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: A method and apparatus for estimating a transmitted symbol from a received sample as a function of Signal-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) of the received sample. The received sample is quantized and mapped to a region of a grid overlaid on the transmitted symbol constellation. The region may correspond to a symbol estimate value or may be processed further to obtain a symbol estimate value. The regions in one embodiment are rectangular. The symbol estimate values may be stored in a memory storage unit.

Abstract: A receive filter receives signals from a communication channel. The received signals correspond to original Walsh covered chip sequences transmitted by a transmit filter through the communication channel to the receive filter. The received signals are processed by an equalizer to generate a soft estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the original Walsh covered chip sequences. An N chip Walsh decover is then utilized to generate a soft estimate of code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of the chip sequences. A number of symbol slicers are then used in parallel to produce a hard estimate of the code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of code symbols generated by the N chip Walsh decover. Thereafter an N chip Walsh cover is used as part of a scheme to generate a hard estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the hard estimate of the code symbols generated by the symbol slicers.

Abstract: Techniques to process data for transmission in a time division duplexed (TDD) communication system. In one aspect, the frequency response of a forward link is estimated at a base station based on reverse link transmissions (e.g., pilots) from a terminal. Prior to a data transmission on the forward link, the base station determines a reverse transfer function based on the pilots transmitted by the terminal, “calibrates” the reverse transfer function with a calibration function to derive an estimate of a forward transfer function, and preconditions modulation symbols based on weights derived from the forward transfer function. In another aspect, the terminal estimates the “quality” of the forward link and provides this information to the base station. The base station then uses the information to properly code and modulate data prior to transmission such that the transmitted data can be received by the terminal at the desired level of performance.

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: 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: Method for optimizing an equalizer at a receiver in a communication system by training virtual parallel equalizers. Multiple configurations are applied for training an equalizer, and a performance measurement or estimate determined. The performance measures of the multiple configurations are compared to determine the optimum configuration. The training and selection are performed at a rate sufficiently higher than the received sample rate as to allow optimization in between processing of data samples.

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: Improved decision directed adaptation and decision feedback equalizers are provided in a block coded digital communication system. The performance of a receiver is significantly improved by allowing the decision feedback equalizer to perform time-tracking and residual frequency offset compensation during the data portion of a frame. This is accomplished by capitalizing on the inherent correlation among the chips of a code word in a block coded digital communication system to identify certain instances where more reliable symbol estimates can be derived from a sliced chip without introduction the delay inherent in decoding. As the more reliable symbol estimates are fed back into the chip slicer, the total efficiency of the decision feedback equalizer is improved and the more reliable symbol estimates can be used to replace older content in the feedback filter to further improve the accuracy of the modified slicer input and further decrease the effects of error propagation by the decision feedback equalizer.

Abstract: A decision feedback equalizer includes a chip estimate buffer that forms chip estimates into a vector. A CCK decoder decodes the vector of chip estimates, and a CCK encoder, connected with the CCK decoder, re-encodes the vector of chip estimates into a valid CCK code word. At the same time, a chip slicer provides direct sliced chips from the chip estimates. An update module then forms a hybrid vector from the valid CCK code-word and the direct sliced chips for input to the feedback filter of the decision feedback equalizer. The hybrid feedback filter input vector reflects the CCK coding gain of its re-encoded portion thereby reducing the estimated chip error rate to improve the performance of the decision feedback equalizer.

Abstract: The LE coefficients for CDM pilot systems can be determined based upon frequency-domain calculations involving channel impulse responses. A channel impulse response can be formed at the mobile terminal by suitably filtering and despreading the received baseband signal with respect to the pilot Walsh channel. The channel frequency response is then determined based on the fast Fourier transform (FFT) of the channel impulse response. Frequency-domain equalizer coefficients can be determined from the channel frequency response.

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 &agr; to produce the combined local and global MSE.

Abstract: Method for optimizing an equalizer at a receiver in a communication system by training virtual parallel equalizers. Multiple configurations are applied for training an equalizer, and a performance measurement or estimate determined. The performance measures of the multiple configurations are compared to determine the optimum configuration. The training and selection are performed at a rate sufficiently higher than the received sample rate as to allow optimization in between processing of data samples.

Abstract: A method and apparatus for estimating a transmitted symbol from a received sample as a function of Signal-to-Interference and Noise Ratio (SINR) of the received sample. The received sample is quantized and mapped to a region of a grid overlaid on the transmitted symbol constellation. The region may correspond to a symbol estimate value or may be processed further to obtain a symbol estimate value. The regions in one embodiment are rectangular. The symbol estimate values may be stored in a memory storage unit.

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: A receive filter receives signals from a communication channel. The received signals correspond to original Walsh covered chip sequences transmitted by a transmit filter through the communication channel to the receive filter. The received signals are processed by an equalizer to generate a soft estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the original Walsh covered chip sequences. An N chip Walsh decover is then utilized to generate a soft estimate of code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of the chip sequences. A number of symbol slicers are then used in parallel to produce a hard estimate of the code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of code symbols generated by the N chip Walsh decover. Thereafter an N chip Walsh cover is used as part of a scheme to generate a hard estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the hard estimate of the code symbols generated by the symbol slicers.

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: A receive filter receives signals from a communication channel. The received signals correspond to original Walsh covered chip sequences transmitted by a transmit filter through the communication channel to the receive filter. The received signals are processed by an equalizer to generate a soft estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the original Walsh covered chip sequences. An N chip Walsh decover is then utilized to generate a soft estimate of code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of the chip sequences. A number of symbol slicers are then used in parallel to produce a hard estimate of the code symbols corresponding to the soft estimate of code symbols generated by the N chip Walsh decover. Thereafter an N chip Walsh cover is used as part of a scheme to generate a hard estimate of chip sequences corresponding to the hard estimate of the code symbols generated by the symbol slicers.