Abstract:
A noise shaping module comprises a first addition module that receives a digital input signal and generates an output signal. A truncation module generates a truncated output signal based on an output of said first addition module. A filter module generates a filtered output based on a combination of output signal of the first addition module and the truncated output signal of the first truncation module.

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
   This application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 11/526,485 filed on Sep. 25, 2006, and claims the benefit of U.S. Provisional Application No. 60/777,158, filed on Feb. 27, 2006. The disclosures of the above applications are incorporated herein by reference. 

   FIELD 
   The present invention relates to systems and methods for transmitting signals to a receiver, and, more specifically, to systems and methods for controlling noise levels from a transmitter digital-to-analog converter. 
   BACKGROUND 
   In various communication systems, digital-to-analog converters are used to convert digital signals to analog signals before transmission. Digital-to-analog converters may introduce quantization noise into the analog signals—particularly when a large number of signal levels are used. Examples of techniques that utilize a large number of output levels include Tomlinson-Harashima-Precode and advance modulation schemes such as OFDM and discreet multi-tone modulation. 
   Typically, to reduce the effect of quantization noise on system performance, a power spectrum density (PSD) level of the quantization noise should be below a predetermined PSD level of unavoidable noises. A typical requirement is for the quantization noise to have a PSD that is 10 decibels below the PSD of unavoidable noises. Examples of unavoidable noises include additive white Gaussian noise (AWGN), alien cross-talk from other cables or transmitters and quantization noise of the analog to digital converter at the receiver. 
   Conventional digital-to-analog converter designs produce a quantization noise with a white PSD evenly distributed among all frequency components. However, the communication system performance is often limited by a worst case channel. The frequency response of this channel varies significantly within the transmission bandwidth. As a result, the quantization noise from the transmitter digital-to-analog converter may be shaped by the channel and observed by the receiver. 
   The peak of the quantization noise PSD (shaped by the channel) observed by the receiver must be lower than other noises by a predetermined level. As a result, a large number of bits may be required for the digital-to-analog converter input and the digital-to-analog converter size and complexity are increased. Reducing the size and complexity of a digital-to-analog converter would lower the overall cost of the system. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 1 , a transmitter  8  having an input  10  from an advance modulation scheme or a pre-coding scheme is illustrated. The input  10  generates an N-bit digital input to a truncation module  12 . The truncation module  12  truncates the N-bit signal to an M-bit signal, where M is an integer less than N. The truncation module  12  eliminates the least significant bits from the N-bit digital input signal. The M-bit signal is provided to a digital-to-analog converter  14  where it is converted to an analog output signal corresponding to the M-bit signal. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 2 , a signal model illustrating the input signal a n , which corresponds to the output of the truncation module  12 , is summed with truncation noise q n  at a summing module  16 . The truncation noise q n  is inherent in the truncation module  12 . The truncation noise is sometimes referred to as quantization noise. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 3 , a 10 GBASE-T transmitter  20  having a pre-coder  18  is illustrated. An input signal a k  is provided to a summing module  22 , the addition module  22  generates a summed signal d k  as will be described below. The signal d k  is provided to a modulo operation module  24  where it is converted to a signal s k  that has N-bits. Feedback of the signal s k  is provided through a feedback filter  26  having a transfer function P(z). The output of the feedback filter  26  is provided to the addition module  22 . Referring back to modulo operation module  24 , the N-bit signal, s k  is provided to the truncation module  28 , which truncates the signal to an M-bit signal that is provided to the digital-to-analog converter  32  conversion to an analog signal. The digital-to-analog converter  32  illustrated in  FIG. 3  may be implemented with Tomlinson-Harashima-Precode (THP). The approach illustrated in  FIGS. 1-3  has quantization noise problems that degrade the performance of the communication system. 
   SUMMARY 
   A noise shaping module includes a first addition module that receives a digital input signal, a first filter module that generates a first filtered output signal based on an output of the first addition module, a truncation module that generates a truncated output signal based on the first filtered module. A second filter module that generates a second filtered output based on the truncated output signal. The second filtered output signal is an input to the first addition module. 
