Abstract: An analog-to-digital converter (ADC) has been disclosed. In some implementations, the ADC is configured to generate ADC samples based on input signals and an ADC input clock. The ADC is further configured to generate at a first time point a synchronized start signal indicating a starting point of capturing the ADC samples. The start signal and a system clock can be synchronized at a second time point. At a third time point, a capturing sample clock for capturing the ADC samples is generated. The synchronized start signal and the capturing sample clock can be input to a counter to determine a time difference between the second and third time points. An ADC output timing of the ADC samples can be determined based on the time difference.

Abstract: This patent application describes systems, devices, and methods for element-level self-calculation of phased array vectors by a beam forming ASIC using interpolation and a look-up table for calculation of phase setting values such as for fast beam steering.

Abstract: A circuit includes, in part, a first transistor receiving a first clock signal at its gate, a second transistor receiving a second clock signal at its gate, a first impedance coupled to the drain terminal of the first transistor, a second impedance coupled to the drain terminal of the second transistor, a current source coupled to the source terminals of the first and second transistors, a third transistor receiving a third clock signal at its gate, a fourth transistor receiving a fourth clock signal at its gate, a fifth transistor coupling the drain terminal of the third transistor to the second impedance in response to a first control signal, a sixth transistor coupling the drain terminal of the fourth transistor to the second impedance in response to a second control signal, and a first variable current source coupled to the source terminals of the third and fourth transistors.

Abstract: An example apparatus includes: a feed forward equalizer (FFE) with a FFE output, adder circuitry with a first adder input, a second adder input, and a first adder output, the first adder input coupled to the FFE output, a multiplexer (MUX) with a first MUX input, a second MUX input, and a MUX output, the first MUX input coupled to the first adder output, the second MUX input coupled to the FFE output, a decision feedback equalizer (DFE) with a DFE output coupled to the second adder input, and a timing error detector (TED) with a first TED input coupled to the MUX output.

Abstract: A radio frequency transmitter includes a digital-to-analog converter, an analog baseband processor, and a modulator. The digital-to-analog converter is configured to convert a digital frequency-converted signal into a first analog signal, where the digital frequency-converted signal is obtained by performing digital frequency conversion on a digital baseband signal based on a first frequency signal; the analog baseband processor is configured to perform filtering and gain adjustment on the first analog signal to obtain a second analog signal; and the modulator is configured to perform up conversion based on a second frequency signal and the second analog signal, to obtain a radio frequency signal, where the second frequency signal is determined based on a local frequency signal and the first frequency signal.

Abstract: This application relates to determining transmission quality of a communication channel, in particular for determining a measure of errors in data transmitted as multi-bit symbols. Described is an error checker with an input for receiving an input signal comprising a series of modulated symbols, wherein each symbol encodes multiple bits of a pseudo-random bit sequence. A demodulator is configured to receive the input signal and only partially demodulate at least some of the symbols to generate a partially demodulated bit sequence. A PRBS module is configured to receive the partially demodulated bit sequence and determine the pseudo-random bit sequence and a comparator compares the output of the demodulator to an expected output based on the pseudo-random bit sequence determined by the PRBS module.

Abstract: Described are apparatus and methods for fractional synchronization using direct digital frequency synthesis (DDFS). A DDFS device includes a memory with N address spaces, a write port circuit configured to sequentially write a digital desired pattern into the N address spaces, a read port circuit configured to readout the digital desired pattern from the N address spaces using continuous sequential automatic addressing from 0 to N?1 at a memory operating frequency clock, where the memory operating frequency clock is based on a sampling frequency clock used for high-speed data processing, and an analog signal processing circuit configured to process a readout digital desired pattern into an analog representation; and output a synthesized frequency clock from the analog representation to a digital core, where the synthesized frequency clock is fractionally synchronized with the sampling frequency clock.

Abstract: A mixer in a receiver converts a sounding sequence of alternating ones and zeros to an intermediate frequency signal. A digital mixer converts the intermediate frequency signal to a baseband signal that contains a positive tone and a negative tone. A frequency offset correction circuit generates frequency offset corrections based on frequency offset estimates of the frequency offset between a transmitter of the sounding sequence and the receiver. A frequency adjustment circuit adjusts a frequency of the mixer or the digital mixer to thereby center the positive tone and the negative tone around DC. DFT circuits perform single bin DFTs respectively centered on the positive and negative tones. Phases of the positive and negative tones are calculated based on outputs of the DFT circuits and the phases are used to determine fractional time value associated with a distance measurement between the transmitter and receiver.

