Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g. – With particular circuit – Digital processing
Reexamination Certificate
1999-12-08
2001-08-14
Sotomayor, John B. (Department: 3662)
Communications: directive radio wave systems and devices (e.g.,
With particular circuit
Digital processing
C342S196000
Reexamination Certificate
active
06275183
ABSTRACT:
FIELD OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates in general to signal processing systems and methods. More particularly, the present invention relates to apparatus and methods for reducing data throughput in signal processing systems by blocking redundant data while allowing relevant data to pass.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Typical signal processing systems process large amounts of data representing the signal energy that is present in an RF environment of interest. Frequently, the amount of data is so large that it exceeds the system resources available to process the data. In these circumstances, meaningful data is often lost. One approach to dealing with this problem is to add more system resources. This approach is often undesirable, however, due to cost constraints. Another approach is to reduce data throughput. Typical signal processing systems reduce data throughput by throttling the amount of data that is allowed through the system by the use of data throttling queues. Basically, data is allowed through the system until the queue fills up. Once the queue fills with data, any additional data is dropped (i.e., prevented from continuing to pass through the system), thereby reducing data throughput.
An undesirable consequence of these types of throttling systems is that the data that is lost is often relevant data (i.e., it includes information of interest to the signal processing system). In certain applications, however, it is known that much of the signal data that passes through the system includes redundant information. Designers of signal processing systems, therefore, would benefit from methods and apparatus that reduce data throughput by blocking redundant data while allowing relevant data to pass.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention satisfies these needs in the art by providing apparatus and methods for reducing data flow through a signal processing system. The inventive method comprises receiving a set of tags from an input system, where each tag is associated with a pulse and includes a pulse characterization parameter that characterizes the associated pulse. The pulse characterization parameter can be based on, for example, pulse center frequency, duration, or angle of arrival.
The method comprises identifying a subset of tags from the set of tags, where each tag in the subset includes a predefined value of the pulse characterization parameter. The subset of tags can be identified by histogramming the set of tags based on the pulse characterization parameter. If the number of tags in the subset exceeds a threshold number, then the number of tags from the subset that are forwarded through the system is no more than the threshold number of tags.
To further reduce the flow of data through the signal processing system in an application where each of the tags includes more than one pulse characterization parameter, the inventive method can further comprise identifying a second subset of tags from the first subset set of tags, where each tag in the second subset includes a predefined value of a second pulse characterization parameter. For example, the first pulse characterization parameter can be based on pulse center frequency, while the second characterization parameter is based on pulse duration. Thus, only a subset of the subset of tags is allowed to continue to pass through the system.
Apparatus for reducing data flow through a signal processing system comprises input means for receiving the set of tags from the input system, a processor coupled to the receiving means that identifies the subset of tags, and output means for forwarding tags from the first subset to an output system. As before, if the number of tags in the subset exceeds the threshold number, then no more than the threshold number of tags from the subset are forwarded to the output system. Apparatus according to the invention can include a histogramming memory that includes a counter that is incremented for each tag in the subset that includes the predefined value of the pulse characterization parameter.
REFERENCES:
patent: 3876946 (1975-04-01), LaClair et al.
patent: 4166980 (1979-09-01), Apostolos et al.
patent: 5063386 (1991-11-01), Bourdeau et al.
patent: 5487172 (1996-01-01), Hyatt
patent: 5815198 (1998-09-01), Vachtsevan et al.
patent: 5878241 (1999-03-01), Wilkinson et al.
patent: 6191727 (2001-02-01), Springer et al.
patent: 2215473A (1989-09-01), None
L3-Communications Corporation
Sotomayor John B.
Woodcock Washburn Kurtz Mackiewicz & Norris LLP
LandOfFree
System and method for limiting histograms does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.
If you have personal experience with System and method for limiting histograms, we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and System and method for limiting histograms will most certainly appreciate the feedback.
Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2444327