Patent Publication Number: US-2010110977-A1

Title: Management unit network for managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices

Description:
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS 
     The present application is related to copending applications: 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH DEDICATED ENVIRONMENTAL MONITORING, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH DEDICATED CONTROL CHANNEL, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH LOGICAL CONTROL CHANNEL, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE WITH COGNITIVE RADIO TRANSCEIVER, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT FOR MANAGING A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, SERVICE AGGREGATOR FOR ALLOCATING RESOURCES TO A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT FOR FACILITATING INTER-NETWORK HAND-OFF FOR A MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICE, filed on ______; 
     Ser. No. ______, entitled, MANAGEMENT UNIT WITH LOCAL AGENT, filed on ______; 
     MANAGEMENT UNIT NETWORK FOR COLLABORATIVELY MANAGING A PLURALITY OF MULTISERVICE COMMUNICATION DEVICES, filed on ______; 
     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 communication devices and more particularly to the communication devices that communicate with multiple networks in multiple frequency bands. 
     2. Description of Related Art 
     Wireless communication systems are known to support wireless communications between wireless communication devices affiliated with the system. Such wireless communication systems range from national and/or international cellular telephone systems to point-to-point in-home wireless networks. Each type of wireless communication system is constructed, and hence operates, in accordance with one or more standards. Such wireless communication standards include, but are not limited to IEEE 802.11, 802.15, 802.16, long term evolution (LTE), Bluetooth, advanced mobile phone services (AMPS), digital AMPS, global system for mobile communications (GSM), code division multiple access (CDMA), wireless application protocols (WAP), local multi-point distribution services (LMDS), multi-channel multi-point distribution systems (MMDS), and/or variations thereof. 
     An IEEE 802.11 compliant wireless communication system includes a plurality of client devices (e.g., laptops, personal computers, personal digital assistants, etc., coupled to a station) that communicate over a wireless link with one or more access points. As is also generally understood in the art, many wireless communications systems employ a carrier-sense multiple access (CSMA) protocol that allows multiple communication devices to share the same radio spectrum. Before a wireless communication device transmits, it “listens” to the wireless link to determine if the spectrum is in use by another station to avoid a potential data collision. In other systems, transmissions can be scheduled using management frames or power save multi-poll (PSMP), for example. In many cases, the transmitting device (e.g., a client device or access point) transmits at a fixed power level regardless of the distance between the transmitting device and a targeted device (e.g., station or access point). Typically, the closer the transmitting device is to the targeted device, the less error there will be in the reception of the transmitted signal. 
     A cognitive radio is a wireless communication device that can adjust transmission or reception parameters to communicate efficiently to avoiding interference. This alteration of parameters can be based on the active monitoring of several factors in the external and internal radio environment, such as radio frequency spectrum, user behavior and network state. 
     When one or more of these communication devices is mobile, its transmit and receive characteristics can change with the motion of the device, as it moves closer or farther from a device it is communication with, and as the transmission environment changes due to the devices position with respect to reflecting members, interfering stations, noise sources, etc. 
     The limitations and disadvantages of conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one of ordinary skill in the art through comparison of such systems with the present invention. 
     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  125  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF transceiver  123  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a communication device  125  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 7  is a graphical representation of a spectrum  210  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 8  is a graphical representation of a spectrum  220  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF receiver  127 ′ in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram representation of a portion of a protocol stack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram representation of network protocol packet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. 
         FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a communication device  125  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ′ in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 17  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 18  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ″ in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 19  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ′″ in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 20  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 21  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 22  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 23  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 24  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 25  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 26  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 27  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 28  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a management network in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 29  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 30  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 31  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processing module  225  in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 32  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 33  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 34  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 35  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 36  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 37  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 38  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 39  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 40  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 41  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 42  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 43  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 44  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 45  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 46  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 47  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 48  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 49  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; 
         FIG. 50  is a flow chart of an embodiment of a method in accordance with the present invention; and 
         FIG. 51  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/or 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  25  of networks  2  and  4 . 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 connections 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), WCDMA, LTE or other mobile wireless protocol or other wireless communication protocol, either standard or proprietary. Further, the wireless communication paths 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, wireless display 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 paths. In an embodiment of the present invention, the real-time and non-real-time devices  12 ,  14   16 ,  18 ,  20 ,  22  and  25  can be base stations, access points, terminals, personal computers, laptops, PDAs, storage devices, cable replacements, bridge/hub devices, wireless HDMI devices, 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, communication device  10  can be a multiservice device that is capable of communicating real time and/or non-real-time data wirelessly with multiple networks such as networks  2  and  4  either contemporaneously or non-contemporaneously. This multiservice functionality can include the ability to engage in communications over multiple networks, to choose the best network or have the best network chosen for it for engaging in a particular communication. For example, communication device  10  wishing to place a telephone call may launch a traditional telephone call with a remote caller over a cellular telephone network via a cellular voice protocol, a voice over IP call over a data network via a wireless local area network protocol, or on a peer-to-peer basis with another communication device via a Bluetooth protocol. In another example, communication device  10  wishing to access a video program might receive a streaming video signal over a cellular telephone network via a cellular data protocol, receive a direct broadcast video signal, download a podcast video signal over a data network via a wireless local area network protocol, 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. 3-51  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 two 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  of network  6  via RF data  40  and voice base station  36  and/or voice device  38  of network  8  via RF voice signals  42 . 
       FIG. 3  presents a pictorial representation of wireless networks  107  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  91 ,  93 ,  97  and  125 . Via the access point  110 , each of the communication devices  91 ,  93 ,  97  and  125  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  91 ,  93 ,  97  and  125 , such as communication device  125  is a mobile device that can include the functionality of communication devices  10  or  30 . In addition, communication device  125  can engage in communications via one or more other networks  2 ,  4   6  or  8  as discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 1 and 2 . 
       FIG. 4  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a communication device  125  in accordance with the present invention. In particular, integrated circuit (IC)  50  is shown that implements communication device  125  in conjunction with microphone  60 , keypad/keyboard  58 , memory  54 , speaker/headset interface  62 , display  56 , camera  76 , antenna interfaces  72  . . .  72 ′, and wireline port  64 . In operation, RF IC  50  includes a plurality of wireless transceivers such as transceivers  73  and  73 ′ having RF and baseband modules for sending and receiving data such as RF real-time data  26  and non-real-time data  24  and transmitting via antenna interfaces  72  . . .  72 ′ and antennas. Each antenna can be a fixed antenna, a single-input single-output (SISO) antenna, a multi-input multi-output (MIMO) antenna, a diversity antenna system, an antenna array that allows the beam shape, gain, polarization or other antenna parameters to be controlled or other antenna configuration. In addition, 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 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  95  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 IC  50 . While shown as an off-chip module, PMU  95  can be alternatively implemented as an on-chip circuit. 
