Preemphasis and clipping apparatus for reducing distortions

In a system for translating a signal wave from an input terminal to another terminal and thence to an output terminal along a main signal path having a certain frequency bandwidth, said main signal path including apparatus for providing signal preemphasis, and, a linear deemphasis circuit connected between said other terminal and said output terminal, the combination comprising:

• a preemphasis circuit responsive to the signal wave provided at said input terminal for enhancing the frequency response to said main signal path over a relatively high frequency range of said bandwidth, said preemphasis circuit comprising a first resistive element connected in said main signal path and the series combination of a second resistive element and an inductive energy storing element connected between said main signal path and a point of reference potential, said preemphasis circuit having a given time constant substantially determined by the values of said first and second resistive elements and said inductive energy storing element;
• a signal clipping circuit comprising a first diode and a first source of non-zero potential connected in series between a point of reference potential and said main signal path, said clipping circuit further comprising a second diode and a second source of non-zero potential connected in series between said point of reference potential and said main signal path, said first and second diodes being oppositely poled in said clipping circuit, said first diode and said second diode being connected directly and without intervening elements to said series combination for limiting the amplitude excursions of the preemphasized signal to first and second non-zero levels during operation of said clipping circuit, said clipping circuit effecting a change in said given time constant during said operation by substantially removing the influence of one of said first and second resistive elements on said given time constant, said inductive energy storing element being effective to maintain the operation of said clipping means for a time period beyond the time when said preemphasized signal wave has an absolute amplitude value less than said first and second non-zero levels;
• means for providing the signal wave at the output of said clipping circuit to said other terminal;
• and
• output circuit means responsive to the signal at said other terminal for providing a signal at said output terminal which is a substantial replica of said input signal at times other than times corresponding to the operation of said clipping circuit, said output circuit means including a deemphasis circuit comprising a third resistive element in said main signal path and the series combination of a fourth resistive element and a capacitive energy storing element connected between said main signal path and said point of reference potential.