Abstract: A system and method for providing asymmetrical filtering to improve performance in the presence of wideband interference is herein disclosed. According to one embodiment, a method for a global navigation satellite system (GNSS) receiver includes detecting wideband interference in a received target GNSS signal, and applying an asymmetric filter to the received target GNSS signal to mitigate the detected wideband interference.

Abstract: A method and related apparatus for transferring data between a mobile communication unit and a plurality of access points, wherein each of said plurality of access points and said mobile communication unit is provided with a transceiver, said mobile communication unit being arranged to travel a predetermined route, the method comprising: adjusting transmission power of at least the transceiver of the mobile communication unit substantially to a maximum level; and attenuating transmission signal of each transceiver such that signal level of a received signal in a transmission between the mobile communication unit and each of the access points is more optimal, wherein the level of attenuation is set constant at least in the mobile communication unit.

Abstract: One general aspect of the present disclosure includes a device configured to operate in a wireless system. The device including: a transceiver configured with a plurality of E-UTRA operating bands; and a processor operably connectable to the transceiver. The processer may be configured to: control the transceiver to transmit an uplink signal via at least two bands among the plurality of E-UTRA operating bands; and control the transceiver to receive a downlink signal via three bands among the plurality of E-UTRA operating bands, wherein pre-configured MSD value is applied to a reference sensitivity for receiving the downlink signal based on the E-UTRA operating band 2.

Abstract: [Problem] Conventionally, in a wireless communication system that performs single-carrier communication with formation of symbol blocks, it has been difficult to select the optimal GI length and modulation and coding method that achieve the maximum throughput. [Means of Solution] A transmission device and a reception device are included.

Abstract: A filter includes multiple filter circuits. The filter circuits are coupled in series between an input terminal and an output terminal, to generate an output signal according to an input signal. One of the filter circuits operates as an active filter circuit or a passive filter circuit according to amplitude of the input signal.

Abstract: Embodiments described herein provide a method for waking a first node in a low power mode. A network comprises at least the first node and a second node in an awake mode where the first and second nodes have respective transceivers coupled via substantially fixed communication pathways. The transceiver of the second node obtains a training signal designed to be transmitted at a pre-defined symbol rate and transmits the training signal at a symbol rate lower than the pre-defined symbol rate to the physical layer of the first node for a predetermined duration of time. The second node, in response to receiving the training signal transitions from the low power mode to an awake state.

Abstract: Systems and methods are described, and one method includes acquiring a frequency offset for a demodulator receiving one symbol rate in combination with acquiring another frequency offset for another demodulator, based on sweeping the other frequency offset until detecting a qualifying symbol pattern or acquiring the frequency offset for the demodulator receiving one symbol rate, whichever occurs first. Associated with acquiring the other frequency offset based on acquiring the frequency offset for the demodulator receiving one symbol rate, setting the other frequency offset includes adjusting the frequency offset for the demodulator receiving one symbol rate.

Abstract: A transmit/receive signal processor for Wireless Local Area Network (WLAN) and Bluetooth has selectable signal processing elements for mixers, Intermediate Frequency (IF) filters, transmit power amplifiers, and clock sources which are suitable for either Bluetooth or WLAN signal processing. The operating mode of the signal processor is selected to be one of Wireless High Performance, Wireless Low Power, Bluetooth High Performance or Bluetooth Low power, and the signal processing modules are selected to provide performance or power requirements using selected modules.

Abstract: In an embodiment, a method includes: receiving an audio frame; decomposing the received audio frame into M sub-band pulse-code modulation (PCM) audio frames, where M is a positive integer number; predicting a PCM sample of one sub-band PCM audio frame of the M sub-band PCM audio frames; comparing the predicted PCM sample with a corresponding received PCM sample to generate a prediction error sample; comparing an instantaneous absolute value of the prediction error sample with a threshold; and replacing the corresponding received PCM sample with a value based on the predicted PCM sample when the instantaneous absolute value of the prediction error sample is greater than the threshold.

