Abstract: A multi-channel trellis encoder/decoder is disclosed for use with multi-channel data transmission systems. For each data transmission symbol interval, trellis encoding is applied across all available channels, and for each data reception symbol interval trellis decoding is applied across all available channels. In comparision with systems employing independent trellis encoding along each available channel, the present invention reduces data throughput delays by roughly an order of magnitude, and reduces implementation complexity by roughly a factor equal to the number of transmission channels. Further, the multi-channel trellis encoder will permit different data transmission rates as well as permitting variations in signal power and/or noise power from channel to channel.

Abstract: The present invention relates to an apparatus and method for the simultaneous transmission of analog speech and modulated data, such apparatus and method being optimized for use over impaired and bandwidth restricted analog channels, or digital representations of such channels. In each instance of use, an evaluation is made of the available channel bandwidth, with a frequency division multiplex scheme allocating a voice sub-band, with data transmission allocated to sub-bands above, below, or around, this selected voice sub-band. The speech and data sub-band allocations are made by the multiplexor in response to user input of either a requested speech quality, a requested data rate, or a value indicating the relative user weighting of speech quality and data rate.