Spatial processing and timing estimation using a training sequence in a radio communications system

A machine-readable medium having stored thereon data representing sequences of instructions which, when executed by a machine, cause the machine to perform operations comprising:

• receiving a burst having a known training sequence at a set of diversity antennas;
• sampling the received burst at each antenna;
• determining a coarse timing estimate for samples from at least one antenna;
• calculating a spatial weighting vector using values computed in determining the coarse timing estimate;
• applying the spatial weighting vector to the received burst samples for each antenna to form a single channel signal;
• determining a fine timing estimate for the single channel signal;
• determining a second spatial weighting vector using the fine timing estimate;
• applying the second spatial weighting vector to the received burst samples for each antenna to form a second single channel signal;
• and
• demodulating the second single channel signal.

An apparatus comprising:

• a set of diversity antennas to receive a burst having a known training sequence;
• means for sampling the received burst at each antenna;
• means for determining a coarse timing estimate for samples from at least one antenna;
• means for calculating a spatial weighting vector using values computed in determining the coarse timing estimate;
• means for applying the spatial weighting vector to the received burst samples for each antenna to form a single channel signal;
• means for determining a fine timing estimate for the single channel signal;
• means for determining a second spatial weighting vector using the fine timing estimate;
• means for applying the second spatial weighting vector to the received burst samples for each antenna to form a second single channel signal;
• and
• means for demodulating the second single channel signal.