Abstract: An all-digital frequency synthesizer architecture is built around a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) that is tuned in response to a digital tuning word (OTW). In exemplary embodiments: (1) a gain characteristic (KDCO) of the digitally controlled oscillator can be determined by observing a digital control word before and after a known change (?fmax) in the oscillating frequency; and (2) a portion (TUNE_TF) of the tuning word can be dithered (1202), and the resultant dithered portion (dkTF) can then be applied to a control input of switchable devices within the digitally controlled oscillator.

Abstract: Discussed herein is a synchronization structure for a receiving apparatus for receiving signals in a communication system, in which the signals are transmitted in frames, each frame comprising a synchronization part with synchronization sequences, wherein at least one of the synchronization sequences has a different phase than the other synchronization sequences. The synchronization structure includes a correlation unit configured to perform a correlation on the synchronization part, a peak detection unit configured to detect candidate correlation peaks and the correlation result, and a correlation peak detection unit configured to detect a correlation peak among said candidate correlation peaks on the basis of a confidence value and phase information. Further, a corresponding synchronization method that enables frame synchronization with a higher performance in low signal to noise ratio environments is also discussed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving deskewing serial data transmissions. One such apparatus includes a plurality of receivers, each of which is configured to receive a serial data stream. Each of the receivers includes a shift register including a plurality of stages arranged in sequence to propagate a stream of characters. Each of the stages is configured to store a character, and shift the character to a next stage in response to a clock signal. The receiver also includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs, each of the inputs being electrically coupled to a respective one of the stages of the shift register, and to select one of the stages to generate an output such that the outputs of the multiplexers in the receivers are deskewed.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are disclosed, such as those involving deskewing serial data transmissions. One such apparatus includes a plurality of receivers, each of which is configured to receive a serial data stream. Each of the receivers includes a shift register including a plurality of stages arranged in sequence to propagate a stream of characters. Each of the stages is configured to store a character, and shift the character to a next stage in response to a clock signal. The receiver also includes a multiplexer having a plurality of inputs, each of the inputs being electrically coupled to a respective one of the stages of the shift register, and to select one of the stages to generate an output such that the outputs of the multiplexers in the receivers are deskewed.

Abstract: A radio transmission device and a radio communication method employ sequence length decision units which hold a correspondence in which one basic sequence length is set for a plurality of transmission bandwidths. The sequence length decision units acquire transmission bandwidth information and decide a sequence length corresponding to the acquired transmission bandwidth information. A decision is made as to which of the cyclic extension process or the truncation process is to be executed on a Zadoff-Chu sequence according to the sizes of the acquired transmission bandwidth information and the basic sequence length. Then, a difference between the transmission bandwidth and the basic sequence length, i.e., the number of possible cyclic extension/truncation symbols, is obtained.

Abstract: A method of processing first and second corresponding signals having a delay therebetween. The method includes introducing a plurality of different delays between the first and second signals, successive delay amounts differing from each other by less than the interval between chip boundaries, and for each introduced delay, summing samples of the second signal which are obtained at the times of, at least, chip boundaries between bits of the first signal which have the same state, to obtain a value; thereby to obtain a representation of how the value varies according to the introduced delay, which representation contains a level change associated with an introduced delay which bears a predetermined relationship to the delay between the first and second signals.

Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for satellite communication are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a receiver that handles digital broadcasting. The receiver may be enabled to dynamically vary spacing between two or more pilots and/or the size of one or more pilots within at least one frame based on a determined symbol rate. The size of each of a plurality of received programs may be determined and the spacing between two or more pilots may be dynamically varied based on the determined size of each of the plurality of received programs.

Abstract: A method of generating preamble sequence is disclosed. A channel used by a wireless device may be divided into four sub-channels, and the method includes forming a preamble sequence of a first sub-channel, making three replicas of the preamble sequence of the first sub-channel, each replica with a phase rotation of a first angle, a second angle, and a third angle respectively, for forming each preamble sequence of a second sub-channel, a third sub-channel, and a fourth sub-channel, and arranging the preamble sequences of the first, the second, the third, and the fourth sub-channels to form a preamble sequence of the channel.

