System and method for signal classiciation of signals in a frequency band

Abstract

A system and method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band. One or more characteristics of one or more signals in the frequency band are detected using any suitable technology, such as a device that can generate characteristics of signal pulses detected in the frequency band. Data pertaining to the signal pulses is accumulated over time. The accumulated signal data is compared against reference data associated with known signals to classify the one or more signals in the frequency band based on the comparison. The accumulated data may include one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses, and wherein the reference data associated with each of a plurality of known signals comprises one or more characteristics selected from the group consisting of: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration and time between pulses. The accumulated signal data is compared against the reference data, and depending on the degree of match with reference data, a signal can be classified. Additional levels of signal classification processing may be performed.

What is claimed is:  
     
         1 . A method for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band, comprising: 
 a. detecting one or more characteristics of pulses of radio frequency energy occurring in the frequency band;    b. accumulating data pertaining to the characteristics over time; and    c. analyzing the data to classify one or more signals in the frequency band.    
     
     
         2 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of accumulating data comprises accumulating data pertaining to characteristics including: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses.  
     
     
         3 . The method of  claim 1 , wherein the step of analyzing comprises comparing the accumulated data against a timing template defining a time period between pulses associated with known signals.  
     
     
         4 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising the step of obtaining a sample of a radio frequency energy detected for a time interval, wherein the step of analyzing further comprises examining the sample of the radio frequency energy.  
     
     
         5 . The method of  claim 4 , wherein the step of analyzing further comprises the step of correlating the sample against a sync-word associated with a known signal based on preliminary indications of a match to a corresponding known signal from analysis of the data.  
     
     
         6 . The method of  claim 1 , and further comprising the step of outputting, for a signal that can be classified, information that describes the type of signal, as well as one or more of: a center frequency of the signal, if relevant, a measure of probability that there is a match, power of the signal and duty cycle of the signal.  
     
     
         7 . A system for classifying signals occurring in a frequency band, comprising: 
 a. a memory that stores accumulated data pertaining characteristics of pulses of radio frequency energy occurring in the frequency band over time; and    b. a processor coupled to the memory that analyzes the data to classify one or more signals in the frequency band.    
     
     
         8 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory stores accumulated data comprises accumulating pulse data pertaining to characteristics including: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses.  
     
     
         9 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor analyzes the accumulated data against a timing template defining a time period between pulses associated with known signals.  
     
     
         10 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the memory stores accumulated data pertaining to characteristics including: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration histogram and time between pulses.  
     
     
         11 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor further correlates data describing a sample of radio frequency energy detected for a time interval against a sync-word associated with a known signal based on preliminary indications of a match to a corresponding known signal from analysis of the data.  
     
     
         12 . The system of  claim 7 , wherein the processor outputs, for a signal that can be classified, information that describes the type of signal, as well as one or more of: a center frequency of the signal, if relevant, a measure of probability that there is a match, power of the signal and duty cycle of the signal.  
     
     
         13 . A processor readable medium encoded with instructions that, when executed by a processor, cause the processor to perform the steps of: 
 a. accumulating data pertaining characteristics of pulses of radio frequency energy occurring in the frequency band over time; and    b. analyzing the data to classify one or more signals in the frequency band.    
     
     
         14 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions encoded on the medium for performing the step of accumulating comprise instructions for accumulating data pertaining to characteristics including: pulse center frequency, pulse bandwidth, pulse duration, time between pulses and number of different active pulses.  
     
     
         15 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions encoded on the medium for performing the step of analyzing comprises instructions for comparing the accumulated data against a timing template defining a time period between pulses associated with known signals.  
     
     
         16 . The medium of  claim 13 , wherein the instructions encoded on the medium for performing the step of analyzing comprises instructions for correlating data describing a sample of radio frequency energy detected for a time interval against a sync-word associated with a known signal based on preliminary indications of a match to a corresponding known signal from analysis of the data.