Single chip cable set-top box supporting DOCSIS set-top Gateway (DSG) protocol and high definition advanced video codec (HD AVC) decode

• US 20070294738A1
• Filed: 06/11/2007
• Published: 12/20/2007
• Est. Priority Date: 06/16/2006
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Avago Technologies General IP PTE Limited (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Original Assignee: Broadcom Corporation (Broadcom, Inc.)
• Inventors: Kuo, Jonathan Huy, Liang, Hongchang
• Application Number:
  US11/808,510
• Publication Number:
  US 20070294738A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 725/116
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4263 involving specific tuning arrangements, e.g. two tuners
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/4316 for displaying supplemental content in a region of the screen, e.g. an advertisement in a separate window
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6118 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/6168 involving cable transmission, e.g. using a cable modem
• CPC Class Codes: H04N 21/8451 using Advanced Video Coding [AVC]

Abstract

A single integrated circuit is provided to enable the distribution of voice, video, and/or data services throughout a multimedia distribution network, such as a cable communications network. The single integrated circuit supports both digital and analog television services (e.g., PVR, pay-for-view, EPG, e-commerce, etc.) and computer data services (e.g., telephony, Internet browsing, facsimile, messaging, videoconferencing, etc.). In an embodiment, the single integrated circuit includes three components that constitute a DOCSIS™ compliant cable modem, namely an inband demodulator, an upstream burst modulator, a media access controller, and a microprocessor. In an embodiment, a digital out-of-band demodulator is also included. In another embodiment, the single integrated circuit integrates front-end and backend set-top box functionality in addition to DOCSIS™ cable modem functionality.

Claims

1. An apparatus for processing information within a communications network, comprising:

a cable front end, configured to receive a downstream data signal including a High Definition Advanced Video Codec (HD AVC) video component and an audio component, to demodulate the downstream data signal to produce a demodulated data stream including the HD AVC video component and the audio component;

a video/audio backend to demultiplex the audio component and the HD AVC video component from the demodulated data stream; and

a processor to provide a control message to the cable front end to select a downstream channel for receiving the downstream data signal.

2. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a modulator/demodulator to downconvert the downstream data signal to produce a demodulated data stream.

3. The apparatus of claim 2, wherein the modulator/demodulator comprises:

a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) and an analog to digital (A/D) converter to amplify and digitize the downstream data signal.

4. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a modulator/demodulator to upconvert a digital signal to produce a upstream data signal.

5. The apparatus of claim 4, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a media access controller (MAC) to generate the digital signal.

6. The apparatus of claim 5, wherein the MAC is DOCSIS™

compliant.

7. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the video/audio backend comprises:

a transport processor to parse the HD AVC video component and the audio component from the demodulated data stream.

8. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the video/audio backend comprises:

a video decoder to decode the HD AVC video component to produce an uncompressed HD AVC video component;

a video processor to insert text or graphics into the uncompressed HD AVC video component to produce a processed video component;

a video encoder to encode the processed HD AVC video component into an along video standard to produce an encoded HD AVC video component; and

a video digital to analog (D/A) converter to convert the encoded HD AVC video component from a digital representation to an analog representation.

9. The apparatus of claim 8, wherein the video encoder encodes the processed HD AVC video component according to at least of one NTSC, PAL, 480i, 480p, or 576i.

10. The apparatus of claim 7, wherein the video/audio backend comprises:

an audio decoder to decode the audio component to produce a uncompressed audio component;

an audio processor to insert sound effects in the uncompressed audio component to produce a processed audio component; and

an audio digital to analog (D/A) to convert the processed audio component from a digital representation to an analog representation.

11. The apparatus of claim 10, wherein the audio component is Pulse Code Modulated (PCM).

12. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises:

Serial Advanced Technology Attachment (SATA) controller to interface an external serial ATA disk drive.

13. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises:

a USB module to control one or more external USB devices.

14. The apparatus of claim 1, wherein the processor further comprises:

a memory controller to interface with a memory storage device.

15. The apparatus of claim 14, wherein memory storage device is a DDR memory.

16. An apparatus for processing information within a communications network, comprising:

a cable front end, configured to receive a downstream data signal including a High Definition Advanced Video Codec (HD AVC) video component and an audio component, to demodulate the downstream data signal to produce a demodulated data stream including the HD AVC video component and the audio component;

a transport processor to parse the HD AVC video component and the audio component from the demodulated data stream;

a video decoder to decode the HD AVC video component to produce an uncompressed HD AVC video component;

a video processor to insert text or graphics into the uncompressed HD AVC video component to produce a processed video component;

a video encoder to encode the processed HD AVC video component into an along video standard to produce an encoded HD AVC video component; and

a video digital to analog (D/A) converter to convert the encoded HD AVC video component from a digital representation to an analog representation.

17. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a modulator/demodulator to downconvert the downstream data signal to produce a demodulated data stream.

18. The apparatus of claim 17, wherein the modulator/demodulator comprises:

a programmable gain amplifier (PGA) and an analog to digital (A/D) converter to amplify and digitize the downstream data signal.

19. The apparatus of claim 16, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a modulator/demodulator to upconvert a digital signal to produce a upstream data signal.

20. The apparatus of claim 19, wherein the cable front end further comprises:

a media access controller (MAC) to generate the digital signal.

21. The apparatus of claim 20, wherein the MAC is DOCSIS™

compliant.