Abstract: Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 and non-ATSC 3.0 broadcast Direct to Mobile (D2M) co-exist aligned open radio access network (O-RAN). One aspect of this disclosure operates by generating a broadcast frame conforming to a first communications protocol, where the broadcast frame conforming to the first communication protocol includes a slice start (SS) portion. The embodiment further generates a broadcast virtual frame container including the broadcast frame conforming to the first communication protocol and a broadcast frame conforming to a second communication protocol, where the broadcast virtual frame container further includes a virtual frame start (VFS) portion, and transmits the broadcast virtual frame container.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method includes selecting a length for an advanced television system committee (ATSC) 3.0 frame for transmission by a single frequency network (SFN) transmitter and aligning the SFN transmitter with a global positioning system (GPS) epoch. The method further includes storing geographical coordinates of the SFN transmitter and a corresponding SFN transmitter identification (TX ID) in a database. The method also includes encoding the SFN TX ID in a non-coherent symbol of a plurality of positioning navigation timing (PNT) symbols comprising a plurality of coherent symbols and the non-coherent symbol with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) numerology to support positioning. The method further includes prepending the plurality of PNT symbols to the ATSC 3.0 frame to generate a modified ATSC 3.0 frame and transmitting the modified ATSC 3.0 using a SFN transmitter antenna of the SFN transmitter.

Abstract: Some aspects of this disclosure are direct to a system that includes a first scheduler configured to receive an input packet and generate a first packet to be transmitted using a first radio unit (RU). The system further includes a second scheduler configured to receive the first packet from the first scheduler and generate a second packet. The second packet is to be transmitted using a second RU. The system further includes a first fronthaul operated using evolved Common Public Radio Interface (eCPRI) protocol and configured to direct the first packet to the first RU to be transmitted on a first channel having a first frequency. The system further includes a second fronthaul operated using the eCPRI protocol and configured to direct the second packet to the second RU to be transmitted on a second channel having a second frequency different from the first frequency.

Abstract: A method disclosed includes receiving data from a plurality of data sources in a broadcast core network for transmission over a radio access network (RAN). The method includes assigning radio spectrum resources for transmitting the data over the RAN according to a policy guidance set by a plurality of network operators for sharing the radio spectrum resources and generating a baseband packet corresponding to the data at a distributed unit (DU) in the RAN. The method includes collecting transmission data from a plurality of user equipments (UEs) in the RAN for training a machine learning algorithm and scheduling transmission of the generated baseband packet to a remote unit (RU) over a fronthaul in a radio topology of a plurality of radio topologies under control of the machine learning algorithm according to the policy guidance. The generated baseband packet is compatible for transmission in the plurality of radio technologies.

Abstract: The ATSC 3.0 physical layer broadcast standard is extended with new OFDM numerology, L1 signaling and frame structure aligned with 5G. This is done to enable improved broadcast mobility and convergence 5G release 16 as a Non-3GPP access network. The 5G core network and Broadcast core network interwork over defined interfaces to enable convergence layer 3. This enables improvements of broadcast physical layer for physics of broadcast. The 5G unicast physical layer is enhanced for physics of unicast, and then both are converged at layer 3. This is novel and has many benefits compared to the legacy LTE broadcast method (e.g., Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (eMBMS)), which combines both broadcast and unicast into a single shared LTE frame at layer 1. The eMBMS method is then improved for dominate unicast mode in shared L1 frame. The result is the broadcast performance and efficiency in eMBMS are less than optimal.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium product for sharing broadcast resources and validating usage of the broadcast resources according to an agreement between a plurality of broadcast virtual network operators (BVNOs). A method includes determining the plurality of spectrum resources corresponding to a length of a broadcast frame, and creating a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) based on a plurality of internet protocol (IP) flows from the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes constructing the broadcast frame including the plurality of PLPs and generating a broadcast frame record based on transmission of the broadcast frame. The broadcast frame record can identify the plurality of spectrum resources shared between the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes updating the broadcast frame record with identification information of the plurality of BVNOs and the plurality of IP flows corresponding to the plurality of PLPs of the broadcast frame.

