Programmable signal decoder
AssigneeGeneral Dynamics Government Systems Corporation
InventorDan L. Westfall
Life of this patent
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Abstract
A programmable signal decoder processes incoming signals using any one of several predefined decoding schemes. The signal decoder is programmed to perform the desired decoding operations by downloading configuration data representative of the decoding scheme from a data memory to programmable logic in the signal decoder. Programmable metric tables provide set mapping. A generic four-level decoder structure includes two levels that are programmable Viterbi decoders, one level that is a Wagner decoder and another level that provides free bit selection operations. The four levels are combined, as needed, to implement two-dimensional, four-dimensional, multi-level and other coded modulation formats.
Claims36
A signal decoder for decoding data signals according to at least one decoding format, comprising:
- a data memory for storing configuration data associated with at least one decoding format;
- a programmable logic circuit which is programmable with said configuration data, said logic circuit acting to decode said signals according to said at least one decoding format associated with said configuration data;
- and
- a programming controller which programs said logic circuit with said configuration data.
A method for decoding data signals according to at least one decoding format, including the steps of:
- defining configuration data according to a decoding format;
- storing said configuration data in a data memory;
- programming a logic circuit with said configuration data;
- and
- decoding said signals using said programmed logic circuit.
A signal de coder for decoding data signals according to at least one decoding format, comprising:
- at least one metric calculator data memory for calculating a plurality of branch metrics from said signals;
- at least one programmable add-compare-select circuit for accumulating said branch metrics;
- at least one programmable survivor memory unit for calculating a path based on said branch metrics;
- and
- at least one programmable output control for generating a decoded signal using said path.
A method for decoding data signals, including the steps of:
- storing, in a data memory, a metric table representative of a mapping of a set assignment to a trellis;
- calculating a plurality of branch metrics using said signals and said metric table;
- programming at least one logic circuit with first programming data defining add, compare and select functions for accumulating said branch metrics;
- programming said at least one logic circuit with second programming data defining a survivor memory unit for calculating a path based on said branch metrics;
- and
- decoding said signals by calculating a plurality of branch metrics using said signals and said metric table, accumulating said branch metrics and calculating a path based on said branch metrics.
A method for programming an apparatus to provide a programmable signal decoder, including the steps of:
- defining a metric table representative of a mapping of a set assignment to a trellis;
- storing said metric table in a data memory;
- defining first programming data representative of add, compare and select functions for accumulating branch metrics;
- defining second programming data representative of a programmable survivor memory unit for calculating a path based on said branch metrics;
- and
- programming at least one logic circuit with said first and second programming data.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.