Patent Publication Number: US-7592954-B2

Title: Wireless communication device having GPS receiver and an on-chip gyrator

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application claims priority under 35 USC 120 as a continuation of the application entitled, “WIRELESS COMMUNICATION DEVICE HAVING GPS RECEIVER AND AN ON-CHIP GYRATOR, having Ser. No. 11/731,238, filed on Mar. 29, 2007. 
     The present application is also related to the following copending applications: 
     Ser. No. 11/731,256, entitled, GPS DEVICE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH AN ON-CHIP GYRATOR; and 
     Ser. No. 12/238,168, entitled, GPS DEVICE AND INTEGRATED CIRCUIT WITH AN ON-CHIP GYRATOR; the contents of which are incorporated herein by reference thereto. 
    
    
     BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 
     1. Technical Field of the Invention 
     This invention relates generally to mobile communication devices, GPS receivers and more particularly to RF integrated circuit for use therein. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Communication systems are known to support wireless and wire lined communications between wireless and/or wire lined communication devices. Such communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to the Internet to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more communication standards. For instance, wireless communication systems may operate in accordance with one or more standards including, but not limited to, IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), local multi-point distribution systems (LMDS), multi-channel-multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), radio frequency identification (RFID), Enhanced Data rates for GSM Evolution (EDGE), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), and/or variations thereof. 
     Depending on the type of wireless communication system, a wireless communication device, such as a cellular telephone, two-way radio, personal digital assistant (PDA), personal computer (PC), laptop computer, home entertainment equipment, RFID reader, RFID tag, et cetera communicates directly or indirectly with other wireless communication devices. For direct communications (also known as point-to-point communications), the participating wireless communication devices tune their receivers and transmitters to the same channel or channels (e.g., one of the plurality of radio frequency (RF) carriers of the wireless communication system or a particular RF frequency for some systems) and communicate over that channel(s). For indirect wireless communications, each wireless communication device communicates directly with an associated base station (e.g., for cellular services) and/or an associated access point (e.g., for an in-home or in-building wireless network) via an assigned channel. To complete a communication connection between the wireless communication devices, the associated base stations and/or associated access points communicate with each other directly, via a system controller, via the public switch telephone network, via the Internet, and/or via some other wide area network. 
     For each wireless communication device to participate in wireless communications, it includes a built-in radio transceiver (i.e., receiver and transmitter) or is coupled to an associated radio transceiver (e.g., a station for in-home and/or in-building wireless communication networks, RF modem, etc.). As is known, the receiver is coupled to an antenna and includes a low noise amplifier, one or more intermediate frequency stages, a filtering stage, and a data recovery stage. The low noise amplifier receives inbound RF signals via the antenna and amplifies then. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the amplified RF signals with one or more local oscillations to convert the amplified RF signal into baseband signals or intermediate frequency (IF) signals. The filtering stage filters the baseband signals or the IF signals to attenuate unwanted out of band signals to produce filtered signals. The data recovery stage recovers raw data from the filtered signals in accordance with the particular wireless communication standard. 
     As is also known, the transmitter includes a data modulation stage, one or more intermediate frequency stages, and a power amplifier. The data modulation stage converts raw data into baseband signals in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard. The one or more intermediate frequency stages mix the baseband signals with one or more local oscillations to produce RF signals. The power amplifier amplifies the RF signals prior to transmission via an antenna. 
     While transmitters generally include a data modulation stage, one or more IF stages, and a power amplifier, the particular implementation of these elements is dependent upon the data modulation scheme of the standard being supported by the transceiver. For example, if the baseband modulation scheme is Gaussian Minimum Shift Keying (GMSK), the data modulation stage functions to convert digital words into quadrature modulation symbols, which have a constant amplitude and varying phases. The IF stage includes a phase locked loop (PLL) that generates an oscillation at a desired RF frequency, which is modulated based on the varying phases produced by the data modulation stage. The phase modulated RF signal is then amplified by the power amplifier in accordance with a transmit power level setting to produce a phase modulated RF signal. 
     As another example, if the data modulation scheme is 8-PSK (phase shift keying), the data modulation stage functions to convert digital words into symbols having varying amplitudes and varying phases. The IF stage includes a phase locked loop (PLL) that generates an oscillation at a desired RF frequency, which is modulated based on the varying phases produced by the data modulation stage. The phase modulated RF signal is then amplified by the power amplifier in accordance with the varying amplitudes to produce a phase and amplitude modulated RF signal. 
     As yet another example, if the data modulation scheme is x-QAM (16, 64, 128, 256 quadrature amplitude modulation), the data modulation stage functions to convert digital words into Cartesian coordinate symbols (e.g., having an in-phase signal component and a quadrature signal component). The IF stage includes mixers that mix the in-phase signal component with an in-phase local oscillation and mix the quadrature signal component with a quadrature local oscillation to produce two mixed signals. The mixed signals are summed together and filtered to produce an RF signal that is subsequently amplified by a power amplifier. 
     As is also known, hand held global positioning system (GPS) receivers are becoming popular. In general, GPS receivers include receiver-processors, and a highly-stable clock, and an antenna that is tuned to the frequencies transmitted by the satellites. The receiver may also include a display for providing location and speed information to the user. Many GPS receivers can relay position data to a PC or other device using a US-based National Marine Electronics Association (NMEA) protocol. 
     BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION 
     The present invention is directed to apparatus and methods of operation that are further described in the following Brief Description of the Drawings, the Detailed Description of the Invention, and the claims. Other features and advantages of the present invention will become apparent from the following detailed description of the invention made with reference to the accompanying drawings. 