     In addition, IC  50  may include an location generation module  48  that generates location or motion parameters based on the location or motion of the device such as a longitude, latitude, altitude, address, velocity, velocity vector, acceleration (including deceleration), and/or other location or motion parameter. Location generation module  48  can include a global positioning system (GPS) receiver, one or more accelerometers, gyroscopes or positioning sensors, a device that operates via triangulation data received via the network, or other location generation devices that generate or receive such location or motion parameters. 
     In operation, the RF transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ generate outbound RF signals from outbound data and generate inbound data from inbound RF signals to communication with a plurality of networks, such as networks  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 , etc. In an embodiment of the present invention, the 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 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. 
     Also note that while certain modules of communication device  125  are shown to be included on IC  50  while others are not, IC  50  is shown for illustrative purposes and may include more or less of the modules of communication device  125 , depending on the particular implementation. Further, communication device  125  can include additional modules or fewer modules than those specifically shown. In operation, the IC  50  executes operational instructions that implement one or more of the applications (real-time or non-real-time) attributed to communication devices  125  as discussed above and in conjunction with  FIGS. 1-3 . 
       FIG. 5  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of RF transceiver  123 , such as transceiver  73  or  73 ′, in accordance with the present invention. The RF transceiver  123  includes an RF transmitter  129 , and an RF receiver  127 . The RF receiver  127  includes a RF front end  140 , a down conversion module  142  and a receiver baseband processing module  144  that operate under the control of control signals  141 . The RF transmitter  129  includes a transmitter baseband processing module  146 , an up conversion module  148 , and a radio transmitter front-end  150  that also operate under control of control signals  141 . 
     As shown, the receiver and transmitter are each coupled to an antenna through an antenna interface  171  and a diplexer (duplexer)  177 , such as antenna interface  72  or  74 , 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. 
     In operation, the transmitter receives outbound data  162  from other portions of its a host device, such as a communication application executed by processing module  225  or other source via the transmitter processing module  146 . The transmitter processing module  146  processes the outbound data  162  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 data  162 . 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. 
     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, 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 data  160 . The processing performed by the receiver processing module  144  includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling. 
     Further, processing module  225  generates one or more control signals  141  to configure or adapt the RF transceiver  123  to communication with one or more of the networks  2 ,  4 ,  6  and  8 . 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, data rates, modulation types and other data parameters used by receiver processing module  144  and transmitter processing module  146 , frequency bands, channels and bandwidths, filter settings, gains, power levels, ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by RF front-end  140 , radio transmitter front-end  150 , down conversion module  142  and up conversion module  148 , as well as antenna configurations used by antenna interface  171  to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization or other antenna configuration of the antenna. 
     The control signals  141  can be analog signals, digital signals, discrete-time signals of other signals that control the modules of RF transceiver  123  to adapt to communication via different networks. For example, in one mode of operation, communication device  125  includes a plurality of different transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′, that are each designed and implemented by a particular RF transceiver  123  for communicating with one of the plurality of networks  2 ,  4 ,  6  and/or  8 . Each of these RF transceivers  123  can be selectively enabled or disabled via control signals  141  to operate under the control of processing module  225  to communicate with its corresponding network  2 ,  4 ,  6  or  8  when required. In another embodiment of the present invention one or more of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ is implemented via a cognitive radio transceiver or other flexible RF transceiver  123  that can be configured to communicate with different networks based on a selected mode of operation. For example, such a flexible RF transceiver  123  can be configured to operate as either a Bluetooth transceiver, a GSM transceiver or a 802.11g transceiver based on the generation of the control signals  141  to implement the corresponding transmit and receive characteristics. Further details regarding particular conditions for generating control signals  141  will be discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 6-51  that follow. 
       FIG. 6  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a communication device  125  in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a communication device is shown that includes many common elements shown in conjunction with  FIG. 4 . In this embodiment however, IC  50  includes an optional receiver  77 , such as an environmental monitoring receiver, that can evaluate the RF environment via an analysis of RF signal spectrum  203 . 
     In particular, communication device  125  includes a plurality of transceivers  73  that wirelessly transceive data with a corresponding plurality of networks, such as networks  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8 , etc. in accordance with a corresponding plurality of network protocols. Receiver  77  receives and processes received RF signals, over a broadband spectrum, such as RF signal spectrum  203  and generates environmental data in response thereto. Processing module  225  processes the environmental data and generates one or more control signals  141  in response thereto for adapting the transceivers  73  based on the environmental data. 
     In operation, receiver  77  analyzed an RF spectrum that encompasses the frequency bands used by each of the transceivers  73  including optional frequency bands that can be used by each of these transceivers. The environmental data can identify unused spectrum, used spectrum, desired channels, undesired channels, noise and interference, that can be used to adapt the transceivers  73  to more favorable conditions. 
     In one example, when conditions with respect to a particular frequency channel begin to deteriorate or otherwise a better frequency channel is found by receiver  77  for use by one of the plurality of transceivers  73 , processing module  225  can generate control signals  141  and outbound data to coordinate with a remote station via control signaling and to switch the new frequency channel and to change the transceiver  73  to the new frequency channel. In another example, when communications with a particular network begin to deteriorate or otherwise a better network is found by receiver  77  for use by communication device  125 , processing module  225  can generate control signals  141  and outbound data to coordinate a handoff to a new network or a new network device and either adapt a transceiver  73  to the new network or switch the transceiver  73  in use to a transceiver adapted for communication with the new network or network device. In addition, transceiver  73  can take on the function of receiver  77  during idle periods. In a further example, when communication conditions, such as noise and interference change for a particular transceiver, processing module  225  can generate control signals  141  to modify a transmission parameter and/or a receive parameter of the transceiver  73  to adapt to the change in conditions. 
       FIG. 7  is a graphical representation of a spectrum  210  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, spectrum  210  represents an example of an RF signal spectrum  203  received by an environmental monitoring receiver, such as receiver  77 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the receiver  77  receives and analyses the RF signal spectrum and can identify unused portions of spectrum, such as available spectrum  212 , based on the lack of signal energy in these spectra. In addition, receiver  77  can identify undesired channels, by identifying regions with unacceptable levels of noise and interference  214  based on signal to noise ratios, signal to noise and interference ratios, packet error rates, data rates, etc. 
       FIG. 8  is a graphical representation of a spectrum  220  in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, spectrum  220  represents another example of an RF signal spectrum  203  received by a environmental monitoring receiver, such as receiver  77 . In addition to the functions and features described in conjunction with  FIG. 7 , receiver  77  can identify desired channels, such as desired channel  222 , also based the availability of remote stations with available capacity to service the communication device  125 . In particular, desired channels can be identified based on the presence of strong beacon signals or other communications from remote devices indicating that a network is present and that signals can be received with acceptable levels of noise and/or interference. 
