Adaptive Median Filtering for Impulse Noise Elimination in Real-Time TV Signals

A two-dimensional (3 × 3) median filter with controlled turn-on is employed in an adaptive fashion for selective removal of impulse noise interference in real-time television signals. Various filters and threshold conditions are selected from programmed PROM's as a function of impulse noise detected and counted during a vertical interval window period. The adaptive median filter is used in conjunction with a satellite FM communication downlink system and can effectively improve the onset of threshold performance by about 3 dB carrier-to-noise ratio. The particular FM system discussed employs a multiplexed analog component, MAC, formatted TV signal. Use of the filter for standard NTSC composite signals is indicated.