    
    
     
       BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWING(S) 
         FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 3  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  111  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication device  10  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of a communication device  30  in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of a communication device  30 ′ in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit  200  and GPS receiver  210  used to generate position and velocity information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a graphical representation of position information determined in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit  200  and GPS receiver  210  used to generate position and velocity information in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver  135  and GPS receiver  187  in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver  135 ′ and with dual mode receiver  137 ′ in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 14  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 15  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 16  is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 17  is a pictorial representation of GPS device  270  in accordance an embodiment of with the present invention. 
         FIG. 18  is a pictorial representation of GPS device  270  in accordance an embodiment of with the present invention. 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic block diagram of GPS device  270  in accordance an embodiment with the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 21  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 22  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 23  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
         FIG. 24  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. 
     
    
    
     DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION 
       FIG. 1  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular a communication system is shown that includes a communication device  10  that communicates real-time data  24  and non-real-time data  26  wirelessly with one or more other devices such as base station  18 , non-real-time device  20 , real-time device  22 , and non-real-time and/or real-time device  24 . In addition, communication device  10  can also optionally communicate over a wireline connection with non-real-time device  12 , real-time device  14  and non-real-time and/or real-time device  16 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention the wireline connection  28  can be a wired connection that operates in accordance with one or more standard protocols, such as a universal serial bus (USB), Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE)  488 , IEEE 1394 (Firewire), Ethernet, small computer system interface (SCSI), serial or parallel advanced technology attachment (SATA or PATA), or other wired communication protocol, either standard or proprietary. The wireless connection can communicate in accordance with a wireless network protocol such as IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, Ultra-Wideband (UWB), WIMAX, or other wireless network protocol, a wireless telephony data/voice protocol such as Global System for Mobile Communications (GSM), General Packet Radio Service (GPRS), Enhanced Data Rates for Global Evolution (EDGE), Personal Communication Services (PCS), or other mobile wireless protocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard or proprietary. Further, the wireless communication path can include separate transmit and receive paths that use separate carrier frequencies and/or separate frequency channels. Alternatively, a single frequency or frequency channel can be used to bi-directionally communicate data to and from the communication device  10 . 
     Communication device  10  can be a mobile phone such as a cellular telephone, a personal digital assistant, game console, game device, personal computer, laptop computer, or other device that performs one or more functions that include communication of voice and/or data via wireline connection  28  and/or the wireless communication path. In an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices  12 ,  14   16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  24  can be personal computers, laptops, PDAs, mobile phones, such as cellular telephones, devices equipped with wireless local area network or Bluetooth transceivers, FM tuners, TV tuners, digital cameras, digital camcorders, or other devices that either produce, process or use audio, video signals or other data or communications. 
     In operation, the communication device includes one or more applications that include voice communications such as standard telephony applications, voice-over-Internet Protocol (VoIP) applications, local gaming, Internet gaming, email, instant messaging, multimedia messaging, web browsing, audio/video recording, audio/video playback, audio/video downloading, playing of streaming audio/video, office applications such as databases, spreadsheets, word processing, presentation creation and processing and other voice and data applications. In conjunction with these applications, the real-time data  26  includes voice, audio, video and multimedia applications including Internet gaming, etc. The non-real-time data  24  includes text messaging, email, web browsing, file uploading and downloading, etc. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the communication device  10  includes an integrated circuit, such as an RF integrated circuit that includes one or more features or functions of the present invention. Such integrated circuits shall be described in greater detail in association with  FIGS. 3-24  that follow. 
       FIG. 2  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 2  presents a communication system that includes many common elements of  FIG. 1  that are referred to by common reference numerals. Communication device  30  is similar to communication device  10  and is capable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed to communication device  10 , as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 1 . However, communication device  30  includes one or more separate wireless transceivers for communicating, contemporaneously, via two or more wireless communication protocols with data device  32  and/or data base station  34  via RF data  40  and voice base station  36  and/or voice device  38  via RF voice signals  42 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a pictorial representation of a wireless network  111  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. The wireless network  111  includes an access point  110  that is coupled to packet switched backbone network  101 . The access point  110  manages communication flow over the wireless network  111  destined for and originating from each of communication devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 . Via the access point  110 , each of the communication devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127  can access service provider network  105  and Internet  103  to, for example, surf web-sites, download audio and/or video programming, send and receive messages such as text messages, voice message and multimedia messages, access broadcast, stored or streaming audio, video or other multimedia content, play games, send and receive telephone calls, and perform any other activities, provided directly by access point  110  or indirectly through packet switched backbone network  101 . 
     One or more of the communication devices  121 ,  123 ,  125  and  127 , such as communication device  125  is a mobile device that can include the functionality of communication devices  10  or  30 . In particular, communication device  125  includes an RF integrated circuit (IC) having an on-chip gyrating circuit that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the device including a velocity, velocity vector, acceleration (including deceleration), indicating and/or other motion parameter. In addition, communication device  125  includes a GPS receiver that generates GPS position data and/or GPS velocity data. The RF IC processes the motion parameter along with the GPS position data and GPS velocity data to produce motion data, such as position information and velocity information that identifies the location, velocity, and or direction of motion of the communication device  125 . The RF IC can use data from either the gyrator or the GPS receiver or both to generate the motion data. If for instance the GPS receiver is running and receiving a strong signal, GPS position and velocity data can be used to generate the motion data. If however, the GPS receiver is starting up, has lost satellite reception or is otherwise generating inaccurate data, the gyrator can be used to generate velocity data and can further generate position data from the last know position coordinates. 
