Patent ID: 7864647

Claim:
A method for selecting a slice level optimized for detecting data pulses superimposed on a signal during operational activities reliant on the detected data pulses, where the data pulses are taken as ordered groups that define data symbols representing multi-bit, predetermined data, the method comprising: performing a coarse calibration of: applying to the signal, a plurality of slice levels in a sequence; detecting data pulses using each of the plurality of slice levels; assembling a plurality of the detected data pulses into an ordered group defining one of the data symbols; decoding data represented by the data symbol defined by the ordered group assembled; measuring detected data pulse quality by comparing expected data and the decoded data, producing a measured data pulse quality reflecting data decoded; and selecting as the slice level an initial slice level corresponding to a best measured data pulse quality; and continuously monitoring and optimizing as the slice level one or more next slice levels during the operational activities by: measuring detected data pulse shape as defined by amplitude and time, producing a continuous detected data pulse quality reflecting a fine measure of the slice level optimization to correctly detect data pulses and in which direction a correction to the slice level should be applied to produce the one or more next slice levels; and adjusting the slice level around the initial slice level to produce the one or more next slice levels so as to maximize continuous detected data pulse quality.