Patent ID: 6078625
Filing Date: 2000-06-20
Classification: H04L

Abstract:
An apparatus for pragmatically decoding information bits communicated at a rate of K symbols per unit interval, where K is an integer number greater than or equal to three, said apparatus comprising:a phase estimator configured to generate a phase estimate stream having a phase estimate for each unit interval;a convolutional decoder coupled to said phase estimator, said convolutional decoder being configured to decode said phase estimate stream to produce a second decoded data stream that corresponds to a second portion of said information bits;a phase rotator coupled to said phase estimator, said phase rotator being configured to generate a 2.sup.K-1 phase value stream by selectively rotating said phase estimate stream for each unit interval by either of zero or 2.pi./2.sup.K radians in response to said second decoded data stream; anda slice detector coupled to said phase rotator, said slice detector being configured to detect, for each unit interval, one of 2.sup.K-1 possible sectors indicated by said 2.sup.K-1 phase value stream, said slice detector producing a first decoded data stream that corresponds to a first portion of said information bits.