Direct broadcast signal distribution methods

• US 20040060065A1
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Published: 03/25/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/25/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: DIRECTV, LLC (AT&T, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: The DIRECTV Group, Inc. (AT&T, Inc.)
• Inventors: James, Thomas H., Zerbe, Nathan B.
• Granted Patent: US 7,954,127 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/71
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18523 Satellite systems for providing broadcast service to terrestrial stations, i.e. broadcast satellite service arrangements specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving H04H40/90; picture transmission via satellite H04N1/00103; television transmission via satellite H04N7/20
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

A direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device that transmits broadcast signals, which are received by an antenna, is provided. The system includes an outdoor unit (ODU) electrically coupled to the antenna. The ODU includes a low noise block converter (LNB) that receives and amplifies the broadcast signals. An ODU receiver is electrically coupled to the ODU and selects a desired frequency of the broadcast signals. Integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s) are electrically coupled to the ODU receiver via a single distribution cable. The IRD(s) convert the broadcast signals into IRD output signals. Methods of performing the same are also provided, herein, including a transport select method and a service select method for receiving the broadcast signals. A direct broadcast system installation method and wireless communication between the ODU and the IRD(s) are also provided.

Claims

1. A direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device transmitting a plurality of broadcast signals and an antenna receiving said plurality of broadcast signals comprising:

an outdoor unit (ODU) electrically coupled to said antenna comprising at least one low noise block converter (LNB) receiving and amplifying said broadcast signals;

an ODU receiver electrically coupled to said ODU and selecting a desired frequency of said broadcast signals; and

a plurality of integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s)) electrically coupled to said ODU receiver via a single distribution cable, said plurality of IRD(s) converting said broadcast signals into IRD output signals at said desired frequency.

2. A system as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of IRD(s) comprises at least one IRD tuner, said at least one IRD tuner being electrically coupled to said at least one LNB via said single distribution cable.

3. A system as in claim 2 wherein said at least one IRD tuner transmits at least one content request signal to said ODU which generates at least one LNB adjustment signal in response to said at least one content request signal.

4. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU receiver comprises:

a plurality of LNB ports electrically coupled to said at least one LNB;

a matrix switch electrically coupled to said plurality of LNB ports and selecting at least one desired LNB port;

at least one LNB selector electrically coupled to said matrix switch and selecting at least one frequency associated with said at least one desired LNB port and generating at least one transport select output signal;

a combiner electrically coupled to said at least one LNB selector and combining said at least one transport select output signals to generate an LNB selector output signal; and

a receiver controller electrically coupled to said matrix switch and said at least one LNB selector operating said matrix switch and said at least one LNB selector in response to at least one content request signal.

5. A system as in claim 4 wherein said at least one LNB selector comprises:

a transport tuner electrically coupled to said matrix switch and selecting a desired frequency;

a filter electrically coupled to said transport tuner and filtering broadcast signals at said desired frequency; and

a block converter electrically coupled to said filter and converting said desired frequency into a LNB selector frequency.

6. A system as in claim 1 wherein said plurality of IRD(s) comprise:

a transport-tuning controller generating a content request signal in response to a customer request;

an IRD link electrically coupled to said transport-tuning controller and transmitting said content request signal to a LNB selector;

an IRD tuner receiving receiver output signals in response to said IRD transceiver transmission; and

an IRD transport electrically coupled to said IRD tuner and converting said receiver output signals into said IRD output signals.

7. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU receiver comprises at least one tuner and wherein a first IRD utilizes a tuner of said at least one tuner that is utilized by a second IRD.

8. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU comprises:

a multi-switch comprising;

a plurality of LNB ports;

a matrix switch electrically coupled to said plurality of LNB ports and selecting at least one LNB port of said plurality of LNB ports; and

at least one LNB control decoder port electrically coupled to said matrix switch and decoding content request signals; and

an LNB selector electrically coupled to said matrix switch and selecting a desired frequency of said broadcast signals.

9. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU comprises a transmodulator reducing bandwidth of at least one of said broadcast signals over said single distribution cable.

10. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU receiver comprises:

a plurality of LNB ports electrically coupled to said at least one LNB;

a matrix switch electrically coupled to said plurality of LNB ports selecting at least one desired LNB port;

at least one LNB selector selecting at least one channel associated with said at least one desired LNB port and generating at least one service select unit output signal;

a multiplexer combining said at least one service select unit output signals to generate a receiver output signal; and

a receiver controller operating said matrix switch and said LNB selector in response to at least one content request signal.