       FIG. 9  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF receiver  127 ′ in accordance with the present invention. RF receiver  127 ′, such as receiver  77 , shares many common elements with RF receiver  127  that are referred to by common reference numerals. Receiver  127 ′ can be implemented via a dedicated radio receiver, or as a cognitive radio transceiver or other flexible transceiver, such as one of the transceivers  73  configured to operate via control signals  141  as an environmental monitoring transceiver in an environmental monitoring mode of operation. In operation, RF receiver  127 ′ 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, 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 environmental data  161 . The processing performed by the receiver processing module  144  includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling as well as optional further processing to indicate unused spectrum, used spectrum, desired channels, undesired channels, noise and interference, etc. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, RF receiver  127 ′ includes RF front-end  140  and down conversion module  142  that implement a narrowband receiver that is scanned over a broadband spectrum, such as RF signal spectrum  203 . In this fashion, individual portions of the spectrum, the RF receiver  127 ′ can be tuned to individual frequency bands or individual frequency channels for analysis to generate environmental data  161 . In one mode of operation, the RF receiver  127 ′ can be adaptively scanned over the broadband spectrum to avoid transmission interference from at least one of the plurality of transceivers  73 . In particular, the RF receiver  127 ′ can be operated via control signals  141 ′ generated by processing module  225  to avoid being tuned to frequency bands or channels at the same time the particular a particular frequency band or channel is being used for transmission by one of the other transceivers  73   73 ′ of communication device  125 . 
     In another embodiment of the present invention, the RF receiver  127 ′ includes RF front-end  140  and down conversion module  142  that implement a broadband receiver that contemporaneously captures the received RF signals over a broadband spectrum and generates environmental data by analyzing the broadband spectrum using frequency domain analysis. For example, the down conversion module  142  can digitize baseband or low IF signals over a broad range of frequencies and perform a fast Fourier transform (FFT) or use other frequency domain methodologies in receiver processing module  144  to generate environmental data  161 . In one mode of operation, the RF receiver  127 ′ can adaptively capture data from the broadband spectrum to avoid transmission interference from at least one of the plurality of transceivers  73 . In particular, the RF receiver  127 ′ can be operated via control signals  141 ′ generated by processing module  225  to avoid capturing or analyzing inbound RF signal  152  at the same time the particular one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ of communication device  125  is transmitting. 
       FIG. 10  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. Communication device  125  is shown transceiving network data with a plurality of networks  107  and  109 , such as networks  2 ,  4 ,  6 ,  8  in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In this embodiment of the present invention, control data is communicated between a remote management unit  200  and the communication device  125  via a logical control channel carried via network data communicated via either network  107  or network  109 . The management unit  200  assists the communication device  125  in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′. 
     In particular, at least one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ further transceives control channel data with the remote management unit  200  contemporaneously with the network data via a logical control channel carried using the corresponding one of the plurality of network protocols. The control channel data includes local control data sent to the management unit  200  and remote control data received from the management unit  200 . In accordance with this embodiment, processing module  225  processes the remote control data and generates a least one control signal  141  in response thereto, the at least one control signal  141  for adapting at least one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ based on the remote control data. 
     The local control data sent to the management unit  200  can include location data or motion data generated by the location generation module  48 ; RF environmental data, such as environmental monitoring data  161 , battery remaining generated by power management unit  95 ; desired quality of service; a latency preference; a cost preference; a transaction request such as a request for a particular network service or application; a device characteristic; and/or a data rate preference; generated by a communication application executed by processing module  225  or other module of communication device  125 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, processing module  225  operates via state machine, algorithm, look-up table or calculation, to generate control signals  141  and/or  141 ′ based on the remote control data received from management unit  200 . In this fashion, management unit  200  can evaluate task requests that describe what a user communication device  125  wishes to do, e.g. download an audio file, place a telephone call, send a message, play a game, watch a video, etc., and gather other information from communication device  125  via the local control data regarding the capabilities, preferences and status of the device, and environmental data along with other pertinent data if any, and assist communication device in the configuration of its transceivers to fulfill the requested tasks via networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In addition, management module  200  can evaluate local control data during the provision of a particular network service to assist communication device  125  in adjusting transmit and receive parameters for better performance, switch frequency channels, and/or to handoff to other networks. 
       FIG. 11  is a schematic block diagram representation of a portion of a protocol stack in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. As discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 10 , control data can be communicated between a remote management unit  200  and communication device  125  via a logical control channel. In this embodiment control data is carried via a control channel protocol  230  such as an application specific control channel protocol or universal protocol such as an IP protocol. This control channel protocol  230  is stacked above the particular network protocol  232  in the protocol stack  231  used to communicate between communication device  125  and the wireless network  107  or  109   
     In operation, local control data received in network data from communication device  125  via network  107  or  109  is routed to management unit  200 . The local control data further includes a device identifier, such as an identification number or address that is specific to communication device  125  that is used to route remote control data from management unit  200  back to communication device  125  via additional network data. 
       FIG. 12  is a schematic block diagram representation of network protocol packet in accordance with an embodiment of the present invention. In particular, a network protocol packet  234  is shown that includes a packet payload  238  and a packet overhead section  236  such as a packet header or other overhead section. In this embodiment the logical control channel is implemented by tunneling control data, such as control data  235  in a packet payload, such as packet payload  238 . 
     In this embodiment, local control data included in control data  235  and received in network data from communication device  125  via network  107  or  109 , can be routed to management unit  200 . The local control data further includes a device identifier, such as an identification number or address that is specific to communication device  125  that is used to route remote control data from management unit  200  back to communication device  125  via control data  235 . 
       FIG. 13  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an embodiment is shown that includes management unit  201 . In this embodiment, management unit  201  operates as management unit  200  described in conjunction with  FIG. 10 , however management unit  201  communicates with communication device  125  via a separate wireless control channel, such as a direct wireless channel between the management unit  201  and the communication device  125 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the control channel is utilizes a control channel protocol, such as a standardized protocol, that differs from the plurality of network protocols used by networks  107 ,  109 , etc. to communicate with communication device  125 . In the alternative, a network protocol could be reused for this purpose or a universal protocol such as an IP protocol could further be employed. 
     In this configuration communication device  125  can include a dedicated control channel transceiver to communicate with management unit  201 . In this fashion, the control channel can be present to communicate control data and to assist the communication device  125  in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′. In an alternative embodiment, communication device  125  can configure one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ to operate as a control channel. For instance, upon start-up of the device, movement to a new area or otherwise in a default mode of operation, the communication device  125  can configure one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ to operate as a control channel and communicate with management unit  201  to determine what networks and network resources are available. Management unit  201  can exchange control data with communication device  201  to determine particular device parameters to configure one or more of its transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ to operate with the available network or networks, such as networks  107 ,  109 , etc., based on the particular task or tasks requested by the communication device  125 . 
