Importance

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Abstract

A method and apparatus are provided for transmitting, receiving, and reproducing digital audio signals as discrete carriers similar to standard FM broadcast signals. An audio signal is digitized using, for example, adaptive delta modulation techniques. Several channels of audio information, such as left and right stereo channels and a second audio program ('SAP') channel can all be digitized and incorporated onto the digital broadcast signal carrier. The digitized audio signal may be modulated using multiphase modulation of the carrier of an FM broadcast band or cable television band signal. A plurality of audio channels may be digitized and transmitted over the airwaves, or over a cable transmission network. Channels of nondigitized audio channels may be interspersed with the digitized audio channels in the Fm broadcast band. Source material for the digitized audio channels may be provided to a cable headend over the cable transmission network in the 5-30 MHz CATV upstream path, and rebroadcast over the cable transmission network in the forward or 'downstream' band.

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First Claim