Abstract: A positioning system comprises a plurality of controllers, each controller comprising a wideband receiver and a narrow band transmitter, the each controller configured to receive a wideband positioning frame using the wideband receiver from one or more devices and to transmit acknowledgement frames using the narrow band transmitter that include timing and control data for use by the devices to establish timing for transmission of the positioning frame; and at least one device comprising a wideband transmitter and a narrow band receiver, the device configured to transmit a positioning frame to the plurality of controllers using the wideband transmitter and to receive an acknowledgement frame from one or more controllers using the narrow band receiver, extract timing and control information from the frame, and adjust the timing and synchronization of the wideband transmitter using the timing and control information.

Abstract: A method for generating a data unit for transmission via a communication channel includes generating a preamble of the data unit, including generating a set of more than four training fields and applying a different spatial mapping to each training field in the set of training fields; and generating a data portion of the data unit, wherein the data portion is transmitted using more than four space-time streams, so that a receiver device can receive the data portion via the more than four space-time streams using channel information derived from the set of training fields.

Abstract: In a signal processing apparatus a synchronizer acquires synchronization with the spreading code of an intermediate frequency signal converted from a signal received from a satellite in a global positioning system. A demodulator then demodulates a message contained in the intermediate frequency signal. A measuring unit outputs a primary signal to a predetermined signal line, the primary signal expressing positioning results for the apparatus as measured on the basis of the demodulated message. A secondary signal output unit attaches a predetermined header to a secondary signal and outputs the result to the predetermined signal line, the secondary signal containing at least the intermediate frequency signal, or a signal generated from the intermediate frequency signal.

Abstract: A frequency offset estimation and correction apparatus including a frame averaging unit to average a plurality of frequency offset values to obtain a frame offset average for each of a plurality of frames, a re-sampling unit to produce a plurality of interpolated frequency offset values uniformly distributed over a time period of a frame of the plurality of frames based on the frame offset average of the frame and a frame offset average of at least one frame that precedes the frame, and an exponential averaging unit to calculate the estimated frequency offset based on the plurality of interpolated frequency offset values weighted by an exponential averaging coefficient.

Abstract: A receiver includes a receiving unit that receives a signal from a satellite, a frequency conversion-discretization unit that converts the signal received in the receiving unit into an intermediate frequency signal of a frequency bandwidth including 0 Hz, and discretizes the frequency-converted intermediate frequency signal with a predetermined sampling frequency, a filter unit that filters the discretized signal, which is output from the frequency conversion-discretization unit, through a predetermined filter, a synchronization acquisition unit that acquires synchronization of a spreading code in the discretized signal filtered by the filter unit, and a synchronization holding unit that holds the synchronization of the spreading code, which is acquired by the synchronization acquisition unit.

Abstract: Provided are a transmission device, a receiving device, and a communication system having a simple configuration and capable of reliably executing the confirmation of a changed bit rate. The communication system 1 sends, to the receiving device 3, a serial data signal Sdata that is set as a constant value across a period of a constant multiple of a cycle of the clock when a bit rate of a serial data signal Sdata in the transmission device 2 is changed. The receiving device 3 that received the serial data signal Sdata receives training data Tdata from the transmission device 2 when it is determined that the serial data signal Sdata is a constant value across a period of a constant multiple of a cycle of the clock, and proceeds to the processing of confirming the changed bit rate.

Abstract: A method of achieving reduced modulation range requirement in a Digitally Controlled Oscillator (DCO) which is deployed as part of a DRP (Digital Radio Processor) and tuned to a tuning frequency range having operating-channel center-frequencies, wherein phase difference between consecutive samples is termed as FCW (Frequency Control Word), uses the steps of digitally modifying and limiting the FCW so that the FCW does not exceed known FCW thresholds, e.g., chosen from ?/2, ?/4, ?/8, and redistributing the FCWs while maintaining a cumulative sum of phases and without significant EVM (Error Vector Magnitude) degradation. The FCW threshold can be chosen arbitrarily and need not be in the form of ?/2n. The method uses a FCW limiting algorithm which reduces supply voltage sensitivity of the DCO and enables significant reduction in area of capacitor bank which would be otherwise needed.

Abstract: A passive phase jitter modulation (PJM) tag is charged with power in a continuous wave (CW) section. When receiving a command from a reader, the passive PJM tag must recognize the command and determine exactly when to begin demodulating the command. Only then can the passive PJM tag demodulate the command. To this end, a synchronization apparatus for accurately demodulating a signal input to a PJM tag includes a plurality of correlators correlating a received phase jitter-modulated signal with a template of an internal matched filter which is in the same form as at least a portion of a modified frequency modulation (MFM) flag.