Abstract: Methods and apparatus for frequency offset estimation are disclosed. In an exemplary embodiment, a method includes determining a demodulation reference signal (DMRS) frequency offset estimate from DMRS symbols in a received signal, and determining a cyclic prefix (CP) frequency offset estimate from cyclic prefix values in the received signal. The method also includes combining the DMRS and CP frequency offset estimates to determine a final frequency offset estimate. In an exemplary embodiment, an apparatus includes a DMRS frequency offset estimator that determines a DMRS frequency offset estimate based on DMRS symbols received in an uplink transmission, and a cyclic prefix (CP) frequency offset estimator that determines a CP frequency offset estimate based on cyclic prefix values in the uplink transmission. The apparatus also includes an offset combiner that combines the DMRS frequency offset estimate with the CP frequency offset estimate to generate a final frequency offset estimate.

Abstract: The present application relates to a differential Colpitts voltage-controlled oscillator (VCO) circuit, which comprises a pair of transistors with control terminals biased by a common biasing voltage and a pair of couplers arranged to cross-couple corrector/drain of the transistors and the base/gate of the differential transistors. The pair of couplers have a coupling factor kc, which used to enhance the transconductance of the transistor pair, therefore can be used for power consumption reduction and phase noise minimalization.

Abstract: A demodulator for demodulating the in-phase component of an input signal which is in-phase and quadrature modulated. The demodulator includes a register storing a phase calibration value and a temperature sensor that performs a plurality of temperature sensings. A compensating stage generates for each temperature sensed a corresponding first sample on the basis of the difference between the sensed temperature and a calibration temperature and a compensation function indicative of a relationship existing between the phase of the input signal and the temperature. A combination stage generates a plurality of second samples, each second sample being a function of the phase calibration value and a corresponding first sample. A generating stage generates a demodulating signal having a phase which depends on the second samples and a demodulating stage demodulates the input signal by means of the demodulating signal.

Abstract: A receiver includes one or more mixers configured to sample an input analog signal at a plurality of discrete points in time to obtain a discrete-time sampled signal based on a local oscillating signal provided by a local oscillator; and a sample reordering circuit coupled to the one or more mixers and configured to reorder a sequence of samples received from the one or more mixers.

Abstract: A hopping spread-spectrum wireless network for IoT applications with mobile device that have unsynchronized local frequency references. The transmitters use hopping sequences defined in term of the relative differences of frequencies, in such a manner that a receiver can determine the hopping sequence of a transmission despite the presence of a large frequency error.

Abstract: A vehicle communication apparatus includes a plurality of remote units (RUs) configured to transmit signals to a mobile communication network and to receive signals from the mobile communication network, and a central unit (CU) configured to provide data based on the signals received through the plurality of remote units to one or more devices located in a vehicle. The plurality of remote units includes an array antenna attached to a body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A vehicle communication apparatus includes a plurality of remote units (RUs) configured to transmit signals to a mobile communication network and to receive signals from the mobile communication network, and a central unit (CU) configured to provide data based on the signals received through the plurality of remote units to one or more devices located in a vehicle. The plurality of remote units includes an array antenna attached to a body of the vehicle.

Abstract: A method includes determining a set of pattern position errors between (i) a set of expected pattern positions of a calibration pattern on a laser target situated in a laser processing field of a laser system and produced based on a set of initial scan optic actuation corrections associated with a scan optic of the laser system and (ii) a set of measured pattern positions of the calibration pattern, determining a set of scan optic actuation rates based on the set of initial scan optic actuation corrections, and updating the set of initial scan optic actuation corrections based on the set of scan optic actuation rates and the set of pattern position errors so as to form a set of updated scan optic actuation corrections that is associated with a reduction of at least a portion of the set of pattern position errors.

Abstract: A method for wireless interrogation of data from a passive element. A first high frequency signal sent to the element excites the element to transmit a response signal which is received and mixed with a reference signal in a mixer, generating a data signal. The data signal is evaluated to extract data. A second high frequency signal generated from the same frequency reference as the first frequency signal is used as a reference signal. A control signal is generated by mixing the reference and first frequency signals. The data signal is bandpass-filtered in analog form and is converted, with the control signal, to a digital signal and digital control signal which are then each bandpass-filtered in digital form. The digital data and digital control signals are correlated to form a result signal so that a digital coherence is achieved. Raw data representing the data are obtained from the result signal.

