Next Generation Broadcast System and Method
In a next generation broadcast architecture, a broadcast gateway may send segments of a data file to a broadcast transmission system and to a server. The broadcast transmission system wirelessly transmits the segments to a user equipment (UE) device. When the UE device fails to decode a segment, it sends a request for re-transmission of the segment to the server via an IP network. The server re-transmits the requested segment to the UE device via the IP network. Furthermore, the gateway may receive one or more IP data flows (e.g., video streams) having variable bit rate. The gateway may apply dynamically-variable coding to the IP data flows so that the resulting coded IP data flows have an aggregate bit rate that matches a constant physical transport rate of the broadcast transmission system.
The present application is a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 14/498,845, filed Sep. 26, 2014, titled “Next Generation Broadcast System”, invented by Kevin A. Shelby and Michael J. Simon, now U.S. patent Ser. No. 10/034,147, which claims the benefit of priority to each of the following Provisional Applications:
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- U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/883,168, filed Sep. 26, 2013, titled “Next Generation Broadcast System”, invented by Kevin A. Shelby and Michael J. Simon;
- U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/883,749, filed Sep. 27, 2013, titled “Next Generation Broadcast System”, invented by Kevin A. Shelby and Michael J. Simon; and
- U.S. Provisional Application No. 61/890,709, filed Oct. 14, 2013, titled “Next Generation Broadcast System”, invented by Kevin A. Shelby and Michael J. Simon.
All of the above-identified Applications are hereby incorporated by reference in their entireties as though fully and completely set forth herein.
The claims in the instant application are different than those of the parent application or other related applications. The Applicant therefore rescinds any disclaimer of claim scope made in the parent application or any predecessor application in relation to the instant application. The Examiner is therefore advised that any such previous disclaimer and the cited references that it was made to avoid, may need to be revisited. Further, any disclaimer made in the instant application should not be read into or against the parent application or other related applications.
TECHNICAL FIELDThis application relates to the field of telecommunication, and more particularly, to mechanisms for terrestrial wireless television broadcast.
DESCRIPTION OF THE RELATED ARTThere exists a need for new mechanisms for terrestrial broadcasting, i.e., mechanisms that would be compatible with IP-based networks.
SUMMARYWithin the context of a next generation broadcasting (NGB) system proposal, we disclose a next generation broadcast system architecture for receiving multiple streams of digital content from the Internet and processing them for broadcast over the air for reception by fixed or mobile user equipment (UE). On the broadcasting side of the air interface there are two parts, a new Modulator architecture, and a new Gateway architecture. The Modulator takes in multiple data streams and processes them into a robust transport stream composed of Super Frames issued at a constant rate. The transport stream may be efficiently broadcast, and efficiently received and decoded at a UE to pick out one or more individual data streams. The Gateway has a broadband interface with the Internet, provides services, takes in multiple data streams in internet protocol (IP), and streams the data out to one or more Modulators along with control signals. A Gateway may coordinate multiple Modulators, one for each transmitter, to achieve a single frequency network (SFN) of multiple transmitters. In one set of embodiments, a method for operating a server (to facilitate the transfer of a data file to a user equipment device) may include the following operations. The server is part of an IP network.
The method includes receiving segments of a data file from a broadcast gateway, wherein a broadcast transmission system also receives the segments from the broadcast gateway and transmits them into space as part of an RF signal. The UE device is configured to receive the RF signal and generate one or more missing segment indications identifying one or more segments that it is not able to successfully recover from the RF signal, wherein the UE device is further configured to transmit the one or more missing segment indications to the server through the IP network (e.g., using an WiFi connection to a WiFi access point, which couples to the IP network, or using a wireless connection to an LTE eNodeB, which couples to the IP network).
The method includes receiving the one or more missing segment indications from the UE device.
The method includes sending the one or more segments identified by the missing segment indications to the UE device through the IP network (e.g., through the same WiFi connection or LTE connection).
In one set of embodiments, a method for operating a user equipment device (to facilitate the transfer of a data file to the user equipment) may include the following operations.
The method includes receiving a noise-perturbed version of an RF signal that is wirelessly transmitted by a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system transmits segments of a data file in the RF signal.
The method includes operating on the noise-perturbed version (e.g., by conventional means such as down conversion to baseband, analog-to-digital conversion, symbol estimation and data decoding) to recover estimates of the segments.
The method includes analyzing the estimates to determine which of the segments are not successfully received (e.g., by analyzing an error detection code such as CRC).
The method includes transmitting one or more missing segment indications to a server via an IP network, wherein each of the missing segment indications identifies a corresponding one of the segments (e.g., by its sequence number and/or reception time stamp) that has not been successfully received.
In one set of embodiments, a multi-stream modulator may be configured to apply channel encoding with dynamically-variable coding rate to one or more data streams to be transmitted by a broadcast transmission system. At least one of the one or more data streams is a variable rate stream (i.e., including a variable number of information bits per unit time), wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit data with a constant physical transport rate. The multi-stream modulator may include a channel encoding unit, a rate matching unit (RMU) and a control unit.
The channel encoding unit is configured to applying channel coding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams to obtain respectively one or more coded streams.
The rate matching unit (RMU) is configured to modify the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein the RMU is configured to modify the one or more coded streams by injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing (i.e., discarding) selected values of the one or more coded streams.
The control unit is configured to receive information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams. The control unit is further configured to vary the number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches (i.e., is close to, and not greater than) the constant physical transport rate, wherein said varying is performed based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams.
In one set of embodiments, a method for operating a multi-stream modulator may include the following operations. The method applies channel encoding with dynamically-variable coding rate to one or more data streams to be transmitted by a broadcast transmission system. At least one of the one or more data streams is a variable rate stream (i.e., including a variable number of information bits per unit time), wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit data with a constant physical transport rate.
The method includes receiving information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams.
The method includes applying channel encoding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams to respectively obtain one or more coded streams.
The method includes modifying the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein said modifying the one or more coded streams includes injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing (i.e., discarding) selected values of the one or more coded streams. The number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time is varied so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches the constant physical transport rate, wherein said varying is performed based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams. The one or more modified streams are supplied to the broadcast transmission system for transmission through a wireless channel.
While the disclosure is susceptible to various modifications and alternative forms, specific embodiments thereof are shown by way of example in the drawings and will herein be described in detail. It should be understood, however, that the drawings and detailed description thereto are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular form illustrated, but on the contrary, the intention is to cover all modifications, equivalents and alternatives falling within the spirit and scope of the present disclosure as defined by the appended claims. The headings used herein are for organizational purposes only and are not meant to be used to limit the scope of the description. As used throughout this application, the word “may” is used in a permissive sense (i.e., meaning having the potential to), rather than the mandatory sense (i.e., meaning must). Similarly, the words “include,” “including,” and “includes” mean including, but not limited to.
Flowchart diagrams are provided to illustrate exemplary embodiments, and are not intended to limit the disclosure to the particular steps illustrated. In various embodiments, some of the method elements shown may be performed concurrently, performed in a different order than shown, or omitted. Additional method elements may also be performed as desired.
Various units, circuits, or other components may be described as “configured to” perform a task or tasks. In such contexts, “configured to” is a broad recitation of structure generally meaning “having circuitry that” performs the task or tasks during operation. As such, the unit/circuit/component can be configured to perform the task even when the unit/circuit/component is not currently on. In general, the circuitry that forms the structure corresponding to “configured to” may include hardware circuits. Similarly, various units/circuits/components may be described as performing a task or tasks, for convenience in the description. Such descriptions should be interpreted as including the phrase “configured to.” Reciting a unit/circuit/component that is configured to perform one or more tasks is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph six interpretation for that unit/circuit/component. More generally, the recitation of any element is expressly intended not to invoke 35 U.S.C. § 112, paragraph six interpretation for that element unless the language “means for” or “step for” is specifically recited.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF EMBODIMENTS List of Acronyms Used in the Present PatentARQ: Automatic Repeat-reQuest
CA: Carrier Aggregation
CLX: Coherent Logix, Inc.
CRC: Cyclic Redundancy Check
CP: Cyclic Prepare
DTX: Discontinuous Transmission
DVB: Digital Video Broadcasting
EM Wave: ElectroMagnetic Wave
EPC: Evolved Packet Core
ETSI: European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FEC: Forward Error Correction
FFT: Fast Fourier Transform
GI: Guard Interval
HEVC: High Efficiency Video Coding
H-LSI: Hierarchical Local Service Insertion
IEEE: Institute of Electrical and Electronics Engineers
IETF: Internet Engineering Task Force
IFFT: Inverse Fast Fourier Transform
IP: Internet Protocol
LDPC: Low Density Parity Check
LTE: Long Term Evolution
LTE-A: LTE Advanced
MMT: MPEG Media Transport
MPH: Miles Per Hour
NGBP: Next Generation Broadcast Platform
NGH: Next Generation Handheld Specification
OFDM: Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiple Access
OFDMA: OFDM
PA: Power Amplifier
QOS: Quality of Service
RAN: Radio Access Network
RLC: Radio Link Control
ROHC: Robust Header Compression
SBG: Sinclair Broadcast Group, Inc.
SFN: Single Frequency Network
TIA: Telecommunications Industry Association
UE: User Equipment
UTC: Coordinated Universal Time
VBR: Variable Bit Rate
W3C: World Wide Web Consortium
Terminology Used in the Present PatentMemory Medium—Any of various types of memory devices or storage devices. The term “memory medium” is intended to include an installation medium, e.g., a CD-ROM, floppy disks, or tape device; a computer system memory or random access memory such as DRAM, DDR RAM, SRAM, EDO RAM, Rambus RAM, etc.; a non-volatile memory such as a Flash, magnetic media, e.g., a hard drive, or optical storage; registers, or other similar types of memory elements, etc. The memory medium may include other types of memory as well or combinations thereof. In addition, the memory medium may be located in a first computer system in which the programs are executed, or may be located in a second different computer system which connects to the first computer system over a network, such as the Internet. In the latter instance, the second computer system may provide program instructions to the first computer for execution. The term “memory medium” may include two or more memory mediums which may reside in different locations, e.g., in different computer systems that are connected over a network. The memory medium may store program instructions (e.g., embodied as computer programs) that may be executed by one or more processors.
Computer System—any of various types of computing or processing systems, including a personal computer system (PC), mainframe computer system, workstation, network appliance, internet appliance, personal digital assistant (PDA), grid computing system, cloud server or other device or combinations of devices. In general, the term “computer system” can be broadly defined to encompass any device (or combination of devices) having at least one processor that executes instructions from a memory medium.
User Equipment (UE) (or “UE Device”)—any of various types of computer systems devices which are mobile or portable and which performs wireless communications. Examples of UE devices include mobile telephones or smart phones (e.g., iPhone™, Android™-based phones), portable gaming devices (e.g., Nintendo DS™, PlayStation Portable™, Gameboy Advance™, iPhone™), laptops, PDAs, portable Internet devices, music players, data storage devices, other handheld devices, as well as wearable devices such as wrist-watches, headphones, pendants, earpieces, etc. In general, the term “UE” or “UE device” can be broadly defined to encompass any electronic, computing, and/or telecommunications device (or combination of devices) which is easily transported by a user and capable of wireless communication.
Base Station—The term “Base Station” has the full breadth of its ordinary meaning, and at least includes a wireless communication station installed at a fixed location and used to communicate as part of a wireless cellular telephone system or radio system.
