Abstract: A difference in intensities of a pair of pixels in an image is repeatedly compared to a threshold, with the pair of pixels being separated by at least one pixel (“skipped pixel”). When the threshold is found to be exceeded, a selected position of a selected pixel in the pair, and at least one additional position adjacent to the selected position are added to a set of positions. The comparing and adding are performed multiple times to generate multiple such sets, each set identifying a region in the image, e.g. an MSER. Sets of positions, identifying regions whose attributes satisfy a test, are merged to obtain a merged set. Intensities of pixels identified in the merged set are used to generate binary values for the region, followed by classification of the region as text/non-text. Regions classified as text are supplied to an optical character recognition (OCR) system.

Abstract: A system for receiving data includes a receiver configured to receive a radio frequency communication signal comprising at least one superframe, the at least one superframe having at least a first data stream and a second data stream encoded therein, wherein the receiver decodes at least one of the first data stream and the second data stream.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for time tracking using assistance from TDM pilots in a communication network. In an aspect, a method is provided for time tracking in a device operating on a communication network, wherein the device performs a time tracking algorithm. The method includes determining a delay spread, and modifying at least one parameter used by the time tracking algorithm based on the delay spread. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for time tracking in a device operating on a communication network, wherein the device performs a time tracking algorithm. The apparatus includes computation logic for determining a delay spread, and control logic for modifying at least one parameter used by the time tracking algorithm based on the delay spread.

Abstract: A method for exiting receiver processing in a FLO-EV receiver comprises receiving a communication signal comprising at least one received symbol, deriving a channel performance metric based on the received symbol, determining whether the metric exceeds a threshold, and when the metric exceeds the threshold, providing a logic signal to signal receiver processing cessation.

Abstract: The disclosure is directed to a receiver, and methods therefor, including an automatic gain control circuit with a first digital variable gain amplifier that outputs digital samples based on a modulated wireless signal, an interference canceller configured to filter the digital samples using a least mean squares algorithm to reduce narrowband interference, and a second DVGA configured to amplify the filtered digital samples.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the transmission of waveforms to aid channel estimation, timing synchronization, and AGC bootstrapping in a wireless network. The method includes inserting at least one TDM pilot symbol located at a transition between wide area and local area waveforms to facilitate decoding of the transmission block.

Abstract: A frequency tracking method and apparatus is provided. A receiver receives OFDM symbols and determines associated frequency offset. A frequency error estimator selects a cross correlation window for determining frequency offset based on timing offset. A symbol timing estimator is used to determine the timing offset.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for determining and applying timing corrections in a digital communications system. In an aspect, a timing correction method is provided for a multi-carrier system. This includes aligning two or more symbols with respect to each other from a symbol subset in order to account for timing differences between the symbols. The symbol alignment is first carried out to generate channel estimates for data demodulation. The channel estimates, thus generated, along with the timing alignment information are in turn used for determining timing corrections-to be applied to future symbols.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for setting timing of sampling of one or more symbols. The disclosed methods account for at least three types of effective interference (EI) and are used to set the timing of a sampling window for sampling received symbols. The methods includes setting timing based on determining an energy density function accounting for both static and dynamic EI, determining the minimum of a total energy profile and sliding the sampling window to ensure that the minimum point is at a predetermined point, and determining and using a composite energy profile accounting for short term and long term fading effects. The disclosed apparatus include a transceiver employing one or more of the disclosed methods for setting timing when receiving the symbols.

Abstract: An adaptive timing synchronization process dynamically adapts timing synchronization parameters for both wide and local area channels based on channel estimates. Timing synchronization parameters are dynamically adapted according to C/I estimates calculated from WID/LID energies. The timing synchronization algorithm 102 takes as the primary input, the current channel estimate 110 and produces an output comprising a correction to the current Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) sampling window position delta T (or offset) for locating the start of data within a current symbol 108. After dynamic parameter adjustment of noise filtering thresholds 104 and weak channel tap sensitivities 106 based on a calculated C/I from the channel estimate, a timing synchronization algorithm 102 locates the beginning of each continuous symbol by finding the boundary between the preamble, or cyclic prefix, and the useful data portions interlaced with pilots for channel information defining the start of a symbol 108.

