PROGRAMMABLE TIME INVARIANT COHERENT SPREAD SYMBOL CORRELATOR

Abstract

An hybrid array correlator is configured of a cascaded array of individually identical correlator cells, through which a preselectable reference symbol sequence, identifiable with a symbol to be acquired, is successively clocked, from cell to cell and then recirculated back to the beginning or first cell of the array. The physical span of the correlator covers one complete symbol time, with each cell imparting a one-half chip delay to the reference spreading sequence as it is clocked through the correlator. Yet, because of the recirculation of the reference spreading sequence from the last cell back to the first cell, the electrical span of the correlator is effectively infinite or time invariant. An incoming unknown symbol sequence capable of being acquired is applied in parallel to all the cells of the correlator array. Regardless of the time of arrival or phase of this incoming spreading sequence, in one of the cells of the correlator, the reference spreading sequence will have a phase that is effectively aligned with that of the incoming signal and, assuming that the incoming symbol sequence is associated with that matched filter, this particular correlator cell will produce a strong correlation output at the completion of the duration of the symbol span, thereby indicating that the symbol has been detected.

Source: Google Patents

35 USC §181 Secrecy Order

Inventor

• 1WILLIAM R. FRAZIER

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