Abstract: To detect echoes on a transmit path of signals on a receive path, an echo detector stores averages of the signals on the receive path each for a period equal to or just greater than the maximum end delay for received signals to reach the transmit path, and determines the greatest magnitude of the stored signals. This greatest magnitude, reduced by the worst case echo return loss, is compared with the current signal average on the transmit path, and an echo decision is produced in dependence upon this comparison and a detection of speed signals on each of the transmit and receive paths. The echo detector is particularly useful in a digital speech interpolation transmission system.

Abstract: A DSI transmission system is described in which noise signal contrast is mitigated by transmitting not only active channels but also channels which carry background noise, the resolution of the background noise channels being varied in dependence upon the number of channels transmitted. In the described system, the DSI transmission is effected in superframes each of which consists of an overhead information frame and a plurality of digital message frames. The overhead information frame contains a word indicating the transmission status of each channel during the superframe, a code indicating the number of bits of each digital message, and maximum segment value information bits for each of the active channels which are transmitted using nearly instantaneous companding. Each of the remaining frames contains a digital message in respect of each active channel.

Abstract: Speech signal presence is decided based on the input signal exceeding either of two thresholds: one, a fixed threshold (TF) set at an arbitrary level relatively high above anticipated noise; the other, an adaptive threshold (TL) which idles slightly above noise. If the input signal rises above the idling threshold of TL, speech presence is indicated. If the input signal continues to rise (i.e., amplitude-time slope positive), the presence indication continues. If the input signal level falls, the adaptive threshold is adjusted (TL=BT+D, where for example B=1, D=5 and T=the current signal sample average value). Hangover is controlled by the amount of time the input signal exceeds the threshold TL. Speech presence is also indicated by the input signal exceeds a third threshold (TH) which is also adaptive, and idles at a relatively high level above noise.