Processor arrangement for multi-mode wireless device

Abstract

A multi mode wireless device can communicate with cellular and non-cellular networks. The device has first and second processors in communication with each other. In one arrangement, the first processor provides control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the second processor provides processing for data link layer 2 for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the device can communicate with the cellular and non-cellular networks simultaneously. In another arrangement, the first processor provides control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel, and the second processor provides processing for data link layer 2 and all layers above layer 2 in the device for both the cellular and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel.

1 . A processor arrangement for a multi mode wireless device that is capable of communicating with cellular and non-cellular networks simultaneously, the processor arrangement comprising:
 a first processor and a second processor, the first and second processors being in communication with each other;   the first processor being arranged to provide control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications of a said multi mode wireless device in parallel; and,   the second processor being arranged to provide processing for data link layer 2 for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications of a said multi mode wireless device in parallel.   
     
     
         2 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first processor is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         3 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second processor is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         4 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the physical layer 1 processing for both said cellular radio communications and said non-cellular radio communications is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         5 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second processors are provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         6 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second processors and the physical layer 1 processing for both said cellular radio communications and said non-cellular radio communications are provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         7 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the second processor is arranged to provide processing for at least layers 2 and 3 for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications in parallel. 
     
     
         8 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second processors are dynamically reconfigurable such that:
 the first processor can be selectively reconfigured to provide control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for data link layer 2 for said cellular radio communications, and   the second processor can be selectively reconfigured to provide control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for data link layer 2 for said non-cellular radio communications.   
     
     
         9 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 1 , wherein the first and second processors are dynamically reconfigurable such that:
 the first processor and the second processor can be reconfigured to provide shared control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for data link layer 2 selectively for said cellular radio communications or said non-cellular radio communications.   
     
     
         10 . A multi mode wireless device, the device comprising:
 a radio frequency front end for communicating with both a cellular network and a non-cellular network; and   a processor arrangement according  claim 1 ;   whereby the multi mode device is capable of operating simultaneously with a cellular network and with a non-cellular network.   
     
     
         11 . A multi mode wireless device, the device comprising:
 a radio frequency front end for communicating with a cellular network;   a radio frequency front end for communicating with a non-cellular network; and   a processor arrangement according to  claim 1 ;   whereby the multi mode device is capable of operating simultaneously with a cellular network and with a non-cellular network.   
     
     
         12 . A processor arrangement for a multi mode wireless device that is capable of communicating with cellular and non-cellular networks, the processor arrangement comprising:
 a first processor and a second processor, the first and second processors being in communication with each other;   the first processor being arranged to provide control processing for physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications of a said multi mode device in parallel; and,   the second processor being arranged to provide processing for at least layers 2 and 3 in a said device for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications of a said multi mode device in parallel.   
     
     
         13 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first processor is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         14 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the second processor is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         15 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications is provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         16 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second processors are provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         17 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second processors and the physical layer 1 processing for both the cellular radio communications and the non-cellular radio communications are provided by a single chip. 
     
     
         18 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second processors are dynamically reconfigurable such that:
 the first processor can be selectively reconfigured to provide control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for at least layers 2 and 3 for the cellular radio communications, and   the second processor can be selectively reconfigured to provide control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for at least layers 2 and 3 for the non-cellular radio communications.   
     
     
         19 . A processor arrangement according to  claim 12 , wherein the first and second processors are dynamically reconfigurable such that:
 the first processor and the second processor can be reconfigured to provide shared control processing for both physical layer 1 processing and processing for at least layers 2 and 3 selectively for the cellular radio communications or the non-cellular radio communications.   
     
     
         20 . A multi mode wireless device, the device comprising:
 a radio frequency front end for communicating with both a cellular network and a non-cellular network; and   a processor arrangement according to  claim 12 .   
     
     
         21 . A multi mode wireless device, the device comprising:
 a radio frequency front end for communicating with a cellular network;   a radio frequency front end for communicating with a non-cellular network; and   a processor arrangement according to  claim 12 .