Equalizing without altering or detecting data

For terrestrial digital radio systems that use Quadrature Amplitude Modulation, the idea of adapting equalizers to multipath distortion, without relying on accurate data estimates, is attractive. Prompt adaptation following a severe fade, when accurate data estimates are unavailable, is useful for reducing outage time. To avoid processing and administrative overhead, the adaptation method should not involve violating the transmitted signal with the insertion of equalizer training signals. We approach this kind of equalization by building on an algorithm of D. Godard (IEEE Transactions on Communications, November 1980)
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that was devised for voiceband polling networks. The method involves a very simple tap update procedure. However, the technique lacks the foundation of the years of analysis and experimentation that underlie least-mean-square adaptation algorithms. The main purpose of this paper is to present new findings, including (1) a proof that the algorithm, thought to require special equalizer initialization, converges regardless of initialization (this offers useful flexibility in digital radio systems, since, after a severe fade, the algorithm could start with any tap misalignment); (2) a preliminary look at convergence speed suggesting the possibility of significant outage reduction; (3) an algorithm that provides phase coherence (the original algorithm requires a follow-on phase-locked loop); and (4) an algorithm for cross-polarization cancellation as well as equalization.