Tap-selectable reduced state sequence estimator

摘要

A method of determining a trellis from a sequence of n symbols in a Viterbi detector. The method includes the steps of receiving a sequence of n symbols, defining partitioned sets according to a decision tree structure, and determining size of each set partitioning according to tap energy of the channel. The method also includes steps of determining a reduced set of connection paths between the current layer and a destination layer in the trellis by determining a value of a most likely oldest partitioned set in a current layer; and calculating branch metrics only for the current layers in the trellis in which the oldest partitioned set matches the determined value.