     The RF IC further generates outbound data that includes the motion data and/or a flag or other data that indicates communication device  125  is a mobile device, generates an outbound RF signal from outbound data and transmits the outbound RF signal to a remote station, such as the access point  110 . 
     In operation, access point  110  can change its own transmit and receive characteristics, based on the knowledge that communication device  125  is mobile, is in motion and/or based on information from a velocity vector or other motion data that indicates that the communication device  125  is moving into closer range, is moving out of range, is moving close to a known source of interference, is moving into an obstructed path, etc. Examples of transmit and receive characteristics include: transmit power levels; antenna configurations such as multi-input multi-output (MIMO) configuration, beam patterns, polarization patterns, diversity configurations, etc. to adapt the orientation and/or position of the communication device; protocol parameters and other transmit and receive characteristics of the access point. 
     In addition, access point  110  can generate control data to transmit to the communication device  127  or the communication devices  121 ,  123  and  125 , to modify the transmit and receive characteristics of these devices. Further, in an embodiment of the present invention, access point  110  can generate a request to receive periodic motion data from the communication device  127 . Alternatively, communication device  127  can generate and transmit motion data on a regular and/or periodic basis or in response to changes in motion data that compare unfavorably (such as to exceed) a motion change threshold, such as to inform the access point  100  when the communication device  127  starts, stops, changes speed and/or direction, etc. 
     For example, when communication device  127  indicates to access point  110  that it is a mobile device, access point  110  can request that communication device  127  send periodic motion data. If the access point  110  determines that the communication device  127  is moving out of range, it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam in the direction of the mobile device  127  and command the mobile device  127  to modify one or more if its transmit and/or receive parameters, such as to command the communication device  127  to increase its power level, steer its antenna beam at the access point and/or to modify other protocol parameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal to noise ratio, etc. 
     Also, communication device can respond to the motion data it generates to control its transmit and receive characteristics, without intervention from the access point. For example, if the communication device  127  determines it is moving out of range, it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam in the direction of the access point  110  and/or modify other protocol parameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal to noise ratio, etc. 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an integrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF integrated circuit (IC)  50  is shown that implements communication device  10  in conjunction with microphone  60 , keypad/keyboard  58 , memory  54 , speaker  62 , display  56 , camera  76 , antenna interface  52  and wireline port  64 . In operation, RF IC  50  includes a dual mode transceiver/GPS receiver  73  having RF and baseband modules for receiving GPS signals  42  and further for transmitting and receiving data RF real-time data  26  and non-real-time data  24  via an antenna interface  52  and antenna such as fixed antenna a single-input single-output (SISO) antenna, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna, a diversity antenna system, an antenna array or other antenna configuration that allows the beam shape, gain, polarization or other antenna parameters to be controlled. In addition, RF IC  50  includes input/output module  71  that includes the appropriate interfaces, drivers, encoders and decoders for communicating via the wireline connection  28  via wireline port  64 , an optional memory interface for communicating with off-chip memory  54 , a codec for encoding voice signals from microphone  60  into digital voice signals, a keypad/keyboard interface for generating data from keypad/keyboard  58  in response to the actions of a user, a display driver for driving display  56 , such as by rendering a color video signal, text, graphics, or other display data, and an audio driver such as an audio amplifier for driving speaker  62  and one or more other interfaces, such as for interfacing with the camera  76  or the other peripheral devices. 
     Power management circuit (PMU)  95  includes one or more DC-DC converters, voltage regulators, current regulators or other power supplies for supplying the RF IC  50  and optionally the other components of communication device  10  and/or its peripheral devices with supply voltages and or currents (collectively power supply signals) that may be required to power these devices. Power management circuit  95  can operate from one or more batteries, line power, an inductive power received from a remote device, a piezoelectric source that generates power in response to motion of the integrated circuit and/or from other power sources, not shown. In particular, power management module can selectively supply power supply signals of different voltages, currents or current limits or with adjustable voltages, currents or current limits in response to power mode signals received from the RF IC  50 . While shown as an off-chip module, PMU  95  can alternatively implemented as an on-chip circuit. 
     In addition, RF IC  50  includes an on-chip gyrating circuit such as on-chip gyrator  175  that generates a motion parameter based on motion of the RF IC  50 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the on-chip gyrator is implemented with microelectromechanical systems (MEMS) technology to form a piezoelectric gyroscope, a vibrating wheel gyroscope, a tuning fork gyroscope, a hemispherical resonator gyroscope, or a rotating wheel gyroscope along one, two or three axes to indicate motion in one, two or three dimensions. In particular, the on-chip gyrating circuit includes a gyroscope element that is formed via dry etching, wet etching, electro discharge machining and/or via other MEMS or non-MEMS technology. In operation, the on-chip gyrator responds to inertial forces, such as Coriolis acceleration, in one, two or three axes to generate motion data, such as a velocity vector in one, two or three dimensions. 
     In operation, the RF transceiver  73  generates an outbound RF signal from outbound data and generates inbound data from an inbound RF signal. Further, processing module  225  is coupled to the on-chip gyrating circuit and the RF transceiver, and processes the motion parameter to produce motion data, generates the outbound data that includes the motion data, and receives the inbound data that optionally includes data from an access point to modify transmit and/or receive parameters in response to the motion data that was transmitted. 
