System and method for WLAN signal strength determination

Abstract

A method for WLAN signal strength determination comprises receiving a WLAN RF signal; converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal; comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage; and outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the first reference voltage.

1. A method, comprising:
 receiving a WLAN RF signal;  
 converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;  
 comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage;  
 outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the first reference voltage;  
 comparing the voltage to a second reference voltage; and  
 outputting additional data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.  
 
     
     
       2. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting includes outputting visual data. 
     
     
       3. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting includes causing at least one LED to illuminate. 
     
     
       4. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the outputting includes emitting a sound corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength. 
     
     
       5. The method of  claim 1 , further comprising
 comparing the voltage to a third reference voltage; and  
 outputting further data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the third reference voltage.  
 
     
     
       6. The method of  claim 1 , wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal. 
     
     
       7. A WLAN RF signal strength determination system, comprising:
 means for receiving a WLAN RF signal;  
 means for converting the WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;  
 means for comparing the voltage to a first reference voltage;  
 means for outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the reference voltage;  
 means for comparing the voltage to a second reference voltage; and  
 means for outputting additional data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.  
 
     
     
       8. A computer-readable medium having stored thereon instructions to cause a computer to execute a method, the method comprising:
 converting a received WLAN RF signal to a voltage proportional to the signal;  
 digitizing the converted voltage;  
 comparing the digitized voltage to a first reference voltage;  
 outputting data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the digitized voltage is greater than the first reference voltage;  
 comparing the digitized voltage to a second reference voltage; and  
 outputting additional data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the second reference voltage.  
 
     
     
       9. The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the outputting includes outputting visual data. 
     
     
       10. The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the outputting includes causing at least one LED to illuminate. 
     
     
       11. The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the outputting includes emitting a sound corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength. 
     
     
       12. The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , the method further comprising
 comparing the voltage to a third reference voltage; and  
 outputting further data corresponding to WLAN RF signal strength if the voltage is greater than the third reference voltage.  
 
     
     
       13. The computer-readable medium of  claim 8 , wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal. 
     
     
       14. A WLAN RF signal strength determination system, comprising:
 an antenna capable to receive WLAN RF signals;  
 a WLAN detector, coupled to the antenna, capable to convert a received WLAN RF signal into a DC voltage proportional to the strength of the WLAN RF signal;  
 an operational amplifier, coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a first reference voltage;  
 a timer, coupled to the operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the operational amplifier;  
 a LED, coupled to the timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the timer;  
 a second operational amplifier coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a second reference voltage that is higher than the first reference voltage;  
 a second timer, coupled to the second operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the second operational amplifier; and  
 a second LED, coupled to the second timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the second timer.  
 
     
     
       15. The system of  claim 14 , wherein the WLAN RF signal includes a Wi-Fi signal. 
     
     
       16. The system of  claim 14 , further comprising:
 a third operational amplifier coupled to the WLAN detector, capable to emit a signal if the DC voltage is greater than a third reference voltage that is higher than the second reference voltage;  
 a third timer, coupled to the third operational amplifier, capable to emit a high voltage pulse upon receipt of a signal from the third operational amplifier; and  
 a third LED, coupled to the third timer, capable to emit a light upon receipt of the high voltage pulse from the third timer.  
 
     
     
       17. A wireless local area network ( WLAN )  radio frequency  ( RF )  signal strength determination system, the system comprising:      an antenna configured to receive a WLAN RF signal;        a power detector coupled to the antenna and configured to convert the WLAN RF signal into a direct current  ( DC )  voltage, wherein the DC voltage is proportional to a strength of the WLAN RF signal;        a comparator coupled to the power detector and configured to emit a first signal if the DC voltage is greater than a first reference voltage and a second signal if the DC voltage is greater than a second reference voltage; and        an output interface coupled to the comparator and configured to indicate the strength of the WLAN RF signal.     
     
     
       18. The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the power detector, the comparator, or the output interface is integrated into a WLAN card. 
     
     
       19. The system of  claim 17 , wherein at least one of the power detector, the comparator, or the output interface is integrated into a mobile phone. 
     
     
       20. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the output interface indicates the strength of the WLAN RF signal through one or more bars. 
     
     
       21. The system of  claim 17 , wherein the output interface indicates the strength of the WLAN RF signal through one or more light emitting diodes, one or more colors, text, or one or more sounds. 
     
     
       22. The system of  claim 17 , further comprising an analog- to - digital converter configured to convert the DC voltage into a digital value, and further wherein the comparator emits the first signal if the digital value is greater than the first reference voltage and the second signal if the digital value is greater than the second reference voltage.   
     
     
       23. A mobile phone comprising:
   a receiver configured to receive a wireless local area network  ( WLAN )  radio frequency  ( RF )  signal;        a converter coupled to the receiver and configured to convert the WLAN RF signal into a direct current  ( DC )  voltage;        a processor coupled to the converter and configured to compare the DC voltage to a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage; and        a display coupled to the processor and configured to output a result of the comparison of the DC voltage to the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage, wherein the result comprises a strength of the WLAN RF signal.     
     
     
       24. The mobile phone of  claim 23 , further comprising an analog- to - digital converter configured to convert the DC voltage into a digital value.   
     
     
       25. The mobile phone of  claim 24 , wherein the processor compares the digital value to the first reference voltage and the second reference voltage. 
     
     
       26. A computer- readable medium having computer - readable instructions stored thereon, wherein, upon execution by a processor, the computer - readable instructions are configured to cause the processor to:      convert a received wireless local area network  ( WLAN )  radio frequency  ( RF )  signal into a direct current  ( DC )  voltage, wherein the DC voltage is proportional to the WLAN RF signal;        compare the DC voltage to a first reference voltage and a second reference voltage;        generate a first signal if the DC voltage is greater than the first reference voltage, wherein the first signal represents a first strength of the WLAN RF signal; and        generate a second signal if the DC voltage is greater than the second reference voltage, wherein the second signal represents a second strength of the WLAN RF signal.     
     
     
       27. The computer- readable medium of    claim 26   , wherein the processor is further caused to output the first signal to a display.   
     
     
       28. The computer- readable medium of    claim 27   , wherein the display indicates the first strength of the WLAN RF signal through one or more bars, one or more light emitting diodes, one or more colors, text, or one or more sounds.   
     
     
       29. The computer- readable medium of    claim 26   , wherein the processor is further caused to:      convert the DC voltage into a digital value;        generate the first signal if the digital value is greater than the first reference voltage; and        generate the second signal if the digital value is greater than the second reference voltage.