Digital sound transmission methods for TV sound tracks

Direct broadcasting satellite applications of digital sound transmission methods were compared. Subcarrier modulation, transmission in the horizontal blanking interval with the same modulation as the video signal or phase shift keying/frequency shift keying transmission were analyzed. Systems with 1.5 Mbit/sec, 2 Mbit/sec, and 3 Mbit/sec bit rates were compared. For a common European system it is concluded that while a bit rate of 1.5 Mbit/sec is sufficient for German purposes, bit rates of 3 Mbit/sec are necessary for other countries, e.g., Nordic countries.