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: Synchronized broadcast transmits a same broadcast content using a same waveform from multiple transmitters. Transmitters each apply a same spreading code for broadcast transmissions. In a spread-spectrum communication system having a time division multiplexed forward link, a synchronized broadcast transmission is inserted into a broadcast slot. One embodiment employs an Orthogonal Frequency Divisional Multiplex (OFDM) waveform for the synchronized broadcast. An OFDM receiver is then used to process the received synchronized broadcast transmission. An alternate embodiment implements a broadcast Pseudo-random Noise (PN) code for use by multiple transmitters. An equalizer is then employed to estimate the synchronized broadcast transmission.

Abstract: Systems and methods for adaptively allocating resources between a dedicated reference signal and a traffic signal are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a wireless communication system 100 includes a base station 404. The base station 404 includes a receiver 428 that receives a quality metric 432 from a remote station 106. The quality metric 432 indicates the quality of a signal transmitted from the base station 404 and received by the remote station 106. The base station 404 also includes a resource allocation component 434 that uses the quality metric 432 to allocate a resource between the traffic signal 422 and the dedicated reference signal 418. The base station 404 also includes a transmitter 426 that transmits the traffic signal 422 and the dedicated reference signal 418 to the remote station 106.

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: 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 for code symbols are computed.

Abstract: Techniques for performing equalization of multiple signals received by a terminal in soft handoff with multiple base stations. The received signal at the terminal is conditioned and digitized to provide a stream of received samples, which is then equalized/filtered with multiple sets of coefficients to provide multiple streams of transmit chip estimates. One set of coefficients is provided for each base station and is used to provide a corresponding stream of transmit chip estimates. The multiple streams of transmit chip estimates are further processed to provide multiple streams of data symbol estimates, one stream of data symbol estimates for each base station. The multiple streams of data symbol estimates are then scaled with multiple scaling factors and combined to provide a stream of combined data symbol estimates. The processing for the multiple base stations may be performed by a single hardware unit in a time division multiplexed manner.

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 non-parametric matched filter receiver that includes a digital (e.g., FIR) filter and a channel estimator. The channel estimator (1) determines the timing to center the digital filter, (2) obtains the characteristics of the noise in received samples, (3) estimates the system response for the samples using a best linear unbiased (BLU) estimator, a correlating estimator, or some other type of estimator, and (4) derives a set of coefficients for the digital filter based on the estimated system response and the determined noise characteristics. The correlating estimator correlates the samples with their known values to obtain the estimated system response. The BLU estimator pre-processes the samples to whiten the noise, correlates the whitened samples with their known values, and applies a correction factor to obtain the estimated system response. The digital filter then filters the samples with the set of coefficients to provide demodulated symbols.

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: 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: 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.