Wireless data communications using fifo for synchronization memory

Abstract

A wireless (radio) receiver receives RF signals carrying data synchronized with a first clock. The wireless receiver demodulates the RF signals to extract the data signals and the first clock signals. The wireless receiver uses the first clock signals as write signals to write the data signals in a first-in first-out memory device (FIFO). The data signals stored in the FIFO may be read out with read signals synchronized to a second clock. In one example, a host associated with the wireless receiver reads out data signals stored in the FIFO with read signals synchronized to the system clock of the host receiver. In another example, the wireless receiver includes a data processing circuit (e.g., including forward error correction, de-whitening, and cyclical redundancy check circuits) that reads out data signals stored in the FIFO with read signals synchronized to the system clock of the wireless receiver. A microprocessor system architecture is disclosed which allows for the selective execution of programmed ROM microcode or, alternatively, RAM microcode if there has been a correction or update made to the ROM microcode originally programmed into the system. Patched or updated RAM microcode is utilized or executed only to the extent of changes to the ROM microcode, otherwise the ROM microcode is executed in its normal fashion. When a patch is received, it is loaded into system RAM along with instructions or other appropriate signals to direct the execution of the patched or updated microcode from RAM instead of the existing ROM microcode. Various methods are presented for selecting the execution of the appropriate microcode depending upon whether there have been changes made to it.