   A feature of the noise shaping module is that it may be incorporated into a system that includes a digital-to-analog converter module that converts the truncated output signal to an analog signal. The system may also communicate the analog signal of the digital-to analog converter across a communication channel. 
   The first filter module of the noise shaping module may also have a first transfer function and the second filter module may have a second transfer function, wherein a sum of the first transfer function and the second transfer function is approximately 1. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module is that the filtered output x n  is equal to 
                 1       G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     a   n       +         H   ⁡     (   z   )           G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     q   n         ,         
where G(z) is the first transfer function, H(z) is the second transfer function, q n  is a quantization noise from the truncation module and a n  is the digital input signal.
 
   Another feature is that the noise shaping module may include a first transfer function that suppress quantization noise from the truncation module. The first transfer function may also be a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic may have a first frequency band having a first attenuation level and a second frequency band having a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The first transfer function may suppresses a quantization noise from the truncation module more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band which may be performed so that a noise component is equalized In a frequency domain. 
   The communication channel may operate in accordance with 10GBASET. 
   In a further feature of the disclosure, a method includes receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, filtering an output of the first addition module to form a filtered signal, truncating the filtered signal to form a truncated signal, filtering the truncated signal to form a second filtered signal, and communicating the second filtered signal to the first addition module. 
   Another feature of the method is that the truncated signal may be converted to an analog signal. The analog signal may be communicated across a communication channel. 
   Another feature of the method is filtering an output of the first addition module may be performed according to a first transfer function, and filtering the truncated signal may be performed according to a second transfer function, wherein a sum of the first transfer function and the second transfer function is approximately 1. 
   Another feature is that the second filtered signal x n  may be equal to 
                 1       G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     a   n       +         H   ⁡     (   z   )           G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     q   n         ,         
where G(z) is a first transfer function, H(z) is a second transfer function, q n  is a quantization noise from the truncation module and a n  is the digital input signal.
 
   Another feature is that the method may include suppressing quantization noise from the truncation module with the first transfer function. 
   Yet another feature is that the first transfer function is a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic having a first frequency band may be provided having a first attenuation level and a second frequency band having a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The method may also include suppressing quantization noise more in the first frequency band than the second frequency. This may be performed by using the first transfer function so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain. 
   In yet another feature of the invention, a noise shaping module includes receiving means for receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, first filtering means for filtering an output of the first addition module to form a filtered signal, truncating means for truncating the filtered signal to form a truncated signal, second filtering means for filtering the truncated signal to form a second filtered signal, and communicating means for communicating the second filtered signal to the first addition module. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may be a converting means for converting the truncated signal to an analog signal and a communicating means for communicating the analog signal across a communication channel. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module is that the first filtering means may comprise a first transfer function and second filtering means may comprise a second transfer function, wherein a sum of the first transfer function and the second transfer function is approximately 1. 
   Another feature is that the noise shaping module is that the second filtered signal x n  may be equal to 
                 1       G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     a   n       +         H   ⁡     (   z   )           G   ⁡     (   z   )       +     H   ⁡     (   z   )           ⁢     q   n         ,         
where G(z) is the first transfer function, H(z) is the second transfer function, q n  is a quantization noise from the truncation module and a n  is the digital input signal.
 
   In another feature of the noise shaping module, the first transfer function may comprise means for suppressing quantization noise from the truncation module. 
   In yet another feature, the first transfer function of the noise shaping module may be a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic may have a first frequency band having a first attenuation level and a second frequency band having a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The noise shaping module may include suppressing means for suppressing quantization noise from a truncation module more in the first frequency band than the second frequency. This may be performed so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain. 
   In another embodiment of the disclosure, a noise shaping module includes a first addition module that receives an input signal, a modulo operation module generates a modulo output based on an output of the addition module, a truncation module that truncates the modulo output, and a feedback filter module that generates a feedback signal that is input to the first addition module based on the truncated output. 
