Method and apparatus for line or frame-synchronous frequency hopping of video transmissions

A method for transmitting a frequency hopped video signal, comprising the steps of:

• detecting synchronization pluses within a video signal;
• replacing the detected synchronization pulses with a frequency hopping synchronization signal;
• modulating the video signal onto a selected radio frequency carrier selected from a plurality of radio frequency carriers;
• and
• varying the selected radio frequency carrier among the plurality of radio frequency carriers according to a prearranged pattern in response to the frequency hopping synchronization signal.

A method of receiving a frequency hopped video transmission, comprising the steps of:

• detecting a frequency hopping synchronization signal within the frequency hopped video signal;
• tuning a receiver to receive the video signal on a radio frequency carrier selected from a plurality of radio frequency carriers according to a prearranged pattern in response to the frequency hopping synchronization signal;
• replacing the detected frequency hopping synchronization signal with a synchronization signal within the video signal;
• and
• changing the radio frequency carrier according to the prearranged pattern between synchronization signals.

An apparatus for transmitting a frequency hopped video signal, comprising:

• means for processing a composite video signal to detect synchronization pluses within the composite video signal and replacing the detected synchronization pulses with a frequency hopping synchronization code;
• means for generating a plurality of carrier frequencies according to a prearranged pattern in response to the frequency hopping synchronization code generated by the means for processing;
• and
• a modulator for modulating the video signal including the frequency hopping synchronization code.

An apparatus for receiving a frequency hopped video signal, comprising:

• a detector for detecting a frequency hopping synchronization code within a received frequency hopped video signal;
• a frequency hopping controller responsive to detection of the frequency hopping synchronization code for generating control signals indicating a frequency hopping sequence of a carrier frequency of the received frequency hopped video signal;
• and
• means for removing the detected frequency hopping synchronization code and inserting video frame and line synchronization codes.

An frequency hopped video signal receiver comprising:

• a frequency hopping receiver for receiving a frequency hopped video signal and generating a demodulated video signal;
• a memory for storing at least one video frame of the demodulated video signal;
• an A/D converter for digitizing the demodulated video signal prior to storage in the memory.
• a processor for determining if errors exist within at least one video frame by comparison to preselected criteria and for correcting any detected errors in an output composite video signal.

An apparatus for transmitting and receiving a frequency hopped video signals, comprising:

• means for removing frame and line sync codes from a composite video signal and inserting frequency hopping synchronization codes to generate a modified video signal;
• means for modulating the modified video signal using a frequency hopped carrier signal, said means for modulating located at a transmitter;
• and
• means for removing the frequency hopping synchronization codes and inserting the frame and line synchronization codes to reconstitute a composite video signal, the means for removing located at a receiver.