     Further, after set-up is complete the remote control data received by the management unit  201  can include further reconfigure the particular transceiver  73  or  73 ′, etc., previously used to implement the control channel, to communicate with a network  107 ,  109 , etc. Optionally, the communication device  125  can return the transceiver back to the control channel mode of operation in the event a network is lost, a transceiver  73  . . .  73 ′ becomes available, a start-up is initiated, the communication devices moves to a new area, or otherwise as initiated by a communication application executed by processing module  225  or under user control. 
       FIG. 14  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of communication device in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a communication device is shown that shares many common elements of the communication devices  125  described in conjunction with  FIGS. 4 and 9  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment however, RFIC  50  includes a control channel transceiver to communicate with management unit  201 . Transceiver  75  can be a dedicated control channel transceiver. In this fashion, the control channel can be present to communicate control data and to assist the communication device  125  in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′. In an alternative embodiment, communication device  125  can configure one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ to operate as a control channel transceiver  75  in a control channel mode of operation. 
       FIG. 15  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ′ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF transceiver  123 ′ is shown that shares many common elements of the RF transceiver  123  described in conjunction with  FIG. 5  that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can be used to implement transceiver  75 . RF Transceiver  123 ′ can be a dedicated control channel transceiver that implements a physical control channel via outbound RF signal  170 ′ and inbound RF signal  152 ′. Inbound RF signals  152 ′ from the management unit  201  are processed by RF receiver  127  to produce remote control data  252 . In addition, local control data is processed by RF transmitter  129  to produce an outbound RF signal  170 ′ that is sent to the management unit  201 . In this fashion, the control channel can be present to communicate control data and to assist the communication device  125  in the configuration of one or more of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′. In an alternative embodiment, communication device  125  can configure one of the transceivers  73  . . .  73 ′ to operate as a RF transceiver  123 ′ via optional control signals  141  in a control channel mode of operation. 
       FIG. 16  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a communication system is shown wherein the management unit supplies cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  via a control channel to configure one or more cognitive radio transceivers of communication device  125 . In this fashion, the cognitive radio transceiver can be configured for communication on different frequency channels, different frequency bands, with different networks, via different data rates and different protocols, to adapt to environmental conditions, device conditions and/or to otherwise be adapted with other transmit and receive characteristics. 
     For example, a logical control channel can be established between the communication device  125  and the management unit  200  via either a dedicated control channel transceiver, a transceiver operated in a control channel mode of operation, or a cognitive radio transceiver configured for operation as a control channel transceiver. Local control channel data is sent to the management unit  200  that can include environmental data collected via a dedicated environmental monitoring transceiver, a transceiver operated in an environmental monitoring mode of operation or a cognitive radio transceiver configured to operate as an environmental monitoring receiver. In addition, the local control data can include a task request, such as to place a telephone call, and further include device conditions such as preferred data rates, battery life remaining, device model and optional operating system or communication application characteristics and other parameters. In response, the management unit selects a particular network, such as network  107  which is, in this example, a 900 MHz GSM mobile telephone network that management unit  200  knows can be received well by communication device  125  based on the environmental data it has received as part of the local control data. Further, management unit  200  generates cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  and sends this data to the communication device  125 . Communication device receives the cognitive transceiver configuration data and configures one of its cognitive radio transceivers to operate as a 900 MHz GSM transceiver, establishes communication with network  107  and begins to fulfill its requested task of placing a telephone call. 
     Particular cognitive radio transceiver implementations will be discussed in conjunction with  FIGS. 18-19  that follow. 
       FIG. 17  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. Like the communication system of  FIG. 16 , a communication system is shown wherein a management unit supplies cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  via a control channel to configure one or more cognitive radio transceivers of communication device  125 . In this fashion, the cognitive radio transceiver can be configured for communication on different frequency channels, different frequency bands, with different networks, via different data rates and different protocols, to adapt to environmental conditions, device conditions and/or to otherwise be adapted with other transmit and receive characteristics. In this embodiment, a management unit  201  is used in place of management unit to communicates with communication device  125  via a direct or separate physical control channel, as discussed, for instance in conjunction with  FIGS. 13-14 . 
       FIG. 18  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ″ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF transceiver  123 ″ is shown that shares many common elements of the RF transceivers  123  and  123 ′ described in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 and 15  that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can be used to implement transceivers  73 ,  73 ′ and  75 . The RF transceiver  123 ″ includes an RF transmitter  229 , and an RF receiver  227 . The RF receiver  227  includes a RF front end  140 , a down conversion module  142  and a receiver processing module  144 ′. The RF transmitter  229  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 antenna interface  171  and a diplexer (duplexer)  177 , such as antenna interface  72  or  74 , 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. 
     In operation, the transmitter receives outbound realtime data  162  from other portions of its a host device, such as a communication application executed by processing module  225  or other source via the transmitter processing module  146 ′. The transmitter processing module  146 ′ processes the outbound data  162  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 data  162 . 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. 
     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, 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 data  160 . The processing performed by the receiver processing module  144 ′ includes, but is not limited to, digital intermediate frequency to baseband conversion, demodulation, demapping, depuncturing, decoding, and/or descrambling. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the RF transceiver  123 ″ can be configured as a control channel transceiver to receive inbound data  160  that includes cognitive transceiver configuration data  260 . The RF transceiver  123 ″ can be configured as a control channel transceiver in a default mode of operation and then reconfigure itself based on the cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  received via either a physical or logical control channel established with management unit  200  or  201 . Then, for example, when communication device  125  completes the task assigned to it in its reconfigured state, the RF transceiver  123 ″ can reconfigure itself again to revert back to operation as a control channel transceiver. 
     The processing module  225  receives the cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  and generates one or more control signals  141  to configure or adapt the RF transceiver  123 ″ in response thereto. Like the processing module  225  of RF transceiver  123 ′, processing module  225  generates control signals  141  to modify the transmit and/or receiver parameters of the RF transceiver  125  such as protocol parameters, data rates, modulation types and other data parameters used by receiver processing module  144 ′ and transmitter processing module  146 ′, frequency bands, channels and bandwidths, filter settings, gains, power levels, ADC and DAC parameters, and other parameters used by RF front-end  140 , radio transmitter front-end  150 , down conversion module  142  and up conversion module  148 , as well as antenna configurations used by antenna interface  171  to set the beam pattern, gain, polarization, frequency band or other antenna configuration of the antenna. 
