BLOCK DECISION FEEDBACK EQUALIZER

A block decision feedback equalizer uses a Cholesky algorithm to fa ctora channel impulse response correlation matrix in ord er to solve for data received over a dispersive communications channel. While the Cholesky algorithm increases the computational complexity of the initial data symbol estimate (the result of a linear block estimation), its use allows the use of a recursive update for computing successive data symbols with little additional computation. Further, the Cholesky algorithm is free of limitations that would limit detection to cases where the channel span or memory is smaller than the probe segment following the data block to be detected. Additional functions such as diversity combining, incorporation of a time-varying channel response model and fractional baud-period sampling are provided in the block detector.