Direct broadcast signal distribution methods

• US 7,954,127 B2
• Filed: 09/25/2002
• Issued: 05/31/2011
• 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: Zerbe, Nathan B., James, Thomas H.
• Primary Examiner(s): Kelley; Christopher
• Assistant Examiner(s): Newlin; Timothy R
• Application Number:
  US10/255,344
• Publication Number:
  US 20040060065A1
• Time in Patent Office: 3,170 Days
• Field of Search: 725/68, 725/71
• US Class Current: 725/81
• 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 for transmitting a plurality of broadcast signals and an antenna for receiving said plurality of broadcast signals, said direct broadcast system comprising:

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

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

a plurality of integrated receiver and decoders (IRD(s)) communicating with the ODU receiver via a bidirectional wireless link, wherein each IRD in said plurality of IRD(s) requests an individual Service Channel Identifier (SCID) in a wireless fashion and each IRD in the plurality of IRDs receives only the requested SCID on a unique communications channel assigned to each requesting IRD and converts only the requested SCID requested by that IRD 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, and said at least one IRD tuner is adapted for wireless communication with said at least one LNB via said wireless link.

3. A system as in claim 2, wherein said at least one IRD tuner is operable to transmit at least one content request signal to said ODU, which is operable to generate 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 operable to select at least one desired LNB port;

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

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

a receiver controller electrically coupled to said matrix switch and said at least one LNB selector for 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 operable to select a desired frequency;

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

a block converter electrically coupled to said filter and operable to convert said desired frequency into an LNB selector frequency.

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

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

an IRD transceiver electrically coupled to said transport-tuning controller and operable to transmit said content request signal to an LNB selector;

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

an IRD transport electrically coupled to said IRD tuner and operable to convert 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 further comprises a multi-switch including:

a plurality of LNB ports;

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

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

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

9. A system as in claim 1, wherein said ODU further comprises a transmodulator for reducing bandwidth of at least one of said broadcast signals over said wireless link.

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 for selecting at least one desired LNB port;

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

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

11. A system as in claim 10, said system comprising:

a service transceiver electrically coupled to said LNBs; and

an IRD transceiver for 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 operable to 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 operable to select a desired frequency in response to said content request signal;

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

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

a packetizer electrically coupled to said transport filter and operable to packetize 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 for generating a content request signal in response to a customer request;

an IRD transceiver electrically coupled to said transport-tuning controller and operable to transmit said content request signal to said LNB selector;

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

a rate buffer electrically coupled to said h k packet filter and operable to determine timing of an IRD of said plurality of IRD(s);

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

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

a transport unit electrically coupled to said time stamp correction device and operable to convert 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 for transmitting a plurality of broadcast signals and an antenna for receiving said plurality of broadcast signals, said direct broadcast system comprising:

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

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

a service transceiver electrically coupled to said ODU receiver;

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

a plurality of IRD(s) electrically coupled to said IRD transceiver, wherein each IRD in said plurality of IRD(s) requests an individual Service Channel Identifier (SCID) in a wireless fashion and each IRD in the plurality of IRDs receives only the requested SCID on a unique communications channel assigned to each requesting IRD and converts only the SCID requested by that IRD into IRD output signals at said desired frequency.

16. A system as in claim 15, said system comprising:

a wireless link coupled to said service transceiver for interfacing said plurality of IRD(s) with said ODU receiver; and

a wireless link controller coupled to said wireless link and operable to determine transmit and receive timing of said wireless link.

17. A direct broadcast system installation method for a direct broadcast system, said method comprising:

wirelessly coupling an Outdoor Unit (ODU) to a plurality of receivers such that wireless communications occurs between the ODU and the plurality of receivers in a bidirectional manner;

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

configuring said plurality of receivers in response to said ODU capability request signal;

allocating and uniquely assigning communication channels for distribution of signals between said ODU and each receiver in said plurality of receivers;

selecting a requested subset of broadcast signals each on desired frequencies corresponding to selected services; and

transferring said broadcast signals to each receiver in said plurality of receivers on said uniquely assigned channels, wherein each receiver in the plurality of receivers wirelessly receives only the subset of the broadcast signals requested by the requesting receiver on the uniquely assigned communication channel for that receiver.

18. A method as in claim 17, wherein the step of wirelessly coupling said ODU to a plurality of IRD(s) is accomplished with at least one transceiver and a wireless link.