Abstract: A method of providing an inband secondary channel for a data modem includes encoding the main channel data using a convolutional encoder so that main channel data symbols are selected from a first constellation. The secondary channel data are encoded using a differential encoder and secondary channel data symbols are selected from a second constellation. The transmission of the main channel symbols takes place during 48 frames of a 49 frame master frame. The differentially encoded secondary channel data symbols are transmitted during the remaining frame. The symbols of the secondary channel constellation are selected to have a higher average energy than those of the main channel data so that the secondary channel is easily detected and may be used to obtain frame synchronization for the modem after brief dropouts without having to retrain the modem.

Abstract: Disclosed is a modem including a transmitter having a convolutional encoder for transforming each group interval digital data into an expanded bit sequence having symbol-selecting bits and a frame of subset-selecting bits forming a plurality of bit groups, with each bit group designating a 2-dimensional subset and the symbol-selecting bits being used to select one 2-dimensional symbol from each of the selected subsets, the transmitter further providing modulation of a carrier signal, and a receiver wherein a commonality-seeking, branch cost calculator determines the candidate branch associated with the minimum cost N-dimensional symbol subset for each coset and a Viterbi decoder which determines the maximum likelihood path from a plurality of surviving paths formed from branches selected from the candidate branches.