Test signal generator

Abstract

A test signal generator for generating signals for use in a high definition television, the apparatus including means for storing a plurality of pattern segments which are representative of selected portions of the test signal to be generated, and means for retrieving predetermined ones of the stored pattern segments and for repeating or holding selected ones of the retrieved pattern segments in a predetermined sequence in order to construct, in real time, the entire test signal waveform, and also including means for converting the sequence of retrieved pattern segments into the test signal. The present invention is especially suited for the automatic generation of a series of different test signals wherein the test signal generating means described above are controlled by means which memorize the order in which selected test signals are desired to be generated, and which also supply to the test signal generating means the required pattern segment for the test signal to be generated as well as the order in which the test signals are to be generated. The present invention permits the generation of substantially all of the standard test signal patterns for testing high definition television, including color bars. In the color bar generation mode, unique transversal filters are enabled in each of the red, green, blue and black burst channels to eliminate any residual sampling component present therein.