Method and apparatus for searching for a pre-defined code in a bit stream

A computer readable medium for providing codes for directing a processor circuit to search for a predefined code in a bit stream by:

• initiating a first search for correlation of said bit stream with a reference code applied to said bit stream at a first plurality of different times according to a first resolution to produce a first set of correlation values and associated times;
• initiating a second search for correlation of said bit stream with said reference code applied to said bit stream at a second plurality of different times to produce a second set of correlation values and associated times, said reference code being offset in time from a maximal correlation value of said first set such that said reference code is applied to said bit stream at times other than times of said first plurality;
• and selecting out of said first and said second sets a maximal correlation value for use in calculating a strength of said predefined code in said bit stream.

A signal encoded with computer readable instructions for directing a processor circuit to search for a predefined code in a bit stream, said signal comprising:

• a first code segment for directing said processor circuit to initiate a first search for correlation of said bit stream with a reference code applied to said bit stream at a first plurality of different times according to a first resolution to produce a first set of correlation values and associated times;
• a second code segment for directing said processor circuit to initiate a second search for correlation of said bit stream with said reference code applied to said bit stream at a second plurality of different times to produce a second set of correlation values and associated times, said reference code being offset in time from a maximal correlation value of said first set such that said reference code is applied to said bit stream at times other than times of said first plurality;
• and selecting out of said first and said second sets a maximal correlation value for use in calculating a strength of said redefined code in said bit stream.

An apparatus for searching for a predefined code in a bit stream, the apparatus comprising:

• means for initiating a first search for correlation of said bit stream with a reference code applied to said bit stream at a first plurality of different times according to a first resolution to produce a first set of correlation values and associated times;
• means for initiating a second search for correlation of said bit stream with said reference code applied to said bit stream at a second plurality of different times to produce a second set of correlation values and associated times, said reference code being offset in time from a maximal correlation value of said first set such that said reference code is applied to said bit stream at times other than times of said first plurality;
• and means for selecting out of said first and said second sets a maximal correlation value for use in calculating a strength of said predefined code in said bit stream.

An apparatus for searching for a predefined code in a bit stream, the apparatus comprising:

• a searcher for searching for correlation of said bit stream with a reference code applied to said bit stream at a plurality of different times according to a first resolution to produce a set of correlation values and associated times;
• and
• a searcher controller operable to initiate a first search for correlation of said bit stream with said referenceode applied to said bit stream at a first plurality of times to produce a first set of correlation values and associated times and operable to initiate a second search for correlation of said bit stream with said reference code applied to said bit stream at a second plurality of different times to produce a second set of correlation values and associated times, said reference code being offset in time from a maximal correlation value of said first set such that said reference code is applied to said bit stream at times other than times of said first plurality, said first and second sets of correlation values being operable to be used for determining a measure of the strength of said predefined code in said bit stream.

An apparatus for searching for a predefined code in a bit stream, the apparatus comprising:

• an integrated circuit configured to search for correlation of said bit stream with a reference code applied to said bit stream at a plurality of different times according to a first resolution to produce a set of correlation values and associated times;
• and
• a processor circuit in communication with said integrated circuit and configured to control said integrated circuit to initiate a first search for correlation of said bit stream with said referenceode applied to said bit stream at a first plurality of times to produce a first set of correlation values and associated times and operable to initiate a second search for correlation of said bit stream with said reference code applied to said bit stream at a second plurality of different times to produce a second set of correlation values and associated times, said reference code being offset in time from a maximal correlation value of said first set such that said reference code is applied to said bit stream at times other than times of said first plurality, to produce a combined set of correlation values operable to be used for determining a measure of the strength of said predefined code in said bit stream.