Patent ID: 7403539

Claim:
A packet detection unit capable of recognizing an inbound signal borne across an RF channel as being valid, comprising: at least one of: a relative energy detection unit to selectively issue an energy threshold validation signal based on a relative energy threshold for the inbound signal; and a comparison unit including an input to receive demodulated data corresponding to the inbound signal, said comparison unit to selectively issue a preamble validation signal based on a comparison between the demodulated data against predetermined preamble data; a carrier sense unit to selectively issue a carrier sense validation signal based on at least one of a peak-to-sidelobe ratio and a peak-to-peak distance defined by the inbound signal; and a clear channel assessment unit to selectively issue a channel busy signal responsive to and based on said carrier sense validation signal and at least one of the energy threshold validation signal and the preamble validation signal, the the channel busy signal to selectively indicate that the inbound signal is determined by said clear channel assessment unit to be valid.