Abstract: A method and apparatus for a decision feedback equalizer wherein a correction term is used to compensate for slicer errors, thus avoiding error propagation. Filter coefficients for the equalizer are selected so as to minimize a cost function for the equalizer. The cost function calculation includes a correction term. The correction term is a function of the energy of the filter coefficients. In one embodiment, the cost function includes a Mean Squared Error (MSE) calculation. The equalizer includes a coefficient generator responsive to the correction term. The correction term may depend on the Signal-to-Interference-and-Noise Ratio (SINR) at the output of the equalizer.

Abstract: Techniques to determine a set of rates for a set of data streams to be transmitted in a multi-channel communication system. A group of transmission channels to be used for each data stream is initially identified. An equivalent system for each group is then defined to have an AWGN (or flat) channel and a spectral efficiency equal to the average spectral efficiency of the transmission channels in the group. A metric for each group is then derived based on the associated equivalent system, e.g., set to the SNR needed by the equivalent system to support the average spectral efficiency. A rate for each data stream is then determined based on the metric associated with the data stream. The rate is deemed to be supported by the communication system if the SNR required to support the data rate by the communication system is less than or equal to the metric.

Abstract: Techniques for selecting either a DFE or an LE for use to equalize a received signal, and for quickly and efficiently determining the coefficients for the selected equalizer. In an embodiment, a method is provided whereby the DFE is initially adapted based on the received signal and a particular adaptive algorithm (e.g., the LMS algorithm) for an initial time period. A quality metric is then determined for an output of the DFE. The DFE is selected for use if the quality metric is better than a threshold value, and the LE is selected otherwise. If the LE is selected, then the initial values for the coefficients of the LE may be derived based on the coefficients of a feed-forward filter and a feedback filter for the DFE, and the LE coefficients may further be adapted for an additional time period prior to its use to equalize the received signal.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for filtering digital samples are disclosed in which a number of filter coefficients are adapted, and the digital samples are filtered by applying one of the filter coefficients to a parameter, applying each remaining filter coefficient to one of the samples, and combining the parameter and the samples. The adaptation of the filter coefficients is a function of the combined parameter and digital samples. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Systems and techniques for filtering digital samples is disclosed in which a number of filter coefficients are adapted, and the digital samples are filtered by applying one of the filter coefficients to a parameter, applying each remaining filter coefficient to one of the samples, and combining the parameter and the samples. The adaptation of the filter coefficients is a function of the combined parameter and digital samples. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus are presented herein for determining log likelihood ratios (LLRs) for code symbols. Pilot and code symbols are transmitted over diversity channels, which can be modeled as a slowly time varying system. A formulation for a multipath gain vector is derived herein based on the slowly time varying model. The multipath gain vector is then solved using iterative procedures. Using the solved multipath gain vector, the LLRs or code symbols are computed.

Abstract: Techniques to determine the rate for a data transmission in an OFDM system. The maximum data rate that may be reliably transmitted over a given multipath (non-flat) channel by the OFDM system is determined based on a metric for an equivalent (flat) channel. For the given multipath channel and a particular rate (which may be indicative of a particular data rate, modulation scheme, and coding rate), the metric is initially derived from an equivalent data rate and the particular modulation scheme. A threshold SNR needed to reliably transmit the particular data rate using the particular modulation scheme and coding rate is then determined. The particular rate is deemed as being supported by the multipath channel if the metric is greater than or equal to the threshold SNR. Incremental transmission is used to account for errors in the determined data rate.

Abstract: Techniques to determine the rate for a data transmission in an OFDM system. The maximum data rate that may be reliably transmitted over a given multipath (non-flat) channel by the OFDM system is determined based on a metric for an equivalent (flat) channel. For the given multipath channel and a particular rate (which may be indicative of a particular data rate, modulation scheme, and coding rate), the metric is initially derived from an equivalent data rate and the particular modulation scheme. A threshold SNR needed to reliably transmit the particular data rate using the particular modulation scheme and coding rate is then determined. The particular rate is deemed as being supported by the multipath channel if the metric is greater than or equal to the threshold SNR. Incremental transmission is used to account for errors in the determined data rate.

Abstract: A carrier recovery method and apparatus using multiple stages of carrier frequency recovery are disclosed. A receiver uses multiple frequency generation sources to generate carrier signals used to downconvert a received signal. An analog frequency reference having a wide frequency range and coarse frequency resolution is used in conjunction with a digital frequency reference having a narrow frequency range and fine frequency resolution. The multiple carrier signals are multiplied by a received signal to effect a multi-stage downconversion, resulting in a baseband signal. A frequency tracking module measures the residual frequency error present in the baseband signal. The measured residual frequency error is then used to adjust the frequencies of the carrier signals generated by the multiple frequency generation sources.

