STV Decoder with improved data signal recognition capability

摘要

An addressable subscription television decoder includes an input stage including an IF amplifier for converting a scrambled RF television signal to a composite baseband video signal. The baseband video signal comprises either a nominal sync component or a sync component having suppressed horizontal sync pulses during video fields and having non-suppressed sync pulses during vertical intervals, the vertical intervals also including selected encoded data signals. An AGC voltage for controlling the gain of the IF amplifier is developed by a circuit exhibiting a relatively short time constant whenever the composite baseband video signal is characterized by nominal level sync pulses, the time constant being increased in response to suppressed horizontal sync pulses. The sync pulses produced during the vertical intervals of the composite baseband video signal are thereby not subjected to excessive IF gain for facilitating processing of the data signals by the decoder.