Method of effective backwards compatible ATSC-DTV multipath equalization through training symbol induction

This invention enables improved reception of ATSC terrestrial broadcast digital television signals. ATSC DTV is a standard of the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) for the terrestrial broadcast of digital television. ATSC DTV broadcast signals are subject to impairment due to multipath. Improved radio reception in multipath is possible when substantial reference components are transmitted as a component of the transmitted radio. However, the introduction of new signal components to the ATSC DTV broadcast signal represents a modification to the standard which weaken the benefits of standardization. This invention resolves this dilemma by carefully introducing data components into the data multiplex in a form compatible with the ATSC DTV standard. Data components are chosen so as to induce a substantial repeating reference component into the ATSC DTV modulation waveform. The induced reference waveform enables clear reception in multipath while the integrity of the standard is preserved.