Methods, apparatuses and computer program products for code correlation of multi-path spread spectrum signals

1. A method comprising:

using a correlation function to correlate a pseudo-random spreading code having a first offset with a spread signal to produce a first correlation result;

using the correlation function to correlate the pseudo-random spreading code having a second offset with the spread signal to produce a second correlation result;

applying a first weight to the first correlation result to generate a first weighted correlation result, wherein the first weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the first offset;

applying a second weight to the second correlation result to generate a second weighted correlation result, wherein the second weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the second offset;

determining a value of a cost function using the first weighted correlation result and the second weighted correlation result; and

adjusting the first offset and the second offset in dependence upon the value of the cost function.

2. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein the first weight is different from the second weight.

3. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a ratio of the second weight to the first weight is less than 1.

4. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising dynamically varying the first weight and the second weight.

5. A method as claimed in claim 1 , wherein a sum of an inverse of the first weight and an inverse of the second weight is a correlation window, and the method further comprises varying a size of the correlation window.

6. A method as claimed in claim 1 , further comprising varying a ratio of the first weight to the second weight.

7. An apparatus comprising:

a code generator operable to generate a pseudo-random spreading code having a first offset and the same pseudo-random spreading code having a second offset;

a first correlator operable to use a correlation function to correlate the pseudo-random spreading code having the first offset with a spread signal to produce a first correlation result;

a second correlator operable to use the correlation function to correlate the pseudo-random spreading code having the second offset with the spread signal to produce a second correlation result; and

circuitry operable to:

apply a first weight to the first correlation result to generate a first weighted correlation result, wherein the first weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the first offset;

apply a second weight to the second correlation result to generate a second weighted correlation result, wherein the second weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the second offset;

determine a value of a cost function using the first weighted correlation result and the second weighted correlation result; and

adjust the first offset and the second offset in dependence upon the value of the cost function.

8. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the first weight is different from the second weight.

9. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein a ratio of the second weight to the first weight is less than 1.

10. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the circuitry is further operable to dynamically vary the first weight and the second weight.

11. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein a sum of an inverse of the first weight and an inverse of the second weight is a correlation window, and the circuitry is further operable to vary a size of the correlation window.

12. An apparatus as claimed in claim 7 , wherein the circuitry is further operable to vary a ratio of the first weight to the second weight.

13. A device comprising:

a code generator operable to generate a pseudo-random spreading code having a first offset and the same pseudo-random spreading code having a second offset;

a first correlator operable to use a correlation function to correlate the pseudo-random spreading code having the first offset with a spread signal to produce a first correlation result;

a second correlator operable to use the correlation function to correlate the pseudo-random spreading code having the second offset with the spread signal to produce a second correlation result; and

circuitry comprising:

a processor; and

a non-transitory computer-readable memory storing computer program instructions that when executed by the processor enables the circuitry to:

apply a first weight to the first correlation result to generate a first weighted correlation result, wherein the first weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the first offset;

apply a second weight to the second correlation result to generate a second weighted correlation result, wherein the second weight is the value of the correlation function at feedback loop obtained lock at the second offset; and

determine a value of a cost function using the first weighted correlation result and the second weighted correlation result,

wherein the code generator is operable to adjust the first offset and the second offset in dependence upon the value of the cost function.

14. A medium as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the first weight is different from the second weight.

15. A medium as claimed in claim 13 , wherein a ratio of the second weight to the first weight is less than 1.

16. A medium as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the logic is further operable to dynamically vary the first weight and the second weight.

17. A medium as claimed in claim 13 , wherein a sum of an inverse of the first weight and an inverse of the second weight is a correlation window, and wherein the logic is further operable to vary a size of the correlation window.

18. A medium as claimed in claim 13 , wherein the logic is further operable to vary a ratio of the first weight to the second weight.