Wireless modem

Abstract

A wireless modem includes an RF module adapted to be connected to an antenna, comprising an intermediate frequency input and an intermediate frequency output, a PHY module receiving the intermediate frequency output and generating the intermediate frequency input, and a low level media access control (LL-MAC) module connected to the PHY and using a direct memory access (DMA) connection for data exchange with a high level media access control module (HL-MAC). A direct memory access (DMA) to computer bus interface module is adapted to be connected to the DMA connection of the LL-MAC and to a computer bus. The DMA interface module responds to the LL-MAC as memory and is adapted to cooperate with the HL-MAC connected to the computer bus. The architecture allows for a modem to be placed on a mini-PCI module with the HL-MAC residing in software on a host computer.

Description

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

For a better understanding of embodiments of the systems and methods described herein, and to show more clearly how they may be carried into effect, reference will be made by way of example, to the accompanying drawings in which:

FIG. 1 is a block diagram of the general components of a wireless modem according to one embodiment of the invention;

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of the components of a wireless modem of a second embodiment of the invention; and

FIG. 3 is a more detailed block diagram of the components of the low level MAC processor and the high level MAC processor of the embodiment of FIG. 2.

Claims

1. A wireless modem comprising: (a) an RF module adapted to be connected to an antenna, comprising an intermediate frequency input and an intermediate frequency output;(b) a physical layer (PHY) module receiving said intermediate frequency output and generating said intermediate frequency input;(c) a low level media access control (LL-MAC) module connected to said PHY module, said low level media access control (LL-MAC) module using a direct memory access (DMA) for data exchange with a high level media access control module (HL-MAC); and(d) a direct memory access (DMA) to computer bus interface module adapted to be connected to said DMA interface and to a computer bus, said DMA interface module responding to said LL-MAC as memory and adapted to cooperate with said HL-MAC connected to said computer bus.

2. The wireless modem of claim 1 implemented upon a mini PCI module.

3. The wireless modem of claim 1 implemented upon a mini PCI-express module.

4. The wireless modem as claimed in claim 2, wherein said LL-MAC and said DMA to computer bus interface modules are provided on programmable hardware.

5. The wireless modem as claimed in claim 1, wherein said LL-MAC and said DMA to computer bus interface modules are provided on programmable hardware.

6. A wireless modem system comprising: (a) an RF module adapted to be connected to an antenna, comprising an intermediate frequency input and an intermediate frequency output;(b) a physical layer (PHY) module receiving said intermediate frequency output and generating said intermediate frequency input;(c) a computer processor;(d) a computer bus associated with said processor;(e) a high level media access control module (HL-MAC) provided in software and executed by said processor;a low level media access control (LL-MAC) module connected to said PHY module, said low level media access control (LL-MAC) module using a direct memory access (DMA) connection for data exchange with said HL-MAC module; and(g) a direct memory access (DMA) to computer bus interface module adapted to be connected to said DMA connection of said LL-MAC and to said computer bus, said DMA interface module responding to said LL-MAC as memory and adapted to cooperate with said HL-MAC to transfer data over said computer bus.

7. The wireless modem system of claim 6, wherein said RF module, said PHY, said LL-MAC module and said interface module are implemented upon a mini PCI module.

8. The wireless modem system of claim 6, wherein said RF module, said PHY, said LL-MAC module and said interface module are implemented upon a mini PCI-express module.

9. The wireless modem system as claimed in claim 7, wherein said LL-MAC and said. DMA to computer bus interface modules are provided on programmable hardware.

10. The wireless modem system as claimed in claim 6, wherein said LL-MAC and said DMA to computer bus interface modules are provided on programmable hardware.