Abstract: An estimation apparatus for IQ imbalance of an optical transmitter, a compensation apparatus for IQ imbalance of an optical transmitter and electronic equipment; wherein, estimation and compensation of IQ imbalance of an optical transmitter are performed by directly using an estimation model based on a transform matrix of received signals and transmitted signals, therefore, a phase offset shift may be estimated accurately, and precision of estimation of drifts of various angles is ensured, furthermore, accurate recovery of the constellation diagram of received signals is achieved.

Abstract: A WAP for wireless communications on a selected orthogonal frequency division multiplexed (OFDM) communication channel of a wireless local area network (WLAN). The transceiver includes: antennas, transmit and receive chain components, a stream separation control circuit, and an Inter Carrier Interference (ICI) removal circuit. The receive chain components include: an equalizer component converting a received uplink communication packet from one or more of the associated stations at an input into discrete communication streams at an output thereof. The stream separation control circuit couples to the equalizer component to control the separation of the communication streams at the output of the equalizer component into groups, with each group comprising all of the communication streams transmitted by a corresponding one of the one or more associated stations. The ICI removal circuit couples to the stream separation control circuit to discretely remove ICI from each group of streams.

Abstract: A high-frequency front end circuit includes a frequency fixed filter and frequency variable LC filters, and these are connected in series in a signal transmission path. The frequency fixed filter transmits high-frequency signals in a frequency band of a communication band and attenuates high-frequency signals outside the frequency band of the communication band. One of the frequency variable LC filters is an LC filter and attenuates unnecessary wave frequencies in the frequency band of the communication band. Another one of the frequency variable filters is a resonator filter that passes high-frequency signals in a frequency band of a selected channel and attenuates high-frequency signals in frequency bands of adjacent communication channels of the selected channel.

Abstract: A wireless communication device detects when the wireless communication device is in a high speed environment, e.g., on a high speed train, and detects whether the behavior of the automatic frequency control (AFC) shall be changed since the AFC behavior is not stable. Receiver algorithms, i.e., the AFC, are changed such that an optimization for the high speed environment is obtained, without any risk of degrading the performance in all other fading environments.

Abstract: An interference cancelation receiver can cancel channel state information reference signal interference using a single fast fourier transform (FFT), thereby reducing the complexity of the receiver. The transmitter can multiplex a channel state information reference signal (CSI-RS) with a physical downlink shared channel (PDSCH) of another numerology, thereby improving a resource utilization. Thus, significant gains in link and system throughputs can be achieved via the use of the interference cancelation receiver.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method and a system for wirelessly and passively measuring temperature and devices forming the system. The method includes: receiving an energy feedback radio frequency (RF) signal by a temperature measuring end; converting the energy feedback RF signal into electric energy and storing the electric energy; and starting the temperature measuring end after obtaining the electric energy, and transmitting a RF signal under the current temperature to a terminal, and calculating the current temperature through the terminal. The method, the system and the devices forming the system provided in the present disclosure are capable of activating the crystal oscillator or the ceramic oscillator wirelessly and passively, therefore, the method, the system and the devices can be used to wirelessly and passively measure temperature, which is convenient.

Abstract: The present disclosure provides a method implemented in an access point, AP, for maintaining synchronization among APs in a radio access network as well as the AP. The method comprises at least one of a transmission step and a reception step. At the transmission step, a first inter-AP synchronization signal is transmitted to a first neighboring AP, which synchronizes to the AP, at a transmission resource indicated by a first synchronization signal transmission/reception pattern associated with the AP, when the first neighboring AP receives the first inter-AP synchronization signal at a reception resource indicated by a second synchronization signal transmission/reception pattern associated with the first neighboring AP, wherein the reception resource indicated by the second synchronization signal transmission/reception pattern overlaps with the transmission resource indicated by the first synchronization signal transmission/reception pattern.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure are directed to processing signals received from different sources, such as may be relevant to receiving signals having respective time-offsets based upon a distance via which the respective signals travel, and/or due to an oscillator clock mismatch. As may be implemented in accordance with one or more embodiments, respective fast Fourier transform (FFT) series are generated for symbols in respective ones of communications received in parallel. For each message that the receiver is trying to decode, channel estimation is performed on the respective FFT series, and one of the FFT series is selected based upon metrics indicative of interference in the respective FFT series, for that particular message. A decoding timing window is set based on the selected FFT series, and the selected FFT series is decoded.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal from a remote transmitter via an electrically-tunable antenna having a tunable element. An adjustment, to be applied to a response of the electrically-tunable antenna, is calculating by analyzing the received signal. The response of the electrically-tunable antenna is adapted by controlling the tunable element responsively to the estimated adjustment.