     As discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 3 , the communication device  10 , such as a station set in communication with and access point, wireless telephone set that places and receives wireless calls through a wireless telephone network and/or a IP telephone system, via a base station, access point or other communication portal, operates through command by the processing module  225  to respond to the position/motion data it generates from on-chip gyrator  175  and the GPS receiver to control the transmit and receive characteristics of transceiver  73 . For example, if the communication device  10  determines it is moving out of range, it can increase its power level, and steer its antenna beam in the direction of the access point and/or modify other protocol parameters to compensate for a possible lowering of signal to noise ratio, modify its receiver sensitivity, etc. In addition, position information generated by GPS receiver and/or on-chip gyrator  175  can be included in the outbound RF signal sent to a telephone network to support a 911 call such as an E911 emergency call. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF IC  50  is a system on a chip integrated circuit that includes at least one processing device. Such a processing device, for instance, processing module  225 , may be a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory  54 . Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when the RF IC  50  implements one or more of its functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. 
     In operation, the RF IC  50  executes operational instructions that implement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time) attributed to communication devices  10 ,  30  and/or  127  as discussed above and in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an integrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 5  presents a communication device  30  that includes many common elements of  FIG. 4  that are referred to by common reference numerals. RF IC  70  is similar to RF IC  50  and is capable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed to RF IC  50  as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 3 . However, RF IC  70  includes a separate wireless transceiver  75  for transmitting and receiving RF data  40  and RF voice signals  42  and further a separate GPS receiver  77  for receiving GPS signals  43 . 
     In operation, the RF IC  70  executes operational instructions that implement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time) attributed to communication devices  10 ,  30  and  127  as discussed above and in conjunction with  FIG. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an integrated circuit in accordance with the present invention. In particular,  FIG. 6  presents a communication device  30  that includes many common elements of  FIG. 5  that are referred to by common reference numerals. RF IC  70 ′ is similar to RF IC  70  and is capable of any of the applications, functions and features attributed to RF ICs  50  and  70  as discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 3-5 . However, RF IC  70 ′ operates in conjunction with an off-chip GPS receiver  77 ′ for receiving GPS signals  43 . 
     In operation, the RF IC  70 ′ executes operational instructions that implement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time) attributed to communication devices  10 ,  30  and  127  as discussed above and in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-4 . 
       FIG. 7  is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit  200  and GPS receiver  210  used to generate position and velocity information in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In this embodiment, gyrating circuit  200 , such as on-chip gyrator  175  and GPS receiver, such as GPS receiver  77 ,  77 ′ or dual mode receiver  73  cooperate to generate position information  230  and velocity information  232  that can be used by communication devices  10 ,  30 ,  30 ′ and/or  125  to control its own operation or to send to remote devices such as access point  110 , a base station, telephone network or system, etc. 
     GPS receiver  210  generates GPS position data and GPS data quality signal  216 . In operation, GPS receiver  210  is coupled to recover a plurality of coarse/acquisition (C/A) signals and a plurality of navigation messages from received GPS signals  43 . The GPS receiver  210  utilizes the C/A signals and the navigations messages to determine the position of the communication device. 
     In particular, GPS receiver  210  generates one or more clock signals. The clock signal(s) may also be used by the GPS receiver  210  to determine the communication device&#39;s position. GPS receiver  210  determines a time delay for at least some of the plurality of C/A signals in accordance with the at least one clock signal. The GPS receiver calculates a distance to a corresponding plurality of satellites of the at least some of the plurality of C/A signals based on the time delays for the at least some of the plurality of C/A signals. In other words, for each GPS signal  43  received, which are received from different satellites, the GPS receiver  210  calculates a time delay with respect to each satellite that the communication device is receiving a GPS RF signal from, or a subset thereof. For instance, the GPS receiver  210  identifies each satellite&#39;s signal by its distinct C/A code pattern, then measures the time delay for each satellite. To do this, the receiver produces an identical C/A sequence using the same seed number as the satellite. By lining up the two sequences, the receiver can measure the delay and calculate the distance to the satellite, called the pseudorange. Note that overlapping pseudoranges may be represented as curves, which are modified to yield the probable position. 
     GPS receiver  210  can calculate the position of the corresponding plurality of satellites based on corresponding navigation messages of the plurality of navigation messages. For example, the GPS receiver  210  uses the orbital position data of the navigation message to calculate the satellite&#39;s position. The GPS receiver  210  can determine the location of the RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′ (and therefore communication device  10 ,  30 ,  30 ′ or  127 ) based on the distance of the corresponding plurality of satellites and the position of the corresponding plurality of satellites. For instance, by knowing the position and the distance of a satellite, the GPS receiver  210  can determine it&#39;s location to be somewhere on the surface of an imaginary sphere centered on that satellite and whose radius is the distance to it. When four satellites are measured simultaneously, the intersection of the four imaginary spheres reveals the location of the receiver. Often, these spheres will overlap slightly instead of meeting at one point, so the receiver will yield a mathematically most-probable position that can be output as GPS position data  212 . In addition, GPS receiver  210  can determine the amount of uncertainty in the calculation that is output as the GPS data quality  216 . In the event that the GPS receiver  210  loses lock or otherwise receives insufficient signal from enough satellites to generate a GPS of even minimal accuracy, a minimum value of the GPS data quality signal can be assigned. 
     At the same time, gyrating circuit  200  generates a motion vector  202  that is integrated by integrator  204  based on an initial condition  208  that is either its own prior estimated position data  206  or the prior GPS position data  212 . By adding the motion vector  202  to the prior position, new estimated position data  206  can be generated. 
