Spread spectrum transceiver module utilizing multiple mode transmission

Abstract

A data transceiver module for digital data communications in a portable hand-held data terminal has multiple data spread spectrum modes which include direct sequence and frequency function modulation algorithms. The transceiver module has multiple user or program configurable data rates, modulation, channelization and process gain in order to maximize the performance of radio data transmissions and to maximize interference immunity. Various module housings, which may be PCMCIA type, are able to be mated with a suitably designed data terminal. Media access control protocols and interfaces of multiple nominal operational frequencies are utilized. Wireless access devices in a cell based network each consider a variety of factors when choosing one of a plurality of modes of wireless operation and associated operating parameters. Such selection defines a communication channel to support wireless data, message and communication exchanges. In further embodiments, the wireless access devices also support a second channel, a busy/control channel, for managing communication on the main communication channel and to overcome roaming and hidden terminal problems. Roaming terminal devices are also configured to support the dual channel design. Such configuration in both circumstances may involve the use of a multimode radio that is timeshared between the two channels or two radios, one dedicated to each channel.

1 - 10 . (canceled) 
   
   
       11 . A removable communications module configured to connect to a portable computer, the removable communications module comprising a radio transceiver configured to process radio communications, the radio transceiver comprising a receiver that includes:
 a down converter configured to convert radio frequency (RF) communication signals to intermediate frequency (IF) communication signals;   a first IF bandpass filter configured to pass a first band of frequencies; and   a second IF bandpass filter configured to pass a second band of frequencies that is different from the first band of frequencies, the second IF bandpass filter being different from the first IF bandpass filter,   wherein the portable computer supports spanning tree routing.   
   
   
       12 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the radio transceiver is configured to support wireless spread spectrum communications. 
   
   
       13 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the radio transceiver is configured to process radio communications according to a first communications protocol and is configured to process radio communications according to a second communications protocol. 
   
   
       14 . The removable communications module according to  claim 13 , wherein the first communications protocol is used for communications in a first frequency range, and wherein the second communications protocol is used for communications in a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range. 
   
   
       15 . The removable communications module according to  claim 14 , wherein the first frequency range includes 900 MHz. 
   
   
       16 . The removable communications module according to  claim 14 , wherein the first frequency range includes 2.4 GHz. 
   
   
       17 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the removable communications module or the portable computer provides a metallic shield that is configured to provide electromagnetic shielding for at least some circuitry of the radio transceiver. 
   
   
       18 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the portable computer comprises a laptop computer. 
   
   
       19 . The removable communications module according to  claim 18 , wherein the removable communications module is inserted into a slot of the laptop computer. 
   
   
       20 . The removable communications module according to  claim 18 , the removable communications module is mated with the laptop computer. 
   
   
       21 . The removable communications module according to  claim 18 , wherein the removable communications module is connected to the laptop computer to provide wireless communications, and wherein the radio transceiver is configured to support wireless spread spectrum communications. 
   
   
       22 . The removable communications module according to  claim 21 , wherein the radio transceiver is configured to process radio communications according to a first communications protocol and is configured to process radio communications according to a second communications protocol that is different from the first communications protocol. 
   
   
       23 . The removable communications module according to  claim 22 , wherein the first communications protocol is used for communications in a first frequency range, and wherein the second communications protocol is used for communications in a second frequency range that is different from the first frequency range. 
   
   
       24 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the first frequency range includes 900 MHz. 
   
   
       25 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the first frequency range includes 2.4 GHz. 
   
   
       26 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module or the laptop computer provides a metallic shield that is configured to provide electromagnetic shielding for at least some circuitry of the radio transceiver. 
   
   
       27 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the wireless spread spectrum communications comprises communications that employ frequency hopping. 
   
   
       28 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the wireless spread spectrum communications comprises direct sequence spread spectrum communications. 
   
   
       29 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the wireless spread spectrum communications comprises communications that employ code spreading. 
   
   
       30 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the radio transceiver is configured to support direct sequence spread spectrum communications and frequency hopping communications. 
   
   
       31 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports a plurality of spread spectrum communication modes. 
   
   
       32 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports wireless local area network communications. 
   
   
       33 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports cell-based network communications. 
   
   
       34 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports wireless roaming. 
   
   
       35 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the laptop computer is configured to be battery powered. 
   
   
       36 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports on-off keying. 
   
   
       37 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports a plurality of different data rates. 
   
   
       38 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the removable communications module supports a plurality of different modulations. 
   
   
       39 . The removable communications module according to  claim 23 , wherein the radio transceiver is a multimode transceiver that is time shared between a first channel and a second channel. 
   
   
       40 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the portable computer is configured to be battery powered. 
   
   
       41 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the removable communications module supports a plurality of different data rates. 
   
   
       42 . The removable communications module according to  claim 41 , wherein the removable communications module supports a plurality of different modulations. 
   
   
       43 . The removable communications module according to  claim 11 , wherein the radio transceiver is a multimode transceiver that is time shared between a first channel and a second channel.