11. A system as in claim 10 further comprising:

a service transceiver electrically coupled to said LNBs; and

an IRD transceiver transmitting and receiving said broadcast signals to and from said service transceiver;

wherein said plurality of IRD(s) are electrically coupled to said IRD transceiver and convert said broadcast signals into said IRD output signals.

12. A system as in claim 10 wherein said at least one LNB selector comprises:

a service tuner electrically coupled to said matrix switch and selecting a desired frequency in response to said content request signal;

a demodulator electrically coupled to said service tuner and removing a transmission modulation from at least a portion of said broadcast signals to form demodulated broadcast signals;

a transport filter electrically coupled to said demodulator and filtering said demodulated broadcast signals at said desired frequency; and

a packetizer electrically coupled to said transport filter and packetizing at least one channel associated with said desired frequency.

13. A system as in claim 10 wherein said plurality of IRD(s) comprise:

a transport-tuning controller generating a content request signal in response to a customer request;

an IRD link electrically coupled to said transport-tuning controller and transmitting said content request signal to said LNB selector;

a link packet filter receiving a receiver output signals in response to said IDU transceiver transmission;

a rate buffer electrically coupled to said link packet filter and determining timing of a IRD of said plurality of IRD(s);

a clock recovery indicator electrically coupled to said rate buffer and generating a clock recovery signal in response to said receiver output signals;

a time stamp correction device electrically coupled to said rate buffer and correcting timing of said receiver output signals to generate corrected output signals; and

a transport unit electrically coupled to said time stamp correction device and converting said corrected output signals into said IRD output signals.

14. A system as in claim 1 wherein said ODU receiver is integrated within said ODU.

15. A direct broadcast system having a high altitude communication device transmitting a plurality of broadcast signals and an antenna receiving said plurality of broadcast signals comprising:

an ODU electrically coupled to said antenna comprising at least one LNB receiving and amplifying said broadcast signals;

an ODU receiver electrically coupled to said ODU and selecting a desired frequency of said broadcast signals;

a service transceiver electrically coupled to said ODU receiver;

an IRD transceiver transmitting and receiving said broadcast signals to and from said service transceiver; and

a plurality of IRD(s) electrically coupled to said IRD transceiver, said plurality of IRD(s) converting said broadcast signals into IRD output signals at said desired frequency.

16. A system as in claim 15 further comprising:

a wireless link electrically coupled to said service select units and said service transceiver interfacing between said plurality of IRD(s) and said ODU receiver; and

a wireless link electrically coupled to said wireless link and determining transmit and receive timing of said wireless link.

17. A transport select method for receiving direct broadcast signals within a direct broadcast system comprising:

generating at least one content request signal;

selecting at least one desired LNB port in response to said content request signal;

selecting at least one frequency associated with said at least one desired LNB port and generating at least one transport select output signal in response to said content request signal;

combining said at least one transport select output signals to generate a transport ODU output signal; and

receiving said transport ODU output signal via a single distribution cable.

18. A method as in claim 17 wherein generating at least one transport select output signal comprises:

selecting a desired frequency;

filtering said broadcast signals at said desired frequency; and

converting at least a portion of said broadcast signals into transport select unit output signals in response to said desired frequency.

19. A service select method for receiving direct broadcast signals within a direct broadcast system comprising:

generating at least one content request signal;

selecting at least one desired LNB port in response to said at least one content request signal;

selecting at least one channel associated with said at least one desired LNB port and generating at least one service select output signal; and

multiplexing said at least one service select output signal to generate a service ODU output signal.

20. A method as in step 19 wherein generating at least one service select output signal comprises:

selecting a desired frequency in response to said service select signal;

removing transmission modulation of said broadcast signals;

filtering said broadcast signals at said desired frequency; and

packetizing at least one channel in response to said service select signal.

21. A direct broadcast system installation method for a direct broadcast system comprising:

installing an ODU;

electrically coupling said ODU to a plurality of IRD(s);

generating ODU capability request signals to determine capability of the ODU;

configuring said plurality of IRD(s) in response to said ODU capability request signal;

allocating and assigning communication channels for distribution of signals between said ODU and said plurality of IRD(s); and

selecting broadcast signals on desired frequencies corresponding to selected services and transfer said broadcast signals to said plurality of IRD(s) on said assigned channels.

22. A method as in claim 21 wherein electrically coupling said ODU to a plurality of IRD(s) comprises electrically coupling a single distribution cable from said ODU to said IRD(s).