Patent ID: 6088407
Filing Date: 2000-07-11
Classification: H04B,H04W

Abstract:
A system for processing radio frequency signals of different signal strengths, which signals are broadcast at a transmission frequency from a plurality of sources disbursed in a geographic area, such radio frequency signals being modulated to include packets of digital symbols, said system comprising a plurality of receivers each having:an antenna for detecting the radio frequency signals;a receiver component coupled to the antenna for demodulating the signals as detected by the antenna;a converter for converting the detected signals to an output in digital form; and a symbol information processor receiving the digital output of the converter for detecting symbols of the packets and assigning accuracy indicators corresponding to the probability that such symbols have been accurately detected, said assigning being conducted independently for each detected symbol on a symbol-by-symbol basis without reference to the results of preceding processing to detect the symbols or estimates of subsequent processing or detection;and a controller for receiving signals of detected symbols and associated accuracy indicators from disparate ones of said plurality of receivers and for combining accuracy indicators of corresponding symbols detected by the disparate receivers so as to determine the most likely detected symbols.