Spread spectrum receiver architectures and methods therefor

Abstract

Methods and architectures for code phase searching spread spectrum signals having a repeating sequence of bits. The signals are searched virtually in parallel by segmenting with a divider ( ) received signals by sequentially, partially correlating signal segments with a corresponding replica signal segments for a predetermined number of phase delays during a time interval not greater than that required to form the next signal segment. Multiplexors ( ) and ( ) provide Doppler and replica signal segments data from Doppler signal and replica signal generators ( ) and ( ) to corresponding multipliers ( ) and ( ), respectively, for multiplication with corresponding signal segments in a segment register ( ). The partial correlation results for each phase delay and at each Doppler frequency are stored in corresponding memory locations in a coherent accumulation RAM ( ). The signals may be searched over one or more phase delays and at one or more Doppler frequencies.