Abstract: Techniques for detecting and mitigating adjacent channel interference (ACI) in a wireless (e.g., CDMA) communication system. In one aspect, ACI may be determined by signaling or detected by filtering a pre-processed signal in each frequency range where ACI may be present (e.g., with a respective bandpass filter), estimating the energy of the filtered signal for each frequency range, comparing the estimated energy against an ACI threshold, and indicating the presence or absence of ACI at each frequency range based on the result of the comparison. In another aspect, a selectable filter (e.g., a FIR filter) having a number of possible filter responses (e.g., provided by a number of sets of filter coefficients) may be used to provide filtering for the pre-processed signal and to reject any detected ACI. One of the possible filter responses is selected for use depending on whether and where ACI has been detected.

Abstract: Systems and methods according to the present invention are described for adjusting the number of taps in an adaptive equalizer over time as the rate of change of a communications channel varies. The number of taps or “equalizer length” is adjusted based on an estimate of the Doppler frequency between the devices communicating over a channel. The Doppler frequency is reflective of the rate of change of the communications channel. Greater Doppler frequencies indicate a more quickly varying channel, and vice versa. It is therefore desirable to change the equalizer length (by adding or dropping taps) based on a measurement of the Doppler frequency. Equalizer length is increased as the Doppler frequency decreases. Conversely, equalizer length is decreased as the Doppler frequency increases. This enables the equalizer to achieve a better compromise between the competing goals of adaptation speed (less taps) and ISI reduction (more taps).

Abstract: Systems and techniques for measuring the performance of a communications channel is disclosed which includes receiving a signal from the communications channel, filtering the signal, estimating a bias introduced by the filtering of the signal, and computing a parameter of the communications channel as a function of the estimated bias. It is emphasized that this abstract is provided to comply with the rules requiring an abstract which will allow a searcher or other reader to quickly ascertain the subject matter of the technical disclosure. It is submitted with the understanding that it will not be used to interpret or limit the scope or the meaning of the claims.

Abstract: Method and apparatus to compute the combiner coefficients for wireless communication systems using an adaptive algorithm. One embodiment trains the weights on a signal known a priori that is time multiplexed with other signals, such as a pilot signal in a High Data Rate, HDR, system, wherein the signal is transmitted at full power. The adaptive algorithm recursively computes the weights during the pilot interval and applies the weights generated to the traffic signals. In one embodiment, the algorithm is a recursive least squares algorithm employing a transversal filter and weight calculation unit.

Abstract: A weighted mean arrival time determines a delay offset of a fractionally spaced equalizer. The weighted mean arrival time is determined using path arrival times and energies from a Rake receiver. The difference between a weighted mean arrival time and a current delay offset is set to a difference X, in units of the equalizer tap spacing. If the difference X is greater than or equal to 1 or less than or equal to −1, then the current delay offset is updated by an incremental delay offset and the equalizer filter coefficients are shifted by a number of tap spacings. Otherwise, the current delay offset is not updated and the filter coefficients of the fractionally spaced equalizer are not shifted. Adaptation of the filter coefficients and updates of the delay offset of the equalizer occur only during pilot bursts so as to minimize adaptation transients.

Abstract: A communication receiver (400) minimizes a combined local and global mean square error for signal equalization. A base station (101) or a mobile station (102-104) may include a plurality of antennas (292) for receiving a plurality of signals transmitted from a common source. The plurality of signals carry a common stream of data symbols. A pre-processing block (299) processes the received signals to produce a plurality of processed received signals (298). A signal equalizer (401) minimizes a combined local and global MSE over the processed received signals (298) to produce a combined signal (499). A decoder decodes the combined signal (499) to retrieve the stream of data symbols. A processor is configured for combining a local MSE and a global MSE in accordance with an adjustable weighting factor a to produce the combined local and global MSE.

Abstract: Method and apparatus that compensates for overestimation of channel SINR due to overfitting of an adaptive equalizer to the pilot portion of a received frame. The SINR of a wireless channel is estimated by adapting an adaptive equalizer using the pilot portion of the frame, applying the adaptive equalizer to a non-pilot portion of the frame, determining a parameter using the adaptive equalizer output, and estimating the SINR of the wireless channel using the parameter. The parameter can include, for example, the mean square error (MSE) or the bias of the equalizer output. The accuracy of the SINR estimate according to this aspect of the present invention is thereby improved (as compared to a SINR estimate based on parameters calculated during the pilot interval) because the adaptive equalizer is not overfit to the control or data portions of the frame.

Abstract: A system and method for assisting an integrated GPS/wireless terminal unit in acquiring one or more GPS satellite signals from the GPS satellite constellation. The invention includes a method for narrowing the PN-code phase search. That is, by accounting for the variables in geographic location and time delay relative to GPS time, the systems and methods of the present invention generate a narrow code-phase search range that enables the terminal unit to more quickly acquire and track the necessary GPS satellites, and thereby more quickly provide accurate position information to a requesting entity.