NOISE RECORD PROCESSING FOR PHASE ENCODED DATA

A magnetic tape system includes apparatus for determining when an actual data record should be processed by the system. The apparatus includes a plurality of resettable one shot circuits coupled to receive signals from a corresponding number of information channels. The output signals from the circuits are combined to produce an average rate output signal and the signal is applied to at least one further resettable one shot circuit which is operative to produce an output signal when the average rate input signal persists for a predetermined number of frames. The last resettable one shot circuit applies the output signal to the remainder of the system conditioning it to process the subsequently read information signals as part of an actual data record.