Processing Element—refers to various elements or combinations of elements. Processing elements include, for example, circuits such as an ASIC (Application Specific Integrated Circuit), portions or circuits of individual processor cores, entire processor cores, individual processors, programmable hardware devices such as a field programmable gate array (FPGA), and/or larger portions of systems that include multiple processors.
Automatically—refers to an action or operation performed by a computer system (e.g., software executed by the computer system) or device (e.g., circuitry, programmable hardware elements, ASICs, etc.), without user input directly specifying or performing the action or operation. Thus the term “automatically” is in contrast to an operation being manually performed or specified by the user, where the user provides input to directly perform the operation. An automatic procedure may be initiated by input provided by the user, but the subsequent actions that are performed “automatically” are not specified by the user, i.e., are not performed “manually”, where the user specifies each action to perform. For example, a user filling out an electronic form by selecting each field and providing input specifying information (e.g., by typing information, selecting check boxes, radio selections, etc.) is filling out the form manually, even though the computer system must update the form in response to the user actions. The form may be automatically filled out by the computer system where the computer system (e.g., software executing on the computer system) analyzes the fields of the form and fills in the form without any user input specifying the answers to the fields. As indicated above, the user may invoke the automatic filling of the form, but is not involved in the actual filling of the form (e.g., the user is not manually specifying answers to fields but rather they are being automatically completed). The present specification provides various examples of operations being automatically performed in response to actions the user has taken.
Next Generation Broadcast PlatformWe propose herein new technologies for terrestrial broadcasting in the internet age. These technologies (or a subset thereof) may be incorporated in the next generation broadcast television standard (known as ATSC 3.0). These technologies may provide improvements in performance, functionality and efficiency that are significant enough to warrant the creation of a new broadcast ecosystem—a “Next Generation Broadcast Platform” (NGBP), which we disclose herein.
The “Scope of Work” identified in the ATSC call for proposals (CFP), references service requirements and specifies a robustness of service that should exceed “ . . . current ATSC systems and that of cell phones and other devices enabling services similar to ATSC”. This broad scope identifies not only the need to provide physical layer performance enhancements to the existing ATSC systems, but begs the need for a complimentary network topology and unifying communication architecture never before deployed in the broadcast television environment. In this disclosure, we include a section (“The Platform”) that introduces and addresses that fundamental need, and develops the notion of a “Broadcast Market Exchange” (BMX) which brings intelligence to the network.
The laws of physics necessarily dictate a wide array of system level requirements and technical constraints, uniquely different to specific portions of the US television broadcast bands (CH 2-51). Inferred but not fully identified in the CFP, the uniquely different attributes of spectrum demand a level of agility in technological capability not before possible. We introduce and identify in this disclosure ways to mitigate aspects of spectrum ‘unfungibility’ with unique variables in the physical layer, and in an abstract way through the virtualization possible with the notion of a BMX. (Unfungibility: The nature of being non-exchangeable or replaceable, in whole or in part, for another of like nature or kind; e.g., the nature of spectrum in Lo-VHF, Hi-VHF and UHF spectrum.)
It is important to layout this broader system vision, encompassing both a proper understanding of “The Platform” with its general functions and the relationship to the underlying physical layer this CFP is meant to specifically address. It should be noted that the presently disclosed physical layer could stand on its own as a viable (but isolated) layer in a broadcast protocol stack. However, by taking a synergistic system view of the physical layer as one of the foundational elements in a complete system, we believe the true potential will be revealed.
Lastly, the notion of an evolvable standard will be spoken to in the very nature of “Parameterized Waveforms”. The ability to plot a direction for the industry that allows an evolvable standard addresses today's global market demand for global solutions.
Adaptation and Evolution in Dynamic Worldwide MarketThis disclosure considers a wider view of broadcast than just the physical layer. This disclosure addresses the ability of the Television Broadcast Wireless Carrier (Broadcaster) to adapt and evolve their business and applications in a rapidly changing and dynamic worldwide market.
FOBTV Support: We believe the concepts provided within this disclosure should not only serve the U.S. Market, but support requirements that can be harmonized with the Future of Broadcast Television (FoBTV) activities. We should be very clear that we believe the strength of FoBTV is not to exist on one unified worldwide standard, but to exist on a software-defined architecture that supports global needs. The architecture of the FOBTV system must allow for system requirements that will be driven by significantly diverse worldwide government policies that realistically will not converge on one single “hammered in stone” broadcast standard. It is possible with today's software-defined technologies to build systems that will adapt to these diverse emerging requirements.
ATSC 1.0 to 3.0 Transition: The present disclosure allows for a non-deterministic time transition from ATSC 1.0 to 3.0. We propose a solution that would allow broadcasters to move autonomously and on their own schedules. The software architectures in both the broadcaster's infrastructure and in consumer user equipment can be designed to support dynamic configuration for different transmission and reception compatibility requirements.
First Responder Network Authority (FirstNet): This disclosure will support the FCC (Federal Communications Commission of the U.S.) intent to further the advanced interoperability of first responders. The first responder public safety mobile broadband networks require the use of a common air interface such as LTE.
Parameterized Waveforms: This disclosure provides an in-depth look at parameterized waveforms. This feature allows different radio waveforms to be programmed and utilized to optimize performance in different operating environments.
Software Defined Applications: One of the strengths of this proposal is its ability to adapt to an ever-changing dynamic market for both technical and business opportunities. The software architecture provides access for all vendors to create solutions. This stimulates competition and provides a clear path for innovation in technological advancements as well as business applications.
Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX): This concept allows broadcasters to provide a diversity of services and enter an open market environment that provides access to appropriate frequencies and bandwidth for those services. It provides a means to understand and associate real value to each and every bit served by the most effective resources available. It allows the creation of business and related mechanisms to define various value propositions and more effectively schedule using resources of associated importance. It also allows a Broadcaster to more effectively define, offer and support QoS offerings.
Overview of ProposalVarious embodiments described herein, including embodiments conforming to the broad vision of the section titled “The Platform”, rely on mature technologies and communications platforms being deployed today. For example, in some embodiments, the BMX relies the technologies and capabilities deployed today in the telecommunications industry, e.g., in the EPC (Evolved Packet Core) of LTE and LTE-A. Differences may reside in the business and regulatory rules that govern conduct and exchange within the spectrum resources being leveraged. But clearly the base technology may be fully commercialized technology. Within that same vision, platform elements may leverage fundamentals of W3C (such as HTML5) and MPEG (such as MMT), moving rapidly from prototype to commercial applications.
With respect to the fundamentals of the present physical layer proposal, the proposal may, in some embodiments, leverage OFDM and OFDMA techniques that straddle and reach across the DVB family of techniques surrounding DVB-T2 and NGH (ETSI) through to and including new detailed extensions of LTE (3GPP). The proposal may also utilize components of IEEE, IETF and TIA.
If one fully comprehends the operational variability offered with the level of parameterization envisioned and defined herein, we believe it would be proper to say that at one end (broadcast) of the proposed system capability, it is possible to rely on current DVB OFDM instantiations to be a representative ‘proxy’ of that end of performance. Equally, the other end of performance (Wireless Broadband) can be extrapolated from implementations and the continuing evolution of 3GPP LTE. It is possible to effect, through the parameterization capabilities herein disclosed, a configuration closely approximating various OFDM waveforms and operation modes.
Parameterization techniques which have access to the various ‘handles’ (elements) that define a specific waveform allow a nearly infinite set of capabilities to be devised. Some of the ‘handles’ that are available to define waveforms include: Cyclic Prefix (Guard Interval), FFT, L1/L2 signaling, Time Interleaving, QAM mapping, forward error correction (FEC).
Given the body of work that is being drawn upon, a performance and complexity assessment would find this proposal lies well inside of the norms of standards and technologies implemented and commercialized today in a wide variety of consumer devices deployed in tens of millions of units.
In addition to the broad top-level description given above, we include (among other things) the following:
(1) Functional Requirements and Physical Layer Model Definition.
(2) The trade-offs of parameters that impact robustness versus payload throughput.
(3) Possible new broadcasting services that can be implemented with a parameterized system.
(4) Compatibility with global standards from many organizations such as: 3GPP, ETSI, MPEG, IEEE, IETF, W3C, TIA.
The PlatformWhen we speak of ‘The Platform’ we are taking a forward looking, integrated (or “holistic”) approach beyond the physical layer, beyond its incorporation within a standard inclusive of the transport and applications layer. We are looking at the end-to-end systemic needs of all broadcasters independent of where in the broadcast band the FCC (or other regulatory authority) has authorized operation. Considering the world in which television broadcasting exists today, we attempt to provide context for broadcasting in the interconnected (wired/wireless) world where opportunities exist to closely integrate television broadcast with IP network delivery, harmonizing objectives concerning ease of consumer access to content on devices over a terrestrial broadcast and/or other IP networks (wireless/wired) in a seamless way.
Within this platform, we define a unifying “virtualized” IP Core element. This underlying IP Core infrastructure of tomorrow's broadcaster can be driven by an intelligent IP Core entity, and governed by software that defines rules, procedures and other requirements with open authentication and charging mechanisms—business and regulatory in nature. We will refer to this IP Core entity/sub-system as the “BMX” (Broadcast Market Exchange). The capability and functionality of this all IP Core network will largely reflect similar functionalities (albeit executing on differing parameters) that exist within other wireless sectors as the EPC (Evolved Packet Core). This proven EPC technology is driving the worldwide mobile broadband revolution today. The EPC is now considered a commodity item in the wireless market and may be leveraged in the presently-disclosed NGBP as a critical component to enable effective management of the broadcast spectrum asset in a market driven manner, including interoperating with other IP networks when it makes business sense.
Robustness of service can be accomplished in multiple ways. In the design of the system envisioned, at a system and architecture level, techniques envisioned for providing robust service within a broadcast (one-way) network may include one or more of the following:
(a) Parameterized radio waveform for operating in multiple wireless environments;
(b) Providing for robust low threshold C/N performance modes (with signaling, detection and synchronization below the noise-floor) for services envisioned in CFP;
(c) High spectral efficiency and data rate modes for services envisioned in CFP;
(d) Greater data rates (function of all scheduled BMX resources) for new future services (market driven) not possible today in terms of a conventional TV channel mindset;
(e) ‘Tools’ to easily provide for uniformly high signal levels (SFN, DTX, etc.);
(f) Alternate transport across multiple bearer layers (IP transport assumed). C/N is an acronym for carrier-to-noise ratio.
Referring now to
Referencing the high-level block diagram of the new NGBP as shown in
The real take away here is a unique Master/Slave (Cross Layer) relationship that puts the control of all physical layer resources into the NGB gateway, generally located miles away from the NGB modulator/s (transmitter site/s) in the IP Core network. Note: a type of cross layer functionality can also be found in DVB-T2 and the ATSC A/153 standards.
At the air interface of the antenna system, the guided RF wave enters the broadcast spectrum (today CH 2-51, where CH is an acronym for Channel). The laws of physics dictate that the broadcast spectrum isn't fungible. Some parts of the broadcast band are more efficient and practical for nomadic, tablet/handheld type service and others at fixed/mobile service.
Without a Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX) mechanism, broadcasters are mainly limited by physics and/or economics to the type of services they could bring to market. Spectrum is most valuable if used for the type of uniquely suited services dictated by the RF physics in the frequency band. There is no one single part of the broadcast band that supports all service types equally well. Although some broadcast systems allow the provisioning of both fixed and nomadic services in the same band using either time or frequency division multiplexing techniques or other schemes, this is usually a sub-optimal solution because the under-lying RF physics imposes constraints which are formidable engineering challenges to overcome while preserving both spectrum efficiency and economics.