Abstract: Aspects of the present disclosure provide techniques for phase tracking in wireless communications using frames with some portions that use relatively long symbol durations.

Abstract: A method for transmitting information, a station, and an access point in a MU-MIMO system includes: determining, by a first station, multiple to-be-sent first long training sequences, where the multiple first long training sequences include at least one pilot for phase tracking; and sending, by the first station, the multiple first long training sequences to an access point on multiple symbols, where a second station sends multiple second long training sequences to the access point on the multiple symbols, the multiple second long training sequences include at least one pilot for phase tracking, and a first pilot for phase tracking and a second pilot for phase tracking occupy different time-frequency resources, where the at least one pilot for phase tracking included in the multiple first long training sequences includes the first pilot for phase tracking.

Abstract: Methods and systems for correcting carrier frequency offsets (CFOs) in a wireless transceiver are disclosed. The method includes receiving a first predetermined number of data packets and analyzing the first predetermined number of data packets to determine one or more wireless link quality metrics. The method includes adjusting a local oscillator in accordance with a first local oscillator adjustment strategy. The method includes receiving a second predetermined number of data packets and analyzing the second predetermined number of data packets to determine the one or more wireless link quality metrics. The method includes repeating the first local oscillator adjustment strategy if the wireless link quality metrics improve. The method includes changing to a second local oscillator adjustment strategy if the wireless link quality metrics worsen and adjusting the local oscillator in accordance with the second local oscillator adjustment strategy.

Abstract: Diversity receiver front end system with amplifier phase compensation. A receiving system can include a first amplifier disposed along a first path, corresponding to a first frequency band, between an input of the receiving system and an output of the receiving system. The receiving system can include a second amplifier disposed along a second path, corresponding to a second frequency band, between the input of the receiving system and the output of the receiving system. The receiving system can include a first phase-shift component disposed along the first path and configured to phase-shift the second frequency band of a signal passing through the first phase-shift component based on a phase-shift caused by the first amplifier at the second frequency band.

Abstract: A channel selector for a frequency modulation radio frequency receiver, including a band-pass filter, of which the frequency band is centered on the central frequency of the channel to be selected, and has a width that is automatically variable between a minimum value and a maximum value, the minimum value being determined dynamically proportional to a weighted sum of the field level and the modulation level of the channel, according to a formula MinBW=k1×C+k2×M, in which MinBW is the minimum value, C the field level, k1 the weight associated with the field level, M the modulation level, and k2 the weight associated with the modulation level. The weight associated with the field level is less than the weight associated with the modulation level, preferably in a ratio of 1:3.

Abstract: An adaptive recursive filter is disclosed. The filter includes a filtering device to iteratively apply a recursive filter to signal frames corresponding to portions of a sampled broadband signal. Each iteration of the recursive filter may include generating an autocorrelation signal of an input signal frame, calculating a ratio of a magnitudes of a pair of successive points of the autocorrelation signal, comparing the ratio to a selected signal detection threshold such that a value of the ratio greater than a threshold indicates at least one signal of interest, calculating an energy-weighted average frequency of the input signal frame as a frequency of interest, comparing a spectral energy of the input signal frame at the frequency of interest to spectral energies of surrounding frequencies to identify a frequency of a narrowband interference signal, and filtering the input signal frame at the identified frequency to remove the identified narrowband interference signal.

Abstract: A system includes a laser configured to generate a tunable optical frequency. The system also includes an optical transmitter to map baseband data to symbols represented in a digital modulation constellation, add a frequency offset to the digital modulation constellation to cause the digital modulation constellation to rotate at a rate equal to the added frequency offset, modulate the optical frequency with the rotating digital modulation constellation, and transmit the resulting modulated optical frequency. The system also includes an optical receiver to receive the transmitted modulated optical frequency and, using the tunable optical frequency, detect the rotating digital modulation constellation conveyed by the received modulated optical frequency.

