Apparatus for synchronizing an input signal with a time multiplexed signal

Abstract

Bandwidth is a precious resource in a communication system. High frequency signals, for example, video signals, typically require a relatively large bandwidth. One means for reducing bandwidth is by way of time compression multiplexing wherein signals may be stored a short period of time, compressed in time and then transmitted over a communication path. The subject signal processor may time compress and time synchronize an input signal with a time multiplexed signal. In a first arrangement, responsive to a time delay difference between the signals (215), a first frequency signal (220) is used to modulate (230) the input signal (210). The modulated signal is extended through a dispersive filter (260) for introducing a delay to the input signal, the delay for synchronizing same with the time multiplexed signal. The synchronized output of the dispersive filter may be extracted by an envelope detector (270) for extension to an output terminal (280). In a second arrangement, the input signal may be modulated by a variable chirp signal (220). The modulated (230) input signal is then extended through a dispersive filter (260) and an envelope detector (270) for jointly time compressing and time synchronizing the input signal with the time multiplexed signal.

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