Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receivers of digital broadband broadcast signals to determine a time of delivery and a version of a particular signaling table. The receiver is able to determine whether an update of the signaling table is needed based on factors such as whether the update applies (e.g., a DVB-H specific change for a mobile terminal in a DVB-H network). The receiver may power down while awaiting delivery of the signaling table (or utilize the radio for other purposes), powering back up in time to receive the signaling table.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to service and channel discovery in a digital broadcast network. A pilot synchronization symbol, which has known characteristics, is included as a first symbol of digital broadcast frames. The pilot symbol, which can be decoded without having to resort to trial and error methods, contains parameters for the rest of the signal. In another aspect of the invention, at least two pilot symbols may be defined and used at the beginning of each frame. The at least two pilot symbols P1 and P2 may enable fast channel search and service discovery within the frame. Signaling may be realized as a combination of L1 and L2 signaling.

Abstract: Systems and methods are provided for receivers of digital broadband broadcast signals to determine a time of delivery and a version of a particular signaling table. The receiver is able to determine whether an update of the signaling table is needed based on factors such as whether the update applies (e.g., a DVB-H specific change for a mobile terminal in a DVB-H network). The receiver may power down while awaiting delivery of the signaling table (or utilize the radio for other purposes), powering back up in time to receive the signaling table.

Abstract: A method, a system, a transmitter and a receiver for identification of a time sliced elementary streams using PSI/SI tables. This identification provides a way to separate time-sliced elementary stream from non-time-sliced elementary streams by defining two descriptors in PSI/SI tables. A time slice identifier descriptor is defined, which can be used to identify elementary streams which are time sliced. This descriptor is also used to provide additional information about the transmitted elementary streams. The invention provides a way to announce additional information of the time sliced elementary streams via PSI/SI tables. Additionally, it provides a mechanism to categorize single elementary stream(s) as non-time sliced and time sliced. A way to identify time sliced elementary streams carried over DVB networks is disclosed and providing additional information on those streams. This can be done by using the time slice identifier descriptor.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to service and channel discovery in a digital broadcast network. A pilot synchronization symbol, which has known characteristics, is included as a first symbol of digital broadcast frames. The pilot symbol, which can be decoded without having to resort to trial and error methods, contains parameters for the rest of the signal. In another aspect of the invention, at least two pilot symbols may be defined and used at the beginning of each frame. The at least two pilot symbols P1 and P2 may enable fast channel search and service discovery within the frame. Signaling may be realized as a combination of L1 and L2 signaling.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to service and channel discovery in a digital broadcast network. A pilot synchronization symbol, which has known characteristics, is included as a first symbol of digital broadcast frames. The pilot symbol, which can be decoded without having to resort to trial and error methods, contains parameters for the rest of the signal. So, the rest of the signal can be decoded without trial and error methods after the pilot symbol (and any additional synchronization symbols) is decoded. Channels containing digital video broadcast services can be efficiently detected using the known part of the signal. If the fixed known part is not found from the examined signal, then the signal will be considered a non-digital-video-broadcast signal or an empty channel, and the receiver can promptly proceed to a next channel/frequency. In this way, detecting non-digital-video-broadcast and empty channels becomes relatively fast.

Abstract: Services and service components in a broadcast network may be mapped to disparate physical layer transmission channels (PLPs) using logical layer pipes (LLPs). The use of LLPs allows different service components of a single service to be mapped to physical layer transmission channels (PLPs). Accordingly, service components may be shared among different services. Additionally or alternatively, different functions (e.g., different error detection or correction protocols) may be applied to each service components of a service. A receiver may identify services, service components and corresponding PLPs based on LLP identifiers. The receiver may then access and receive desired services and service components through the identified PLPs.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving quick access services. For example, a mobile terminal may receive a data stream containing a quick access service of a particular type. The quick access service may have a fixed Packet Identification (PID) and/or fixed IP address. The fixed PID and/or fixed IP addressed may be associated with a quick access service based on the particular type of the quick access service. In another example, a mobile terminal and a user interface on a mobile terminal may provide a menu for selection of an access mode for accessing the quick access service. Also, a quick access service may be selected based on the type of the quick access service.

Abstract: Provided are apparatuses and methods for transmitting and receiving quick access services. For example, a mobile terminal may receive a data stream containing a quick access service of a particular type. The quick access service may have a fixed Packet Identification (PID) and/or fixed IP address. The fixed PID and/or fixed IP addressed may be associated with a quick access service based on the particular type of the quick access service. In another example, a mobile terminal and a user interface on a mobile terminal may provide a menu for selection of an access mode for accessing the quick access service. Also, a quick access service may be selected based on the type of the quick access service.

Abstract: In accordance with various aspects of the invention, there is being provided a method and apparatus for transmitting, and a method and apparatus for receiving a digital broadcast signal including a hierarchical modulation having a high priority stream and a low priority stream. The content to be received or transmitted in encoded into two stream so that a first stream is configured to be transmitted or received with the high priority stream, and a second stream to be transmitted/received with the low priority stream is configured to contain additional information for increasing the bitrate of the first stream.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to transmitting receiver-capacity-signalling data that specifies a plurality of receiver capacities to be used for receiving a service. The signalled receiver capacities may include: a type of time interleaver being used and a minimum burst interval between two consequent bursts. The signaled receiver capacities may also specify: how often a physical layer pipe appears in frames, and/or a number of a frame in which a physical layer pipe appears for a first time during a super frame. Embodiments are directed to receiving the receiver-capacity-signalling data and if, based on the received receiver-capacity-signalling data, receiver capacity is sufficient for one or more selected services, performing service discovery and decoding the one or more services. Otherwise, decoding the one or more services may not be performed.

