Color-Carrier Reference Phase Synchronization Accuracy in NTSC Color Television

The results of an evaluation of the capabilities of the NTSC color-carrier reference signal (the color burst) show this new color television synchronizing signal to be more than adequate; information inherent to the signal permits performance far in excess of that achieved by conventional circuits. Phasing information inherent to the burst is considered first with particular regard to measures of accuracy, the required amount of integration, and the extent of the spectral region necessary to translate the burst information. Properties of elementary passive and active circuits for using the burst in receivers are described along with a determination of the limits of burst synchronization performance for these circuits. Fundamental considerations in the theory of synchronization show that better performance is obtainable with two-mode systems. Properties of two-mode systems are considered and lead to an evaluation of the limits of synchronizing performance permitted by the color burst. The mathematical derivations necessary to support the discussion are presented in the Appendixes.