A method and apparatus for receiving data over a dispersive media is
disclosed. The received signal is composed of an unknown data segment
preceded and followed by known data segments. The communication apparatus
generates a replica of the known data segments. Channel characteristics
existing at the time of transmission of the known data segments are
estimated by comparing the known data segments with the replica. The
symbols of the unknown data segment are then determined via application of
a QR factorization. Factorization can be accomplished via Householder
transformation, Givens rotation or fast Givens rotation. Decisions can be
made on the various unknown symbols as they are analyzed and then fed back
via back substitution.
