Maximum energy delay locked loop for cluster path processing in a wireless device

A system for processing radio frequency (RF) signals, the system comprising:

• a searcher that detects a maximum signal energy level and position of at least one of a plurality of individual distinct path signals in a signal cluster, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of individual distinct path signals is received within a duration of a corresponding delay spread;
• and
• a cluster path processor that includes a group finger array having a plurality of group fingers, the cluster path processor operable to:
• determine a coarse sampling position of the group finger array based upon the position of the at least one of a plurality of individual distinct path signals in the signal cluster;
• for each of a plurality of fine sampling offsets, determine a composite channel energy estimate for the plurality of individual distinct path signals;
• select a fine sampling offset based upon a corresponding maximum composite channel energy estimate by:
• characterizing the relationship between a composite channel energy estimate and fine sampling offset;
• and selecting a fine sampling offset that corresponds to a zero differential of the relationship between composite channel energy estimate and fine sampling offset;
• determine a sampling position for the group finger array based upon the coarse sampling position and the selected fine sampling offset;
• and
• receive at least a portion of the plurality of individual distinct path signals by the group finger array at a corresponding plurality of time instants based upon the determined sampling position.

A system for processing radio frequency (RF) signals, the system comprising:

• a searcher that detects a maximum signal energy level and position of at least one of a plurality of individual distinct path signals in a signal cluster, wherein at least a portion of the plurality of individual distinct path signals is received within a duration of a corresponding delay spread;
• and
• a cluster path processor that includes a group finger array having a plurality of group fingers, the cluster path processor operable to:
• determine a coarse sampling position of the group finger array based upon the position of the at least one of a plurality of individual distinct path signals in the signal cluster;
• for each of a plurality of fine sampling offsets, determine a composite channel energy estimate for the plurality of individual distinct path signals;
• select a fine sampling offset based upon a corresponding maximum composite channel energy estimate by:
• characterizing the relationship between a composite channel energy estimate and fine sampling offset;
• and selecting a fine sampling offset that corresponds to a zero differential of the relationship between composite channel energy estimate and fine sampling offset;
• and
• determine a sampling position for the group finger array based upon the coarse sampling position and the selected fine sampling offset.