   A feature of the noise shaping module is that it may be incorporated into a system that includes a digital-to-analog converter module that converts the truncated output signal to an analog signal. The system may also communicate the analog signal of the digital-to analog converter across a communication channel. 
   Another feature is that the feedback filter of the noise shaping module may have a first transfer function. The first transfer function may suppress quantization noise from the truncation signal. The first transfer function may be a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic comprises transmitter and receiver analog filter characteristics. The communication channel characteristic may comprise receiver feed forward equalizer characteristics. 
   Another feature is that the noise shaping module may include a first transfer function that suppress quantization noise from the truncation module. The first transfer function may also be a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic may have a first frequency band having a first attenuation level and a second frequency band having a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The first transfer function may suppresses a quantization noise from the truncation module more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band which may be performed so that a noise component is equalized In a frequency domain. 
   In another feature of the disclosure, a method includes receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, generating a modulated output based on an output of the addition module, truncating the modulated output to form a truncated signal, and filtering the truncated signal to generate a feedback signal that is an input to the first addition module based on truncated signal. 
   One feature is that the truncated signal may be converted to an analog signal. Another feature is that filtering the truncated signal may include filtering the truncated signal with a filter having a first transfer function. 
   Another feature is that the method may include suppressing quantization noise from the truncation signal with the first transfer function. The first transfer function may be a function of a communication channel characteristic such as a transmitter and receiver analog filter characteristics or receiver feed forward equalizer characteristics. 
   Another feature of the method is the method may include providing the first transfer function as a function of a communication channel having a first frequency band with a first attenuation level and a second frequency band with a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. 
   Another feature is that the method may also include suppressing a quantization noise more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band with the first transfer function. This may be performed so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain with the first transfer function. 
   In yet another feature of the disclosure, a noise shaping module includes receiving means for receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, generating means for generating a modulated output based on an output of the addition module, truncating means for truncating the modulated output to form a truncated signal, and filtering means for filtering the truncated signal to generate a feedback signal that is input to the first addition module based on the truncated signal. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include a converting means for converting the truncated signal to an analog signal. 
   A feature of the filtering means may include filtering means for filtering the signal with a filter having a first transfer function. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module includes may be the inclusion of suppressing means for suppressing quantization noise from the truncation module with the first transfer function. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include providing means for providing the first transfer function as a function of a communication channel characteristic. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include providing means for providing the communication channel characteristic as a function of transmitter and receiver analog filter characteristics. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include providing means for providing the communication channel characteristic as a function of the receiver feed forward equalizer characteristics. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include providing means for providing the first transfer function as a function of a communication channel having a first frequency band with a first attenuation level and a second frequency band with a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include suppressing means for suppressing quantization noise more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band with the first transfer function. 
   Another feature of the noise shaping module may include suppressing means for suppressing a quantization noise from the truncation module more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain with the first transfer function. 
   In another embodiment of the disclosure, a noise shaping module includes a first addition module that receives a digital input signal and generates an output signal, a truncation module that generates a truncated output signal based on an output of said first addition module; and a filter module that generates a filtered output based on a combination of output signal of the first addition module and the truncated output signal of the first truncation module. 
   A feature of the noise shaping module is that it may be incorporated into a system that includes a digital-to-analog converter module that converts the truncated output signal to an analog signal. The system may also communicate the analog signal of the digital-to analog converter across a communication channel. 
   Another feature is that the first filter module may include a first transfer function. The first transfer function may be a function of a communication channel characteristic having a first frequency band with a first attenuation level and a second frequency band with a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The first transfer function may be is 1+F(z). 
   Another feature is that the noise shaping module may include a first transfer function that suppress quantization noise from the truncation module. The first transfer function may also be a function of a communication channel characteristic. The communication channel characteristic may have a first frequency band having a first attenuation level and a second frequency band having a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. The first transfer function may suppresses a quantization noise from the truncation module more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band which may be performed so that a noise component is equalized In a frequency domain. 
   In another feature of the disclosure a method includes receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, truncating an output of the first addition module to form a truncated signal, and filtering the combination of an output of the first addition module and an the first truncated module to form a filtered output signal, and adding the filtered output signal to the input signal. 