     In this embodiment, the GPS data quality  216  is compared with a value, such as quality threshold  218  that corresponds to a level of quality that is roughly on par with accuracy of position information that can be estimated using the gyrator circuit  200 . If the GPS data quality  216  compares favorably to the quality threshold, the position information  230  is selected by multiplexer  222  as the GPS position data  212  in response to the selection signal  215  from comparator  217 . When the GPS data quality  216  compares unfavorably to the quality threshold  218 , such as during a dropout condition, the selection signal  215  from comparator  217  selects the position information  230  from the estimated position data  206 . The estimated position data  206  is initially generated from the prior (good) value of the GPS position data  212  (delayed by delay  221 ) and the current motion vector  202 . If the dropout condition persists, the integrator  204  generates new estimated position data  206  based on the current motion vector  202  and the prior estimated position  206 , as selected by multiplexer  220  in response to selection signal  215 . While an integrator  204  is shown in this configuration, low-corner frequency low-pass filters, integrators with additional filtration and/or other filter configurations could likewise be employed. For instance, estimated position data  206  can be generated based on a filtered difference between current motion vector values and either past GPS position data  212  or past estimated position data  206 , to provide more accurate estimates, to reject noise and/or to otherwise smooth the estimated position data  206 . 
     In a similar fashion, velocity information  232  is generated either from the gyrating circuit  200  or from the GPS receiver  210 . In particular, when the GPS data quality  216  compares favorably to quality threshold  218 , velocity information  232  is selected from a difference module  214  that generates a velocity from the difference between successive values of the GPS position data  212 . If however, the GPS data quality  216  compares unfavorably to the quality threshold  218 , the velocity information  232  is selected instead from the motion vector  202 . 
     While shown in a schematic block diagram as separate modules, the integrator  204 , difference module  214 , comparator  217 , and multiplexers  220 ,  222 , and  224  can likewise be implemented as part of processing module  225  either in hardware, firmware or software. 
       FIG. 8  is a graphical representation of position information determined in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, position information  230  is shown that shows a graph, in map/Cartesian coordinates, of position information that progresses from times t 1 -t 8 , corresponding to sample times or other discrete intervals used to generate and/or update position information  230 . The first three times, position data is derived from GPS position data such as GPS position data  212 . The velocity information, as shown for this interval, is GPS velocity data that is derived by the difference between the GPS position data. In this example, a GPS signal dropout covers times t 4 -t 6 . At time t 4 , the GPS position data may be unreliable or inaccurate, so the new position is estimated position data that is generated from the prior GPS position data at time t 3 , and updated by the current motion vector, such as motion vector  202  from the gyrating circuit. At times t 5  and t 6 , the GPS position data still may be unreliable or inaccurate, so the new position is estimated position data that is generated from the prior GPS position data (in this case prior estimated positions), updated by the current motion vector. At time t 7  and t 8 , when the GPS position data again becomes reliable, the GPS position data is used to generate the position information. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of a gyrating circuit  200  and GPS receiver  210  used to generate position and velocity information in accordance with another embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a system is shown that includes similar elements from  FIG. 7  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment however, data from the gyrating circuit  200  and GPS receiver  210  are blended, based on the GPS data quality  216 . In particular, weighting modules  240 ,  242 , and  244  are provided that form the position information  230 , the velocity information  232  and the initial condition  208  based on a weighted average of the GPS and gyrator produced values, wherein the weighting coefficients are dynamically chosen based on the GPS data quality  216 . 
     For instance, for the value of the GPS data quality  216  corresponding to the highest accuracy GPS data, the weighting coefficients can be chosen to maximize the weight of the GPS position  212 , and to minimize the weight of the estimated position data  206  in calculating the initial condition  208  and the position information  230  and further to maximize the weight of the GPS velocity data  224 , and to minimize the weight of the motion vector  202  in calculating the velocity information  232 . Further, for the value of the GPS data quality corresponding to the lowest accuracy GPS data (including a dropout condition), the weighting coefficients can be chosen to minimize the weight of the GPS position  212 , and to maximize the weight of the estimated position data  206  in calculating the initial condition  208  and the position information  230  and further to minimize the weight of the GPS velocity data  224 , and to maximize the weight of the motion vector  202  in calculating the velocity information  232 . Also, for intermediate values of the GPS data quality  216 , intermediate weighting values could be used that blend the GPS data with the data derived from the gyrating circuit to generate more robust estimates of these values. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver  135  and GPS receiver  187  in accordance with the present invention. The RF transceiver  135 , such as transceiver  75  includes an RF transmitter  139 , and an RF receiver  137 . The RF receiver  137  includes a RF front end  140 , a down conversion module  142  and a receiver processing module  144 . The RF transmitter  139  includes a transmitter processing module  146 , an up conversion module  148 , and a radio transmitter front-end  150 . 
     As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antenna through an off-chip antenna interface  171  and a diplexer (duplexer)  177 , that couples the transmit signal  155  to the antenna to produce outbound RF signal  170  and couples inbound signal  152  to produce received signal  153 . Alternatively, a transmit/receive switch can be used in place of diplexer  177 . While a single antenna is represented, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple antenna structure that includes two or more antennas. In another embodiment, the receiver and transmitter may share a multiple input multiple output (MIMO) antenna structure, diversity antenna structure, phased array or other controllable antenna structure that includes a plurality of antennas. Each of these antennas may be fixed, programmable, and antenna array or other antenna configuration. Also, the antenna structure of the wireless transceiver may depend on the particular standard(s) to which the wireless transceiver is compliant and the applications thereof. 
