Methods, communication apparatus, and computer program products for detecting an information field in a signal by averaging symbol values across multiple time slot intervals

TL;DR: In this article, the average value of the symbols received in a symbol position across a plurality of time slot intervals is determined, and a determination may be made whether a position contains a fixed symbol based on the average symbol value determined for that symbol position.

Abstract: Methods, communication apparatus, and computer program products process a signal by detecting an information field therein. A signal may be received across a plurality of time slot intervals with each time slot interval including a plurality of symbol positions so as to provide a sequence of symbols associated with the received signal. An average value of the symbols received in a symbol position across the plurality of time slot intervals is determined. A determination may be made whether a symbol position contains a fixed symbol based on the average symbol value determined for that symbol position. Alternatively, a determination may be made whether the received signal contains symbols corresponding to a predefined symbol sequence based on the average values respectively determined for the plurality of symbol positions.