is not intended to be limited to the types of transmission modes
that are depicted in FIG. 1. Within the local area side 1310 of the
gateway device, transmission modes such as 802.11 a, b and g;
Bluetooth, and ultra-wideband transmission mechanisms may be used
for communication between the gateway device 1300 and various fixed
and nonfixed devices. On the wide area side 1320, transmission
modes such as UMTS/HSDPA; DO/Rev. A, DSL, WiMax, and Flarion may be
used to provide communication between the gateway device 1300 and
the Internet 1330.
[0073] FIG. 14 is a functional diagram showing various wireless and
wired devices that can communicate through a gateway device 1300 of
the present invention. It should be understood, however, that the
devices shown in FIG. 13 are only exemplary in nature, and wide
variety of devices not shown in FIG. 13 could also be used. As
shown in FIG. 13, a plurality of 802.11 enabled laptop computers
1400 located within a wireless local area network can communicate
with the gateway device 1300 through a 802.11 b/g connection. Video
devices, such as video surveillance equipment 1405, can use 802.11
or Bluetooth technology to transmit data to and from the gateway
device. Similar transmission mechanisms can also be used with
cordless telephony 1410, which can be used for VoIP transmission.
In addition to wireless devices, a variety of wired devices can
also communicate with the gateway device 1300. For example, a
printer 1415 can be connected to the gateway device 1300 through a
USB connection. An analog fax machine 1420 can also be connected to
the gateway device 1300 through a RJ11 connection. In addition, an
Ethernet LAN connection can be used to connect the gateway device
1300 to one or more desktop computers 1425. Still further, an RJ11
connection can exist with an analog voice telephone 1430, which is
capable of VoIP transmission when integrated with the system. VoIP
is also capable using video telephony equipment 1435 when
operatively connected to the gateway device 1300. All of these
devices are therefore of transmitting through the gateway device
1300 to the wide area network 1320 using HSDPA, UMTS/GSM, 3G
technology, etc.
[0074] FIG. 15 is a representation showing the architecture of a
gateway device 1300 according to one embodiment of the present
invention. The gateway device 1300 of FIG. 15 includes a WAN module
1500 through which WAN activity occurs, as well as a LAN module
1510 for LAN activity. The gateway device 1300 can also include a
fax module 1520 for providing a communication pathway for the
analog fax machine 1420 of FIG. 14. In addition, the gateway device
can include a voice module 1530 for providing a VoIP pathway. A
router or gateway 1540 is included for routing data or content to
and from the appropriate location(s). The gateway device also
includes a power module 1550 for powering the device, as well as
one or more interface modules 1560 for interfacing with the various
local and wide area network devices in communication with the
gateway device 1300. The gateway device 1300 also includes a
processor 1570 and a memory 1580, both of which can be incorporated
into other components such as the router or gateway 1540.
[0075] In one embodiment of the present invention, the gateway
device 1300 is capable of supporting both VoIP technology,
conventional circuit switched wired voice technology and/or circuit
switched cellular technology. In this embodiment, voice traffic is
capable of routed over a particular system based upon factors such
as system QoS or user preferences.
[0076] Therefore, by incorporating the systems and methods
described above, several existing problems are overcome allowing a
subscriber to have access to the most convenient and optimal
service at any given time, using a single combinational modem
device that can be easily reconfigured for different technology
combinations after the manufacturing process. Such advancement is
provided using the systems and methods described herein, which
present software and hardware architectures that can effectively
support various technology combinations, methods for configuring
the hardware and software architectures to achieve the most optimal
operation, and cost effective methods to incorporate multiple
technologies within modem devices in a manner that allows for easy
reconfiguration after the manufacturing process.
[0077] While embodiments and implementations of the invention have
been shown and described, it should be apparent that many more
embodiments and implementations are within the scope of the
invention. Accordingly, the invention is not to be restricted,
except in light of the claims and their equivalents.
* * * * *