Dual channel communications system particularly adapted for the AM broadcast band

Claim 1

A communications system particularly adapted for transmitting a first and a second signal, each indicative of separate information content wherein the frequency bandwidth of said information is relatively equal, comprising: (a) a first source of signals manifesting first information content within a predetermined band of frequencies, (b) a second source of signals manifesting second information content, within the same band of frequencies, (c) a carrier frequency source for providing at an output, a reference frequency different from any component contained in said predetermined band, (d) first Class A modulating means responsive to said first signal and said carrier frequency to provide at an output, a first modulated signal having frequency components above said carrier frequency, (e) second Class A modulating means responsive to said second signal and said carrier frequency to provide at an output, a second modulated signal having frequency components below said carrier frequency, (f) means for combining said first and second modulated signals to provide a composite signal and means responsive to said composite signal for propagating the same over a transmission path, (g) means coupled to said first source of signals for adding a pilot subcarrier signal thereto indicative of the transmission of said first and second sources of signals, (h) receiver means responsive to said signal as propagated, said receiver including processing means for retreiving said first and second signals from said composite signal, said receiver means further including detector means responsive to only said composite signal for retreiving said pilot subcarrier signal and means coupled to said detector means for providing an indication of the presence of said pilot signal.