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Abstract

The invention relates to synchronizing in communication systems by using a sequential correlation technique. A digital sequence known to the receiver, a so-called signature, is allocated a plurality of segments. The segments are correlated, segment for segment, in a correlator (300) which is equally as long as the segment. The segments may have the same or different bit patterns. When a first segment is received in the correlator (300) and the correlation value of this segment exceeds an associated threshold value, the segment is accepted as received and is saved in a memory (308) in response to a signal from the control unit (311). A timer (319) is set to a time point that corresponds to the length of the segments. There is then correlated a second segment whose correlation value on the signal from the timer (319) is added (304) to the value stored in the memory (308). If the sum exceeds an associated threshold value, the sum is stored in the memory (308). Detection continues in this way. When the sum of the correlation values of all segments have exceeded the threshold value of the last segment, there is generated a sync. time pulse signal (Ts). Should a threshold value not be exceeded, it is assumed that a wrong signature has been received, and detection of the first segment is recommenced.

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First Claim