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Abstract

A method and apparatus for processing cochannel signals received at a sensor array in a cumulant-based signal processing and separation engine to obtain a desired set of output signals or parameters. For use in a signal recovery system, the output signals are recovered and separated versions of the originally transmitted cochannel signals. An important feature that distinguishes the cumulant-based system from other signal separation and recovery systems is that it generates an estimated generalized steering vector associated with each signal source, and representative of all received coherent signal components attributable to the source. This feature enables the invention to perform well in multipath conditions, by combining all coherent multipath components from the same source. In a receiver/transmitter system, the estimated generalized steering vectors associated with each source are used to generate transmit beamformer weight vectors that permit cochannel transmission to multiple user stations. The basic cumulant-based processing and separation engine can also be used in a variety of applications, such as high density recording, complex phase angle equalization, receiving systems with enhanced effective dynamic range, and signal separation in the presence of strong interference. Various embodiments and extensions of the basic cumulant-based system are disclosed.

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First Claim