   One feature of the method includes converting the truncated output signal to an analog signal. The analog signal may then be communicated through a communication channel. 
   Another feature of the method includes providing the filter module with a first transfer function. The first transfer function may be a function of a communication channel having a first frequency band with a first attenuation level and a second frequency band with a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. 
   Another feature of the method includes suppressing a quantization noise from the truncated signal more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band. 
   Another feature of the method may include suppressing a quantization noise from the truncated signal more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain. 
   In a further feature of the disclosure, a noise shaping module includes receiving means for receiving a digital input signal at a first addition module, truncating means for truncating an output of the first addition module to form a truncated signal, filtering means for filtering a combination of an output of the first addition module and an output of the first truncation module to form a filtered output signal, and adding means for adding the filtered output signal to the input signal. 
   One feature of the noise shaping module includes means for providing the filter means with a first transfer function comprises means for providing the first transfer function as a function of a communication channel having a first frequency band with a first attenuation level and a second frequency band with a second attenuation level that is greater than the first attenuation level. 
   Another feature of the means for providing the first transfer function of the noise shaping module includes suppressing means for suppressing a quantization noise from a truncation means more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band. 
   Another feature of the means for providing the first transfer function of the noise shaping module includes suppressing means for suppressing a quantization noise from the truncation means more in the first frequency band than the second frequency band so that a noise component is equalized in a frequency domain. 

   
     BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS 
     The present invention will become more fully understood from the detailed description and the accompanying drawings, wherein: 
       FIG. 1  is a functional block diagram of a prior art transmitter. 
       FIG. 2  is a signal model of the transmitter of  FIG. 1 . 
       FIG. 3  is a functional block diagram of a second prior art transmitter design. 
       FIG. 4  is a functional block diagram of a transmitter design according to a first embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 5  is a functional block diagram of a transmitter design according to a second embodiment of the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 6  is a signal model of the block diagram of  FIG. 4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a functional block diagram of a third transmitter according to the present disclosure. 
       FIG. 8A  is a functional block diagram of a computing device; 
       FIG. 8B  is a functional block diagram of a high definition television; 
       FIG. 8C  is a functional block diagram of a vehicle control system; 
       FIG. 8D  is a functional block diagram of a cellular phone; 
       FIG. 8E  is a functional block diagram of a set top box; and 
       FIG. 8F  is a functional block diagram of a media player. 
   

   DETAILED DESCRIPTION 
   The following description of the preferred embodiment(s) is merely exemplary in nature and is in no way intended to limit the disclosure, its application, or uses. For purposes of clarity, the same reference numbers will be used in the drawings to identify similar elements. As used herein, the term module, circuit and/or device refers to an Application Specific Integrated Circuit (ASIC), an electronic circuit, a processor (shared, dedicated, or group) and memory that execute one or more software or firmware programs, a combinational logic circuit, and/or other suitable components that provide the described functionality. As used herein, the phrase at least one of A, B, and C should be construed to mean a logical (A or B or C), using a non-exclusive logical or. It should be understood that steps within a method may be executed in different order without altering the principles of the present disclosure. 
   The present disclosure provides a system for use with a transmitter. The transmitter may be any type of transmitter including wired transmitters, wireless transmitters, and various other types of transmitters. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 4 , a transmitter module  60  is illustrated having an input  70 . Input  70  may provide an input from an advanced modulation scheme or a pre-coding scheme as described above. The input  70  provides an N-bit digital input to a noise-shaping module  72 . The noise-shaping module  72  provides an M-bit signal to a digital-to-analog converter module  74  that provides an analog output to a communication channel  76 . The communication channel  76  provides the analog signal to a receiver  78 . The communication channel  76  may be a two-way channel as will be described below. 
