Abstract: Differential encoding is commonly used in data transmission systems because it allows correct recovery of the data even though the polarity may have changed during transmission. However, single errors which are introduced result in double errors, i.e., error of an even number following the differential decoding process. Because many error detection schemes rely upon parity checks, which look for an odd number to determine if an error has occurred, the conversion of the single error to a double error means that single errors normally would not be detected. A precoder is used to introduce correlation by modulo two addition of the precoded present digit with a selected combination of past digits. The differential decoder will still provide double errors but a subsequent decoder, which reverses the precoding process, at least partially changes double errors into errors of an odd number.

Abstract: Apparatus for synchronizing the frequency of locally generated pilot signals with those of remotely generated pilot signals where frequency errors are introduced during transmission. A pair of demodulated pilot signals F1' and F2' are filtered and mixed to derive a third signal having a frequency equal to F2'-F1'. The difference frequency has no frequency error component so the third signal is used in a phase locked loop to regenerate a reference frequency (fr) signal.Two methods are disclosed to extract a control signal which is proportional to the error frequency. In one embodiment one of the received pilots (F1') is divided in frequency by 1/k1 and then subtracted from fr to yield 1/k1 times the error frequency df. By integrating this signal it becomes usable as an AFC signal to control a local oscillator.

Abstract: Two pilot signals, derived so that there is a predetermined ratio between the frequency difference of the tones and the absolute frequency of either of the pilot signals, are transmitted from a reference station to each of a number of remote stations. At each receiving station, the frequency error is derived from the frequency difference of the two pilot signals, and this frequency error is used to adjust the frequency of the local oscillator.

Abstract: A forward error correcting digital transmission system having two separate transmission channels carrying redundant information. The signal on the first channel is encoded by combining each present bit with itself delayed m bits in time. The signal on the second channel may be encoded in the same manner only with a delay of n bits in time, or left without coding, i.e., n=0, in any case m and n are unequal integers. Both first and second channels are transmitted over separate transmission paths to the receiving terminal where each is independently decoded to obtain the original binary information from each received encoded signal.If an error is introduced into one of the channels during transmission, the encoded information necessarily contains an error in the present bit and its associated m or n delayed bit.