Method and apparatus for synchronized transmission and reception of data in a digital audio broadcasting system

• US 20040066736A1
• Filed: 02/28/2003
• Published: 04/08/2004
• Est. Priority Date: 09/27/2002
• Status: Active Grant

• Current Assignee: iBiquity Digital Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Original Assignee: iBiquity Digital Corporation (Adeia Inc.)
• Inventors: Kroeger, Brian William
• Granted Patent: US 7,551,675 B2
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 370/200
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 20/30 by a single channel
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 2201/18 in band on channel [IBOC]
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 40/18 Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/50 of broadcast or relay stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/51 of receiving stations
• CPC Class Codes: H04H 60/70 using geographical information, e.g. maps, charts or atlases

Abstract

A method of transmitting digital audio broadcasting signals comprises the steps of generating a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference, and transmitting the output frames to a plurality of receivers. The information to be transmitted can identify the location of a transmitter. Transmitters that broadcast in accordance with the method and receivers that receive the transmitted signal are also disclosed. A method is also provided for receiving digital audio broadcasting signals comprising the steps of receiving a digital audio broadcasting signal comprising a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference, and determining the start of each output frame relative to an absolute time reference.

Claims

1. A method of transmitting digital audio broadcasting signals comprising the steps of:

generating a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference; and

transmitting the output frames to a plurality of receivers.

2. The method of claim 1, wherein the information to be transmitted identifies a location of a transmitter.

3. The method of claim 1, wherein the absolute time reference comprises a global positioning system signal.

4. The method of claim 1, the blocks of data include a block count.

5. The method of claim 1, wherein the plurality of output frames represent a plurality of logical data channels.

6. The method of claim 6, wherein the plurality of logical data channels include information relating to particular geographic regions.

7. The method of claim 6, wherein the information includes one or more of:

advertisements for local retailers, gas stations, and restaurants;

traffic conditions; and

highway construction/detour information.

8. A transmitter for transmitting digital audio broadcasting signals comprising:

means for generating a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference; and

means for transmitting the output frames to a plurality of receivers.

9. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein the information to be transmitted identifies a location of the transmitter.

10. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein the absolute time reference comprises a global positioning system signal.

11. The transmitter of claim 8, wherein the blocks of data include a block count.

12. A receiver for receiving digital audio broadcasting signals comprising:

an antenna for receiving a digital audio broadcasting signal comprising a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference; and

means for determining the start of each output frame relative to the absolute time reference.

13. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising:

means for decoding a transmitter location information contained in the output frames.

14. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising:

means for scanning multiple digital audio broadcasting signals; and

means for estimating a time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.

15. The receiver of claim 14, further comprising:

means for estimating receiver location based on the transmitter location information and the time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.

16. The receiver of claim 12, further comprising:

means for estimating direction and speed of the receiver based on the transmitter location information and the time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.

17. A method for receiving digital audio broadcasting signals comprising the steps of:

receiving a digital audio broadcasting signal comprising a plurality of output frames of information to be transmitted, wherein each of the output frames includes a plurality of blocks of data and each of the output frames is synchronized with an absolute time reference; and

determining the start of each output frame relative to an absolute time reference.

18. The method of claim 17, further comprising the step of:

decoding a transmitter location information contained in the modem frames.

19. The method of claim 18, further comprising the steps of:

scanning multiple digital audio broadcasting signals; and

estimating a time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.

20. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

estimating receiver location based on transmitter location information and time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.

21. The method of claim 19, further comprising the step of:

estimating direction and speed of the receiver based on the transmitter location information and the time difference of arrival between at least three of the multiple digital audio broadcasting signals.