Abstract: In a method and a device for decoding a signal, the signal is transmitted via at least one connecting line of a data transmission system, in a user of the data transmission system receiving the signal. It is provided to measure the interval of a change—provided compulsorily in a transmission protocol used in the data transmission system—of the signal from rising to falling or from falling to rising edge. A tendency for an asymmetrical delay of the signal can be ascertained from the measured interval. The sampling of the bits of the received signal can be improved as a function of the interval or of the asymmetrical delay, for example, by setting the sampling instant in variable fashion. Alternatively, the interval or the asymmetrical delay can be utilized for diagnostic purposes.

Abstract: A system including an estimation module, a processing module, and a control module. The estimation module is configured to generate a first set of channel estimates for a plurality of subcarriers of a received signal. The processing module is configured to generate a second set of channel estimates for the plurality of subcarriers, in which the second set of channel estimates are generated based on the first set of channel estimates. The control module is configured to estimate a preamble sequence in the received signal based on each of (i) the first set of channel estimates and (ii) the second set of channel estimates.

Abstract: Certain aspects of a method and system for satellite communication are disclosed. Aspects of one method may include a receiver that handles digital video broadcasting. The receiver may be enabled to dynamically vary spacing between one or more pilots within at least one frame based on a determined symbol rate. The size of each of a plurality of received programs may be determined and the spacing between one or more pilots may be dynamically varied based on the determined size of each of the plurality of received programs.

Abstract: A method and an apparatus are provided for binarizing an input signal, which is capable of reliably correcting an offset of the input signal even when the input signal does not reach a reference level or has a single frequency, a disc driver and a recording medium. The binarizing method includes viterbi-decoding the input signal to obtain a viterbi-decoded signal; slicing the input signal based on a predetermined reference level to obtain a sliced signal; obtaining an offset of the input signal by low-pass filtering the viterbi-decoded signal or the sliced signal; and correcting the offset of the input signal based on the obtained offset. The viterbi-decoded signal is a binary signal of the input signal.

Abstract: A wireless communications device may include a portable housing and a temperature-compensated clock circuit carried by the portable housing. The device may further include a wireless receiver carried by the portable housing for receiving timing signals, when available, from a wireless network, and a satellite positioning clock circuit carried by the portable housing. A clock correction circuit may be carried by the portable housing for correcting the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon timing signals from the wireless network when available, and storing historical correction values for corresponding temperatures. The clock correction circuit may also correct the temperature-compensated clock circuit based upon the stored historical correction values when timing signals are unavailable from the wireless network, and correct the satellite positioning clock based upon the temperature-compensated clock circuit.

Abstract: An apparatus and method for transmitting/receiving an S-SCH in an Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers (IEEE) 802.16m wireless communication system are provided. A method for transmitting, by a transmitter, a Secondary Synchronization CHannel (S-SCH) in a communication system includes generating a sequence depending on a cell IDentification (ID), determining a subcarrier set comprising subcarriers to map the generated sequence, based on a Fast Fourier Transform (FFT) size and a segment ID, and mapping the generated sequence to the subcarriers of the determined subcarrier set.

Abstract: An OFDM transmitter and receiver realizing high-speed cell search and having a reducible circuit scale. An OFDM transmitter includes an SCH inserting section for constructing a frame where a synchronization sequence in a predetermined position from the head of a first sub-frame is arranged and a synchronization sequence composed of the symbols of the former synchronization sequence and the symbols whose I, Q components are interchanged is arranged in a predetermined position from the head of a second sub-frame adjacent in the time-axis direction to the former sub-frame, an IFFT section, a P-SCH conversion section, and an RF transmitting section for transmitting this frame. Thus, the receiving end of the frame can locate the position of either synchronization sequence and determine the frame timing from that position, thereby increasing the speed of the cell search.

Abstract: An effective data sequence based timing error detector (EDS-TED) for baseband transmission system using Tomlinson-Harashima Precoder is disclosed. The EDS-TED extracts timing error information embedded in the received signal to build up autocorrelation between the ESD signals and minimize the mean square error between the received and desired EDS so as to improve the performance of the TED in terms of Peak-to-Peak Jitter and TED gain. Thus the quality of the received signal increases and the error rate decreases.