     For example, the cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can include receiver frequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band of the receiver front-end  140  via adjustment of a local oscillator frequency, filter bandwidth, etc, via control signals  140 . The cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can include transmitter frequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band of the transmitter front end via adjustment of a local oscillator frequency, filter bandwidth, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can include baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the receiver baseband processing module  144 ′ such as a particular modulation scheme, protocol, data rate, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can include baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the transmitter baseband processing module  146 ′ such as a particular modulation scheme, protocol, data rate, etc. 
     The control signals  141  can be analog signals, digital signals, discrete-time signals of other signals that control the modules of RF transceiver  123 ″ to adapt to communication via different networks. In this fashion, such a cognitive RF transceiver  123 ″ can be configured to operate as either a Bluetooth transceiver, a GSM transceiver or a 802.11g transceiver based on the generation of the control signals  141  to implement the corresponding transmit and receive characteristics. 
     In a further mode of operation, the receiver processing module  144 ′ includes a receiver application memory  240  that stores a receiver application that is executed by the receiver processing module to perform the functionality of this receiver processing module  144 ′. In a default mode of operation the receiver application memory can store a default receiver application that causes the receiver processing module to operate in a particular configuration—such as a GSM receiver, a Bluetooth receiver, a CDMA receiver, a WIMAX receiver, and UWB receiver, a 802.11 receiver or as a control channel receiver, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can includes other baseband processing application data that can be received and stored in receiver application memory  240  and for execution by the receiver baseband processing module  144 ′ in a new configuration. For example, while operating as a control channel receiver, the RF receiver  227  can receive cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  that includes baseband processing application data with a new receiver application, for example a GSM receiver application, that is stored in receiver application memory  240  and executed by the receiver baseband processing module  144 ′ as part of a reconfiguration of the RF receiver  227  by processing module  225  as a GSM receiver. 
     In a similar fashion, the transmitter processing module  146 ′ includes a transmitter application memory  241  that stores a transmitter application that is executed by the transmitter processing module to perform the functionality of the transmitter processing module  146 ′. In a default mode of operation, the transmitter application memory can store a default transmitter application that causes the transmitter processing module to operate in a particular configuration—such as a GSM transmitter, a Bluetooth transmitter, a CDMA transmitter, a WIMAX transmitter, and UWB transmitter, a 802.11 transmitter or as a control channel transmitter, etc. The cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can includes other baseband processing application data that can be received and stored in transmitter application memory  241  and for execution by the transmitter baseband processing module  146 ′ in a new configuration. For example, while operating as a control channel transceiver, the RF transceiver  123 ″ can receive cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  that includes baseband processing application data with a new transmitter application, for example a GSM transmitter application, that is stored in transmitter application memory  241  and executed by the transmitter baseband processing module  146 ′ as part of a reconfiguration of the RF transmitter  229  by processing module  225  as a GSM transmitter. 
     It should be noted that the examples presented above are merely illustrative of the many possible configurations and reconfigurations of such as cognitive RF transceiver  123 ″. 
       FIG. 19  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of an RF transceiver  123 ′″ in accordance with the present invention. In particular, an RF transceiver  123 ′″ is shown that shares many common elements of the RF transceivers  123 ,  123 ′ and  123 ″ described in conjunction with  FIGS. 5 ,  15  and  18  that are referred to by common reference numerals and that can be used to implement transceivers  73 ,  73 ′ and  75 . In this embodiment however, the cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  is received via another transceiver,  73 ,  73 ′ or  75  of communication device  125  that is configured as a physical or logical control channel transceiver. In this fashion, multiple transceivers of communication device  125  can be configured or reconfigured to different applications under the control or collaboration with management unit  200  or  201 . 
       FIG. 20  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a network management unit  200  is shown for managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices  125 , each capable of communicating via a plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In particular, management unit  200  communicates with each of the multiservice communication devices  125  via a logical control channel tunneled in and/or otherwise carried in conjunction with network data communicated between the multiservice communication devices  125  and the networks  107 ,  109 , etc. Control data exchanged between the management unit  200  and each of the multiservice communication devices  125  can include remote control data that optionally include cognitive transceiver configuration data, and local control data. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, management unit  200  gathers device identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identification number, MAC address or other device identifier corresponding to each of the multiservice communication devices  125  via local control data transmitted from each device to the management unit  200  via the logical control channel. Remote control data transmitted from the management unit  200  to a particular multiservice communication device  125  is addressed via device identifier for the particular device. 
     Further details regarding a possible implementation of management unit  200  are presented in conjunction with  FIG. 21  that follows. 
       FIG. 21  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a management unit  200  is shown that includes a management processing unit  270  and a network interface  272  that receives network resource data  280  from the plurality of networks, such as network  107 ,  109 , etc. In operation, network interface  272  facilitates a bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  via a wireless control channel. The bidirectional data communication includes outbound control data  278 , such as remote control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125 . The bidirectional data communication further includes inbound control data  276 , such as local control data, received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125 . As discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 20 , the wireless control channel can be implemented with a logical control channel that is carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  and one or more of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. 
     Management processing unit  270  can be implemented via at least one dedicated or shared processing device. Such a processing device, 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 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 management processing unit  270  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 an embodiment of the present invention the network interface can include a modem, switch, router, network interface card, data interface or other interface that is capable if coupling to wireless networks  107 ,  109 , etc. to send and receive inbound control data  276  and outbound control channel  278  via one or more of the networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In addition, network interface  272  includes a control channel interface, a receiver, such as an environmental monitoring receiver, or other input device for receiving or generating network resource data that indicates the availability of network resources, such as frequency channels, time slots or other resources of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. 
     Management processing unit  270  processes the inbound control data  276  and the network resource data  280  and generates the outbound control data  278  in response. The outbound control data  278  can include network connection data, transmit and receive parameters, protocol parameters, cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  or other control information to adapt or configure the multiservice communication devices  125  to operate with wireless networks  107 ,  109 , etc. As discussed, the cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  can include receiver frequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band of the receiver front-end; transmitter frequency band configuration data for configuring the frequency band of the transmitter front end; baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the receiver baseband processing module; baseband processing application data for execution by the receiver baseband processing module; baseband processing configuration data for configuring at least one baseband processing parameter of the transmitter baseband; and/or processing module baseband processing application data for execution by the transmitter baseband processing module. 
     For example, the inbound control data  276  can include at least one transaction request, such as a request to download a file, to send a message, to view a video program, to place a telephone call, etc. The management processing unit  270  allocates at least one resource of at least one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. based on the inbound control data and the network resource data. In an embodiment of the present invention, the management processing unit  270  selects one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. to implement a transaction in accordance with the transaction request based on the inbound control data  276 , that may further include device characteristics, device status parameters, further preferences, such as RF environmental data, battery remaining, desired quality of service, a latency preference, a cost preference, a device characteristic, a data rate preference. Management processing unit  270  selects one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. also based on the network resource data  280  that provides information on which network resources are available to potentially service the request. The outbound control data  278  can include a selection of one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc along with other remote control data for adapting at least one transceiver of at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. 