   Noise-shaping module  72  includes a first addition module  80  and a truncation module  84 . A second addition module  86  receives an output of the truncation module  84  and the input of the truncation module  84  or output of the first addition module  80  and provides the difference to a first filter module  88 . The first filter module has a transfer function F(z). The output of the first filter module is communicated to the addition module  80 . The output of the truncation module  84  is an M-bit signal, where M is an integer less than N. The truncation module  84  removes the least significant bit or bits from the N-bit digital input. The output of the truncation module  84  is fed to the digital-to-analog converter  74 . 
   The signal through the noise shaping circuit is undistorted, while the quantization noise added by the truncation module  84  is passed to the digital-to-analog converter with an overall transfer function of 1+F(z). 
   From the receiving end, a channel processed version of the output signal x n  and the digital-to-analog converter quantization noise is given by C(z)*(1+F(z))*q n , where C(z) is the transfer function of the communication channel. The transfer function F(z) may vary depending on the particular system to which the present invention is applied. F(z) is designed so that the quantization noise q n  is suppressed in the frequency band where the attenuation of C(z) is small, and less in the frequency band where C(z)&#39;s attenuation is large. At the receiving end, the digital-to-analog converter quantization noise component is equalized in the frequency domain and has a much smaller power compared to the receiving quantization noise power with the same bit number conventional digital-to-analog converter implemented at the transmitter. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 5 , a transmitter module  100  is illustrated having an input  110 . Input  110  may provide an input from an advanced modulation scheme or a pre-coding scheme as described above. The input  110  provides an N-bit digital input to a noise-shaping module  112 . The noise-shaping module  112  provides an M-bit signal to a digital-to-analog converter module  114  that provides an analog output to a communication channel  116 . The communication channel  116  provides the analog signal to a receiver  118 . The communication channel  116  may be a two-way channel as will be described below. 
   Noise-shaping module  112  includes an addition module  130 , a first filter module  132 , a truncation module  134 , and a second filter module  136 . The addition module  130  sums the output of the second filter module  136  and the N-bit digital input  110 . The N-bit digital input  110  with feedback from the second filter module  136  is communicated through the first filter module  132 . The first filter module  132  has a transfer function H(z) that is a function of the communication channel. The digital output of the filter module  132  is communicated to the truncation module  134 . The output of the truncation module  134  is an M-bit signal, where M is an integer less than N. The truncation module  134  removes the least significant bit or bits from the N-bit digital input. The output of the truncation module  134  is communicated to the digital-to-analog converter  114 . The output of the truncation module  134  is also provided to the second filter  136 . 
   Referring now to  FIG. 6 , a signal model of the noise-shaping module  112  of  FIG. 5  is set forth. The digital input to the addition module  130  is set forth as input signal a n . The first filter  132  and the second filter  136  have the transfer functions described above. However, the output of the noise-shaping module  112  also includes truncation noise denoted by the signal q n . The truncation noise is inherent in the truncation module  134 . Minimizing the effect of the truncation noise on the receiver is a desired goal of the disclosure. The truncation noise is illustrated by the signal q n  provided to an addition module  140 . The addition module  140  is part of the signal model and not part of the physical device. The output signal is denoted by x n . Thus, the output signal x n  is equal to 
   
     
       
         
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   It should be noted that the signal an may be passed through noise-shaping module  112  undistorted when H(z)+G(z)=1. When the above conditions are satisfied, the noise component in the output signal x n  is given by H(z)*q n . Therefore, the transfer function H(z) controls the frequency of the digital-to-analog converter quantization noise q n . 
   From the receiving end, a channel process version of this output signal x n  and the digital-to-analog converter quantization noise is given by C(z)*H(z)*q n , where C(z) is the transfer function of the communication channel. The transfer functions G(z) and H(z) may vary depending on the particular system to which the present invention is applied. H(z) is designed so that the quantization noise q n  is suppressed in the frequency band where C(z)&#39;s attenuation is small, and less in the frequency band where C(z)&#39;s attenuation is large. At the receiving end, the digital-to-analog converter quantization noise component is equalized in the frequency domain and has a much smaller power compared to the receiving quantization noise power with the same bit number conventional digital-to-analog converter implemented at the transmitter. 