Abstract: A wired network may be used to carry signals for a wireless network, in a frequency-shifted manner, to extend the range of the wireless network. A wired network may detect signal interference emanating from a wireless service provider, and received through a leak in the wired network's infrastructure. Devices may be installed or leveraged in the vicinity of the interference to extend the wireless service to geographic areas that may have poor reception. The devices may amplify wireless downstream signals and transmit them wirelessly, and may receive upstream wireless communications and transmit them upstream in the wired network's protocol.

Abstract: Embodiments of the present invention relate to methods and systems for simultaneous communication with multiple wireless communication devices. In some embodiments, a method for simultaneous communication with multiple wireless communication devices includes receiving, using a plurality of antennas at a first wireless station, a plurality of packets, comprised of orthogonal frequency division multiplexing (OFDM) wireless signals, transmitted simultaneously from a plurality of other wireless stations wherein each of the simultaneously transmitted packets includes a plurality of frequency tones, frequency domain transform the received packets, grouping frequency domain transform outputs for each subcarrier, determining a difference between subcarrier groups formed over different sample sets, and determining a set of weights for each subcarrier, wherein the weights are selected such that the first wireless station can at least one of detect or demodulate the received plurality of packets.

Abstract: A method includes receiving a signal from a remote transmitter via an electrically-tunable antenna having a tunable element. An adjustment, to be applied to a response of the electrically-tunable antenna, is calculating by analyzing the received signal. The response of the electrically-tunable antenna is adapted by controlling the tunable element responsively to the estimated adjustment.

Abstract: A digital broadcasting system and a data processing method are disclosed. A receiving system of the digital broadcasting system includes a receiving unit, an SI handler, and a decoding unit. The receiving unit receives broadcast signals including mobile service data and main service data. The mobile service data configure a data group, and the data group includes a signaling information region in some of a plurality of data regions. The signaling information region may include TPC signaling data and FIC signaling data. The SI handler acquires channel configuration information of the mobile service data from the broadcast signal using pre-decided IP access information, and extracts encoding format information for each IP stream component within a corresponding virtual channel service RTP-packetized and received from the acquired channel configuration information. The decoding unit decodes the mobile service data of the corresponding IP stream component based upon the extracted encoding format information.

Abstract: In an optical receiver, an optical local oscillator (LO) frequency is generated. A modulated optical frequency is received at the optical receiver. An LO-signal frequency offset between the received modulated optical frequency and the optical LO frequency is determined. A determination is made as to whether the LO-signal frequency offset is in one of multiple predefined non-overlapping target windows that cover respective non-zero LO-signal frequency offsets. If it is determined that the LO-signal frequency offset is not in one of the target windows, the optical LO frequency is tuned to drive the LO-signal frequency offset toward one of the target windows to ensure the LO-signal frequency offset is non-zero.

Abstract: The present invention concerns a method for correcting a frequency shift on symbols received by a receiver, each symbol being composed of N samples and of a cyclic prefix of a predetermined number ? samples, the ? samples being a copy of ? samples of the N samples. The receiver: —calculates for each symbol, a correlation between at most the ? samples of the cyclic prefix and the at most ? samples among the last samples, —averages the correlations over a number of symbols and determines one smooth frequency shift estimation for each averaged correlation, —calculates an exponential from the smooth frequency shift estimation, delays the received symbols by a delay, —multiplies the exponential by the delayed received symbols.

Abstract: In a phase error corrector, a signal extractor extracts received reference signals from received signals, and an error vector calculator calculates the error vectors of phase errors by comparing the extracted received reference signals with a known reference signal that is to be transmitted. A representative vector calculator divides, according to frequency, the error vectors into two or more groups and calculates representative vectors for the respective groups. A correction value calculator calculates, on the basis of the representative vectors, phase correction values for the respective frequencies. A phase corrector uses the calculated phase correction values to correct the phase errors for the respective frequencies.

Abstract: An example communications device may include a slicer that may generate a digital output signal by thresholding a received signal according to variably set timing and voltage parameters. Testing circuitry may determine expected bit error ratios for multiple time-voltage slices by performing test operations corresponding respectively to the multiple time-voltage slices. Each of the test operations may include setting the timing and voltage parameters of the slicer based on the corresponding time-voltage slice, periodically measuring a bit error ratio based on the digital output signal and determining a confidence level for the measured bit error ratio, and in response to the determined confidence level equaling or exceeding a specified value, designating a current value of the measured bit-error ratio as the expected bit error ratio for the corresponding time-voltage slice and ending the test operation.