The paradigm shift introduced by BMX is that a participating broadcast licensee is no longer constrained simply by physics but has the opportunity to enter an open market environment that provides access to appropriate frequencies and bandwidth. In a nutshell, this would enable market driven use of spectrum resources and diversity of service types for all participating broadcasters.
In the new broadcast model, the IP core at the center of the broadband communications system architecture facilitates the integration of the full web experience with content viewing. The Internet return channel provides intelligence data on the viewing audience, to enable new business models traditionally outside the reach of broadcasters. Current activities underway within IEEE (i.e., IEEE 802 OmniRAN EC Study Group) may provide broadcasters with useful tools to manage IEEE 802 (WiFi and other) wireless access links as virtual extensions of their network environment.
Working together to create a next generation broadcast platform and ecosystem, tremendous value can be created and broadcasting can recreate itself in the Internet age.
In view of the present disclosure, what also becomes obvious is that true convergence of broadcast and unicast networks, in which broadcast and unicast share broadcast spectrum in a dynamic way, is a realizable possibility. A vision of this possibility and some of the specifics of a “Broadcast/Broadband Convergence Network” are presented later in this patent, in the section of the same title.
Introduction to Physical Layer Framework DesignFirst, a brief comment to compare and contrast our broadcast physical layer proposal with respect to the adaptive parameterized OFDMA (unicast) waveform used in 3GPP LTE-A, from which many elements of this proposal are based. Within LTE, the eNodeB or base station is the master entity that focuses into the Radio Access Network (RAN) with the objective to optimize the QOS independently of each user equipment (UE) in a given location (RF environment) for an interval of time. The eNodeB uses dynamic/adaptive physical layer parameterization with feedback reporting from each UE. An OFDMA (unicast) system and an OFDM (broadcast) system can have many technical elements in common. However, being real world wireless systems, they are usually each optimized with diverse system objectives in mind.
Our ATSC 3.0 proposal of an OFDM (broadcast) physical layer also applies adaptive techniques, but with a different system objective. The Next Gen Broadcast (NGB) Gateway (to be discussed) is the master entity that looks not into the RAN (LTE), but back into the IP Core network at all input IP Flows (traffic) instantaneously competing for broadcast physical layer resources. A cross layer algorithm in the NGB Gateway then dynamically adapts both the protocol layers and parameterization of the physical layer resources in the NGB Modulator (slave). To ensure good turbo coding gain, adequate time and frequency diversity is applied at physical layer for each physical layer pipe (PLP), which may also have an independent Coding Rate/QAM. This is achieved in the design while still ensuring opportunities for both excellent power savings (UE) and consistently fast channel change times using a 1000 ms (one second) Super Frame structure.
To achieve these objectives, the present proposal leverages technology and concepts from 3GPP LTE-A and ETSI DVB-NGH synergistically, to enable a parameterized nomadic waveform for a large cell SFN topology which can also serve as a foundational element of a Next Gen Broadcast Platform (NGBP).
Now, some basic OFDM parameters and frame structures of LTE and DVB-NGH within the present proposal are briefly examined to give insight into the proposed system architecture.
Detailed Overview of Technical Proposal—Basic AssumptionsGenerally speaking, having maximum selection of the OFDM parameters (thousands of possible combination and permutations) without having a network aware framing structure and timing is of little value in terms of a NGBP. (Today broadcast terrestrial standards are architected as standalone islands emitting separate RF waveforms with no thought given of the internet or interworking with other IP Networks. While this is an option, the interlinking possible within the framework of a “BMX” provides the basis to leverage the resources of multiple broadcasters and function as a coherent industry, as a virtualized entity.) Broadly speaking, there are currently two types of terrestrial broadcast system designs on the table for comparison: those that envision interworking with other IP networks (network aware); and those that are traditional standalone broadcast islands. The LTE system and the presently disclosed system adhere to the spirit of a being network aware, and the DVB-T2/NGH systems with roots in legacy DVB-T, that of a broadcast island.
Today, many wireless system architectures use a global timing reference such as GPS and a physical layer framing structure requirement of an integer number of OFDM symbols per frame. This structured physical layer framing may be essential in a network aware design. Structure also brings flexibility and simplicity.
Table 1 shows the basic LTE OFDM parameters. (There is also an extended Cyclic Prefix at both 15 kHz and 7.5 kHz sub-carrier spacing modes. But only the normal cyclic prefix mode is shown in Table 1, for simplicity.) In LTE there is a 1 ms sub-frame (composed of two 0.5 ms slots) defined that has an integer number of symbols (14) shown in Table 1. (A symbol is composed of a useful part of duration Tu plus a cyclic prefix CP. In LTE, normal structure for a slot has 7 symbols, but for the present comparison, we use units of sub-frames (i.e., 1 ms subframes).) This will equate to an integer number of symbols per LTE frame (10 ms), and intuitively, an integer number of symbols in 1 second. LTE is designed to have a constant 15000 Hz sub-carrier spacing (ΔF) independent of bandwidth. (LTE covers 700 MHz up to 3 GHz. The decision on 15000 (ΔF) provided adequate Doppler over this range but also results in 1167 MPH Doppler at 600 MHz. This has led some to argue for trading Doppler for longer CP for broadcasting in 600 MHz band.) For LTE the baseline parameter is 20 MHz bandwidth with the sampling frequency of 30.72 MHz and the FFT size of 2048, resulting in 15000 Hz (ΔF). For each bandwidth down from 20 MHz shown in Table 1, the Sampling Frequency and FFT size is scaled down to result in a constant 15000 Hz (ΔF). Another important attribute is that the LTE standard assigns physical layer resources directly to a user known at the physical layer. Hence, a given receiver (UE) only needs to perform a partial FFT and demodulate only sub-carriers of the OFDM symbol that carry data it wants to receive that was assigned by eNodeB. This also enables power savings on the UE.
Note: The CLX/SBG proposal (i.e., the presently-disclosed proposal) may also adopt the requirement of integer number symbols in a sub-frame (10 ms) in its OFDM framework and the assignment of physical layer resources to a PLP to enable a nomadic (UE) receiver to be designed to ensure good power savings.
Next, before briefly discussing the OFDM framing of DVB-NGH, it should be mentioned that this comparison in no way detracts from the performance potential of the NGH system which is based on LDPC/BCH coding. We believe that the laws of physics dictate that the television broadcast spectrum is non-fungible. Some parts of the broadcast band are more efficient and practical for nomadic, tablet/handheld type services and others more effective at providing for fixed services. When studying LTE (Turbo Codes) and DVB-NGH (LDPC/BCH), the better performance of turbo codes at low code rates and moreover their native flexibility were decided as important attributes for nomadic service and may be leveraged to create the parameterized nomadic waveform proposed herein. LDPC has good performance at higher code rates and low error floors, and these are attributes that may be leveraged in creating of a parameterized fixed waveform. We also believe the NGBP with IP Core (BMX) can provision for a unifying architecture that can deliver different parameterized waveforms targeted at service types (Nomadic/Fixed) or other special constraints brought on by the RF physics in specific environments within a portion of the television broadcast band, etc.
Table 2 (i.e.,
The CLX/SBG proposal provides an opportunity to use important foundational elements of other proponents (i.e. LDPC). This would provide an opportunity to bring other component pieces into an interconnected and network responsive environment. The opportunity afforded in a newly created non-backwardly compatible standard (ATSC 3.0) inside of the CLX/SBG framework would provide a place for such essential building blocks to construct a fixed reception, parameterized waveform. This would enable a high data capacity, high spectral efficiency mode of operation. In some embodiments, our primary focus is on LTE (Turbo codes, Flexibility) for the parameterized nomadic waveform as a foundational element of the NGBP.
Table 3 below (for reference) shows some basic system parameters for the 6 MHz and 8 MHz bandwidths supported by DVB-NGH. We will build on these to develop a fuller understanding of system concepts.
Table 4 shows a subset of the OFDM parameters (just one possible set) of the nomadic waveform being proposed.
In some embodiments, we use a common 12.288 MHz sampling frequency across all supported bandwidths. (The 12.288 MHz is derived by 2×3.84 MHz (WCDMA Chip rate)×8/5=12.288 MHz. For reference, LTE sampling frequencies are also based on the same 3.84 MHz. Regarding the supported bandwidths, the bandwidths initially chosen may be limited to those of most interest in North America (USA). Carrier aggregation (CA) is supported and any number of bandwidths combinations are possible under control of a NGB Gateway.) There are (4) FFT sizes and cyclic prefix (CP) selected to always ensure an integer number of OFDM symbols in a 10 ms sub-frame and a determined reasonable number of useful SFN cell sizes and corresponding useful Doppler spread. However before discussing more details, the use of Table 4 in a system design is briefly discussed to give more insight by example (Values in BOLD).
First, a SFN size (CP) and the Doppler performance is selected. For example, let's assume that a CP (111 μs) and a Doppler of (112 MPH) is selected for nomadic service. The FFT size will be 12,288 and the sub-carrier spacing is 1000 Hz. This is always independent of the bandwidth chosen and only the number of used sub-carriers (FFT) change as a function of the bandwidth. Let's assume a single 6 MHz bandwidth which results in 5700 used sub-carriers and nine (9) OFDM symbols per sub-frame 10 ms.
Note: holding the sampling frequency (12.288 MHz) constant provides synergy to the use of carrier aggregation (CA) in a network aware design to increase a channels capacity (bps) by increasing the bandwidth. This was the result of a conscious effort in our NGBP design to hedge against an unknown future and during an era in the USA when the FCC is experimenting with the concept of voluntary incentive auctions. The Sinclair Broadcast Group believes given a new standard and granted flexible spectrum use, broadcasters could use their spectrum more efficiently and serve the public interest better in the 21st century to mention but a few benefits to public.
Also, an important concept to bring forward is that known physical layer resources (sub-carriers) can be assigned a virtual ‘channel’ referred to as a physical layer pipe (PLP), which is directly identifiable at the physical layer (enabling power savings in UE design).
Returning to the 6 MHz example, the total number of used sub-carriers is 5700 and these are then partitioned in the frequency domain into 10 stripes, each composed of 570 sub-carriers evenly spaced. (The 5700 used subcarriers excludes the center DC and edge sub-carriers, and represents only the useful sub-carriers that can carry data or reference pilots for channel estimation.) A PLP with independent (Code/QAM) is mapped to every 10th physical layer sub-carrier spaced evenly across the total bandwidth. The PLP sub-carrier # assignment is swept in the frequency domain to ensure maximum frequency diversity and time interleaving (physical layer) across one super frame (1000 ms) which provides time diversity, helping to mitigate slow fades at pedestrian speeds<3 km/hr. The coherence time=0.423/Fd at 600 MHz and at a speed of 3 km/hour is ˜2 Hz which equates to a coherence time ˜200 ms. The proposal supports a time interleaving of ˜990 ms.
Given the overall nature of this RFQ it is assumed that SIMO operating mode is normative. Implementations with SFN transmitter diversity should further help mitigate the impact of fading and or shadowing in the nomadic environment. (Single Frequency Network mode is a straight forward native function of the system, as will be explained.)
