A decoder , comprising: a correlator configured to look for a correlation by calculating a correlation value between received signals and a signature of a preamble of a packet, wherein looking for the correlation is based in part on correlation techniques comprising: setting the calculated correlation value to a clamp value if the calculated correlation value is less than the clamp value; when a correlation value threshold is exceeded by the calculated correlation value, detecting a peak in the calculated correlation value; when a peak in the calculated correlation value is found, comparing a power of the preamble of the packet with a power threshold which is based on a radio noise floor level; detecting positive correlation if the power threshold is exceeded; and using the detected peak to synchronize to a beginning of a payload of the packet; a bit constructor configured to construct bits from the payload of the packet having the preamble; a channel optimizer configured to: estimate a frequency misalignment between the received signals and an intended frequency based at least in part on the correlation; remove the estimated frequency misalignment; and filter at a frequency location based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment; alter a frequency used in transmission to downstream devices based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment. a correlator configured to look for a correlation by calculating a correlation value between received signals and a signature of a preamble of a packet, wherein looking for the correlation is based in part on correlation techniques comprising: setting the calculated correlation value to a clamp value if the calculated correlation value is less than the clamp value; when a correlation value threshold is exceeded by the calculated correlation value, detecting a peak in the calculated correlation value; when a peak in the calculated correlation value is found, comparing a power of the preamble of the packet with a power threshold which is based on a radio noise floor level; detecting positive correlation if the power threshold is exceeded; and using the detected peak to synchronize to a beginning of a payload of the packet; setting the calculated correlation value to a clamp value if the calculated correlation value is less than the clamp value; when a correlation value threshold is exceeded by the calculated correlation value, detecting a peak in the calculated correlation value; when a peak in the calculated correlation value is found, comparing a power of the preamble of the packet with a power threshold which is based on a radio noise floor level; detecting positive correlation if the power threshold is exceeded; and using the detected peak to synchronize to a beginning of a payload of the packet; a bit constructor configured to construct bits from the payload of the packet having the preamble; a channel optimizer configured to: estimate a frequency misalignment between the received signals and an intended frequency based at least in part on the correlation; remove the estimated frequency misalignment; and filter at a frequency location based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment; alter a frequency used in transmission to downstream devices based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment. estimate a frequency misalignment between the received signals and an intended frequency based at least in part on the correlation; remove the estimated frequency misalignment; and filter at a frequency location based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment; alter a frequency used in transmission to downstream devices based at least in part on the estimated frequency misalignment. <EOS>