Abstract: The embodiments provide mechanisms for synchronizing a receiver with OFDM pilots that are robust in the presence of channel fading conditions. In addition to using instantaneous channel estimate values to locate the first arriving path and last arriving path, the methods calculate time-domain averaged channel estimate values and use those averaged values to determine an average first arriving path and last arriving path. A combination of the instantaneous first arriving path and last arriving path and the average first arriving path and last arriving path may then be used to determine the delay spread and calculate a timing offset to be applied in timing synchronization. The various embodiments introduce improvements under channel fading conditions. Time-domain averaging may be embodied in a flexible DSP processor, or implemented in hardware and/or software. Using both instantaneous and time-averaged channel estimates greatly improves the robustness of time synchronization under channel fading conditions.

Abstract: Methods and systems are described for processing a signal in wireless communications. The signal may have synchronization information. A method of processing a signal having synchronization information may include receiving the signal, and determining a truncation region of the time domain estimated channel, the estimated channel having taps. The method further includes processing the channel taps within the truncation region.

Abstract: A method for positioning a collection window for a Fourier transform function is disclosed. A first orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) symbol and a second OFDM symbol are received. The first OFDM symbol comprises a plurality of frequency division multiplexed (FDM) symbols. The first OFDM symbol is characterized by at least two of the following: a delay spread, a first arriving path (FAP), or a last arriving path (LAP). A channel location is estimated from a channel impulse response. A point relative to the channel location is selected. A beginning of the collection window is positioned for the second OFDM symbol at the selected point. Alternatively, a point is selected at a first location relative to the channel location using a first algorithm if a delay spread is less than a predetermined length. The selected point is chosen at a second location relative to the channel location using a second algorithm if the delay spread is greater than the predetermined length.

Abstract: A method for characterizing a communication channel is disclosed. A detection window is moved through a channel profile to accumulate tap energies in the channel profile within the detection window into an accumulated energy curve. A peak at a maximum in the accumulated energy curve is determined. A band relative to the accumulated energy curve is defined. A first arriving path (FAP) is determined using a trailing edge found near a second end of a zone in the accumulated energy curve. A leading edge is found near a first end of the zone of the accumulated energy curve. The last arriving path (LAP) is determined using the leading edge. The band defines a zone of the accumulated energy curve at or near the maximum that is within the band.

Abstract: A method for determining a communication channel location is disclosed. A first subset of a plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a first time period to produce a first filtered channel impulse response, and a second subset of the plurality of channel impulse responses is averaged over a second time period to produce a second filtered channel impulse response. The second time period is different from the first time period, and the second subset is different from the first subset. The communication channel location is determined using the first filtered channel impulse response and the second filtered channel impulse response.

Abstract: A method for exiting receiver processing in a FLO-EV receiver comprises receiving a communication signal comprising at least one received symbol, deriving a channel performance metric based on the received symbol, determining whether the metric exceeds a threshold, and when the metric exceeds the threshold, providing a logic signal to signal receiver processing cessation.

Abstract: A system for receiving data includes a receiver configured to receive a radio frequency communication signal comprising at least one superframe, the at least one superframe having at least a first data stream and a second data stream encoded therein, wherein the receiver decodes at least one of the first data stream and the second data stream.

Abstract: A system for signaling overhead information in a network includes a receiver configured to receive a radio frequency communication signal comprising at least one superframe, the at least one superframe comprising overhead information that identifies a location of a first data stream carried in the at least one superframe, and a trailer associated with the first data stream, the trailer including at least a portion of the overhead information that identifies the location of the first data stream in a subsequent superframe without the receiver processing the overhead information in the subsequent superframe.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for time tracking using assistance from TDM pilots in a communication network. In an aspect, a method is provided for time tracking in a device operating on a communication network, wherein the device performs a time tracking algorithm. The method includes determining a delay spread, and modifying at least one parameter used by the time tracking algorithm based on the delay spread. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for time tracking in a device operating on a communication network, wherein the device performs a time tracking algorithm. The apparatus includes computation logic for determining a delay spread, and control logic for modifying at least one parameter used by the time tracking algorithm based on the delay spread.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for the transmission of waveforms to aid channel estimation, timing synchronization, and AGC bootstrapping in a wireless network. The method includes inserting at least one TDM pilot symbol located at a transition between wide area and local area waveforms to facilitate decoding of the transmission block.