Table 5 (i.e.,
Before introducing the physical layer block diagram in detail,
Next, the system block diagram,
In some embodiments, the system is required to support both fixed and nomadic user equipment operating in the television broadcast frequency band—all day, everyday, across a wide variety of terrestrial landscapes and waterways. The propagation of radio and television signals across the terrestrial surface varies with the weather, day/night effects in the atmosphere and ionosphere, and user motion (users tend to be moving at higher speeds during commuting hours). These variations suggest a flexible solution that may adapt to the current conditions automatically. Therefore, an adaptive parameterized nomadic waveform is at the center of the proposed CLX/SBG system. It should be noted that this physical layer can stand on its own as a viable (but isolated) layer in a broadcast protocol stack, but we contend that such isolation provides for a less effective platform utilization. Only by taking a synergistic system view of the physical layer as one of the foundational elements in a complete NGBP, will the true potential (as an integrated platform) be revealed. Therefore our discussion of the physical layer will not be in strict isolation, but at times will be broadened to that of the physical layer as one of the synergistic elements within a NGBP.
Returning to
First, a brief discussion of the functionality (retained or modified) from 3GPP LTE-A blocks in
The user data plane from the gateway transports all IP Flows (PLPs) to the PDCP layer. In the PDCP ROHC is used to compress all IP headers on incoming packets. Then, optional encryption can be applied on a PLP basis. (The present proposal also envisions supporting and/or augmenting the LTE Unicast First NET with IP Flows for broadcast service either to the general public or geo-targeted in times of emergency. Also, (private) first responder traffic can be encrypted by a (First Net crypto unit) in PDCP as another example. This may be coordinated under a service level agreement between Broadcasters and First Net, and be reflected in the policy running in the NGBP (BMX) IP Core.) The multiple PLPs are then separated and encapsulated into common segments in the RLC layer. (The LTE RLC protocol inserts an incremented segment count into the RLC segment header.)
In LTE, the UE would detect any gaps in the segment count (header) request (ARQ) the lost segment/s be removed from cache (RLC) and re-transmitted. The RLC segment counter (to be explained later) is also used in this broadcast proposal (change in protocol) to request lost segments from (RLC Data Segment Cache in the IP Core) when a broadcast receiver (UE) has a means to request and receive natively (i.e. LTE radio), enters into a Wi-Fi zone (or other network), or has other (wired or wireless) means for connectivity. This new ARQ function is designed to increase the QOS on non-real time media or data file transfers only and is but one example of a broadcast platform service.
Each segmented PLP (RLC) is then encapsulated in a MAC layer packet with CRC which is then sent to the extended 3GPP Turbo encoder. (The CRC is used in conjunction with turbo decoding in receiver.) The MAC layer is the anchor point for carrier aggregation (CA) and this is shown as the option to send a scheduled transport block to another physical layer. The support for broadcast CA is also covered in a separate section. On the top right at 950 are shown two packets belonging to from same (MMT) package or PLP being encapsulated by PDCP/RLC layers into a single Transport Block in the Mac layer which is then forward to the extended 3GPP Turbo encoder in our proposal.
Forward Error Correction CodingFor mobile system configurations, Forward Error Correction (FEC) applied to each PLP is recommended in the form of Turbo Coding. LDPC may be used for fixed reception given its unbounded error floor compared to Turbo Codes and moderately improved bit error performance for increasingly long block sizes.
The turbo encoder may include an identical pair of Parallel Concatenated Convolutional Code (PCCC) 8-state constituent encoders, the inputs to which are separated by an internal interleaver 1010, as illustrated in
The transfer function of the 8-state constituent code for the PCCC is:
The initial value of the shift registers for each constituent encoder shall be all zeros at the start of encoding each block of input bits.
The output from the turbo encoder is given as
dk(0)=xk
dk(1)=zk
dk(2)=z′k
for k=0, 1, 2, . . . , K−1, where K is the input block size.
The bits input to the turbo encoder are denoted by c0, c1, c2, c3, . . . , cK-1, and the bits output from the first and second 8-state constituent encoders are denoted by z0, z1, z2, z3, . . . zK-1 and z′0, z′1, z′2, z′3, . . . , z′K-1, respectively. The bits output from internal interleaver are denoted by c′0, c′1, . . . , cK-1, providing input to the second 8-state constituent encoder.
Rate Matching
After channel coding it is possible to add or drop a small percentage of symbols from the stream without inducing errors into the data payload. In
Defined per coded block, rate matching consists of interleaving the three information bit streams dk(0), dk(1) and dk(2), followed by the collection of bits and the generation of a circular buffer as depicted in
The circular buffer of length Kw=3KΠ for the rth coded block is generated as follows:
wk=vk(0) for k=0, . . . ,KΠ−1
wK
wK
After bit selection and pruning, the rate matcher delivers a stream of Er bits denoted by er0, er1, er2, er3, . . . , er(E
Each block of bits, b(q)(0), . . . , b(q)(Mbit(q)−1) bit, transmitted in code word q on the physical channel, shall be scrambled prior to modulation, resulting in a block of scrambled bits {tilde over (b)}(q)(0), . . . , {tilde over (b)}(q)(Mbit(q)−1) according to
{tilde over (b)}q(i)=(bq(i)+cq(i))mod 2.
Referring now to
cinit=nRNTI·214+q·213+└ns/2┘·29+NIDcell
where nRNTI corresponds to the RNTI associated with the PLP.
Up to two code words can be transmitted in a single sub-frame, i.e., q ∈{0,1} corresponding to single layer transmission for q equal to zero and two-layer transmission for q equal to one.
Pseudo-random sequences used by the scrambler are defined by a length-31 Gold sequence. See
c(n)=(x1(n+NC)+x2(n+NC))mod 2
x1(n+31)=(x1(n+3)+x1(n))mod 2
x2(n+31)=(x2(n+3)+x2(n+2)+x2(n+1)+x2(n))mod 2.
where NC=1600 and the first m-sequence shall be initialized with x1(0)=1, x1(n)=0, n=1, 2, . . . , 30. The initialization of the second m-sequence is denoted by cinit=└ns/2┘·29·NIDCELL. In the case of SFN, NIDSFN=NIDCELL.
Before discussing the next block (the SF Mapper), a couple of conceptual illustrations in the form of
From Table 5 summary, a super frame payload area is composed of an integer number of OFDM symbols (1782, 1188, 891 or 594) which is a function of the FFT size. The Stripe Index# (GOC) is mapped (frequency domain) to OFDM sub-carriers evenly spaced across the total useful bandwidth. The spacing between is determined by the number of stripes provisioned. For a 6 MHz bandwidth there are 10 stripes that are deterministically mapped (known a priori to receiver) across 5700 sub-carriers.
The distance before a given Stripe # repeats across sub-carriers of the same symbol is termed a Stride.
-
- (1) Stripe # and in how many strides (1 of 2, 1 of 4, etc.) or as in this example (All) shall be mapped;
- (2) Starting Symbol Index# (this example #0) and Stride (1 of 2, 1 of 4) or as in this example (ALL);
- (3) Pilot patterns to support Doppler spread.
The take away is that this sweeping of Stripe # (PLP) across the total bandwidth is designed to offer maximum frequency diversity and also some protection from frequency selective fading. As will be seen later, these patterns of Stripes (PLP) are announced to the receiver in the L2 signaling and can enable power saving receiver designs that perform (partial FFT) and demodulate only the desire PLP# or Stripe# using the structured framework of this physical layer proposal.
The discussion below references the ETSI EN 303 105 V1.1.1, (1012-11) Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); physical layer specification (DVB-NGH), DVB Document A160; section 8.1.1: P1 Signaling Data; section 11.7: P1 Symbol Insertion.
The text and figures in this section are presented to explain the differences in the design with respect to DVB P1 and the native signaling capacity. Some basic syntax and semantics are defined to enable a walk-through of the proposal. The L1 coding and modulation may be identical to DVB P1, and only the minor adaptations in sampling frequency and bandwidth and architecture will be noted below.
A concatenated (3) L1 preamble symbols is used. This enables fast initial channel scan (first powering up of a UE device or when a user powers up a nomadic UE device after airplane travel). A new universal L1 discovery mechanism is also designed to enable a UE to quickly detect how some portion of the spectrum/bandwidth is provisioned and which defined parameterized OFDM waveform is in use for a type of service and or environment. The (3) concatenated L1 symbols (TU+CP=333.333 μs) result in exactly 1 ms concatenated symbol sequence that begin at start of a Super Frame (SF) 1000 ms. Table 6 below shows the L1 parameters. The sampling frequency (S) is 6.144 MHz [3.84 MHz×(8/5)] and
(T)=1/S=˜1.6276041666e-7,
and results in exactly three L1 symbols in 1 ms.
The parameters in Table 6 are designed to support the smallest bandwidth anticipated in this embodiment of the proposal (5 MHz). The L1 Symbol is termed “Universal” because they provide a universal entry point and discovery process to signal any bandwidth and configuration, including carrier aggregation modes. There are 7 bits of robust L1 signaling data and with (3) concatenated L1 symbols, a total 21 bits of L1 signaling results. For example, these bits could also be used to announce such things as network configuration, FFT and CP used in this SF. There is adequate low level signaling capability (21 bits) to support future extensibility under a parameterized waveform paradigm.
There are minor differences between L1a, L1b, L1c, the details of which will be described later, but mainly involve slight differences between L1 Symbols with respect to: (1) Scrambling sequences; (2) Frequency shift of A, B, C structure; and (3) Length of CP parts C, B.
L1 Signaling Syntax and SemanticsWe have defined some basic L1 signaling syntax and semantics to enable the goal of a detailed system signal flow walk-through as an introduction to the physical layer proposal. (First Net example assumes NGBP (BMX) management of broadcast spectrum and traffic can be carried on a PLP by PLP basis in Nomadic waveform to general public or as Private (Crypto at Application/RLC layers) as part of public service of Broadcasters to keep public safe in times of emergency. The private SDL (Crypto) can also be managed seamlessly by BMX (Market Driven).) Each L1 Symbol has a total of 7 signaling bits as depicted in
Table 13 (i.e.,
Table 14 (
In Table 15, the L2 signaling data is TC=1/5, QPSK and time interleave over 9 ms block for robustness. (Table 15 estimate shows a conservative 20% overhead for reference pilots in L2 symbols.)
Table 15 indicates the L2 OFDM parameterization used. The (8) L2 symbols use a 1/5 code rate as shown on output of Turbo Code RM block in
The exemplary L2 syntax in Table 16 that enables a walk-through to the air interface for a given PLP (N). Also, the UTC Time/Date (64) bit field can be used by UE lacking a receiver for GPS signals, see section below on serving UTC Time to Client. Also, the 4 bit FFT field indicates FFT Size for All Payload Symbols. The 4 bit pilot pattern field selects the pilot parameterization algorithm. The other remaining adaptive parameters are listed. (See the outputs provided by the Scheduler in
In
The NGB Gateway/Scheduler begin each Super Frame in alignment with the rising edge of a GPS 1PPS tick at the Air Interface of Transmitter Antenna. (PPS is an acronym for pulse per second.) The NGB Gateway then sends valid UTC time stamp to Scheduler, to be inserted into L2 signaling of each Super Frame. Then Super Frame (N) is emitted from antenna on the GPS 1PPS Tick with UTC Timestamp in L2.
The signal is then in free space flight to Receiver (c=speed of light). The receiver recovers and decodes L2 from Super Frame (N), e.g., as shown in
This method should be more accurate than can be achieved from a NTP time server on Internet, and is available anywhere in broadcast service area. There will be no flashing clock (VHS) time on this Nomadic data recorder.
