Abstract

A paging receiver system is provided that can be integrated as one function of a multi-function electronic card device adapted for insertion into a portable computing device. The paging receiver system preferably includes a frequency agile receiver for receiving paging signals, a driver-less interface for communicating the received paging signals to the computing device and a platform-transparent memory for storing the received paging signals. The frequency agile receiver includes a frequency synthesizer for generating a user selectable down conversion frequency that is combined by a mixer to produce a received paging signal at a predetermined intermediate frequency. The driver-less interface multiplexes the received paging signal with the output of a data modem such that the computing device requires only a driver interface for the data modem in order to receive both modem data and paging information. The platform-transparent memory stores paging information received from the computing device in a format that is determined by the platform of the particular computing device into which the electronic card device is inserted. A paging receiver caddy is also provided which can receive the electronic card device when not inserted into the portable computing device such that the electronic card device can continue to receive paging information.