Channel estimation and/or equalization using repeated adaptation

Abstract

A novel approach of repeated adaptation is provided that can be applied to either one or both of channel estimation and/or equalization. From an incoming data packet that includes data and a training sequence, a modified data packet is generated that includes the data, the training sequence, and at least one additional copy of the training sequence. From the format of this modified data packet, the same training sequence can be used over and over again a desired number of times to perform channel estimation and subsequent calculation of equalizer tap coefficients. Alternatively, the same training sequence can be used over and over again a desired number of times to converge the equalizer coefficient taps directly without doing any preliminary channel estimation. Generally, either of these approaches can be characterized as a cyclic adaptation operation that provides improved performance without incurring any reduction in throughput of the communication channel.

1 - 69 . (canceled)  
   
   
       70 . A method in a receiver for rapid compensation of a dynamic channel effect on a signal received from a wireless communication channel, the received signal includes a training sequence portion and a data portion, the method comprises: 
 receiving a wireless channel estimate;    determining a plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion over a plurality of channel equalization cycles, wherein the wireless channel estimate modifies an end condition of at least one of the plurality of channel equalization cycles; and    when the plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients have converged, equalizing the received signal to compensate the dynamic channel effect.    
   
   
       71 . The method of  claim 70  wherein providing the wireless channel estimate comprises: 
 ‘a priori’ information that corresponds to a characteristic of the wireless communication channel.    
   
   
       72 . The method of  claim 70  wherein providing the wireless channel estimate comprises: 
 initializing the wireless channel estimate from a corresponding value at the end of a previous cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles.    
   
   
       73 . The method of  claim 70  wherein providing the wireless channel estimate comprises: 
 selectively estimating a characteristic of a communication channel using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion, the repeated adaptation of the selective channel estimation being performed using a plurality of channel estimation cycles having a plurality of regions, wherein estimating a characteristic of the communication channel includes performing region-dependent error handling using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion.    
   
   
       74 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein the determining a plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients is performed using a decision feedback equalizer.  
   
   
       75 . The method of  claim 70 , further comprising: 
 storing the at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion in a buffer; and    retrieving the at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion from the buffer during at least one of a channel estimation cycle and a channel equalization cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles.    
   
   
       76 . The method of  claim 70 , wherein one region within the plurality of regions includes a number of iterations, a step size, and a threshold.  
   
   
       77 . The method of  claim 76 , wherein at least one additional region within the plurality of regions comprises the number of iterations and a step size smaller than the step size of the one region.  
   
   
       78 . A method for rapid compensation of a dynamic channel effect on a signal received from a wireless communication channel, the signal includes a training sequence portion and a data portion, the method comprises: 
 determining a plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion over a plurality of channel equalization cycles; and    when the plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients have converged, equalizing the dynamic channel effect on the received signal using the plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients.    
   
   
       79 . The method of  claim 78  further comprises: 
 storing the at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion; and    retrieving at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion during a channel equalization cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles.    
   
   
       80 . The method  claim 78  wherein a channel equalization cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles includes a plurality of regions.  
   
   
       81 . The method of  claim 80  further comprises: 
 performing region-dependent error handling using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion, wherein the one region within the plurality of regions includes a number of iterations, a step size, and a threshold.    
   
   
       82 . A communication receiver operable to receive a signal transmitted via a wireless communication channel, the received signal includes a training sequence portion and a data portion, the communication receiver comprises: 
 a channel equalizer block that is operable to rapidly compensate for a dynamic channel effect to the received signal, wherein the channel equalizer block functions to: 
 determine a plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion over a plurality of channel equalization cycles, and  
 when the plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients have converged, the channel equalizer block equalizes the dynamic channel effect on the received signal using the plurality of channel equalizer tap coefficients.  
   
   
   
       83 . The communication receiver of  claim 82  wherein the channel equalizer block further functions to: 
 store the at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion; and    retrieve at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion during a channel equalization cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles.    
   
   
       84 . The communication receiver of  claim 82  wherein a channel equalization cycle of the plurality of channel equalization cycles includes a plurality of regions.  
   
   
       85 . The communication receiver of  claim 84  wherein the channel equalizer block further functions to: 
 perform region-dependent error handling using repeated adaptation on at least one of the training sequence portion and the data portion, wherein the one region within the plurality of regions includes a number of iterations, a step size, and a threshold.