Since, the LI/L2 symbols at start of every super frame (SF) include all the signaling a (UE) needs to identify (bind with some channel guide metadata delivered over IP/assumed not discussed) the Stripe/s of (PLP/s) and their sub-carrier mappings (exact locations) in the time/frequency resource grid of a (SF) payload can be located at physical layer and battery energy savings on a nomadic (UE) is possible.
The Stripe#0 (overhead) was signaled as pilot pattern # (N) and this is used for channel estimation. In the example Stripe #1 has the PLP of interest and can be demodulated while ignoring all other (non-pilot) sub-carriers by using a partial FFT. Then only energy must be expended to process (decode) and pass up the stack the RLC segments associated with the PLP of interest. (By using a Start Symbol Index # and a large Stride (example 1 of 16) scaling in capacity bps and battery savings can be achieved while still benefiting from time diversity, this is but one attribute of the highly structure framework in this proposal.)
(1) Achieves simplified and flexible SFN architecture.
(2) Serves time by having UTC time inserted in every L2 (supports application layer timing of MMT).
(3) SF boundaries aligned all transmitting station make channel change more deterministic in NGBP.
˜(1-2) seconds (best/worst case) without sacrificing time/frequency diversity and resulting in a good consumer experience.
Adaptive ParameterizationThe present proposal uses adaptive parameterization to ensure efficiency, QOS and the market driven use of OFDM physical layer resources. A hypothetical NGBP broadcast IP Core (Market/Region) could, for example, have several VHF/UHF NGB Gateways managing physical layer resources. (The fact is the NGBP is the most cost efficient way (sharing both active and passive network components) to create a new broadcast eco-system for the future. By continuing to use the old 1960's broadcast (island) design even the best new broadcast physical layer technology will fall short. The winner has already been declared it is the internet and Broadcasters should consider embracing a new network aware NGBP.)
The possible adaptive controls (throttles) from scheduler in
1. RLC Layer—Segmentation Size.
2. MAC Layer—Transport Block (TB) size.
3. Extended 3GPP Turbo Encoder—Turbo Coder Block size (QPP).
4. 3GPP Turbo encoder 1/3 Mother Code—Rate Matching (RM).
5. QAM—QAM mode;
6. (SF) Payload mapper—# of Stripes per (PLP) and Strides in both frequency/time domain;
7. Application Layer—optional control HEVC Stat Mux manager (
Given the benefit of a highly structure waveform (details in Table 4), the NGB GW already knows on the input interface what users are requesting physical layer resources for the next second, including the QOS (QAM/Code rate requests) for each PLP. The NGB gateway has bandwidth provisioned and controlled and this directly equates into an integer number of useful OFDM sub-carriers (SC) in the time/frequency grid of (SF) payload for the next one second. The algorithm (GW) then (given throttles at its disposal) proceeds to design the (SF) and instructs (via control plane) each NGB modulator to build. Each (SC) can support a given QAM constellation. The Turbo code RM throttle and Turbo Block Size throttles work synergistically with the chosen segment size (RLC) and transport block size (MAC) to ensure input (PLP) packet is encapsulated efficiently (no stuffing) and map to an integer number of OFDM symbols in (SF). These can be very dynamic parameter adjustments each one second interval.
Additional control of video stream bit rates is possible using HEVC Variable Bit Rate (VBR) encoders and a statistical multiplexer.
Exemplary Use Cases with Synergy of NGBP
This section presents concepts of several use cases of a network aware NGBP:
1. Bringing reception indoors while saving $$ (link budget) NGBP (Capex/Opex).
2. Increase QOS for non-real time File Transfer services by using new ARQ mechanism.
3. Increasing capacity (bps) and functionality by Carrier Aggregation (CA).
4. Serving the Public by supporting/augmenting the FirstNet LTE network service types.
1. Bringing Reception Indoors while Saving $$ (Link Budget) NGBP (Capex/Opex)
The general public spends a lot of time indoors at home.
Also, for additional IP connectivity outside the home, the Broadcaster can benefit from managed Wi-Fi access work just now starting, called IEEE OMNIRAN. There is already a use case defined for 3GPP Trusted WLAN Access to EPC in OMNIRAN. This CLX/SBG “network aware” proposal (IP Core) aligns very well with this work.
2. Increase QOS for Non-Real Time File Transfer Services by Using New ARQ MechanismBriefly stated, the proposed ATSC 3.0 physical layer (NGBP IP Core) supports an extension of (RLC ARQ) for non-real time file transfer services (without consumer intervention) to ensure successful file transfers. In LTE the RLC layer header has an incrementing segment count and this enables (UE) to detect a lost segment and request a re-transmission quickly. In the proposed broadcast RLC layer the segment count is used with a different protocol for non-real time file transfers, which doesn't assume an instantaneous IP return channel. (Metrics such as UTC time/date the broadcast segment was detected (lost), etc. is also available at UE and would be part of a broadcast ARQ NRT protocol.) The solution also involves leveraging the NGB Gateway cross layer design. The NGB GW is responsible for provisioning all physical layer resources via the scheduler (slave) in NGB modulator. Therefore, the GW has a priori knowledge of which bytes it assigned and will be in each RLC segment of all file transfers processes. The NGB Gateway maintains a cache (RLC Byte Segments) on an ARQ server in the IP core network (NGBP) or using todays over used marketing hype the Cloud. (Broadcaster specifies how long after emission the RLC Bytes with Segment#/UTC timestamps sit on ARQ server to give time for UE to enter a Wi-Fi area or return home ATSC Home GW the file transfer lost RLC segments are explicitly requested.) The ATSC 3.0 nomadic device using an IP connection (when available) using the new protocol explicitly request the lost data bytes in the lost RLC segments by segment number and UTC time stamp, etc. to complete any file transfer and improve QOS.
One possible use case worth mentioning, by 2020 it is projected by some analysis that 50 Billion devices worldwide will be part of the connected internet of things, or in marketing terms Machine to Machine (M2M). This could include market segments such as future advertising including (digital signage, kiosk) to automotive (telematics) to mention just a few. The network aware nature of the NGBP with the proposed physical layer can scale from Kbit bursts to GByte files delivered quickly (CA) to widely distributed machine devices (no human) with a IP return channel (licensed/unlicensed) using a new broadcast RLC/ARQ protocol in the future supporting selective ARQ for these broadcast M2M services. Having a method to ensure QOS takes this into the realm of the possible. The high power transmitters in the NGBP may be put to greater economic value for example in overnight hours by providing M2M services in the future as M2M matures as part of a broadcast business model mix under NGBP (BMX).
3. Increasing Capacity (Bps) and Functionality by Carrier Aggregation (CA)There is also the possibility the FirstNet command center could communicate directly to the general public in harms-way (geo targeted) using broadcast under special emergency situations.
5. Carrier AggregationAnother use of Carrier Aggregation (CA). It is the mechanism by which the broadcast spectrum is applied to off-load wireless traffic for broadband carriers. In the case of a broadcast spectrum restricted to transmit only, it will be used to offload only the down link (DL) traffic for the broadband network. There is no technical limitation on using broadcast spectrum for both uplink and downlink offload should future legislation allow such application.
CA introduces a new mode of spectrum sharing capable of harnessing unused TV spectrum to boost LTE downlink data throughout. Dynamic spectrum sharing uses a particular variant of CA that adds channels aggregated from Broadcast (BC) radio spectrum in the downlink direction, operating alongside two-way transport separated by a fixed duplex arrangement in broadband (BB) spectrum as depicted in
Dynamic CA is enabled by a spectrum server, whose responsibilities include monitoring traffic demand from registered eNBs, querying the Broadcast Exchange for channel availability then harmonizing the demand for traffic with the available spectrum.
Upon registering a new eNB, the Spectrum Server: (a) Determines the level of CA support, i.e. supported bands, maximum number of Component Carriers (CCs) and maximum aggregate bandwidth; (b) Establishes the CC update frequency and the maximum duration of an aggregate channel grant, after which access must be renegotiated; (c) Establishes the update frequency used in querying the broadcast exchange for channel availability.
Broadcast/Broadband Convergence NetworkSince the introduction of the first ATSC standard by the Grand Alliance in 1995, the world has gone mobile. The rapid advancement of wireless broadband network has altered the way content is created, delivered, and consumed. A new generation of consumers has grown up with the always-connected Internet, on-demand content, and social networking in a world not anticipated when ATSC was conceived. In the past two decades, we have experienced significant social, economic, and technological changes that profoundly impacted the way we live, work, and play. It's time to rethink broadcast.
Despite the advancement in wireless broadband technology, broadcast remains the most cost effective way to deliver content to a large number of viewers concurrently. Harmonization between broadcast and broadband is a matter of economics. Unlike a broadcast system serving linear programming to many viewer simultaneously, content-on-demand requires a unicast system in which the transport cost increases as the number of users increases. Broadband providers have the need to offload traffic from highly congested licensed spectrum to unlicensed spectrum (Wi-Fi, Whitespace) and to broadcast network and spectrum, which represents significant new revenue opportunity for Broadcasters.
Harmonization with the LTE wireless broadband systems enhances user experience, facilitates sharing of valuable spectrum, and enables equipment (transmitter, base station, and User Equipment (UE)) to support both broadcast and wireless broadband at minimal incremental cost.
Content-on-demand is clearly the preferred user experience of the Internet generation. Enhancing the conventional broadcast paradigm with unicast user experience seamlessly is therefore critical to the long-term success of the broadcast industry.
The Next Generation Broadcast Platform (NGBP) preserves the conventional broadcast model and allows each Broadcaster to maintain autonomy with their business decisions while providing additional revenue generating options for any Broadcaster to leverage wireless broadband.
Broadcast/Broadband Convergence System
The communication links between systems in
The broadcast mode in the Internet age is essentially the conventional broadcast paradigm with the option of using existing wireless broadband network as the uplink (e.g., Wi-Fi, LTE, whitespace, etc.). The two transports operate independently with the Broadcaster solely occupying the broadcast spectrum and transmitting to a broadcast receiver in the UE. The UE may contain a wireless broadband transceiver, capable of two-way DL/UL communication, operating on licensed and/or unlicensed broadband spectrum.
There are three usage scenarios in the broadcast mode:
(1) Non-real time uplink: The user runs a broadcast TV application in the UE, which controls the broadcast receiver similar to watching conventional TV. The TV application collects statistics and other data on the viewing habits of the user. When the device is connected to a broadband network, the collected data will be down loaded to a Broadcaster server for rating, targeted advertisement, and other data mining purposes.
(2) Real-time uplink: A broadband connection is used for uplink in a real time interactive mode. User feedback and broadcast response to user feedback are instantaneous. The full Internet experience, such as social networking, communication, and data access, is available to the user while viewing broadcast content. Association between the broadcast transport and the broadband return channel are accomplished via established internetworking protocols between the broadband and broadcast networks.
(3) No uplink: The user opts out of the uplink option. No data collection, no interactivity, and no uplink. Like a conventional TV.
Broadcast/Broadband Spectrum Sharing ModeBroadcast and broadband spectrum utilization is in general complementary. For example, the peak broadband spectrum usage is usually during daytime business hours, whereas the peak broadcast revenue generation occurs in evening prime time. From the user perspective, despite the preference for on-demand content in general, time-sensitive broadcast contents such as live events, news, and first airing of popular TV shows are exceptions to the on-demand preference. Spectrum sharing provides additional revenue opportunity for Broadcaster to maximize the return by applying the valuable spectrum to carrying different payloads at different time in a market driven manner under BMX.
