Method and apparatus for improving the quality of AM compatible digital broadcast system signals in the presence of distortion

摘要

A system and method are provided for reducing perceived distortion in an output audio signal derived from an amplitude modulated compatible digital broadcast signal having a monophonic portion and a stereo portion. The stereo portion of this signal is demodulated to produce a demodulated stereo signal and the monophonic portion of the signal is demodulated to produce a demodulated monophonic signal. The noise in the demodulated stereo signal is measured and an estimate of the signal-to-noise ratio is derived. This estimated signal-to-noise ratio is compared with a threshold level which is set at the minimum acceptable signal quality for the stereo signal. Based upon the estimated signal-to-noise ratio, a switch directs either the monophonic derived audio output or the stereo derived audio output as the system output signal.