   The present disclosure utilizes knowledge of the communication channel frequency response in the transmitter digital-to-analog converter design. The first filter  132  and second filter  136  are designed to closely match the channel frequency&#39;s response so that the receiver side digital-to-analog converter quantization noise peak is minimized. 
   It should be noted that over-sampling is unnecessary to perform noise shaping although it may be used. The noise shaping provided in the present disclosure is within the signal band so that the receiver end quantization noise is equalized. It should also be noted that the digital filters may be implemented at the symbol rate. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 7 , a 10GBASE-T transmitter  200  having a noise-shaping module  202  is illustrated.  FIG. 7  is provided in contrast to  FIG. 3 . That is,  FIG. 7  has feedback provided in a different location and a different feedback transfer function than the circuit of  FIG. 3 . In this embodiment, the feedback filter has a transfer function P(z) with similar goals to the first filter and second filter described above in  FIGS. 5 and 6 . The 10GBASE-T standard adopts the Tomlinson-Harashima-Precoding (THP) configuration in which coefficients are exchanged between a receiver  210  and the transmitter  200  using a two-way communication channel  208 . This allows the transfer function P(z) of the feedback filter  226  to match the channel characteristics combined with the transmitter/receiver analog filters and receiver feed forward equalizer. The transfer function P(z) will vary depending upon the particular system to which it is applied. 
   The output of the feedback filter  226  is communicated to addition module  22 . The output of the addition module  22  is communicated to the modulo operation module  24  in a similar manner to  FIG. 3  above. The output of the modulo operation module  24 , s k , is communicated to truncation module  28 . The truncated M-bit signal is communicated to digital-to-analog converter  30  and to feedback filter  226 . The output of the digital-to-analog converter  30  is provided to the receiver  210 . 
   As mentioned above, the receiver  210  may communicate with the transmitter  200  to provide the coefficients and characteristics through communication channel  208 . After exchanging the characteristics, the transfer function P(z) may be formed. The transfer function may be formed once for a particular system or many times for a system that may be coupled to various types of receivers or various communications that may have various communication channel characteristics such as different cable lengths. Often times, such a system may be designed for the worst case characteristic such as the longest cable length. 
   According to THP configuration, P(z) is automatically adjusted such that C(z)/(1+P(z)) is equalized. Hence, 1/(1+P(z)) is the desired transfer function by which the truncation quantization noise shall be shaped. 
   The module  202  shapes the truncation noise by 1/(1+P(z)). And the receiving end truncation noise is minimized. 
   It should also be noted that a similar configuration to that described with respect to  FIGS. 4 ,  5  and  6  may be adopted in a 10 GBASE-T transmitter. However, because the feedback filter is provided, a simpler, more attractive structure is utilized as set forth in  FIG. 7 . 
   Referring now to  FIGS. 8A-8F , various exemplary implementations of the device are shown. Referring now to  FIG. 8A , a computer device  400  is illustrated. The device may implement and/or be implemented in a transmitter DAC of a local area network (LAN) transmitter  404 . In some implementations, the signal processing and/or control circuit  402  and/or other circuits (not shown) in the computer device  400  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, and/or format data that is output to and/or received from a magnetic storage medium  406 . As illustrated, the transmitter may be part of a LAN transmitter  404 . The LAN transmitter  404  may be wired or wireless. 
   The computer device  400  may be connected to memory  409  such as random access memory (RAM), low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory, read only memory (ROM) and/or other suitable electronic data storage. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8B , the device can be implemented in a transmitter of a wireless or wired LAN  429  of a high definition television (HDTV)  420 . The HDTV  420  receives HDTV input signals in either a wired or wireless format and generates HDTV output signals for a display  426 . In some implementations, signal processing circuit and/or control circuit  422  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the HDTV  420  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other type of HDTV processing that may be required. 