       FIG. 22  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a network management unit  201  is shown for managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices  125 , each capable of communicating via a plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In particular, management unit  201  communicates with each of the multiservice communication devices  125  via a separate wireless control channel. Control data exchanged between the management unit  201  and each of the multiservice communication devices  125  can include remote control data that optionally include cognitive transceiver configuration data, and local control data. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, management unit  201  gathers device identification data, such as an IP address, mobile identification number, MAC address or other device identifier corresponding to each of the multiservice communication devices  125  via local control data transmitted from each device to the management unit  201  via the physical control channel. Remote control data transmitted from the management unit  201  to a particular multiservice communication device  125  is addressed via device identifier for the particular device. 
     Further details regarding a possible implementation of management unit  201  are presented in conjunction with  FIG. 23  that follows. 
       FIG. 23  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, management unit includes similar elements to management unit  200  that are referred to by common reference numerals. However, network interface  273  operates in a similar fashion to network interface  272  to generate or receive network resource data, however, inbound control data  276  and outbound control channel data  278  are communicated via a communication device interface, such as control channel transceiver  274 . In operation, control channel transceiver, such as RF transceiver that is complementary to RF transceiver  123 ″, facilitates a bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  via the wireless control channel. 
       FIG. 24  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular a communication system is shown that shares similar elements to the communication system of  FIG. 20  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment however, management unit  200  includes a local agent  292  that gathers environmental data from remote devices  290  in communication with wireless network  107 , and  109  and/or from multiservice communication devices  125 . The remote devices  290  can include base stations, access points and other network devices, single service communication devices coupled to networks  107 ,  109 , such as WLAN-enabled computers, wireless telephones or other devices in communication with wireless networks  107 ,  109 , etc. 
     The environmental data can include RF spectral information and location data from each remote device  290  that is used by the management unit  200  to map the current RF environment to determine such factors as available channels, unused spectrum, used spectrum, sources and locations of noise and interference, locations of other “trouble zones” where communication via one or more channels of via one or more of the networks  107 ,  109 , etc. can be difficult. Local agent  292  can operate to gather and process this information for use by management unit  200  to determine locations where handoffs will be required because a multiservice communication device is entering a trouble zone, to allocate frequency channels and other network resources and to otherwise generate other outbound control data  278 , such as remote control data. 
       FIG. 25  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a management unit  200  is shown that includes many similar elements described in conjunction with  FIG. 21  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, management processing unit  270  includes local agent  292 , that can be implemented via hardware, firmware or software to gather environmental data via inbound data  276  from multiservice communication devices  125  and via other remote devices  290  that are part of or in communication with networks  107 ,  109 , etc. As discussed, management processing unit  270  processes the inbound control data including the environmental data, and the network resource data and generate the outbound control data in response thereto. 
     In particular, local agent  292  can gather the environmental data from a plurality of remote devices, different from the plurality of multiservice communication devices, via the wireless control channel and/or from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via the wireless control channel. 
       FIG. 26  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular a communication system is shown that shares similar elements to the communication system of  FIG. 22  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In this embodiment however, management unit  201  includes a local agent  292  that gathers environmental data from remote devices  290 , from networks  107 ,  109 , etc. and/or from multiservice communication devices  125  via communication over a physical wireless control channel that can be implemented separate from the wireless networks  107 ,  109 , etc. The remote devices  290  can include dedicated sensors configured to gather environmental data, or other devices in communication with management unit  201 . 
     The environmental data can include RF spectral information, power measurements and location data from each remote device  290  that is used by the management unit  201  to map the current RF environment to determine such factors as available channels, unused spectrum, used spectrum, sources and locations of noise and interference, locations of other “trouble zones” where communication via one or more channels of via one or more of the networks  107 ,  109 , etc. can be difficult. In addition, environmental data can optionally be collected by management unit  201  from one or more networks, such as network  107 ,  109 , etc. Local agent  292  can operate to gather and process this information for use by management unit  201  to determine locations where handoffs will be required because a multiservice communication device is entering a trouble zone, to allocate frequency channels and other network resources and to otherwise generate other outbound control data  278 , such as remote control data. 
       FIG. 27  is a schematic block diagram of another embodiment of a management unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a management unit  201  is shown that includes many similar elements described in conjunction with  FIG. 23  that are referred to by common reference numerals. In addition, management processing unit  270  includes local agent  292 , that can be implemented via hardware, firmware or software to gather environmental data via inbound data  276  from multiservice communication devices  125  and via other remote devices  290  that are part of or in communication with networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In particular, local agent  292  can gather the environmental data from a plurality of remote devices, different from the plurality of multiservice communication devices, via the wireless control channel and/or from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via the wireless control channel. As discussed, management processing unit  270  processes the inbound control data  276 , that includes the environmental data along with the network resource data  280  and generates the outbound control data in response thereto as previously described. 
       FIG. 28  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a management network in accordance with the present invention. In particular, a hierarchical management unit network is presented for managing a plurality of multiservice communication devices capable of communicating via a plurality of networks, The management unit network includes a plurality of local management units  300 , each of the plurality of local management units engaging in bidirectional data communication with at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, such as communication device  125 , via either a physical or logical wireless control channel. In a similar fashion to management units  200  and  201 , local management units  300  each send outbound control data to, and receive inbound control data, from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. One or more regional management units are coupled to receive the inbound control data from the at least one of the plurality of local management units, for processing the inbound data to produce the outbound data and for sending the outbound data to the at least one of the plurality of local management units. In one embodiment, the local management units  300  are coupled to receive network resource data  280  from at least one of the plurality of networks,  107 ,  109 , etc. and transmit the network resource data  280  to the regional management unit  302 . In response, the regional management units  302  generate the outbound control data  276  further based on the network resource data  280 . In another embodiment, the regional management units  302  are coupled to receive network resource data  280  from the plurality of networks,  107 ,  109 , etc. An optional area management unit  304  is coupled to the region management units  302  for optionally participating in the production of the outbound data. The local management units  300  can also be coupled directly to networks  107 ,  109 , etc to receive network resource data  280 . 
     In operation, the functionality of the management units  201  or  200  is split among two or more layers of the hierarchical management network. Local tasks such as the communication of inbound control data  276  and outbound control data  278 , the operation of a local agent for gathering and processing local environmental data is handled at the edge of the network. One or more of the processing functions, such as the allocation of network resources, the storage of cognitive transceiver configuration data, and the generation of other outbound control data  278  can be performed at either the regional management unit level or the optional area management unit level. 