Abstract: Described is an apparatus for suppressing spurious spectral lines in a frame based bit-serial data stream, in which frames include payload data and frame markers. The apparatus includes means (16) for randomizing first frame marker elements (START) in a first position within each frame and means (18) for correlating second frame marker elements (STOP) in a second position within each frame with the randomized first frame marker element.

Abstract: Apparatus, systems, and methods are provided for transmitting messages over a serial interface. A method comprises receiving a first signal at a first time and receiving a second signal at a second time, the second time being after the first time. If a difference between the second time and the first time is less than a threshold time period, the method comprises generating a first message that is representative of the first signal and the second signal and transmitting the first message over the serial interface. In accordance with one embodiment, the threshold time period is equal to one half of an interface acquisition delay time period associated with the serial interface.

Abstract: A system including a magnitude measuring module, an energy normalization module, and a metric generation module. The magnitude measuring module is configured to measure magnitudes of real portions of differentially demodulated signals, wherein the differentially demodulated signals are generated by differential demodulation of signals received from a base station. The energy normalization module is configured to generate a sum of energies of a plurality of subcarriers included in the signals received from the base station. The metric generation module is configured to generate a plurality of metrics for a plurality of symbols included in the signals received from the base station. The metric generation module is further configured to detect, based on the plurality of metrics, a preamble symbol included in the signals received from the base station.

Abstract: A method of determining a residual frequency offset between a transmitter and a receiver in a transmission of data via a communication channel, is described, wherein the message is transmitted from the transmitter to the receiver via the communication channel and the message comprises at least one short preamble (201), at least one long preamble (202) and user data (203). The at least one long preamble (202) comprises residual frequency offset determination information based on which the residual frequency offset is determined.

Abstract: A permuted sequences combination uses a frame structure in which two sync words, each comprising M complex symbols, are appended at the frame start. One benefit is the reduction of the large variance of the timing estimation error in the conventional correlation method. In at least one embodiment, the first sync word, {right arrow over (s)}1, is a predetermined constant amplitude zero autocorrelation (CAZAC) sequence. The second sync word, {right arrow over (s)}2, is a permutation of the first such that the combination of the two received sync signal vectors perform sliding window processing where the peak occurs at the correct frame start. The permuted sequences combination can be used in both AWGN channel and multi-path environments.

Abstract: A sync detection device and method for a GNSS receiver. In modernized GNSS, each satellite transmits a data signal and a pilot signal. Correlations are performed between a data symbol stream converted from the data signal with possible hypotheses to find a leading edge of a frame of the data signal (i.e. frame sync detection) and between a pilot symbol stream converted from the pilot signal with possible hypotheses to find a leading edge of a code sequence of the pilot signal (i.e. pilot sync detection). The possible hypotheses for the frame sync detection are selected according to a result of pilot sync detection when pilot sync is done. Frame sync can be efficiently achieved since a range of the selected possible hypotheses is quite limited.

Abstract: A method includes defining a pattern of time intervals, each time interval having a respective assigned communication speed, which alternates among multiple communication speeds supported by a first communication device. Synchronization requests are transmitted over a communication medium from the first communication device to a second communication device at the respective communication speed that is assigned in each interval in accordance with the pattern. While transmitting the synchronization requests, synchronization replies sent over the communication medium in response to the synchronization requests are received only at the respective communication speed that is assigned in each interval. Responsively to receiving the synchronization replies from the second communication device, one or more common communication speeds that are supported by both the first and the second communication devices are identified.

Abstract: A method for performing carrier frequency offset estimation and frame synchronization is disclosed herein. In one approach, the method includes performing a first level frequency discrimination on at least one estimated channel tap to generate a frequency discriminated value; estimating a phase error from the frequency discriminated value; and, determining a predetermined frame synchronization pattern from the estimated phase error. A computer program product having code and a wireless communications apparatus for performing the method are also described herein.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods for accessing a wireless telecommunications network by transmitting a random access signal. The random access signal includes a random access preamble signal selected from a set of random access preamble signals constructed by cyclically shift selected root CAZAC sequences. The random access signal may be one or more transmission sub-frames in duration, the included random access preamble sequence's length being extended with the signal to provide improved signal detection performance in larger cells and in higher interference environments. The random access signal may include a wide-band pilot signal facilitating base station estimation of up-link frequency response in some situations. Each of the plurality of available random access preamble sequences may be assigned a unique information value. The base station may use the information encoded in the random access preamble to prioritize responses and resource allocations.

