Self-configurable radio receiver system and method for use with signals without prior knowledge of signal defining characteristics

US8358723B1 · kind B1 · utility

Assignee

• The United States of America as represented by the Administrator of the National Aeronautics and Space Administration · US

Inventors

• Jon Hamkins · La Cañada Flintridge, US
• Marvin K. Simon · Tustin, US
• Dariush Divsalar · Santa Monica, US
• Samuel J. Dolinar · Burbank, US
• Andre Tkacenko · Pasadena, US

Key dates

• Filing date: Nov 10, 2006
• Grant date: Jan 22, 2013
• Expiry date: Sep 12, 2031

Classification

• Technology area (CPC H): Electricity
• CPC primary: H04L2027/0065
• WIPO field: Digital communication
• WIPO sector: Electrical engineering

Abstract

A method, radio receiver, and system to autonomously receive and decode a plurality of signals having a variety of signal types without a priori knowledge of the defining characteristics of the signals is disclosed. The radio receiver is capable of receiving a signal of an unknown signal type and, by estimating one or more defining characteristics of the signal, determine the type of signal. The estimated defining characteristic(s) is/are utilized to enable the receiver to determine other defining characteristics. This in turn, enables the receiver, through multiple iterations, to make a maximum-likelihood (ML) estimate for each of the defining characteristics. After the type of signal is determined by its defining characteristics, the receiver selects an appropriate decoder from a plurality of decoders to decode the signal.