The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document.
The patent badge is an abbreviated version of the USPTO patent document. The patent badge covers the following: Patent number, Date patent was issued, Date patent was filed, Title of the patent, Applicant, Inventor, Assignee, Attorney firm, Primary examiner, Assistant examiner, CPCs, and Abstract. The patent badge does contain a link to the full patent document (in Adobe Acrobat format, aka pdf). To download or print any patent click here.
Patent No.:
Date of Patent:
Dec. 02, 2008
Filed:
Feb. 07, 2003
Paul C Edwards, San Francisco, CA (US);
Heng-mun Lam, Cupertino, CA (US);
Paul C Edwards, San Francisco, CA (US);
Heng-Mun Lam, Cupertino, CA (US);
DSP Group Inc., Santa Clara, CA (US);
Abstract
A MAC architecture for WLAN stations partitions functionality between a software-based MAC component and a hardware-based MAC component that work together to balance function and performance. In general, the fulcrum for this balance centers on timing requirements. Accordingly, the hardware-based MAC component is designed to handle many of the functions that are processor-intensive and/or must be performed under strict timing constraints. The software-based MAC component is designed to handle many of the functions that are memory-intensive, but present more lenient timing requirements. The software-based MAC component may be configured to provide an efficient and robust interface to the hardware-based MAC component. In particular, the software-based MAC component may format and prioritize packets to be sent over the air interface, and generate a command structure that provides instructions for the hardware-based MAC component to process the packet.