Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for decoding a stream of binary digits encoded according to a convolutional code. The apparatus includes a bus, a N-bit counter coupled to the bus, and a trellis code generator coupled to the bit counter. The bit counter is adapted to generate a sequence of N binary bits. The trellis code generator includes a first logical gate and a second logical gate. The trellis code generator is adapted to specify a first set of binary digits from the sequence of N binary bits and to pass the first set of binary digits through the first logical gate to produce a first binary value. The trellis code generator is also adapted to specify a second set of binary digits from the sequence of N bits and to pass the second set of binary digits through the second logical gate to produce a second binary value.

Abstract: A method of determining a frame rate of a data frame in a communication system by using apriori knowledge of data frame. In one embodiment, a signal is received at the communication device. Then a data frame portion of the signal is isolated. Next, a potential frame rate is chosen and the data frame is formatted accordingly. Decoding, at the chosen potential frame rate, occurs on the data frame. Then, a tail bit portion of the data frame is isolated. Afterward, a logic level of the decoded tail bit data is compared against the apriori knowledge of a transmitted logic level for the tail bit portion of the data frame. In addition, comparisons are also made between other data metrics and their expected values. Finally, a level of confidence is communicated to the communication device based upon a result of the comparisons.

Abstract: A method and system of initializing state metrics for traffic, paging, and sync channels to enhance Viterbi decoder performance. Specifically, one embodiment of the present invention includes a common circuit adapted for initializing state metric data of a traffic channel, a paging channel, and a sync channel within a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system without compromising performance of any channel. The common circuit comprises a multiplexer stage coupled to receive a first signal and a second signal. Furthermore, the common circuit comprises a logic stage coupled to receive a plurality of signals. Additionally, the logic stage is also coupled to the multiplexer stage. As such, the multiplexer stage and the logic stage are adapted to initialize state metric data of any one of a traffic channel, a paging channel, and a sync channel within a Code Division Multiple Access (CDMA) system.

Abstract: An apparatus and method thereof for storing and retrieving information in a Viterbi decoder. The apparatus includes a bus and a branch metric generator unit coupled to the bus. The branch metric generator unit generates metrics by measuring a difference between an encoded data bit and an expected data bit calculated using a convolutional code. A memory unit is also coupled to the bus. The memory unit includes a first register and a second register for storing the metrics. A parity bit is used to indicate a register for storing the metrics. In a first stage of the Viterbi decoder, a metric for a first state is stored at a first address in the first register and a metric for a second state is stored at a second address in the second register. The first state and the second state each branch to a third state and a fourth state in a trellis code of the Viterbi decoder.