A method and system for using a wireless enabled portable computer system
as a wireless modem. The portable computer system may be a personal
digital assistant (PDA) having an internal wireless modem. The internal
wireless modem, e.g., GSM radio, contains a communication port (port2)
that communicates with a processor of the portable computer system. The
portable computer system also contains another communication port (port1)
that is externally available for connection to a second computer system.
A software bridge is provided that copies commands and/or data from the
port1 over to the port2 and vice-versa. The software bridge allows the
second computer system to directly use the internal wireless modem of the
portable computer system when the portable computer system is connected
to the second computer. The connection to the second computer system can
be made by a wired connection (e.g., serial interface, RS232) or by a
wireless connection, e.g., Bluetooth or infra-red communication. The
port1 and the port2 can be serial communication ports which may be UART
compliant. The PDA thus extends wireless functionality to a second
computer system (e.g., a notebook) using conventional connection
mechanisms for communicating with the second computer system.