     In operation, the transmitter receives outbound realtime data  162  and outbound non-realtime data  163  from a host device, such as communication device  10  or other source via the transmitter processing module  146 . The transmitter processing module  146  processes the outbound realtime data  162  and outbound non-realtime data  163  in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce baseband or low intermediate frequency (IF) transmit (TX) signals  164  that contain outbound realtime data  162  and/or outbound non-realtime data  163 . The baseband or low IF TX signals  164  may be digital baseband signals (e.g., have a zero IF) or digital low IF signals, where the low IF typically will be in a frequency range of one hundred kilohertz to a few megahertz. Note that the processing performed by the transmitter processing module  146  can include, but is not limited to, scrambling, encoding, puncturing, mapping, modulation, and/or digital baseband to IF conversion. 
     The up conversion module  148  includes a digital-to-analog conversion (DAC) module, a filtering and/or gain module, and a mixing section. The DAC module converts the baseband or low IF TX signals  164  from the digital domain to the analog domain. The filtering and/or gain module filters and/or adjusts the gain of the analog signals prior to providing it to the mixing section. The mixing section converts the analog baseband or low IF signals into up-converted signals  166  based on a transmitter local oscillation  168 . 
     The radio transmitter front end  150  includes a power amplifier and may also include a transmit filter module. The power amplifier amplifies the up-converted signals  166  to produce outbound RF signals  170 , which may be filtered by the transmitter filter module, if included. The antenna structure transmits the outbound RF signals  170  to a targeted device such as a RF tag, base station, an access point and/or another wireless communication device via an antenna interface  171  coupled to an antenna that provides impedance matching and optional bandpass filtration. 
     The receiver receives inbound RF signals  152  via the antenna and off-chip antenna interface  171  that operates to process the inbound RF signal  152  into received signal  153  for the receiver front-end  140 . In general, antenna interface  171  provides impedance matching of antenna to the RF front-end  140 , optional bandpass filtration of the inbound RF signal  152  and optionally controls the configuration of the antenna in response to one or more control signals  141  generated by processing module  225 . 
     The down conversion module  142  includes a mixing section, an analog to digital conversion (ADC) module, and may also include a filtering and/or gain module. The mixing section converts the desired RF signal  154  into a down converted signal  156  that is based on a receiver local oscillation  158 , such as an analog baseband or low IF signal. The ADC module converts the analog baseband or low IF signal into a digital baseband or low IF signal. The filtering and/or gain module high pass and/or low pass filters the digital baseband or low IF signal to produce a baseband or low IF signal  156 . Note that the ordering of the ADC module and filtering and/or gain module may be switched, such that the filtering and/or gain module is an analog module. 
     The receiver processing module  144  processes the baseband or low IF signal  156  in accordance with a particular wireless communication standard (e.g., IEEE 802.11, Bluetooth, RFID, GSM, CDMA, et cetera) to produce inbound realtime data  160  and inbound non-realtime data  161 . The processing performed by the receiver processing module  144  can include, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling. 
     GPS receiver  187  includes an RF front-end  140 ′ and down conversion module  142 ′ that operate in a similar fashion to the modules described in conjunction with RF receiver  137 , however, to receive and convert GPS RF signals  143  into a plurality of down converted GPS signals  159 . Note that the GPS RF signals  143  may be one or more of: an L1 band at 1575.42 MHz, which includes a mix of navigation messages, coarse-acquisition (C/A) codes, and/or encryption precision P(Y) codes; an L2 band at 1227.60 MHz, which includes P(Y) codes and may also include an L2C code; and/or an L5 band at 1176.45 MHz. Further note that the GPS RF signals  143  can include an RF signal from a plurality of satellites (e.g., up to 20 different GPS satellites RF signals may be received). GPS processing module  144 ′ operates on the down converted signal  159  to generate GPS data  163 , such as GPS position data  212  and GPS data quality signal  216  and/or other GPS data. 
     Processing module  225  generates one or more control signals  141  based either motion parameters, such as motion vector  202  and GPS data  163 , such as GPS position data  212 , or control data received in inbound data  160  from a remote station such as access point  110 . In operation, processing module  225  generates control signals  141  to modify the transmit and/or receiver parameters of the RF transceiver  125  such as protocol parameters used by receiver processing module  144  and transmitter processing module  146 , antenna configurations used by antenna interface  171  to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization or other antenna configuration of the antenna, transmit power levels used by radio transmitter front-end  150  and receiver parameters, such as receiver sensitivity used by RF front-ends  140  and  140 ′ of the RF receiver  137  and the GPS receiver  187 . 
     As previously described, processing module  225  generates motion data, such as position data  230  and velocity data  232 , from one or more motion parameters  161  and optionally includes this motion data in outbound data  162  that is transmitted to a remote station such as access point  110 , base station, telephone network, etc. 
