SYSTEM, DECODER, AND METHOD FOR TRANSMITTING SATELLITE SIGNALS

• US 20160182141A1
• Filed: 07/21/2014
• Published: 06/23/2016
• Est. Priority Date: 07/25/2013
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana SPA (Government of Italy)
• Original Assignee: RAI Radiotelevisione Italiana SPA (Government of Italy)
• Inventors: Sacco, Bruno, Mignone, Vittoria, Morello, Alberto
• Granted Patent: US 10,651,924 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 1/1
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18513 Transmission in a satellite or space-based system
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18534 for enhancing link reliablility, e.g. satellites diversity
• CPC Class Codes: H04B 7/18539 Arrangements for managing radio, resources, i.e. for establishing or releasing a connection

Abstract

The invention relates to a system, a receiver and a method for satellite signal transmission, wherein the method includes the steps of grouping the signals into a data stream, splitting the data stream into at least a first and one or more second packets, transmitting the first packet via a first transmission channel (Ch #1), transmitting the one or more second packets via one or more second transmission channels (Ch #2), wherein the one or more second transmission channels (Ch #2) are distinct from the first transmission channel (Ch #1) and from one another.

Claims

1. A method for satellite signal transmission, comprising the steps of:

a. splitting a data stream into a first packet and one or more second packets,

b. transmitting the first packet via a first transmission channel, characterized in that

it further comprises a step during which said one or more second packets are transmitted via one or more second transmission channels, wherein said one or more second transmission channels are distinct from said first transmission channel and from one another.

2. The method according to claim 1, wherein the data stream is of the MPEG-TS type.

3. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission channel uses a frequency position which is distinct from the one used by said one or more second transmission channels.

4. The method according to claim 1, wherein the first transmission channel is allocated on a first satellite, wherein said one or more second transmission channels are allocated on one or more second satellites, and wherein said one or more second satellites are distinct from said first satellite and from one another.

5. A system for satellite transmission of digital signals, comprising at least one first modulator, wherein said signals are comprised in a data stream which, before being transmitted, is split into a first packet and one or more second packets, wherein said first packet is transmitted through the first modulator,

wherein,

it comprises at least one or more second modulators, through which one or more second packets are transmitted.

6. The system according to claim 5, wherein the first packet is comprised in a first pseudo stream, the second packet is comprised in one or more second pseudo streams, and wherein the first pseudo stream has the same transmission rate (RIO as said one or more second pseudo streams.

7. The system according to claim 6, comprising separating means that generate the pseudo streams starting from the stream.

8. The system according to claim 7, wherein each modulator does not use a rate adaptation functionality.

9. The system according to claim 8, comprising rate adapting means arranged upstream of the separating means and in signal communication therewith, wherein said rate adapting means increase the rate of the data stream by inserting null packets.

10. The system according to claim 6, wherein the transmission rate of the data stream equals the sum of the transmission rates of all pseudo streams.

11. The system according to claim 6, wherein the transmission rate of each pseudo stream equals the transmission rate of the data stream, and wherein, when one of the packets of the stream is added to one of the pseudo streams, a null packet is added to each one of the remaining pseudo streams.

12. The system according to claim 11, wherein a Null Packet Deletion mode and a Dummy Frame Insertion mode are enabled in each modulator.

13. The system according to claim 6, wherein the transmission of the second packet is delayed, compared to the first packet, by at least the symbol time of the modulators.

14. The system according to claim 6, wherein each packet comprises an ISSY (Input Stream Synchronizer) field containing at least one value representing a time reference, and wherein said field has the same length in each packet.

15. The system according to claim 14, wherein the values of the time reference of the modulators can be set to one same value.

16. The system according to claim 14, comprising a reference clock in signal communication with said separating means and with the modulators.

17. A receiver comprising at least one first demodulator, wherein said receiver can demodulate signals comprised in a data stream which, before being transmitted, was split into a first packet and one or more second packets, wherein said first packet is received through the first demodulator,

wherein, it comprises one or more second demodulators through which one or more second packets are received, and merging means arranged downstream of the first demodulator and of the second demodulator, wherein said merging means are in signal communication with said first demodulator and one or more second demodulators, and wherein said merging means can, by joining the first packet and said one or more second packets, output the data stream.

18. The receiver according to claim 17, wherein the packets comprise an ISSY (Input Stream Synchronizer) field containing at least one value through which the merging means can execute a time re-sorting operation on said packets.

19. The receiver according to claim 17, wherein the packets are of the MPEG-TS type, and wherein the merging means can execute a second time re-sorting operation on said packets based on the values contained in the Continuity Counter and/or PCR fields.