Threshold extension FM demodulator apparatus for wide band width FM signals

摘要

A tunable oscillating limiter threshold extension demodulator capable of demodulating video and other wide band width FM signals is described. A steering signal is generated to tune the oscillating limiter in response to the video output signals from an FM discriminator to which input signals from the oscillating limiter are applied. The steering signal is generated so as to be in proper phase relationship to track the frequency of the FM signal for modulating frequencies within certain critical regions and is reduced in amplitude over another region where proper phase relationship is not achievable because of unavoidable delays in the system. The steering signal generating circuit may be provided by a filter having a phase response characteristic such that the total phase lag of the system is small at the low frequency end of the band width and about 360° at the high frequency end of the band width. The filter presents substantial attenuation (in the form of a notch) in the frequency region of the band width where the phase delay may be about 180. degree. and would otherwise provide improper oscillating limiter steering action. In the case of color television signals, for example, significant spectral components of the signal, specifically the components due to the sync and equalizing signals are present in the low frequency end of the signal band width while the significant color or chromatic subcarrier spectral component is at the high frequency end of the signal band width. Accordingly, when applied to tune the band pass filter of the oscillating limiter the frequency to which the oscillating limiter is tuned is caused to substantially match the instantaneous frequency of the color television modulated FM signal at the frequencies of these significant components and the noise threshold in terms of the minimum signal to noise ratio which the demodulator can operate properly is thereby improved.