Per-survivor processing for channel acquisition, data detection and modulation classification

Per-survivor processing (PSP) is a technique for jointly estimating the data sequence and unknown parameters of a communications signal which exhibits memory. PSP utilizes a trellis to retain and update distinct data sequence and channel estimates. We apply PSP to signals affected by ISI due to a FIR channel. The unknown channel acquisition performance of PSP is compared to that obtained from two blind equalization techniques. PSP may also be used to perform modulation classification of signals in ISI environments. Independent trellises matched to the modulations are created and metrics from each trellis are compared to produce a classification decision