Abstract: A digital video broadcast network comprises a content provider and several transmitters. Each transmitter may transmit more than one signal, different signals having different frequencies, multiplexes and the like and relating to different network types. An integrated receiver/decoder (IRD) is mobile in the area around the transmitters. As well as transmitting service information as part of a network information table on a data layer, the transmitters provide in their output signals transmitter parameter information as TPS data on a physical layer. This TPS information includes information identifying whether there are other networks available, and preferably the number of other networks. Transmission parameters relating to the other networks are included in an other_network_descriptor, forming part of an NIT actual or a BAT, or alternatively in an NIT_other. This information is used by the IRD in signal scan.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to a cell-frequency-link descriptor configured to map network-specific parameters with time frequency slicing (TFS) information in a digital video broadcast system. The cell-frequency-link descriptor may include fields that provide a mapping between a cell identifier, a TFS group identifier, a bandwidth, a guard interval, a transmission mode, and a frequency. The fields may provide a mapping between cells, frequencies, TFS groups, related guard intervals, bandwidths, and transmission modes for multiple cells within the digital video broadcast system. The fields may include: a cell identifier field, a TFS-group identifier field, a bandwidth field, a guard interval field, a transmission mode field, a frequency field, a cell identifier extension field, and a transposer frequency field.

Abstract: A system and method for implementing optimized multiplexing and power saving in a broadcast/multicast network. According to various embodiments, frame and slot structures are designed in such a way so as to adapt based upon the bit rate variation of the input stream, while at the same time not compromising the receiver's power consumption.

Abstract: Systems and methods of signaling changes and updates associated with the default notification channels in a non-time sliced way are provided. A default notification channel event is signaled to a terminal. The signaling includes a reference to the relevant default notification channel, a timestamp, and/or a version number/counter. A comparison is made between a stored timestamp and/or version number/counter with the timestamp and/or version number/counter indicated in the signaling. A more recent timestamp and/or version number/counter prompts the terminal to tune in to the default notification channel to process the default notification channel event. The signaling can be performed using Program Specific Information/Service Information (PSI/SI), which is non-time-sliced and is received by all terminals. Additionally, the PSI/SI signaling is effectuated by creating descriptors in existing notification/network information tables and/or by creating a dedicated notification signaling table.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to transmitting L1 pre-signaling information with predetermined modulation and code rate such that L1 pre-signaling information can be received without preliminary knowledge on the network. L1 pre-signaling information makes it possible to receive the L1 signaling information, data link layer information, and notification data that may have configurable code rates and modulation. Therefore, L1 pre-signaling information can be thought of as signaling metadata (i.e., information about other signaling information). L1 signaling is divided into pre-signaling and signaling parts. The pre-signaling part includes parameters used for receiving the L1 signaling information. L1 pre-signaling signaling enables the receiver to receive the signaling itself (L1 signaling and data link layer information) by informing the receiver about the type of modulation, coding, and the like, used to transmit the L1 signaling, data link layer, and notification information.

Abstract: A system and method is provided for ensuring that time for tuning to another RF channel between two TF frames in TF slicing exists while reception with a single hopping-tuner is enabled, and reception for terminals can be guaranteed when transmitting and receiving common services. An additional time for tuning is introduced for TF-sliced services, where the time for tuning can be inserted either before of after the P1 & P2 symbols, and the symbols allocated for the tuning time can also be used for transmission of low-bit rate services. Alternatively, additional padding bits and a guard period can be added in the event that slots or slot fragments exceed a cyclic transfer border upon time shifting. Alternatively still, the tuning time is represented by a complete TF frame, where the complete TF frame carries services other than those in the first TF frame, so that a service is transmitted in every second TF frame and a receiver can perform tuning during the TF frames which do not carry the service.

Abstract: Embodiments are directed to mapping Physical Layer Pipes (PLPs) with the service_id and with components of a service through the Program Map Table (PMT). A descriptor may be defined for this purpose. In accordance with one or more embodiments, a PLP_identifier_descriptor may contain an identifier for a physical layer pipe (PLP_id). In addition, several other PLP related parameters may be carried within the PLP_identifier_descriptor, instead of carrying the parameters in OSI Layer 1. The PLP_identifier_descriptor may be carried in several different tables, including, but not limited to, a Program Map Table (PMT). The PLP_identifier_descriptor may include a physical layer pipe identifier and, optionally, parameters for modulation, code rate, and FEC block type. A receiver, in accordance with embodiments, may be able to access the actual service content based on a combination of the L1 signalling information, legacy PSI/SI information, and the signalling information set forth in the PLP_identifier_descriptor.

Abstract: A method comprises dividing a time frequency frame into a plurality of slots, the frame having one or more radio-frequency (RF) channels, determining a maximum slot length, and scheduling service data in symbols such that all service data symbols are within the maximum slot length of symbols corresponding to at least one common service part.

Abstract: A system and method for dynamically dividing the capacity of a fixed time division multiplexing (TDM) frame between physical channels for data transmission. According to various embodiments, a time frequency frame is divided into a plurality of subframes, and each of the plurality of subframes are divided into a plurality of corresponding slots. The plurality of slots are then selectively time shifted such that a defined time shift exists between corresponding slots in each subframe within the time frequency frame. For any slots or slot portions which have been selectively shifted beyond the end of the time frequency frame, such slots or slot portions are cyclically shifted to the beginning of the frame. Service data is then written into the slots of the time frequency frame, and the frame containing the service data can then be transmitted. Initialization and service access processes for a receiver are also provided.