Wireless spread spectrum communication platform using dynamically reconfigurable logic

Abstract

A wireless spread spectrum communication platform for processing a communication signal is disclosed herein. The wireless communication platform includes a first computing element, a second computing element, and a reconfigurable interconnect. The first computing element is coupled to the second computing element via the reconfigurable interconnect. A design configuration of the first computing element is heterogeneous with respect to a design configuration of the second computing element. The reconfigurable interconnect has an uncommitted architecture, thereby allowing it to be configured by an outside source to couple portions of the first reconfigurable interconnect with portions of the second reconfigurable interconnect in a variety of combinations. The first computing element, the second computing element, and the reconfigurable interconnect operable to perform discrete functions suitable for processing of the communication signal.

Description

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS [0001] This application claims priority to the provisional patent application with the following Serial Number: 60 / 178,828 filed on Jan. 28, 2000.MICROFICHE APPENDIX [0002] A microfiche appendix entitled “Appendix B, Computer Program Instructions,” is included in the present application. The microfiche appendix includes 1 microfiche card. TECHNICAL FIELD [0003] The present claimed invention relates to the field of wireless communication. In particular, the present claimed invention relates to an apparatus and a method for processing digital signals in a wireless spread spectrum communication system. BACKGROUND ART [0004] Wireless communication has extensive applications in consumer and business markets. Among the many spread spectrum communication applications / systems are: fixed wireless, unlicensed (FCC) wireless, local area network (LAN), cordless telephony, personal base station, telemetry, mobile wireless, and other digital data processing...

AI Technical Summary

Benefits of technology

[0011] The present invention provides a method and apparatus that can effectively accommodate the increases in the quantity of users and the quantity of data transferred using the limited frequency bandwidth. Furthermore the present invention provides a solution that overcomes the limitations of protocol non-uniformity and proliferation in the wireless communications. The limitations of cost and burden associated with changes in versions or performance levels of a communication protocol are also resolved by the present invention. In an effort to minimize the risks and maximize the rewards, the present invention substantially shortens the lead-time and the investment required for implementing a new specification. Finally, the present invention provides reasonable power consumption for the communication device.

[0012] In particular, the present invention provides an apparatus and method that can flexibly and efficiently process data. One embodiment of the present invention is a processor with an architecture that includes a first computing element, a second computing element, and a reconfigurable interconnect. The first computing element is coupled to the second computing element via the reconfigurable interconnect. The first computing element performs a discrete operation, or portion thereof in an application, while the second computing element performs another discrete operation, or portion thereof for the application. The reconfigurable interconnect has an uncommitted architecture, thereby allowing it to be configured by an outside source to couple portions of the first reconfigurable interconnect with portions of the second reconfigurable interconnect in any combination. The first computing element, the second computing element, and the reconfigurable interconnect operable to perform a class of functions suitable for processing the communication signal.

Problems solved by technology

While each of these applications utilizes spread spectrum communications, they generally utilize unique and incompatible protocols for various signal processing operations, e.g., encoding, modulation, demodulation, and decoding, etc.

These unique and incompatible protocols may require unique hardware, software, and methodologies for the communication protocol.

This practice can be costly in terms of design, testing, manufacturing, and infrastructure resources.

In contrast, the resources available to accommodate these demands, e.g., frequency bandwidth, are substantially limited.

Unfortunately, all these factors result in minimal uniformity around the world at any one given point in time.

The proliferation of communication protocols generates yet other problems.

For example, the cost of changing communication protocols or upgrading versions or performance levels within a communication protocol can be significant.

Given the high quantity of base stations, as well as user handsets, even a small unit cost for a change can multiply into a very large cost for the entire system.

These costs are most pronounced when a hardware change or when on-site field reprogramming is required.

Furthermore, a software or hardware change for a new version or performance level may hinder the efficiency of the existing device configuration due to incompatibility, etc.

For example, given the long lead time and the investment required for designing, manufacturing, and installing an infrastructure for a given communication protocol, a future but uncertain specification can be a tremendous risk.

Thus, a risk versus reward tradeoff exists with implementing new communication protocols.

With the increased sophistication of each new generation of communication device, power consumption remains a significant issue.

Among other things, power consumption affects: battery life for handheld devices; cooling systems required for base stations; durability and reliability of semiconductor devices and integrated circuits; and other performance criteria.

Conventional alternatives to hardwired ASICs have significant power consumption issues that offset their benefits.

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