Abstract: A method of performing a service scan for available channels across a bandwidth of an input signal, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a power spectrum of the input signal bandwidth; analyzing the power spectrum to identify a list of candidate channels, each candidate channel being identified by at least a center frequency; processing each of the candidate channels in a receiver unit to extract service information, if present, relating to the candidate channel; and storing the service information for the channel in a memory.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighboring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighboring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighboring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method of determining and applying configuration settings (CS) of a broadcast application apparatus (1) being connected to the internet (99) The method comprises: i) putting a request for geographical information (Loc) of the broadcast application apparatus (1) by submitting at least an externally visible IP address (9) to a geographical information server (4) on the internet (99); ii) receiving the geographical information (Loc) from the geographical information server (4); iii) determining location-specific settings (SL) of the broadcast application apparatus (1) based upon the geographical information (Loc), and iv) applying the configuration settings (CS) of the broadcast application apparatus (1) in conformity with the location-specific settings (SL). The invention provides for more user-friendliness, because a user does not need to specify where he is located.

Abstract: A photovoltaic assembly is disclosed which comprises a string formed from a plurality of series-connected photovoltaic generators, and a hierarchical structure of power-exchange units, which each exchange power between neighbouring photovoltaic generators or groups of photovoltaic generators. The photovoltaic generators may be individual solar cells or a plurality of series-connected solar cells arranged as a segment. To compensate for differences in output between segments for instance due to partial shading, power-exchange units, such as DC-DC converters, are arranged across neighbouring segments, such that each power-exchange unit effectively sources or sinks current between neighbouring segments to current-match the string. To avoid unnecessary “rippling” of power matching along many power-exchange units and the associated power loss due to many power-exchange units operating at less than 100% efficiency, the power-exchange units are arranged in a hierarchical structure.

Abstract: A method of performing a service scan for available channels across a bandwidth of an input signal, the method comprising the steps of: acquiring a power spectrum of the input signal bandwidth; analysing the power spectrum to identify a list of candidate channels, each candidate channel being identified by at least a centre frequency; processing each of the candidate channels in a receiver unit to extract service information, if present, relating to the candidate channel; and storing the service information for the channel in a memory.

Abstract: A photovoltaic unit is disclosed comprising a plurality of sub-units connected in series, each sub-unit having a main input and a main output, which main output is connected to the respective main input of a neighbouring sub-unit, each sub-unit further comprising a segment comprising one or more series-connected solar cells, and a supplementary power unit, wherein the supplementary power unit is configured to at least one of receive power from or supply power to the neighbouring sub-unit. The supplementary power unit is preferably a DC-DC converter, and arranged to exchange energy between neighbouring segments, without requiring a high-voltage connection across the complete string (of more than 2 segments). The converter may be inductive or capacitive. A DC-DC converter configured for use in such a unit is also disclosed, as is a method of controlling such a photovoltaic unit.

Abstract: The invention relates to a method for outputting a first digital video stream (BTS?). The method comprises: i) receiving a first transport stream (TS1) comprising a first plurality of time-multiplexed video channels (SRV1, SRV2, SRV3, SRV4); ii) buffering the first transport stream (TS1) to obtain a first buffered transport stream (BTS1); iii) selecting a first specific one from the first plurality of time-multiplexed video channels to obtain a first selected video channel (SRV1); iv) searching the first buffered transport stream (BTS1) for a first start (GOPS1) of a first group of pictures of the first selected video channel (SRV1), and v) outputting the first buffered transport stream (BTS1) starting from the first start (GOPS1) of the first group of pictures to obtain the first digital video stream (BTS?). The invention further relates to a system for carrying out such method.