Abstract: Based on changing reception conditions, a wireless receiver adapts its demodulation method during active communications. Phase errors detected in the received signal indicate current reception conditions, and, optionally, received signal strength serves as an additional indicator. The receiver supports operation with fully coherent, fully non-coherent, and partially coherent demodulation. The receiver determines a demodulation quality indicator based on the phase error signal. The value of the demodulation quality indicator increases with increasing phase error. When the demodulation quality indicator is below a first defined threshold, the receiver operates with fully coherent demodulation. When the demodulation quality indicator is above a second defined threshold, the receiver operates with fully non-coherent demodulation. For demodulation quality indicator values between the first and second defined thresholds, the receiver operates with partially coherent demodulation.