Abstract: The present invention provides a method of early starting the operation of a descrambler. The method comprises the steps of receiving a, synchronous byte of a transport packet in a group of m packets, where m is an integer, generating an alignment index to indicate a location of the synchronous byte, delivering the alignment index to the descrambler, and loading an initialization sequence to the descrambler in accordance with the alignment index and starting an operation of the descrambler.

Abstract: The present invention provides methods and systems for allowing a receiver in a (wireless) communication system to synchronize its timing and frequency subsystems in accordance with a received signal. In accordance with one aspect, a method is provided in which a relative time of arrival of sync values provided in a received signal are determined and used to align the receiver's reference signal(s) accordingly. Other aspects of the invention will become apparent from the detailed description of exemplary embodiments that follows.

Abstract: A receiving apparatus includes a first receiver, a second receiver, a received signal synthesizer connected to the first and second receivers, a synchronizing signal synthesizer connected to the first and second receivers, and a synchronization detector connected to the synchronizing signal synthesizer. In this structure, synchronization determination is performed using a synchronizing signal of either the first or second receiver, and diversity reception is performed using the received signals of the first and second receivers.

Abstract: The present invention provides a unique manner of identifying the Frame boundaries in multiple identical/non-identical Synchronization Channels (SCHs) in different sub-frames via a new sub frame position difference method. The method implements the differences between the different sub-frames carried by the SCH. The sub frame identity, and hence the frame boundary, can be identified by calculating the difference between the positions, based on time or number of slots/sub-frames or any data packets, of the two subsequent slots/sub-frames or any identical data packets.

Abstract: The present invention includes: a synchronous-word detecting unit receives a baseband received signal including a synchronous word and data for each frame, and detects whether or not the synchronous word is coincided with an expected value in the baseband received signal by using an N-(N is an integer of 2 or larger) phase sampling clock; a phase information retaining unit retains phase information accumulatively including results detected for a plurality of frames by the synchronous-word detecting unit, and determines a phase to be sampled on the basis of the retained phase information; a phase selecting unit selects and determines a phase of the sampling clock on the basis of determination by the phase information retaining unit; and a FIFO buffer samples the data from the baseband received signal, and outputs the sampled data.

Abstract: A secure information transmission system includes one or more transmitters and one or more receivers. The transmission waveform employed includes highly randomized, independent stochastic processes, and is secured as a separate entity from the information it carries. The signal, using novel modulation methodology reducing impulse responses, has a paucity of spectral information and may be detected, acquired and demodulated only by communicants generating the necessary receiving algorithm coefficients. The physical area of signal reception is restricted to that of each intended communicant, reception areas following movements of mobile communicants. A unique instant in time is used as basis for communications keys to the securing algorithms dynamically generated on a one-time basis and never exchanged or stored by communicants.

Abstract: A method is provided for estimating a frequency offset in a carrier signal caused by the Doppler effect. The method determines a frequency offset estimate by utilizing a multi stage estimation scheme. More specifically, the method determines the frequency offset estimate of a data frame by iteratively estimating the frequency offset by comparing different portions of the preamble. As the length of the sampled patterns varies, the frequency offset estimates vary in accuracy and range. The method may adjust frequency offset estimates that are out of range. Finally, the receiver obtains a frequency offset estimate for the data frame from a weighted combination of frequency offset estimates. This method is applicable in WiFi (IEEE 802.11a/g), WiMax (IEEE 802.16), and WAVE (IEEE 802.11p) systems.

Abstract: A deserializer including a plurality of registers, a sync detector, and a lost bit storage unit. If there is a phase difference between an external input data packet and a recovery clock signal transmitted together with the data packet, the sync detector generates an activated sync detect signal. The lost bit storage unit detects a data bit of the data packet corresponding to an activation point of the sync detect signal. The deserializer recovers the data packet by combining the detected data bit with the data packet.

Abstract: A system for implementing an orthogonal frequency division multiplexing scheme and providing an improved range extension. The system includes a transmitter for transmitting data to a receiver. The transmitter includes a symbol mapper for generating a symbol for each of a plurality of subcarriers and a spreading module for spreading out the symbol on each of the plurality of subcarriers by using a direct sequence spread spectrum. The symbol on each of the plurality of subcarriers is spread by multiplying the symbol by predefined length sequences. The receiver includes a de-spreader module for de-spreading the symbols on each of the plurality of subcarriers. The de-spreader module includes a simply correlator receiver for obtaining maximum detection. The correlator produces an output sequence of a same length as an input sequence and the de-spreader module uses a point of maximum correlation on the output sequence to obtain a recovered symbol.

