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: In a digital broadband broadcast transmitter, digital data is time interleaved for transmission, and the time interleaved digital data is transmitted in a digital broadband broadcast transmission towards a plurality of receivers. A cellular transmitter is operated in an apparatus. In the same apparatus, the digital broadband broadcast transmission transmitted by the digital broadband broadcast transmitter is received, and the received digital broadband broadcast transmission is time deinterleaved.

Abstract: Components of a transmitted service delivering multiple versions of content are mapped to streams carrying data for those multiple versions. The data streams are encapsulated into User Datagram Protocol (UDP) packets; the UDP destination port fields of the packets are given component-identifying values. A user equipment (UE) receiving the transmitted service identifies desired components based on the UDP destination port field values. The UE further encapsulates desired component UDP packets into Internet Protocol (IP) packets, and may assign component-identifying values to fields of the IP packets (e.g., the IP source address and/or IP destination address).

Abstract: A receiver is arranged to start receiving a data frame 80 including application data followed by parity data. An erasure information table is generated, and includes one element for each element of a data frame 80. If there are no errors in the application data, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without receiving the parity data, and the application data is used without correction being needed. If the number of errors in the application and parity data exceeds the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep without further parity data being received and the data is not decoded. If the number of errors is smaller than the MPE-FEC correction capability, the receiver is powered-down to sleep when sufficient parity data is received to correct errors in the application and parity data. This can save power in the receiver. In another embodiment, the erasure information table includes one element for each column of a data frame.

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: Aspects of the invention are directed to signalling extension frames in a telecommunication system. Extension-frame-signalling data may signal whether one or more extension parts are present in one or more gaps in time between data frames, when the one or more extension parts occur, and one or more durations for the one or more extension parts. The one or more extension parts may occur on the same radio frequencies as the data frames. The extension-frame-signalling data may signal when the one or more extension parts occur by signalling after which of one or more data frames in a super frame the extension parts occur. The one or more durations for the extension parts may be expressed in units of time.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to physical layer and data link layer signaling in digital video broadcast preamble symbols. Embodiments are directed to distributing physical layer pre-signalling data among preamble symbols. If physical layer data is larger than a predetermined number of preamble symbols, then excess physical layer data is written to data symbols immediately following the preamble symbols in top-down order symbol by symbol or the predetermined number of preamble symbols is increased. If physical layer data is not larger than the predetermined number of preamble symbols such that there is excess preamble symbol space, physical layer pipe 0 data comprising link layer signaling and notification data is carried in the excess preamble symbols or the excess preamble symbols are left empty. Different permutation rules may be used to frequency interleave odd-numbered versus even-numbered orthogonal frequency division multiplexing symbols.

Abstract: A system and method for improving signaling channel robustness. Additional error correction is provided for (L1) dynamic signaling that is carried in P2 symbols in such way that high time diversity can be provided. In other embodiments, transmitted services are scheduled such that services will rotate or “move” between frames, thereby ensuring that a first slot for a service is not always transmitted in the same frequency.

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: A system and method for improved scheduling for time-frequency slicing. According to various embodiments, slot allocations are made so as to guarantee time for tuning between slots. When scheduling services for multiplexes covering multiple radio frequency (RF) channels, time is provided for the receiver to tune to another radio-frequency channel between at least two of the time frequency frames. This is accomplished by arranging slots so that a service carried in a slot within the tuning time before the end of a time frequency frame k is not transmitted in a slot within the tuning time after the beginning of the next time frequency frame k+1.

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: 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.

Abstract: Apparatus and methods are provided for adaptively determining a handover measurement interval. Power savings are achieved when a mobile terminal in a digital broadcast broadband network does not constantly attempt to measure the signal strength of nearby cells. By determining cell parameters, such as size and carrier frequency, and also determining dynamic information, such as signal strength and mobile speed over time, the time until the next handover measurement is adjusted up or down. When a mobile terminal is moving towards a transmitter in a cell, the handover measurement interval may be lengthened, and when a mobile terminal is moving away from a transmitter, the interval may be shortened.

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: The invention is directed to efficient transfer of low bit rate services in a communication system. A synchronization symbol which has known characteristics may be included as a first symbol of digital broadcast frames. The synchronization symbol, which can be decoded without having to resort to trial and error methods, contains parameters for the rest of the signal. Low bit rate services are allocated to time slots following the pilot symbol used for synchronization allowing for fast access times with maximum power saving capabilities. A user terminal wakes up just before the synchronization symbol and received the data allocated for the low bit rate services. The user terminal may power off for the remaining time slots which are allocated for higher bit services to conserve power.

Abstract: Aspects of the invention are directed to using forward error correaction in a digital broadcast network that supports generic stream encapsulation. According to an embodiment, error correaction data is calculated over application data, and the application data and error correaction data are encapsulated in generic stream encapsulation packets. In another embodiment, error correaction data is calculated over generic stream encapsulation packets. In yet another embodiment, error correaction data is calculated over, and encapsulated within, generic stream encapsulation packets. In still another embodiment, error correaction data is calculated over application data packets.

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: Provided are apparatuses and methods for efficient and timely broadcasting of emergency information over any system by at least one transport protocol supported within each system, e.g., in DVB-H it is carried as an IP stream or as filecast, and within other DVB systems, can be supported as audio, video, or data and even as IP. Systems and methods are provided by which urgent emergency information or other information that needs immediate action(s) can be signaled to an end user.