Broadcast Market Exchange (BMX)In one spectrum sharing mode, wireless broadband network content that can benefit from the economics of the broadcast paradigm, can be off-loaded to a converged broadcast network as proposed by the Sinclair Broadcast Group.
A Broadcast Market Exchange is created to enable the aggregation of broadcast spectrum and/or broadcast infrastructure (e.g., transmission towers) by Broadcasters in a given area, ranging from a regional basis (e.g., a Designated Market Area (DMA)) to a national basis. The Broadcast Exchange is responsible for delivering content from participating member Broadcasters using the pool of scarce spectrum resources in the most efficient and effective way in terms of coverage, revenue, (e.g., people served/MHz, revenue/MHz) and Quality of Service (QOS).
The aggregation of spectrum to form a Broadcast Market Exchange is through the voluntary cooperation/agreement of the Broadcasters. Some Broadcasters may prefer to maintain the current broadcast model. Therefore, the broadcast/broadband convergence network is designed to support all existing business models as well as the newly formed exchange models. The centralized control design of a Broadcast Market Exchange is not a requirement to benefit from the enhanced mobile reception, tiered services (e.g., from free advertisement supported content to paid subscription), mobile-friendly, and Internet-friendly user experience offered by the new broadcast/broadband convergence network.
In the current broadcast model, a Broadcaster occupies an entire broadcast channel (e.g., 6 MHz in the US) for its exclusive use 24×7 even though, for many TV stations, a small number of programs generate the majority of revenue and profit. In the new model, the Broadcast Market Exchange is aimed at eliminating the inefficiency in spectrum usage, providing maximum flexibility in delivering content through VHF (optimized for fixed devices) or UHF frequency/transmitters (optimized for mobile devices), and maximizing the revenue potential of the broadcast spectrum for its members.
For instance, additional bandwidth can be freed up through the adoption of next generation codec and an efficient market driven mechanism to distribute available bandwidth to different content by adjusting the resolution (from SD, HD, to 4K and beyond) on a time varying basis. Some Broadcasters may choose to broadcast some of its content only during prime time hours and free up spectrum in the pool for other uses during daytime to generate more revenue. The Broadcast Market Exchange server effectively repacks the broadcast spectrum to deliver contents efficiently for its member Broadcasters and allocate surplus spectrum for other applications including, but not limited to, 4G data offload for wireless carriers, non-real time data delivery, delivery mechanism for other content providers besides Broadcasters, OTT content owners, public services, etc.
Spectrum repacking or repacking TV stations into a smaller block of spectrum is historically the function of a regulatory agency (e.g., FCC in the US) through a legislation process. Unlike spectrum repacking through legislative means, the centralized and coordinated spectrum repacking performed by the Broadcast Market Exchange is dynamic and market driven. In addition to improving the efficiency of spectrum usage for broadcast, the Broadcast Market Exchanges' control of real time dynamic spectrum repacking is essential to creating high value surplus spectrum with minimum interference for non-broadcast use when low power broadband network may have to operate in the vicinity of high power broadcast network.
Spectrum ExchangeIn another spectrum sharing mode, Broadcasters will be the primary user of the broadcast spectrum. Broadcasters can share the broadcast spectrum with wireless broadband carriers by shutting off the transmitter and relinquishing control of the spectrum to wireless broadband. Unlike conventional spectrum sharing schemes, spectrum sensing is not required due to the coordination between broadcast and broadband network servers.
Spectrum sharing is enabled whenever spare capacity becomes available on the broadcast transport spectrum. Whenever possible, the broadband network aggregates capacity from any channels designated as available (i.e. unused by the broadcast network). The availability of unused broadcast channels may vary by market or geography as well as by day of the week or time of day. When vacant, the broadcast channel capacity can be redirected to augment the broadband channel capacity until the use of that channel spectrum is reclaimed for broadcast use.
The Spectrum Exchange acquires wholesale spectrum blocks from the Broadcast Market Exchange and makes it available for broadband use in blocks of variable time duration. The length of the blocks, the schedule of channel availability, and the amount of channels available in any geographic location may be determined statically in advance or dynamically in real time based on market conditions.
When the spectrum is under the control of wireless broadband, wireless operators have the option of using the broadcast towers as macro towers in addition to other towers under carrier control. In the case of LTE, wireless broadband operators also have the option to use LTE, LTE+eMBMS, or LTE+enhanced eMBMS (e2MBMS).
Carrier AggregationCarrier aggregation is the mechanism by which the broadcast spectrum is applied to off-load wireless traffic for broadband carriers. In the case of a broadcast spectrum restricted to transmit only, it will be used to offload only the down link (DL) traffic for the broadband network. There is no technical limitation on using broadcast spectrum for both uplink and downlink offload should future legislation allow such application.
The off-load spectrum, controlled by an entity which may not be the carrier, can be used to serve multiple wireless broadband carriers. This is different from the conventional notion that all spectrum used in carrier aggregation is controlled by a single carrier for the sole purpose of serving the network of that single carrier.
Programmable Radio Chipset for Next Generation UENGB PHY Proposal
In various embodiments, a generation broadcast system and method are based on a configurable OFDM transport that permits the broadcaster to provision a network deployment based on the intended cell range and anticipated user mobility. (OFDM is an acronym for Orthogonal Frequency-Division Multiplexing. ATSC is an acronym for Advanced Television Systems Committee. PHY is an abbreviation for Physical Layer.) The aim is to select PHY system parameters suited to the assigned center frequency, in order to meet prescribed performance objectives across a variety of use case scenarios. Parameter selections are made as a function of geography as well as time-of-day (e.g., as user densities shift from primarily mobile reception during peak commute times to mostly static reception during late evening extending into nighttime viewing hours).
Referring now to
The cell operating range is a key factor in determining capital expenditure associated with outfitting a broadcast network. The distance between adjacent towers determines the delay spread tolerance required to operate the system in SFN mode without degradation due to excess multipath interference. The delay spread tolerance is determined by the length of the Guard Interval (GI) inserted ahead of each OFDM symbol in the form of a Cyclic Prefix (CP), as depicted in
User mobility results in a Doppler shift in the signals received at the user equipment device. The OFDM transport is immune to Doppler shift, provided the Doppler shift remains small with respect to the normalized subcarrier spacing Δf:
where c is the speed of light, where fc is the frequency of the subcarrier, where VD is the radial speed of the user equipment (UE) device with respect to the broadcast tower.
The choice of subcarrier spacing Δf therefore requires a tradeoff between Doppler performance and delay spread tolerance. In other words, for a given value of CP %, a larger (smaller) value of Δf implies a larger (smaller) value for the maximum allowed Dopper shift and a smaller (larger) value for the maximum allowed delay spread. The NGB PHY provides a system operator (or an automated selection agent) with increased flexibility in parameter selection, to accommodate refined tradeoffs in system performance.
Enhanced System FeaturesA number of features are introduced to enhance system performance or introduce new service modes are summarized in the following subsections.
Scalable System ConfigurationThe NGB PHY takes a blended approach in dimensioning the OFDM signal, to meet a wide range of performance objectives. In some embodiments, the proposed PHY may use sampling rates derived from those employed by 3GPP LTE. See
Referring now to
PHY Provisioning
LTE increases the FFT size NFFT with fixed subcarrier spacing to enable deployment in larger signal bandwidths. A 5 MHz signal uses NFFT=512 whereas 10 and 20 MHz signals use NFFT=1024 and 2048, respectively. The LTE PHY maintains fixed subcarrier spacing (15 kHz for unicast operation; 15 or 7.5 kHz is available for broadcast use) resulting in fixed symbol duration independent of signal bandwidth. The NGB PHY on the other hand employs increasingly larger FFTs with reduced subcarrier spacing in a given signal bandwidth as a means of extending the symbol duration for increased delay spread tolerance with minimal GI overhead. Table 17 (i.e.,
The number of carriers per stripe NSCPS is calculated as the number of subcarriers NSC available in the transport divided by one plus the number of stripes NDATA:
NSCPS=NSC/(NDATA+1),
where NDATA indicates the number of data stripes, allowing one additional stripe for pilot carriers. The stripes are in turn mapped to IFFT inputs according to a prescribed offset and stride. The stride indicates the number of subcarriers to skip when placing consecutive data elements associated with each stripe. Given a stride equivalent to NDATA, subcarriers from each stripe, pilot carriers included, are distributed evenly across the available signal bandwidth providing built-in frequency diversity. By varying the offset (over successive OFDM symbols) according to a schedule known to both the transmitter and the receiver, the subcarriers associated with each stripe sweep the available channel bandwidth, providing additional immunity to frequency-selective fading. For example, the offset may increase linearly as a function of time index, e.g., the time-domain OFDM symbol index. Pilots are swept in frequency along with the data subcarriers, facilitating channel estimation.
The ratio of data stripes to pilots can be varied to accommodate different levels of mobility. For reduced mobility, the pilot frequency (i.e., pilot density in the space of subcarriers) can be relatively low, e.g. NPILOT:NDATA=1:11, corresponding to a stripe density of NDATA/(NDATA+1)=11/12=0.9167. Higher mobility requires increased pilot frequency, e.g. NPILOT:NDATA=1:4, resulting in a stripe density of
NDATA/(NDATA+1)=4/5=0.8.
Given the appropriate offset and stride, pilot and data subcarriers will be distributed evenly or approximately evenly. To enable even distribution, the number of available subcarriers may be evenly divisible by the number of stripes, i.e.,
NSC/(NDATA+1)=INTEGER.
The notion of Rate Matching (RM) is borrowed from cellular telephone technology with significant modifications. For example, in 3GPP, rate matching is used to match an encoded block of potentially variable size (comprising information and parity bits) to the varying carrying capacity of a selected transport path between a cell base station and individual user equipment (UE). The carrying capacity depends on modulation and nominal coding rate, in combination with noise and distortion introduced by the radio propagation path between the base station and the UE. A base station such as eNodeB continually adjusts the modulation and coding scheme per subframe according to the current channel capacity it perceives is available to each individual UE. In the telephony environment, RM is used primarily to accommodate variability in channel capacity.
In a broadcast environment, the carrying capacity is much more constant than source data rates. For hours or days at a time the carry capacity remains fixed while the source data rates may change by large ratios in milliseconds. Broadcast equipment may select amongst different modulation types QPSK or 16/64/256-QAM with a nominal coding rate, R=k/n, depending on the availability and throughput efficiency the broadcaster wishes to deliver. (Availability increases as the modulation order and coding rate are reduced. Throughput efficiency increases as the modulation order and coding rate are increased.) The bit rate due to source coding, however, is highly variable, depending on video scene content and associated quality metrics the encoders are working to maintain. (Video encoding of a source video stream, e.g., MPEG or HEVC encoding, may be interpreted as a form of source coding.) Our proposed NGB system exploits cross layer visibility to maximize the efficiency of the available transport. Cross layer visibility refers to employing knowledge of the rate resulting from source encoding in determining the optimal rate matching to apply at the PHY transport.
Referring now to
Referring now to
The proposed ATSC 3.0 transport sends content in chunks at exactly one second intervals in cadence with the GPS 1PPS clock, locking the NGB Modulator (Slave) to the NGB Gateway (Master). The modulator uses a modified Radio Link Control (RLC) layer, borrowed from LTE. The RLC attaches a segment count incremented as part of the RLC header included with every segment, plus a UTC timestamp indicating when the data was originally broadcast. This method of detecting lost segments can be extended for use in a broadcast scenario provided the availability of an IP network to transport real-time user feedback. The IP network is also used to retransmit any lost data segments as described below.
