Patent ID: 7188159

Claim:
In an electronic device having a processor and a computer readable memory coupled to each other, a method of configuring a wireless communication device of a cellular communication network, the method comprising the steps of: a) receiving a request to configure the wireless communication device to run a communication application of one of a plurality of cellular communication protocols, the wireless communication device having a plurality of function blocks with a fixed portion of hardware and a programmable portion of hardware, the same plurality of function blocks capable of operating a plurality of communication applications, wherein functions common to the function blocks are provided in the fixed portion of hardware and functions that vary between the function blocks are provided in the programmable portion of hardware; b) evaluating a capability of the fixed portion and the programmable portion of hardware of the wireless communication device for implementing the communication application; c) transmitting configuration information only for the programmable portion of hardware of the wireless communication device to enable it to operate the communication application; and d) transmitting an identification of the communication application to the wireless communication device.