       FIGS. 29 and 30  are schematic block diagrams of other embodiments of a management unit in accordance with the present invention. In particular, management units  300  and  300 ′ operate in a similar fashion to management units  200  and  201 . However, management units  300  and  300 ′ each include a management layer interface  310  that can be a wired or wireless connection that is either direct or implemented through one or more networks, such as the Internet, to communicate with a complementary management layer interface  312  included in regional management unit  302 . The management units  300  and  300 ′ are each shown in an optional configuration whereby network resource data is collected by the local management units themselves. However, as discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 28 , the regional management units  302 , via their own network interface that operates similarly to network interface  272 , can likewise gather network resource data  280  directly from the corresponding networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In addition, in the configuration shown in conjunction with  FIG. 28  where the management unit network includes an area management unit  304 , each of the regional management units  302  can further communicate with the area management unit  304  via the management layer interface  312 . 
     As discussed in conjunction with  FIG. 28 , the functionality of the management units  201  or  200  is split among two or more layers of the hierarchical management network. Local tasks such as the communication of inbound control data  276  and outbound control data  278 , the operation of a local agent for gathering and processing local environmental data is handled at the edge of the network in the local management units  300 , via their management processing units  270 . One or more of the processing functions, such as the allocation of network resources, the storage of cognitive transceiver configuration data, and the generation of other outbound control data  278  can be performed at either the regional management unit level or the optional area management unit level via management processing units  270  included in the regional management units  302  and/or via management processing units  270  included in the area management unit  304 . In an embodiment of the present invention, the functionality discussed in conjunction with the management processing unit  270  of management units  200  and  201  can be distributed among the management processing units  270  at the local, regional and optional area layers of the management unit network. 
       FIG. 31  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of a processing module  225  in accordance with the present invention. In particular, processing module  225  of communication device  125  is shown to include a collaboration module  320 , that can be implemented via hardware, software or firmware, depending on the implementation of processing module  225 . In this embodiment, the management unit, such as management processing unit  200 ,  201 , or management unit network generates the outbound control data  278  that is received by the collaboration module  320  to collaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data  276  includes a transaction request and at least one suggested resource allocation generated by the collaboration module  320  and the management unit  200 ,  201  or the management unit network, allocates at least one resource of at least one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. based on the inbound control data  276  and the network resource data  280 . In another embodiment of the present invention, the inbound control data  276  includes a transaction request and at least one suggested network and the management unit  200 ,  201  or the management unit network, selects one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. to implement a transaction in accordance with the transaction request based on the inbound control data  276  and the network resource data  280 . These embodiments, the decision-making resides in the management unit  200 ,  201  or the management unit network. In this fashion, collaboration module  320 , can generate suggested or recommended configurations based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, device characteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and the state of the device. 
     In other embodiments, the decision-making can reside in the collaboration module  320 . For example, the management unit  200 ,  201  or the management unit network can generate outbound control data  278  that includes a recommended selection of one of the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. and the collaboration module  320  can select one of the plurality of networks,  107 ,  109 , etc. based on the recommended selection. In another example, the outbound control data  278  is generated to include recommended remote control data for adapting at least one transceiver of at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the collaboration module chooses whether to adapt the at least one transceiver, based on the recommended remote control data. In addition, the outbound control data  278  can include recommended cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver of a multiservice communication device  125  and the collaboration module  320  chooses whether to configure the at least one cognitive transceiver. In this fashion, management unit  200  or  201 , can generate suggested or recommended configurations based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, device characteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and the state of the device. In this fashion, collaboration module  320 , can choose from suggested or recommended configurations based on its own analysis of local control data such as location, environment, noise and interference, spectral characteristics, device characteristics, device preferences, user preferences, and the state of the device. 
       FIG. 32  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular a service aggregator  325  is shown for allocating network resources to a plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  capable of communicating via a plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. In an embodiment of the present invention the service aggregator is implemented in conjunction with a management unit  200  or  201  or a management unit network, such as the management unit network of FIG,  28 . 
     In operation, the service aggregator engages in a bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices, such as communication device  125 , via a wireless control channel. The bidirectional data communication includes outbound control data, such as outbound control data  278  sent to the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data, such as inbound control data  276  received from the plurality of multiservice communication devices. Network resource data is gathered from the plurality of networks. A management processing unit, such as management processing unit  270 , processes the inbound control data and the network resource data and generates the outbound control data in response thereto, wherein the inbound control data includes at least one transaction request and the service aggregator allocates at least one resource of at least one of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data. 
     For example, a communication device  125  can, via the wireless control channel, send a request to send a telephone call. The service aggregator  325  locates an available network and sends outbound control data  278  to the communication device  125  to communication with the network. The outbound control data can include cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  that configures a cognitive transceiver of the communication device  125  to communicate with the chosen network to place the call. 
     In another example, the communication device  125 , while operating as a web browser locates a broadcast video program of interest that is not available via the web. The communication device  125  uses a logical control channel carried via an IP protocol to contact the service aggregator to request access to the broadcast video program. The service aggregator locates a local broadcaster, based on location data provided by communication device  125  via inbound control data  276 . Service aggregator downloads baseband processing data to be executed by the receiver processing module and the transmitter processing module of a cognitive transceiver of communication device  125  along with specific channel information that will allow the cognitive receiver to tune to, receive and decode the video broadcast. 
     These examples merely illustrate the wide range of transactions possible in accordance with the broad scope of the present invention. 
       FIG. 33  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In this embodiment, management unit  200  engages in bidirectional data communication with the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  via a logical control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. In this example, the wireless control channel is carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices  125  and the plurality of networks  107 ,  109 , etc. 
     The management unit  200  processes the inbound control data along with network resource data received from the networks  107 ,  109 , etc. and generates the outbound control data in response thereto. In operation, the management unit  200 , via a corresponding management processing unit, such as management processing unit  270 , facilities the handoff of a real-time service provided by real-time service provider  330  from one network, such as network  107  to a second network such as network  109 . While a single service provider  330  is shown, management unit  200  can similarly be implemented to facilities the handoff for multiple service providers. 
     For example, the real-time service can be a telephone call, a game, an audio playback, a video playback, a file download, a multimedia application or other real-time service or application. In operation, the management unit  200 , via management processing unit  270 , detects a potential handoff condition via inbound control data, such a deterioration of performance, possible motion into a trouble zone, a failure of network resources, a change of service is desired such as when a higher data rate service is available or other condition. In response, the management unit  200  via management processing unit  270 , selects the second network based on one or more of: RF environmental data, battery remaining, desired quality of service, a latency preference, a cost preference, a device characteristic, a data rate preference and transmits this selection to communication device  125  via the outbound control data  278 . 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the management unit  200  via management processing unit  270 , facilitates the establishment of a connection between the communication device  125 , prior to the handoff of the real-time service, based on the outbound control data  278  sent prior to the handoff of the real-time service. For example, management unit  200  can transmit outbound control data  278  that includes cognitive transceiver configuration data for configuring at least one cognitive transceiver of at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices in accordance with the second network. In this fashion, the communication device  125  can configure itself for communication with the second network. 