   The HDTV  420  may communicate with a mass data storage  427  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices. The HDTV  420  may be connected to memory  428  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The HDTV  420  may support connections with a LAN via a LAN network interface  429  utilizing the transmitter capabilities described above. The LAN network interface  429  may be wireless or wired. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8C , the device may be implemented in a wired or wireless WLAN interface  440  of a control system of a vehicle  430 . In some implementations, the device may be implemented in a powertrain control system  432  that receives inputs from one or more sensors such as temperature sensors, pressure sensors, rotational sensors, airflow sensors and/or any other suitable sensors and/or that generates one or more output control signals such as engine operating parameters, transmission operating parameters, and/or other control signals. 
   The control system  440  may likewise receive signals from input sensors  442  and/or output control signals to one or more output devices  444 . In some implementations, the control system  440  may be part of an anti-lock braking system (ABS), a navigation system, a vehicle telematics system, a lane departure system, an adaptive cruise control system, a vehicle entertainment system such as a stereo or video system, and the like. Still other implementations are contemplated. 
   The powertrain control system  432  may also communicate with mass data storage  446  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage  446  may include magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDD. The powertrain control system  432  may be connected to memory  447  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The powertrain control system  432  also may support connections with a wired or wireless LAN via a LAN network interface  448 . A wired connection would be suitable for use in a diagnostic capacity while servicing the vehicle. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8D , the device can be implemented in a wireless local area network interface  468  of a cellular phone  450 . The phone  450  may include a cellular antenna  451 . In some implementations, the cellular phone  450  includes a microphone  456 , an audio output  458  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack, a display  460  and/or an input device  462  such as a keypad, pointing device, voice actuation and/or other input device. The signal processing and/or control circuits  452  and/or other circuits (not shown) in the cellular phone  450  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform other cellular phone functions. 
   The cellular phone  450  may communicate with mass data storage  464  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner such as optical and/or magnetic storage devices, for example, a hard disk drive HDD. The cellular phone  450  may be connected to memory  466  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The cellular phone  450  also may support connections with a WLAN via the WLAN interface  468  using the transmitter technology described above. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8E , the device can be implemented in a wired or wireless LAN interface  496  of a set top box  480 . The LAN interface  496  may include the transmitter corresponding to the above embodiments. The set top box  480  receives wired or wireless signals from a source  481  such as a broadband source and outputs standard and/or high definition audio/video signals suitable for a display  488  such as a television and/or monitor and/or other video and/or audio output devices. The signal processing and/or control circuits  484  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the set top box  480  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other set top box function. 
   The set top box  480  may communicate with mass data storage  490  that stores data in a nonvolatile manner. The mass data storage  490  may include optical and/or magnetic storage devices for example hard disk drives HDDs. The set top box  480  may be connected to memory  494  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. 
   Referring now to  FIG. 8F , the device can be implemented in a wired or wireless LAN interface of a media player  500 . In some implementations, the media player  500  includes a display  507  and/or a user input  508  such as a keypad, touchpad and the like. In some implementations, the media player  500  may employ a graphical user interface (GUI) that typically employs menus, drop down menus, icons and/or a point-and-click interface via the display  507  and/or user input  508 . The media player  500  further includes an audio output  509  such as a speaker and/or audio output jack. The signal processing and/or control circuits  504  and/or other circuits (not shown) of the media player  500  may process data, perform coding and/or encryption, perform calculations, format data and/or perform any other media player function. 
   The media player  500  may communicate with mass data storage  510  that stores data such as compressed audio and/or video content in a nonvolatile manner. In some implementations, the compressed audio files include files that are compliant with MP3 format or other suitable compressed audio and/or video formats. The media player  500  may be connected to memory  514  such as RAM, ROM, low latency nonvolatile memory such as flash memory and/or other suitable electronic data storage. The media player  500  also may support connections with a wired or wireless LAN via a LAN network interface  516  using the transmitter module described above in  FIGS. 4-6 . Still other implementations in addition to those described above are contemplated. 
   Those skilled in the art can now appreciate from the foregoing description that the broad teachings of the present invention can be implemented in a variety of forms. Therefore, while this invention has been described in connection with particular examples thereof, the true scope of the invention should not be so limited since other modifications will become apparent to the skilled practitioner upon a study of the drawings, the specification and the following claims.