Method and system for efficient packing of data across queue blocks in a satellite

• US 20050229216A1
• Filed: 03/29/2005
• Published: 10/13/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 03/29/2004
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies International Sales Pte Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Chien, Jen-Chieh, Gin, Alan
• Granted Patent: US 8,565,321 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/63
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 19/61 in combination with predictive coding
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2221 being a cable television head-end CATV in broadcast systems H04H20/78
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/2383 Channel coding or modulation of digital bit-stream, e.g. QPSK modulation arrangements for detecting or preventing errors in the information received by adapting the channel coding H04L1/0009; analogue front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/242 Synchronization processes, e.g. processing of PCR [Program Clock References] arrangements for synchronising broadcast or distribution via plural systems in broadcast distribution systems H04H20/18
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4382 Demodulation or channel decoding, e.g. QPSK demodulation analog front ends or means for connecting modulators, demodulators or transceivers to a transmission line H04L27/0002
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6143 involving transmission via a satellite
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6193 involving transmission via a satellite arrangements for data linking, networking or transporting, or for controlling an end to end session in a satellite broadcast system H04B7/18526
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 7/20 Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite

Abstract

Provided are a method and system for processing at least two consecutive MPEG Q-blocks in a communications system, one of the Q-blocks being low rate and the other being high rate. The method includes back-filling an empty portion in a first transmitted Q-block with a first portion of second type data, the remaining portion of data of the second type data being included in another Q-block prior to transmission. The second type data crosses a boundary between the first and the other Q-block when the actual number is less than a corresponding maximum number. Finally, the method includes receiving within an associated subscriber modem one of the first and the second type data and not receiving the other of the first and the second type data when the second type data crosses the boundary.

Claims

1. A method for processing at least two consecutive MPEG Q-blocks in a communications system, one of the Q-blocks being low rate and the other being high rate, each of the Q-blocks (i) including an actual number of MPEG frames and (ii) being configured for accommodating a maximum number of MPEG frames, the communications system including a satellite modem termination system and a subscriber modem, the subscriber modem including a multi-rate receiver and a field programmable gate array (FPGA), the method comprising:

transmitting a first of the at least two Q-blocks;

determining in the first transmitted Q-block whether the actual number of MPEG frames is less than the corresponding maximum number of MPEG frames, the first transmitted Q-block including first type data having at least a filled portion, the other Q-block including a second type data;

wherein an empty portion is formed in the first transmitted Q-block when the actual number is less than the corresponding maximum number;

back-filling the empty portion in the first transmitted Q-block with a first portion of the second type data, the remaining portion of data of the second type data being included in the other Q-block prior to transmission;

wherein the second type data crosses a boundary between the first and the other Q-block when the actual number is less than the corresponding maximum number; and

receiving within the subscriber modem one of the first and the second type data and not receiving the other of the first and the second type data when the second type data crosses the boundary.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first transmitted Q-block is the low rate Q-block.

3. The method of claim 2, wherein the first and second type data are low rate and high rate data respectively.

4. The method of claim 3, wherein the empty portion is formed at an end portion of the first transmitted Q-block.

5. The method of claim 4, wherein the one of the first and the second type data is received within the multi-rate receiver and is passed to the FPGA;

and

wherein an interface between the multi-rate receiver and the FPGA is interrupted prior to the other of the first and the second type data not being received.