Abstract: According to some embodiments, a method includes selecting a length for an advanced television system committee (ATSC) 3.0 frame for transmission by a single frequency network (SFN) transmitter and aligning the SFN transmitter with a global positioning system (GPS) epoch. The method further includes storing geographical coordinates of the SFN transmitter and a corresponding SFN transmitter identification (TX ID) in a database. The method also includes encoding the SFN TX ID in a non-coherent symbol of a plurality of positioning navigation timing (PNT) symbols comprising a plurality of coherent symbols and the non-coherent symbol with orthogonal frequency-division multiplexing (OFDM) numerology to support positioning. The method further includes prepending the plurality of PNT symbols to the ATSC 3.0 frame to generate a modified ATSC 3.0 frame and transmitting the modified ATSC 3.0 using a SFN transmitter antenna of the SFN transmitter.

Abstract: Disclosed herein are methods, an apparatus, and a computer-readable medium product for sharing broadcast resources and validating usage of the broadcast resources according to an agreement between a plurality of broadcast virtual network operators (BVNOs). A method includes determining the plurality of spectrum resources corresponding to a length of a broadcast frame, and creating a plurality of physical layer pipes (PLPs) based on a plurality of internet protocol (IP) flows from the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes constructing the broadcast frame including the plurality of PLPs and generating a broadcast frame record based on transmission of the broadcast frame. The broadcast frame record can identify the plurality of spectrum resources shared between the plurality of BVNOs. The method includes updating the broadcast frame record with identification information of the plurality of BVNOs and the plurality of IP flows corresponding to the plurality of PLPs of the broadcast frame.

Abstract: The ATSC 3.0 physical layer broadcast standard is extended with new OFDM numerology, L1 signaling and frame structure aligned with 5G. This is done to enable improved broadcast mobility and convergence 5G release 16 as a Non-3GPP access network. The 5G core network and Broadcast core network interwork over defined interfaces to enable convergence layer 3. This enables improvements of broadcast physical layer for physics of broadcast. The 5G unicast physical layer is enhanced for physics of unicast, and then both are converged at layer 3. This is novel and has many benefits compared to the legacy LTE broadcast method (e.g., Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services (eMBMS)), which combines both broadcast and unicast into a single shared LTE frame at layer 1. The eMBMS method is then improved for dominate unicast mode in shared L1 frame. The result is the broadcast performance and efficiency in eMBMS are less than optimal.

Abstract: A Next Generation Broadcast Platform (NGBP) is disclosed that utilizes 5G software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies. The NGBP is designed to enable a new paradigm for broadcasters, wherein the model of fixed wireless spectrum access granted only to the licensees of the spectrum is replaced by a flexible model in which licensed spectrum is pooled together and allocated dynamically to broadcast licensees as well as outside tenants. The NGBP is implemented using SDN/NFV technology, and includes a broadcast market exchange (BMX) entity that allocates the spectrum between tenants based on service level agreements (SLAs) with those users. The NGBP also includes an internet protocol (IP) core and a broadcast centralized radio access network (BC-RAN) which apply the major network functions to broadcaster content in accordance with the determinations of the BMX.

Abstract: An example method for notifying a battery-powered device of the presence of high priority broadcast content while enabling the device to conserve battery power includes generating a high priority broadcast signal. The signal includes a high priority symbol identifier for informing the battery powered device to switch from an idle state to an acquisition state to inspect the remainder of the high priority broadcast signal. The signal further includes a high priority indication symbol for informing the battery powered device to transition to an active state from the acquisition state to receive high priority broadcast content before returning to the idle state. The signal further includes a timing symbol for informing the battery powered device of the minimum time period until a next a high priority broadcast signal should be expected, enabling the battery powered device to remain in the idle state until the next high priority broadcast signal.

Abstract: A new television broadcast model called a Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX) eliminates the inefficiency in spectrum usage, providing maximum flexibility in delivering content through either VHF (for fixed location receiving devices) or UHF (optimized for mobile receiving devices) transmission/propagation. In conjunction with the BMX, a wireless communications system architecture is provided to enable a broadcast augmentation channel. The augmentation channel provides supplementation of the Quality of Service (QoS) of a one way User Datagram Protocol (UDP) delivery environment. The augmentation channel may be comprised of one or more physical delivery mechanisms (wired or wireless), but can be effectively unified for increasing QoS and or scalable levels of service (additional essence) to improve the user experience.

Abstract: Wireless system architectures worldwide are undergoing a paradigm shift today. This, by adopting new technology and wireless system architectures based on Software Defined Network (SDN) and Network Function Virtualization (NFV) that are being instantiated using IT cloud computing methods. The 3 GPP is defining a new 5G radio and 5G core network in release 16 based on a cloud native system architecture. Herein, a new next generation multi-channel-tenant virtualized broadcast platform using SDN/NFV is disclosed using ATSC 3.0 standards A/321, A/322 as a baseline.

