System and method for transmitting data in frame format using an r-rake retransmission technique with blind identification of data frames

Abstract

A system and method where a data transmitter retransmits data frames to a receiver for combination with previously transmitted data frames that were received with errors to increase gain at the receiver. The data transmitter receives a retransmission request from the receiver and retransmits a particular data frame without a signaling message. The receiver compares the retransmitted data frame to other data frames stored in a buffer to determine the likelihood of a match between the transmitted data frame and a buffered data frame. When the likelihood of a match exceeds at least one predetermined threshold, the receiver combines the retransmitted data frame with the matching data frame. If the likelihood of a match is below any of the predetermined thresholds, the receiver stores either the combined data frame, or the retransmitted and matching data frame, depending on which threshold is not exceeded, and sends another retransmission request.