Communication apparatus including dual timer units

A method of operating a communication apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a digital processing circuit, the method comprising:

• providing timed signals from a first timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit;
• receiving a signal at a second timing circuit indicative of a change from the active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit to an active mode of operation of the RF circuit;
• synchronizing a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit by transferring a time value from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit;
• and
• providing timed signals from the second timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during the active mode of operation of the RF circuit.

A method of operating a communication apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a digital processing circuit, the method comprising:

• providing timed signals from a first timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit;
• receiving a first signal at a second timing circuit indicative of a change from the active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit to an active mode of operation of the RF circuit;
• synchronizing a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit by transferring a first time value from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit;
• disabling at least a portion of the first timing circuit;
• providing timed signals from the second timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during the active mode of operation of the RF circuit;
• enabling the portion of the first timing circuit;
• receiving a second signal at the first timing circuit indicative of a change from the active mode of operation of the RF circuit to the active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit;
• and
• resuming providing timed signals from the first timing circuit controlling timing of system operations in response to the second signal.

A method of operating a communication apparatus including a radio frequency (RF) circuit and a digital processing circuit, the method comprising:

• providing timed signals from a first timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during a shutdown mode of operation of the RF circuit;
• receiving a signal at a second timing circuit indicative of a change from the shutdown mode of operation of the RF circuit to an active mode of operation of the RF circuit;
• synchronizing a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit by transferring a time value from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit;
• and
• providing timed signals from the second timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during the active mode of operation of the RF circuit.

A mobile phone comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to operate on a radio frequency signal, and
• a digital processing circuit coupled to the RF transceiver, wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first timing circuit and a second timing circuit;
• wherein the first timing circuit is configured to provide timed signals controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit, and wherein the second timing circuit is configured to provide timed signals controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the RF transceiver;
• and
• wherein a time value is transferred from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit to synchronize a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit.

A method of operating a mobile phone including a radio frequency (RF) transceiver and a digital processing circuit, the method comprising:

• providing timed signals from a first timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit;
• receiving a signal at a second timing circuit indicative of a change from the active mode of operation of the digital processing circuit to an active mode of operation of the RF transceiver;
• synchronizing a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit by transferring a time value from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit;
• and
• providing timed signals from the second timing circuit controlling timing of system operations during the active mode of operation of the RF transceiver.

A mobile phone comprising:

• a radio frequency (RF) transceiver configured to operate on a radio frequency signal, and
• a digital processing circuit coupled to the RF transceiver, wherein the digital processing circuit includes a first timing circuit and a second timing circuit;
• wherein the first timing circuit is configured to provide timed signals controlling timing of system operations during a shutdown mode of operation of the RF transceiver;
• wherein a time value is transferred from the first timing circuit to the second timing circuit to synchronize a transfer of control of the timing of system operations to the second timing circuit;
• wherein the second timing circuit is configured to provide timed signals controlling timing of system operations during an active mode of operation of the RF transceiver;
• and
• wherein the RF transceiver and the digital processing circuit are fabricated on a single integrated circuit chip.