A communication unit receiver comprising: a multi-section analogue to digital converter, ADC, configured to receive an analogue signal and convert at least a first portion of the analogue signal into a digital signal using a first ADC dynamic range. A modem, coupled to the multi-section ADC, is configured to: process the digital signal; determine a signal-to-noise ratio, SNR, for sub-carriers of the analogue signal; and output an ADC selection signal to the multi-section ADC that selects a subset of sections of the multi-section ADC, where the selection signal is based at least partly on the determined SNR. Only the subset of sections of the multi-section analogue to digital converter, ADC is configured to convert a second portion of the analogue signal into a digital signal using a second ADC dynamic range that is less than the first dynamic range.

A wireless terminal (30) capable of operating in a discontinuous mode comprising and method for operating such wireless terminal (30) facilitate measurements pertaining to position of the wireless terminal (30). The method includes receiving a message from the radio access network (20). The measurement request message is configured to indicate that measurements are to be performed by the wireless terminal on downlink signals transmitted by the base station or by the base station on downlink signals transmitted by the base station. The method further comprises, as a result of or after receiving the message, changing operation of the wireless terminal (30) from a discontinuous mode to a modified mode to facilitate performance of the measurements. Relative to the discontinuous mode at least one of following are shortened or eliminated in the modified mode: (i) the non-reception periods, and (ii) the non-transmission periods. “Changing from a discontinuous mode . . . to a modified mode” includes one or more of: (1) changing mode of the wireless terminal (e.g., changing from a discontinuous mode [such as discontinuous reception (DRX) or discontinuous transmission (DTX)] to a continuous transmission mode); (2) changing from the discontinuous mode (a first discontinuous mode) to a modified discontinuous mode (a second discontinuous mode).

A wireless terminal (30) capable of operating in a discontinuous mode comprising and method for operating such wireless terminal (30) facilitate measurements pertaining to position of the wireless terminal (30). The method includes receiving a message from the radio access network (20). The measurement request message is configured to indicate that measurements are to be performed by the wireless terminal on downlink signals transmitted by the base station or by the base station on downlink signals transmitted by the base station. The method further comprises, as a result of or after receiving the message, changing operation of the wireless terminal (30) from a discontinuous mode to a modified mode to facilitate performance of the measurements. Relative to the discontinuous mode at least one of following are shortened or eliminated in the modified mode: (i) the non-reception periods, and (ii) the non-transmission periods. “Changing from a discontinuous mode . . . to a modified mode” includes one or more of: (1) changing mode of the wireless terminal (e.g., changing from a discontinuous mode [such as discontinuous reception (DRX) or discontinuous transmission (DTX)] to a continuous transmission mode); (2) changing from the discontinuous mode (a first discontinuous mode) to a modified discontinuous mode (a second discontinuous mode).

A semiconductor device capable of reducing its power consumption is provided. A semiconductor device includes a receiving unit that receives a radio signal, a received signal strength measurement unit that measures a signal strength of the radio signal received by the receiving unit, a threshold comparison unit that compares the received signal strength measured by the received signal strength measurement unit with a threshold, a demodulation unit that demodulates the radio signal received by the receiving unit based on a result of the comparison, and a threshold setting unit that sets the threshold according to the received signal strength measured by the received signal strength measurement unit.

A semiconductor device capable of reducing its power consumption is provided. A semiconductor device includes a receiving unit that receives a radio signal, a received signal strength measurement unit that measures a signal strength of the radio signal received by the receiving unit, a threshold comparison unit that compares the received signal strength measured by the received signal strength measurement unit with a threshold, a demodulation unit that demodulates the radio signal received by the receiving unit based on a result of the comparison, and a threshold setting unit that sets the threshold according to the received signal strength measured by the received signal strength measurement unit.

A device for the detection of an ultra wide band signal, including a signal reception circuit, a signal divider circuit to divide the received signal into several frequency sub-bands, a circuit to determine the amplitude and duration of the received signal in each frequency sub-band, a circuit to compare the amplitude of the signal received in each frequency sub-band with an amplitude threshold, a circuit to compare the duration of the signal received in each frequency sub-band with a time threshold, and a decision circuit that determines that the received signal is of the ultra wide band type if the amplitude of the signal received in each frequency sub-band is higher than the amplitude threshold and if the duration of the signal received in each frequency sub-band is less than the time threshold.

A self-diagnosing validation device includes an NFC reader having an RF signal range, an active diagnostic chip positioned within the RF signal range of the NFC reader, a memory, and a processing unit. The active diagnostic chip is configured to be selectively powered during a diagnostic procedure. The processing unit is configured to determine that the diagnostic procedure needs to be performed on the NFC reader and perform the diagnostic procedure. The diagnostic procedure includes activating the active diagnostic chip by supplying power to the active diagnostic chip, reading, using the NFC reader, any data being transmitted by the active diagnostic chip, determining whether any data was read by the NFC reader, and determining whether the NFC reader is functioning properly based at least in part of the determination whether any data was read by the NFC reader

A front-end circuit is used to test an RF signal from an RF device. The RF signal is generated by modulating a carrier signal having a carrier frequency with a wideband baseband signal. A variable frequency oscillator generates a local signal having a variable local frequency. The first frequency mixer frequency mixes a local signal and an RF signal to generate an IF signal having a frequency. A band-pass type first filter filters the IF signal. The local frequency can be selected from a plurality of frequencies having a frequency interval equal to or narrower than a bandwidth of the first filter.

A front-end circuit is used to test an RF signal from an RF device. The RF signal is generated by modulating a carrier signal having a carrier frequency with a wideband baseband signal. A variable frequency oscillator generates a local signal having a variable local frequency. The first frequency mixer frequency mixes a local signal and an RF signal to generate an IF signal having a frequency. A band-pass type first filter filters the IF signal. The local frequency can be selected from a plurality of frequencies having a frequency interval equal to or narrower than a bandwidth of the first filter.

Systems, methods, and apparatus for automatic signal detection in a radio-frequency (RF) environment are disclosed. At least one node device is in a fixed nodal network. The at least one node device is operable to measure and learn the RF environment in a predetermined period based on statistical learning techniques, thereby creating learning data. The at least one node device is operable to create a spectrum map based on the learning data. The at least one node device is operable to calculate a power distribution by frequency of the RF environment in real time or near real time, including a first derivative and a second derivative of fast Fourier transform (FFT) data of the RF environment. The at least one node device is operable to identify at least one signal based on the first derivative and the second derivative of FFT data.