     In addition, processing module  225  can optionally access a look-up table, database or other data structure that includes a list or data sufficient to define one or more restricted areas where either the operation of the communication device  10 ,  30 ,  30 ′ or  125  is prohibited or the communication device  10 ,  30 ,  30 ′ or  125  is not permitted to transmit. The restricted areas could correspond to hospitals, airplanes in the air, security areas or other restricted areas. When the position information corresponds to one of these restricted areas, the RF transceiver  137  or just the RF transmitter  127  could be disabled by processing module  225  via one or more control lines  141  in accordance with the corresponding restriction in place for this particular restricted area. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, receiver processing module  144 , GPS processing module  144 ′ and transmitter processing module  146  can be implemented via use of a microprocessor, micro-controller, digital signal processor, microcomputer, central processing unit, field programmable gate array, programmable logic device, state machine, logic circuitry, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or any device that manipulates signals (analog and/or digital) based on operational instructions. The associated memory may be a single memory device or a plurality of memory devices that are either on-chip or off-chip such as memory  54 . Such a memory device may be a read-only memory, random access memory, volatile memory, non-volatile memory, static memory, dynamic memory, flash memory, and/or any device that stores digital information. Note that when the these processing devices implement one or more of their functions via a state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry, the associated memory storing the corresponding operational instructions for this circuitry is embedded with the circuitry comprising the state machine, analog circuitry, digital circuitry, and/or logic circuitry. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver  135 ′ and with dual mode receiver  137 ′ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, RF transceiver  135 ′ includes many similar elements of RF transceiver  135  that are referred to by common reference numerals. However, RF receiver  137 ′ operates as a dual mode device, combining the functionality of RF receiver  137  and GPS receiver  187  to produce inbound data/GPS data  160 ″ as either inbound data  160  (in a first mode) or GPS data  163  (in a second mode). In this fashion, RF front end  140 ″ and down conversion module  142 ″ can be configured based one of the control signals  141  to operate as either RF front end  140  and down conversion module  142  to receive and down convert inbound RF signal  153  or as RF front end  140 ′ and down conversion module  142 ′ to receive and convert inbound GPS signal  143  as described in conjunction with  FIG. 10 . 
     In addition receiver processing module  144 ″ further includes the functionality of receiver processing module  144  and additional GPS processing functionality of GPS processing module  144 ′ to similarly operate based on the selected mode of operation. 
       FIG. 12  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. RF IC  330 , such as RF IC  50  or  70 , includes a gyrator die  314  with a gyrating circuit such as on-chip gyrator  175  gyrator and an RF system on a chip (SoC) die  312  that includes the remaining elements of RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′, a substrate  306 , and bonding pads  318 . This figure is not drawn to scale, rather it is meant to be a pictorial representation that illustrates the juxtaposition of the RF SoC die  312 , gyrator die  314  and the substrate  306 . RF SoC die  312  and gyrator die are coupled to one another and to respective ones of the bonding pads  318  using bonding wires, bonding pads and/or by other connections. 
       FIG. 13  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. RF IC  332  is similar to the configuration described in conjunction with  FIG. 12  is presented with similar elements referred to by common reference numerals. In particular, alternate stacked configuration is shown that stacks gyrator die  314  on top of RF SoC die  312 . In this configuration, RF SoC die  312  and gyrator die  314  can be coupled to one another using bonding wires, bonding pads, conductive vias and/or by other connections. This figure is also not drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 14  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. RF IC  334  is similar to the configuration described in conjunction with  FIGS. 12 and 13  with similar elements referred to by common reference numerals. In this particular configuration, on-chip gyrator  175  is included on RF SoC die  316  that includes the remaining components or RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′. This figure is also not drawn to scale. 
       FIG. 15  is a side view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with the present invention. RF IC  325 , such as RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′, includes a system on a chip (SoC) die  300 , a memory die  302  a substrate  306 , bonding pads  308  and gyrator  304 , such as on-chip gyrating circuit  175 . This figure is not drawn to scale. In particular, the RF IC  325  is integrated in a package with a top and a bottom having a plurality of bonding pads  308  to connect the RF IC  325  to a circuit board, and wherein the on-chip gyrator  304  is integrated along the bottom of the package. In an embodiment of the present invention, die  302  includes an on-chip memory and die  300  includes the processing module  225  and the remaining elements of RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′. These dies are stacked and die bonding is employed to connect these two circuits and minimize the number of bonding pads, (balls) out to the package. Both SoC die  300  and memory die  302  are coupled to respective ones of the bonding pads  308  via bonding wires or other connections. 
     Gyrator  304  is coupled to the SoC die  300 , and/or the memory die  302  via conductive vias, bonding wires, bonding pads or by other connections. The positioning of the Gyrator on the bottom of the package in a flip chip configuration allows good heat dissipation of the gyrator  304  to a circuit board when the RF integrated circuit is installed. 
       FIG. 16  is a bottom view of a pictorial representation of an integrated circuit package in accordance with the present invention. As shown, the bonding pads (balls)  308  are arrayed in an area of the bottom of the integrated circuit with an open center portion  310  and wherein the on-chip gyrator  304  is integrated in the open center portion. While a particular pattern and number of bonding pads  308  are shown, a greater or lesser number of bonding pads can likewise be employed with alternative configurations within the broad scope of the present invention. 
     While RF ICs  325 ,  330 ,  332  and  334  provide several possible implementations of RF ICs in accordance with the present invention, other circuits including other integrated circuit packages can be implemented including other stacked, in-line, surface mount and flip chip configurations. 
       FIG. 17  is a pictorial representation of GPS device  270  in accordance an embodiment of with the present invention. In particular a GPS device  270  is shown that includes operates in accordance with one or more embodiments of the present invention to generate GPS position and/or velocity information based on the use of a GPS receiver, such as GPS receiver  210  or GPS receiver  198  and a on-chip gyrating circuit, such as on-chip gyrator  175  or gyrating circuit  200 . A keypad  272  is included that includes buttons that allow a user to enter data, make selections and to otherwise interface with the GPS device  270 . In one mode of operation, display  274  displays the current heading, speed, and coordinates of the device. In additional modes of operation, the GPS device  270  is operable to interact with a user to plan, track, store and select various routes, to predict future positions, to store and select points of interest, to receive directions to a particular point of interest, both visually using display  274  and audibly using audio warnings or audio prompts generated by speaker  276 . Wireline port  64  provides an interface to a computer or other host device to download or upload map data, routes, points of interest, tracks or other data, software and firmware to and from the GPS device  270 . In addition, GPS unit can optionally be powered or charged by the wireline port  64  when connected to the host device. 