Abstract: A system includes an input, a differential demodulation module, a magnitude measuring module, a summing module, and a metric generator module. The input receives input signals that include s sets of modulated sub-carriers carrying symbols, where s is an integer greater than or equal to 1. The differential demodulation module generates differentially demodulated signals based on the input signals. The magnitude measuring module measures magnitudes of real portions of the differentially demodulated signals. The summing module generates s sums, wherein each of the s sums is a sum of the magnitudes generated based on a respective one of the s sets. The metric generator module generates metrics for the symbols based on the s sums.

Abstract: An all-digital frequency synthesizer architecture is built around a digitally controlled oscillator (DCO) that is tuned in response to a digital tuning word (OTW). In exemplary embodiments: (1) a gain characteristic (KDCO) of the digitally controlled oscillator can be determined by observing a digital control word before and after a known change (?fmax) in the oscillating frequency; and (2) a portion (TUNE_TF) of the tuning word can be dithered (1202), and the resultant dithered portion (dkTF) can then be applied to a control input of switchable devices within the digitally controlled oscillator.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for reduction of a peak to average ratio for an OFDM transmit signal. In an aspect, a method is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The method includes obtaining a primary scrambler sequence, generating a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining the primary and secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence. In another aspect, an apparatus is provided for reducing a peak to average ratio of a transmit waveform. The apparatus includes a secondary generator configured to generate a secondary scrambler sequence having a length characteristic based on data to be scrambled, and combining logic configured to combine a primary scrambler sequence and the secondary scrambler sequences to produce a PAR reduction sequence.

Abstract: In a bandwidth allocation protocol for a mobile communications network, mobile terminals indicate the total quantity of data awaiting transmission, the maximum delay time of the most urgent portion of the data, and the maximum delay time of the least urgent portion. If a collision occurs between transmission by two mobiles, the mobiles wait for an interval controlled by the network before attempting another contention-based access transmission. The network periodically varies the contention-based access capacity available according to the observed usage level and/or collision rate in the previously allocated contention-based access capacity. The network analyses the forward traffic to individual mobiles and predicts likely return bandwidth requirements.

Abstract: A radio transmitting apparatus and method thereof wherein a guard interval (GI) having a variable length allows a radio receiving apparatus to precisely and easily obtain a symbol synchronization. A GI adding part adds a short GI or a long GI to the head of each of a plurality of data parts. In a case of adding the long GI, the GI adding part copies the symbols of a portion of a second data part, which immediately follows a first data part, including the rear of the second data part, and then adds the copied symbols to the head of the first data part, thereby providing a second GI. Moreover, the GI adding part copies the symbols to a portion of the first data part including the rear thereof, and then adds the copied symbols to the head of the second GI, thereby providing the first GI.

Abstract: Provided is a synchronization error tracking device and method. The method and system estimates and corrects the synchronization error generated by time and frequency offsets during the data transmission interval and uses a module designed for initial synchronization or channel estimation without adding a new correlation operator. Further, a combining mark value and a synchronization position value acquired during the synchronization process are used.

Abstract: A method is disclosed, including identifying a preamble in a frame, where the preamble has a preamble length 1. M data items received in succession are stored. The m data items once divided into n portions, where the data items in each portion have respectively been received at successive times and where m and n are natural numbers and the following applies to m and n: m>n, m>1, n>1. The n portions are respectively correlated to the expected values to form component correlation results. Delaying the component correlation results, with at least two component correlation results being delayed by different lengths. The method also includes combining the delayed component correlation results to form a total correlation value. The total correlation value is used to determine whether the m received data items contain the preamble of a frame.

Abstract: A communications system includes a wireless telephony network and a wireless Local Area Network (LAN), both accessible by a mobile communications device (16). To facilitate transitioning of the mobile communications device to the wireless LAN from the wireless telephony network, the wireless LAN includes a beacon transmitter, which generates a synchronization channel having a pattern unique to the wireless LAN. The Wireless LAN synchronization channel is received at a first receiver in the mobile communications device together with a synchronization channel from the wireless telephony. The wireless LAN synchronization channel enables the mobile communication device to synchronize with, for transitioning to, the wireless LAN.