Patent ID: 6553518
Filing Date: 2003-04-22
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
A severe error detector, comprising:means for defining a plurality of constellation thresholds that correspond to a plurality of symbol constellations; means for receiving an output signal sample that is associated with one of the plurality of symbol constellations, the means for receiving comprising a decision feedback equalizer which comprises a digital filter characterized by a set of coefficients; means for comparing an absolute value of the output signal sample with the constellation threshold that corresponds with the symbol constellation associated with the output signal sample; means, responsive to the means for comparing, for recognizing a severe error only if the absolute value of the output signal sample exceeds the constellation threshold that corresponds with the symbol constellation associated with the output signal sample; means for determining if a number of severe error occurrences exceeds a first error event threshold; and means, responsive to the means for determining, for preventing the coefficients from being updated to new values if the number of severe error occurrences exceeds the first error event threshold.