Cross layer control of the NGB Modulator equips the NGB Gateway with a priori knowledge of all file transfer processes underway. The NGB Gateway automatically pushes data segments belonging to a file transfer along with their associated segment counts and timestamps to an RLC Cache. The RLC cache is used in servicing Automatic Repeat reQuests (ARQ) entirely within the IP Core Network. The NGB Gateway also sends metadata along with the broadcast files directing the UE to the URL of an ARQ server, resident in the IP Core Network. When a broadcast UE detects a missing sequence number, it requests re-transmission of the data corresponding to the lost segment(s) from the ARQ server. The re-transmission request contains the missing sequence number(s) and original UTC timestamp(s). Mirroring the broadcast data in this manner, via an ARQ Server, enables recovery of lost data segments associated with a specific file transfer (as specified by segment #, UTC timestamp) via a Unicast return channel providing an enhanced user experience with increased QoS. The ARQ process can be automated so that the file transfer is completed in the background when a UE encounters WiFi or a licensed radio service such as LTE.
In some embodiments, a method for performing file transfers (e.g., non-real time file transfers) to user devices may utilize a system architecture as illustrated in
A broadcast gateway may send segments of a data file to a broadcast transmission system and also to an ARQ server. The broadcast gateway may also send one or more video content streams to the broadcast transmission system. (The broadcast gateway and the ARQ server may be included as parts of an IP network.) The broadcast transmission system transmits into space a RF signal including the segments and the one or more video streams. While the data file may be targeted for a single user equipment (UE) device such as the first UE device (UE1), the one or more video content streams are typically intended for broadcast to a plurality (e.g., a large number) of UE devices. The first UE device receives the RF signal and generates one or more missing segment indications identifying one or more segments that it is not able to successfully recover from the RF signal. The first UE device transmits the one or more missing segment indications to the ARQ server through the IP network, e.g., using a WiFi connection to a WiFi access point (AP), which couples to the IP network, or using a wireless connection to a base station (BS), which couples to the IP network. (In some embodiments, the base station may be an LTE eNodeB.) The ARQ server receives the missing segments indications, and sends the one or more segments identified by the missing segment indications to the first UE device through the IP network (e.g., using the same WiFi connection or LTE connection). Each of the missing segment indications may include a sequence number of the respective missing segment and a time-stamp associated with the respective missing segment.
The broadcast gateway may also provide the URL of the ARQ server to the broadcast transmission system, in which case the broadcast transmission system may transmit the URL to the first UE device as part of the RF signal. The first UE device may use the URL to establish a connection to the server through the IP network.
The transfer of a second data file to a second UE device (UE2) may be performed in a similar fashion. The transfer of the second data file may be conducted in parallel (or, partially in parallel) with the transfer of the first data file. The second UE device may send its missing segment indications to the same ARQ server (or perhaps, a different ARQ server).
In one set of embodiments, an interleaver 605 may be configured to receive data from a pilot buffer SP, and N stripes buffers corresponding to N respective physical layer pipes, as shown in
Each stripe buffer stores a block of symbols of the corresponding physical layer pipe PLPk. For example, stripe buffer Sk stores a block of samples
{a(k,j):j=0,1,2, . . . ,MBLOCK−1},
where k is the stripe index (or PLP index), and j is the symbol-within-block index. The interleaver 605 generates a sequence of subcarriers 610 by spreading out (e.g., interleaving) the symbols from the pilot symbol buffer and the N stripe buffers.
For example, in one embodiment, the nth symbol in the generated symbol sequence 610, denoted b(n), may be defined by:
m=(n−Offset)mod NSC
k=floor(m/(N+1))
j=m mod(N+1)
b(n)=a(k,j),
where n=0, 1, 2, . . . , NSC−1, where [x] denotes the integer part of x, where a(0,k) is defined to be p(k), i.e., the kth symbol of the pilot buffer.
The Offset may vary from one OFDM symbol to the next (or, one group of OFDM symbols to the next), e.g., in a linear fashion. In one embodiment, the Offset may be incremented by a fixed amount between OFDM symbols:
Offset←Offset+Constant.
Thus, the positions of pilot symbols and symbols from each of the stripe buffers will continuously rotate through the subcarrier space as a function of OFDM time index. The symbol sequence 610 may be inverse transformed by IFFT unit 615. The resulting time-domain symbol may be transmitted, e.g., after guard interval insertion.
In one set of embodiments, a method 4600 for operating a server may include the operations shown in
At 4610, the server may receive segments of a data file from a broadcast gateway, wherein a broadcast transmission system also receives the segments from the broadcast gateway and transmits them into space as part of an RF signal. The first UE device is configured to receive the RF signal and generate one or more missing segment indications identifying one or more segments that it is not able to successfully recover from the RF signal, wherein the first UE device is further configured to transmit the one or more missing segment indications to the server through the IP network (e.g., using an WiFi connection to a WiFi access point, which couples to the IP network, or using a wireless connection to an LTE eNodeB, which couples to the IP network.
At 4615, the server receives the one or more missing segment indications from the first UE device.
At 420, the server sends the one or more segments identified by the missing segment indications to the first UE device through the IP network (e.g., through the same WiFi connection or LTE connection).
In some embodiments, the broadcast gateway is also part of the IP network.
In some embodiments, each of the missing segment indications includes a sequence number of the respective missing segment and a time-stamp associated with the respective missing segment.
In some embodiments, the RF signal also carries a video broadcast signal for reception by a plurality of user devices.
In some embodiments, the broadcast gateway also provides a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the server to the broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system transmits the URL to the first UE device as part of the RF signal, wherein the first UE device uses the URL to establish a connection to the server through the IP network.
In one set of embodiments, a method 4700 for operating a user equipment device may include the operations shown in
At 4710, the user equipment device receives a noise-perturbed version of an RF signal that is wirelessly transmitted by a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system transmits segments of a data file in the RF signal.
At 4715, the user equipment device operates on the noise-perturbed version (e.g., by conventional means such as down conversion to baseband, analog-to-digital conversion, symbol estimation and data decoding) to recover estimates of the segments.
At 4720, the user equipment device analyzes the estimates to determine which of the segments are not successfully received (e.g., by analyzing an error detection code such as CRC).
At 4725, the user equipment device transmits one or more missing segment indications to a server via an IP network, wherein each of the missing segment indications identifies a corresponding one of the segments (e.g., by its sequence number and/or reception time stamp) that has not been successfully received.
In some embodiments, in response to receiving the missing segment indications, the server sends missing segment data to the user equipment device through the IP network, wherein the missing segment data includes a copy of each of the one or more segments identified by the one or more missing segment indications.
In some embodiments, the action transmitting the one or more missing segment indications includes wirelessly transmitting the one or more missing segment indications using a WiFi connection to a WiFi access point, wherein the WiFi access point is coupled (not necessarily directly) to the IP network.
In some embodiments, the action of transmitting the one or more missing segment indications includes wirelessly transmitting the one or more missing segment indications using a wireless connection to a base station, wherein the base station is coupled (not necessarily directly) to the IP network.
In some embodiments, the wireless connection is an LTE connection, wherein the base station is an LTE eNodeB.
In some embodiments, the RF signal also carries one or more video broadcast streams.
In some embodiments, the broadcast transmission system is part of a broadcast network that is connected to the IP network.
In one set of embodiments, a gateway 4800 may be configured as shown in
The gateway may be implemented by a computer system, by dedicated digital hardware such as one or more ASICs, by one or more programmable hardware elements such FPGAs, or by any combination of the foregoing.
The channel encoding unit 4810 is configured to applying channel coding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams DS1, DS2, . . . , DSN to obtain respectively one or more coded streams.
The rate matching unit (RMU) 4815 is configured to modify the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein the RMU is configured to modify the one or more coded streams by injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing (i.e., discarding) selected values of the one or more coded streams.
The control unit 4820 is configured to receive information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams.
The control unit 4820 is further configured to vary the number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches (i.e., is close to, and not greater than) the constant physical transport rate. The control unit supplies control signals to the rate matching unit, specifying null injection rates and/or puncture rates. The control unit varies the number of injected nulls per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams.
In some embodiments, the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit the one or more modified streams as part of an OFDM output signal.
In some embodiments, the constant physical transport rate is determined at least in part by a number of subcarriers used by the OFDM output signal, a symbol rate of the OFDM output signal and a modulation scheme used by the subcarriers.
In some embodiments, the one or more data streams include one or more video streams, and/or, one or more audio streams.
In one set of embodiments, a method 4900 may include the operations shown in
At 4910, the method includes receiving information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams.
At 4915, the method includes applying channel encoding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams to respectively obtain one or more coded streams.
At 4920, the method includes modifying the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein said modifying the one or more coded streams includes injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing (i.e., discarding) selected values of the one or more coded streams, wherein the number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time is varied so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches the constant physical transport rate, wherein said varying is performed based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams.
In some embodiments, the method also includes supplying the one or more modified streams to the broadcast transmission system for transmission through a wireless channel.
Additional embodiments regarding OFDM waveform configurability are disclosed in the following numbered paragraphs.
1.1 A method for configuring a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit signals using OFDM, the method comprising:
configuring the broadcast transmission system to transmit using a selected transmission band and one or more of the following: a value of FFT size selected from a set of two or more FFT sizes; a value of cyclic prefix percentage (for transmitted OFDM symbols) selected from a set of two or more CP percentage values;
wherein the selected transmission band is selected from a set of available transmission bands of different bandwidths, wherein a value of sample rate to be used by a digital-to-analog conversion unit of the broadcast transmission system is determined based on the bandwidth of the selected transmission band according to a linear relationship between sample rate and bandwidth.
1.2 The method of claim 1.1, wherein the linear relationship conforms to an existing LTE communication standard.
1.3 The method of claim 1.1, wherein the selected value of CP percentage is determined based on a maximum expected delay spread for user equipment devices in a cell corresponding to the broadcast transmission system.
1.4 The method of claim 1.1, wherein the selected value of FFT size is determined based on a maximum expected rate of motion of user equipment devices in a cell corresponding to the broadcast transmission system.
2.1 A method for configuring a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit signals using OFDM, the method comprising:
configuring the broadcast transmission system to transmit using a selected transmission band and one or more of the following: a value of OFDM subcarrier spacing selected from a set of two or more spacing values; and a value of cyclic prefix percentage (for transmitted OFDM symbols) selected from a set of two or more CP percentage values;
wherein the selected transmission band is selected from a set of available transmission bands of different bandwidths, wherein a value of sample rate to be used by a digital-to-analog conversion unit of the broadcast transmission system is determined based on the bandwidth of the selected transmission band according to a linear relationship between sample rate and bandwidth.
2.2 The method of claim 2.1, wherein the set of two or more spacing values comprises three or more spacing values.
2.3 The method of claim 2.1, wherein the selected value of subcarrier spacing is determined based on a maximum expected rate of motion of user equipment devices in a cell corresponding to the broadcast transmission system.
3.1 A method for configuring a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit signals using OFDM, the method comprising:
configuring the broadcast transmission system to transmit using a selected transmission band and one or more of the following: a first parameter value selected from a first set of two or more values, wherein the first set is a set of FFT sizes or a set of OFDM subcarrier spacing values; a second parameter value selected from a second set of two or more values, wherein the second set is a set of CP percentage values or a set of guard interval durations;
wherein the selected transmission band is selected from a set of available transmission bands of different bandwidths, wherein a value of sample rate to be used by a digital-to-analog conversion unit of the broadcast transmission system is determined based on the bandwidth of the selected transmission band according to a linear relationship between sample rate and bandwidth.
