System and method for estimating noise characteristics in the presence of non-stationary noise

摘要

A thresholding noise estimator detects and samples an error signal during a sampling period. When the magnitude of a noise sample, also known as an error sample, is at least equal to a predefined threshold, the power of that error sample is calculated. At the end of the sampling period, the computed powers of the error samples (only those data samples having a magnitude at least equal to the predefined threshold) are averaged. This average power corresponds to an error indicator which quantitatively indicates the power for that portion(s) of an error signal which is at least equal to the threshold. Alternative embodiments provide for magnitude hysteresis, time hysteresis, or both magnitude and time hysteresis in the determination of an error indicator. Also, alternative embodiments provide for adding the power of the peak error sample to the average power in the determination of an error indicator, or, provide for adding an interleaved average peak power to the average power in the determination of an error indicator.