     In an embodiment of the present invention, the user of communication device  125  is engaged in a telephone call via wireless network  107  which is a GSM-based mobile telephony network, coupled to a public switched telephone network, and serviced via real-time service provider  330 . When management unit  200  detects, based on location data from the communication device  125 , that the communication device  125  is coming in range of the user&#39;s home where wireless network  109 , in this case home wireless network, management unit prepares a handoff to network  109 . In particular, management unit  201  transfers cognitive transceiver configuration data  260  or other outbound control data  276  to the communication device  125  to configure the communication device to communicate with wireless network  109 . 
     When, based on inbound control data  276 , the management unit  201  detects via inbound control data  276  that the communication device  125  has configured its cognitive radio transceiver and is in range of the wireless network  109 , the management unit  201  negotiates the handoff the call via IP protocol communications with real-time service provider  330  from network  107  to wireless network  109 . In particular, management unit  201  provides the IP address of the communication device  109  along with GSM device identifiers to real-time service provider  330 , who places the call on wireless network  107  on-hold or terminates the mobile call, while transferring the call to a voice-over-IP call accessed via communication device  125  via network  109 . 
       FIG. 34  is a schematic block diagram of an embodiment of another communication system in accordance with the present invention. In particular a communication system is presented that functions in a similar fashion to the communication system of  FIG. 33 . In this embodiment however, control data exchanged between a communication device  125  and the management unit  201  via a separate physical control channel. As described in conjunction with  FIG. 33 , management unit  201  communicates control data to facilitate the handoff of a real-time service from real-time service provider  330  from network  107  to  109 . This facilitation can include the establishment of the provision of the real-time service via the network  109 , prior to the handoff. This facilitation can further include the adaption or configuration of one or more transceivers of communication device  125  for communication with the network  109 . 
       FIG. 35  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. 1-34 . The method begins by wirelessly transceiving data via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols as shown in step  400 . In step  402 , signals received from an environmental monitoring receiver over a broadband spectrum are processed to generate environmental data. In step  404 , the environmental data is processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 36  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. 1-35 . In step  410 , data via a plurality of transceivers are wirelessly transceived with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In step  412 , signals received from one of the a plurality of transceivers, configured as an environmental monitoring receiver in a environmental monitoring mode of operation, are processed over a broadband spectrum to generate environmental data. In step  414 , the environmental data are processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 37  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. 1-36 . In step  420 , data is wirelessly transceived via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols. In step  422 , signals are transceived via a control channel transceiver with a remote management unit including local control data and remote control data. In step  424 , the remote control data are processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 38  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. 1-37 . In step  430 , data are wirelessly transceived via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the a plurality of transceivers is configured as a control channel transceiver for transceiving signals via a control channel receiver with a remote management unit in a control channel mode of operation. The signals include both local control data and remote control data. In step  432 , the remote control data are processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 39  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. 1-38 . In step  440 , network data are wirelessly transceived via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the a plurality of transceivers further transceives control channel data with a remote management unit contemporaneously with the network data via a logical control channel carried using a corresponding one of the plurality of network protocols, the control data including local control data and remote control data. In step  442 , the remote control data are processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 40  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. 1-39 . In step  450 , network data are wirelessly transceived via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols, wherein one of the a plurality of transceivers further transceives control channel data with a remote management unit via a logical control channel embedded in the network data transceived with a corresponding one of the plurality of networks, the control data including local control data and remote control data. In step  452 , the remote control data are processed to generate at least one control signal for adapting at least one of the plurality of transceivers. 
       FIG. 41  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. 1-40 . In step  460 , network data are wirelessly transceived via a plurality of transceivers with a corresponding plurality of networks in accordance with a plurality of network protocols via a multiservice communication device, wherein at least one of the plurality of transceivers includes a cognitive radio transceiver. Step  462  continues by receiving cognitive transceiver configuration data from a management unit in communication with the multiservice communication device, via a control channel. In step  464 , at least one cognitive radio transceiver is configured based on the cognitive transceiver configuration data. 
       FIG. 42  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. 1-41 . The method includes processing the cognitive transceiver configuration data to generate at least one control signal in response thereto, as shown in step  470 . 
       FIG. 43  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. 1-42 . In step  480 , the first cognitive radio transceiver is configured to implement the control channel. 
       FIG. 44  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. 1-43 . In step  490 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. In step  492 , network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step  494 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto. 
       FIG. 45  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. 1-44 . Step  500  begins the method by, engaging in a bidirectional data communication between a plurality of local management units and a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices. In step  502 , the inbound control data are received at a first regional management unit. In step  504 , the inbound control data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto. 
       FIG. 46  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. 1-45 . In step  510 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separate from the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  512 , network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. In step  514 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto. The inbound control data includes at least one transaction request and allocating at least one network resources of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data. 
       FIG. 47  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. 1-46 . In step  520 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  522 , network resource data is received from a plurality of networks. In step  524 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto, wherein the inbound control data includes at least one transaction request and allocating at least one network resources of the plurality of networks based on the inbound control data and the network resource data. 
       FIG. 48  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. 1-47 . In step  530 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separate from the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  532 , network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step  534 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto to facilitate the handoff of a real-time service accessed by the at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via a first network of the plurality of networks to a second network of the plurality of networks. 
       FIG. 49  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. 1-48 . In step  540 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  542 , network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step  544 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto to facilitate the handoff of a real-time service accessed by the at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices via a first network of the plurality of networks to a second network of the plurality of networks. 
       FIG. 50  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. 1-49 . In step  550 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is separate from the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  552 , network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step  554 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto to collaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the plurality of multiservice devices via a collaboration module. 
       FIG. 51  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. 1-50 . In step  560 , a bidirectional data communication is facilitated with a plurality of multiservice communication devices via a wireless control channel, the bidirectional data communication including outbound control data sent to at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices and inbound control data received from at least one of the plurality of multiservice communication devices, wherein the wireless control channel is carried by the communication between the plurality of multiservice communication devices and the plurality of networks. In step  562 , network resource data are received from a plurality of networks. In step  564 , the inbound control data and the network resource data are processed to generate the outbound control data in response thereto to collaboratively establish at least one device setting of at least one of the plurality of multiservice devices via a collaboration module. 
     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.