       FIG. 18  is a pictorial representation of GPS device  270  in accordance an embodiment of with the present invention. In particular, GPS device  270  is shown in a map display mode where the position of the device is shown on the display  274  as a circle that is superimposed on a map of the current location, While a road map is shown, other maps including geographical maps, geological maps, contour maps, or other maps could likewise be presented. In addition, indicators show progress of device along a route, such as the dotted arrow and associated text that indicates the next turn. 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an integrated circuit in accordance an embodiment with the present invention. GPS device  270  is implemented with RF IC  90  having similar elements of RF IC  50 ,  70  or  70 ′ that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can be implemented in an IC package in a similar fashion. While a particular circuit is shown with certain elements being included as part of RF IC  90  and other discrete components being coupled thereto, other boundaries between integrated and discrete components can likewise be employed in the present invention, with preferably most or all of the components of GPS  270  being included on a single integrated circuit. Further, while the GPS receiver  77  is shown in an on-chip configuration, an off-chip CPS receiver, such as GPS receiver  77 ′ can also be implemented in an alternative embodiment. 
       FIG. 20  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a method is presented for use in conjunction with one or more of the functions and features described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-19 . In step  400 , a motion parameter is generated based on motion of the device using an on-chip gyrating circuit and/or a GPS receiver. In step  402 , the motion parameter is processed to produce motion data. In step  404 , outbound data is generated that includes the motion data. In step  406 , an outbound RF signal is generated from outbound data. In step  408 , the outbound RF signal is transmitted to a remote station. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the motion data includes an indication that a device is a mobile device, position information, velocity information, and/or an acceleration. Step  404  can insert motion data in the outbound data periodically. 
       FIG. 21  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. In particular a method is presented for use in conjunction with the method of  FIG. 20 . In addition, step  500  is included for comparing current motion data to past motion data. In step  502 , the method detects when the difference between the current motion data and past the motion data compares unfavorably to a motion change threshold. If so, step  404  includes motion data in the outbound data. 
       FIG. 22  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; and In particular a method is presented for use in conjunction with the method of  FIG. 20 . In addition, step  510  is included for generating inbound data from an inbound RF signal received from the remote station. Further, step  404  includes motion data in the outbound data in response to a request for the motion data included in the inbound data. 
       FIG. 23  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. In particular a method is presented for use in conjunction with the method of  FIGS. 20-22 . In addition, step  520  is included for generating inbound data from an inbound RF signal received from remote station, wherein the inbound data includes control data that is determined by the access point based on the motion data. In addition, the method includes step  522  for modifying a transmit parameter and/or receive parameter of an RF transceiver in response to the control data. 
       FIG. 24  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention. In particular a method is presented that can be used with the other functions and features of the present invention described in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-23 . In step  530 , motion data is generated from a GPS receiver and/or a gyrating circuit. This data can include position information, velocity information and/or acceleration. In step  532 , transmit and/or receive parameters of an RF receiver and/or receive parameters of the GPS receiver are modified in response to the motion data. 
     As may be used herein, the terms “substantially” and “approximately” provides an industry-accepted tolerance for its corresponding term and/or relativity between items. Such an industry-accepted tolerance ranges from less than one percent to fifty percent and corresponds to, but is not limited to, component values, integrated circuit process variations, temperature variations, rise and fall times, and/or thermal noise. Such relativity between items ranges from a difference of a few percent to magnitude differences. As may also be used herein, the term(s) “coupled to” and/or “coupling” and/or includes direct coupling between items and/or indirect coupling between items via an intervening item (e.g., an item includes, but is not limited to, a component, an element, a circuit, and/or a module) where, for indirect coupling, the intervening item does not modify the information of a signal but may adjust its current level, voltage level, and/or power level. As may further be used herein, inferred coupling (i.e., where one element is coupled to another element by inference) includes direct and indirect coupling between two items in the same manner as “coupled to”. As may even further be used herein, the term “operable to” indicates that an item includes one or more of power connections, input(s), output(s), etc., to perform one or more its corresponding functions and may further include inferred coupling to one or more other items. As may still further be used herein, the term “associated with”, includes direct and/or indirect coupling of separate items and/or one item being embedded within another item. As may be used herein, the term “compares favorably”, indicates that a comparison between two or more items, signals, etc., provides a desired relationship. For example, when the desired relationship is that signal  1  has a greater magnitude than signal  2 , a favorable comparison may be achieved when the magnitude of signal  1  is greater than that of signal  2  or when the magnitude of signal  2  is less than that of signal  1 . 
     The present invention has also been described above with the aid of method steps illustrating the performance of specified functions and relationships thereof. The boundaries and sequence of these functional building blocks and method steps have been arbitrarily defined herein for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries and sequences can be defined so long as the specified functions and relationships are appropriately performed. Any such alternate boundaries or sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. 
     The present invention has been described above with the aid of functional building blocks illustrating the performance of certain significant functions. The boundaries of these functional building blocks have been arbitrarily defined for convenience of description. Alternate boundaries could be defined as long as the certain significant functions are appropriately performed. Similarly, flow diagram blocks may also have been arbitrarily defined herein to illustrate certain significant functionality. To the extent used, the flow diagram block boundaries and sequence could have been defined otherwise and still perform the certain significant functionality. Such alternate definitions of both functional building blocks and flow diagram blocks and sequences are thus within the scope and spirit of the claimed invention. One of average skill in the art will also recognize that the functional building blocks, and other illustrative blocks, modules and components herein, can be implemented as illustrated or by discrete components, application specific integrated circuits, processors executing appropriate software and the like or any combination thereof.