Spread spectrum base band processor
AssigneeNorand Corporation
InventorsPatick W. Kinney, Ronald L. Mahany, Steven E. Koenck
Life of this patent
Estimating the term…
Abstract
An apparatus including an antenna and amplifier for receiving and amplifying a spread spectrum signal, at least two correlators for determining the correlation levels of the received signal with respect to the correlators corresponding code sequences, and a comparator for comparing the output levels of the two correlators. A signal detector is operably connect to the correlators for determining when a code sequence has been detected on one of the correlators. A phase-locked loop is controlled by the output of the signal detected unit and triggers a sample and hold device which samples the output of the comparator. A device is also provide to output the decoded data which is held on the sample and hold device.
Claims3
Apparatus comprising:
- antenna means for receiving an spread spectrum signal;
- amplification means operably attached to said antenna means for amplifying said received signal;
- first correlator means operably attached to said amplification means for determining the correlation level of said signal with respect to a first code sequence;
- second correlator means operably attached to said amplification means for determining the correlation level of said signal with respect to a second code sequence;
- comparing means for comparing the output levels of said first correlator means and said second correlator means;
- holding means operably attached to said comparing means for sampling and holding the output of said comparing means;
- signal detection means operably attached to said first correlator means and said second correlator means for determining when a code sequence has been detected on one of the first and second correlator means;
- triggering means for transferring a sample and hold trigger from said signal detector means to said holding means;
- and
- means for outputting the decoded information from said holding means.
A method of processing spread spectrum signals comprising of the steps of:
- receiving a spread spectrum signal;
- amplifying said spread spectrum signal;
- correlating said signal using a first correlator having an output and a second correlator having an output;
- comparing the outputs of said first correlator and said second correlator into a comparator output;
- determining when a correlated signal has been detected on said first correlator or said second correlator;
- determining the time interval between determinations that a correlated signal has been detected;
- sampling the comparator output when a determination has been made that a correlated signal has been detected;
- sampling the comparator output after the determined time interval even when a determination of a correlated signal detect has not been made;
- and
- holding the sampled comparator output until another sampling occurs,
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.