Abstract: A new television broadcast model called a Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX) eliminates the inefficiency in spectrum usage, providing maximum flexibility in delivering content through either VHF (for fixed location receiving devices) or UHF (optimized for mobile receiving devices) transmission/propagation. In conjunction with the BMX, a wireless communications system architecture is provided to enable a broadcast augmentation channel. The augmentation channel provides supplementation of the Quality of Service (QoS) of a one way User Datagram Protocol (UDP) delivery environment. The augmentation channel may be comprised of one or more physical delivery mechanisms (wired or wireless), but can be effectively unified for increasing QoS and or scalable levels of service (additional essence) to improve the user experience.

Abstract: A new television broadcast model called a Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX) eliminates the inefficiency in spectrum usage, providing maximum flexibility in delivering content through either VHF (for fixed location receiving devices) or UHF (optimized for mobile receiving devices) transmission/propagation. In conjunction with the BMX, a wireless communications system architecture is provided to enable a broadcast augmentation channel. The augmentation channel provides supplementation of the Quality of Service (QoS) of a one way User Datagram Protocol (UDP) delivery environment. The augmentation channel may be comprised of one or more physical delivery mechanisms (wired or wireless), but can be effectively unified for increasing QoS and or scalable levels of service (additional essence) to improve the user experience.

Abstract: A Next Generation Broadcast Platform (NGBP) is disclosed that utilizes 5G software-defined networking (SDN) and network function virtualization (NFV) technologies. The NGBP is designed to enable a new paradigm for broadcasters, wherein the model of fixed wireless spectrum access granted only to the licensees of the spectrum is replaced by a flexible model in which licensed spectrum is pooled together and allocated dynamically to broadcast licensees as well as outside tenants. The NGBP is implemented using SDN/NFV technology, and includes a broadcast market exchange (BMX) entity that allocates the spectrum between tenants based on service level agreements (SLAs) with those users. The NGBP also includes an internet protocol (IP) core and a broadcast centralized radio access network (BC-RAN) which apply the major network functions to broadcaster content in accordance with the determinations of the BMX.

Abstract: An example method for notifying a battery-powered device of the presence of high priority broadcast content while enabling the device to conserve battery power includes generating a high priority broadcast signal. The signal includes a high priority symbol identifier for informing the battery powered device to switch from an idle state to an acquisition state to inspect the remainder of the high priority broadcast signal. The signal further includes a high priority indication symbol for informing the battery powered device to transition to an active state from the acquisition state to receive high priority broadcast content before returning to the idle state. The signal further includes a timing symbol for informing the battery powered device of the minimum time period until a next a high priority broadcast signal should be expected, enabling the battery powered device to remain in the idle state until the next high priority broadcast signal.

Abstract: A method for operating an extensible mode of communication in an intelligent heterogeneous network includes the step of using an extensibility tool to provide an extensible framing structure. The method further includes the step of combining a centralized radio access network topology with an intelligent IP core network to enable sharing of spectrum resources. The method further includes the step of providing a supplemental return channel to facilitate paging.

Abstract: A new television broadcast model called a Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX) eliminates the inefficiency in spectrum usage, providing maximum flexibility in delivering content through either VHF (for fixed location receiving devices) or UHF (optimized for mobile receiving devices) transmission/propagation. In conjunction with the BMX, a wireless communications system architecture is provided to enable a broadcast augmentation channel. The augmentation channel provides supplementation of the Quality of Service (QoS) of a one way User Datagram Protocol (UDP) delivery environment. The augmentation channel may be comprised of one or more physical delivery mechanisms (wired or wireless), but can be effectively unified for increasing QoS and or scalable levels of service (additional essence) to improve the user experience.

Abstract: A method and apparatus are provided for allowing two different television signals to be combined and sent to a common propagation device, such as a tower antenna. The apparatus utilizes a number of appropriately loaded hybrids, hybrid waveguide junctions, or other appropriate equivalent devices to combine the signals in such manner that there is a minimum of intersignal interference or distortion. The apparatus utilizes bandpass/reject filters and notch filters in conjunction with the hybrids to achieve the desired results. A television broadcast system using the hybrid combining apparatus is also provided.