3.2 The method of claim 3.1, wherein the second parameter value is a guard interval duration, wherein the guard interval duration is a cyclic prefix duration or a null interval duration.
4.1 A computer-implemented method for configuring a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit signals using OFDM, the method comprising:
selecting a transmission band and one or more of the following:
a first parameter value from a first set of two or more values, wherein the first set is a set of FFT sizes or a set of OFDM subcarrier spacing values;
a second parameter value from a second set of two or more values, wherein the second set is a set of CP percentages or a set of guard interval durations;
wherein the transmission band is selected from a set of available transmission bands of different bandwidths, wherein a value of sample rate to be used by a digital-to-analog conversion unit of the broadcast transmission system is determined based on the bandwidth of the selected transmission band according to a linear relationship between sample rate and bandwidth;
transmitting parameter information to the broadcast transmission system (e.g., through an IP network), where the parameter information identifies the selected transmission band, the first parameter value and the second parameter value, wherein the broadcast transmission system is designed to reconfigure itself to transmit OFDM signals using the selected transmission band, the first parameter value and the second parameter value.
4.2 The method of claim 4.1, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit the parameter information to UE devices (e.g., via a wireless broadcast transmission to the UE devices), wherein the UE devices are designed to reconfigure themselves to receive OFDM signals using the selected transmission band, the first parameter value and the second parameter value.
5.1 A method for configuring a user equipment (UE) device, wherein the UE device is configured to receive signals using OFDM, the method comprising:
configuring the UE device to receive using a selected reception band and one or more of the following:
a first parameter value selected from a first set of two or more values, wherein the first set is a set of FFT sizes or a set of OFDM subcarrier spacings;
a second parameter value selected from a second set of two or more values, wherein the second set is a set of CP percentages or a set of guard interval durations;
wherein the selected reception band is selected from a set of available reception bands of different bandwidths, wherein a value of sample rate to be used by an analog-to-digital conversion unit of the UE device is determined based on the bandwidth of the selected reception band according to a linear relationship between sample rate and bandwidth.
5.2 The method of claim 5.1, wherein the linear relationship conforms to an existing LTE communication standard.
Additional embodiments regarding configurable pilot density are disclosed in the following numbered paragraphs.
6.1 A method for operating a broadcast transmission system to accommodate a selected environment of user equipment mobility, the method comprising:
receiving N data stripes, wherein N is a positive integer, wherein N is a programmable parameter, wherein the value of N has been selected based on the maximum expected mobility of UE devices, wherein the N data stripes include data for one or more video data streams;
generating a sequence of symbols, wherein each of the symbols of said sequence corresponds to a respective one of a set of OFDM subcarriers, wherein said generating includes periodically interleaving pilot symbols and symbols from the N data stripes, wherein each contiguous segment of N+1 symbols in said sequence includes one symbol from each of the N stripes and one pilot symbol;
performing an IFFT on the sequence of symbols to obtain an OFDM transmit symbol.
6.2 The method of claim 6.1, wherein the value of N is selected by evaluating a predetermined decreasing function of the maximum expected mobility.
6.3 The method of claim 6.1, wherein N is greater than one.
6.4 The method of claim 6.1, further comprising:
receiving input redefining the value of N; and
performing said generating and said performing the IFFT using the redefined value of N to achieve a different density of pilot symbols in the sequence of symbols.
6.5 The method of claim 8.1, further comprising:
repeating said generating and said performing an IFFT on a periodic basis, wherein, in each repetition, said periodically interleaving advances a mapping of subcarrier positions to stripe index by a fixed amount relative to an immediately previous repetition.
7.1 A method for operating a user equipment (UE) device, the method comprising:
receiving an OFDM signal from a wireless channel;
performing an FFT on a time-domain OFDM symbol of the OFDM signal to obtain a sequence of symbols, wherein each of the symbols of said sequence corresponds to a respective one of a set of OFDM subcarriers, wherein each contiguous segment of N+1 symbols in said sequence includes one symbol from each of N data stripes and one pilot symbol;
recovering symbols corresponding to each of the N stripes from the sequence of symbols by deinterleaving the symbols of the sequence;
forwarding the symbols corresponding to each of the N stripes to a corresponding stripe output buffer.
7.2 The method of claim 7.1, wherein the value of N is programmable.
7.3 The method of claim 7.1, wherein N is greater than one.
7.4 The method of claim 7.1, wherein the pilot symbols are used by the UE device to perform channel estimation.
7.5 The method of claim 7.1, further comprising:
operating on the symbols from one or more of the stripe output buffers to obtain corresponding stripe output streams.
7.5 The method of claim 7.1, further comprising:
recovering a redefined value of N from the OFDM signal; and
performing said FFT, said recovering and said forwarding using the redefined value of N.
7.6 The method of claim 7.1, further comprising:
repeating said FFT, said recovering and said forwarding on a periodic basis, wherein, in each repetition, said deinterleaving advances a mapping of subcarrier positions to stripe index by a fixed amount relative to an immediately previous repetition.
8.1 A method for applying channel encoding with dynamically-variable coding rate to one or more data streams to be transmitted by a broadcast transmission system, wherein at least one of the one or more data streams is a variable rate stream, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit data with a constant physical transport rate, the method comprising:
receiving information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams;
applying channel encoding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams to respectively obtain one or more coded streams;
modifying the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein said modifying the one or more coded streams includes injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing selected values of the one or more coded streams, wherein the number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time is varied so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches the constant physical transport rate, wherein said varying is performed based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams.
Any of the various embodiments described herein may be realized in any of various forms, e.g., as a computer-implemented method, as a computer-readable memory medium, as a computer system, etc. A system may be realized by one or more custom-designed hardware devices such as Application Specific Integrated Circuits (ASICs), by one or more programmable hardware elements such as Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs), by one or more processors executing stored program instructions, or by any combination of the foregoing.
In some embodiments, a non-transitory computer-readable memory medium may be configured so that it stores program instructions and/or data, where the program instructions, if executed by a computer system, cause the computer system to perform a method, e.g., any of the method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of such subsets.
In some embodiments, a computer system may be configured to include a processor (or a set of processors) and a memory medium, where the memory medium stores program instructions, where the processor is configured to read and execute the program instructions from the memory medium, where the program instructions are executable to implement any of the various method embodiments described herein (or, any combination of the method embodiments described herein, or, any subset of any of the method embodiments described herein, or, any combination of such subsets). The computer system may be realized in any of various forms. For example, the computer system may be a personal computer (in any of its various realizations), a workstation, a computer on a card, an application-specific computer in a box, a server computer, a client computer, a hand-held device, a mobile device, a wearable computer, a sensing device, a television, a video acquisition device, a computer embedded in a living organism, etc. The computer system may include one or more display devices. Any of the various computational results disclosed herein may be displayed via a display device or otherwise presented as output via a user interface device.
Although the above embodiments have been described in connection with the preferred embodiment, it is not intended to be limited to the specific form set forth herein, but on the contrary, it is intended to cover such alternatives, modifications, and equivalents, as can be reasonably included within the spirit and scope of the embodiments of the invention as defined by the appended claims.
Claims
1. A method for operating a server to facilitate the transfer of a data file to a first user equipment (UE) device, wherein the server is part of an IP network, the method comprising:
- receiving segments of a data file from a broadcast gateway, wherein a broadcast transmission system also receives the segments from the broadcast gateway and transmits them into space as part of an RF signal, wherein the first UE device is configured to receive the RF signal and generate one or more missing segment indications identifying one or more segments that it is not able to successfully recover from the RF signal, wherein the first UE device is further configured to transmit the one or more missing segment indications to the server through the IP network;
- receiving the one or more missing segment indications from the first UE device;
- sending the one or more segments identified by the missing segment indications to the first UE device through the IP network.
2. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast gateway is also part of the IP network.
3. The method of claim 1, wherein each of the missing segment indications includes a sequence number of the respective missing segment and a time-stamp associated with the respective missing segment.
4. The method of claim 1, wherein the RF signal also carries a video broadcast signal for reception by a plurality of user devices.
5. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast gateway also provides a Uniform Resource Locator (URL) of the server to the broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system transmits the URL to the first UE device as part of the RF signal, wherein the first UE device uses the URL to establish a connection to the server through the IP network.
6. A method for operating a user equipment device to facilitate the transfer of a data file to the user equipment, the method comprising:
- receiving a noise-perturbed version of an RF signal that is wirelessly transmitted by a broadcast transmission system, wherein the broadcast transmission system transmits segments of a data file in the RF signal;
- operating on the noise-perturbed version to recover estimates of the segments;
- analyzing the estimates to determine which of the segments are not successfully received;
- transmitting one or more missing segment indications to a server via an IP network, wherein each of the missing segment indications identifies a corresponding one of the segments that has not been successfully received.
7. The method of claim 6, wherein, in response to receiving the missing segment indications, the server sends missing segment data to the user equipment device through the IP network, wherein the missing segment data includes a copy of each of the one or more segments identified by the one or more missing segment indications.
8. The method of claim 6, wherein said transmitting the one or more missing segment indications includes wirelessly transmitting the one or more missing segment indications using a WiFi connection to a WiFi access point, wherein the WiFi access point is coupled to the IP network.
9. The method of claim 6, wherein said transmitting the one or more missing segment indications includes wirelessly transmitting the one or more missing segment indications using a wireless connection to a base station, wherein the base station is coupled to the IP network.
10. The method of claim 9, wherein the wireless connection is an LTE connection, wherein the base station is an LTE eNodeB.
11. The method of claim 1, wherein said RF signal also carries one or more video broadcast streams.
12. The method of claim 1, wherein the broadcast transmission system is part of a broadcast network that is connected to the IP network.
13. A gateway for applying channel encoding with dynamically-variable coding rate to one or more data streams to be transmitted by a broadcast transmission system, wherein at least one of the one or more data streams is a variable rate stream, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit data with a constant physical transport rate, the gateway comprising:
- a channel encoding unit configured to applying channel coding with fixed coding rate to the one or more data streams to obtain respectively one or more coded streams;
- a rate matching unit (RMU) configured to modify the one or more coded streams in order to obtain one or more respective modified streams, wherein the RMU is configured to modify the one or more coded streams by injecting null values into the one or more coded streams and/or by puncturing selected values of the one or more coded streams;
- a control unit configured to: receive information indicating a number of information bits per unit time in each of the one or more data streams; and vary the number of injected null values per unit time and/or the number of punctured values per unit time so that an aggregate bitrate of the one or more modified streams matches the constant physical transport rate, wherein said varying is performed based on the one or more numbers of information bits per unit time in the one or more respective data streams.
14. The gateway of claim 13, wherein the broadcast transmission system is configured to transmit the one or more modified streams as part of an OFDM output signal.
15. The gateway of claim 14, wherein the constant physical transport rate is determined at least in part by a number of subcarriers used by the OFDM output signal, a symbol rate of the OFDM output signal and a modulation scheme used by the subcarriers.
16. The gateway of claim 13, wherein the one or more data streams include one or more video streams, and/or, one or more audio streams.
Type: Application
Filed: Jul 9, 2018
Publication Date: Nov 1, 2018
Inventors: Kevin A. Shelby (Austin, TX), Michael J. Simon (Frederick, MD)
Application Number: 16/029,981
