Abstract:
An apparatus, software modem, and method for a data communications device, such as a modem (100, 101), to determine a symbol rate and carrier frequency, from a received probe signal, for optimizing a bit rate for data transmission and reception. The various embodiments utilizing a processor (108) or a digital signal processor (106) receive a probe signal, which also typically contains noise and other distortions, particularly envelope delay distortion. The various method and apparatus embodiments then determine a variance of the envelope delay distortion, either directly or indirectly as a correlate of attenuation distortion or as a correlate of a selected transmit pre-emphasis filter specified under the ITU V.34 protocol. The variance of the envelope delay distortion is then utilized to eliminate or disable certain symbol rates and corresponding carrier frequencies in the determination of an optimal symbol rate and carrier frequency for data transmission and reception.