U.S. patent application number 14/949235 was filed with the patent office on 2016-03-24 for system and method in a broadband receiver for efficiently receiving and processing signals.
The applicant listed for this patent is MaxLinear, Inc.. Invention is credited to Glenn Chang, Timothy Gallagher, Curtis Ling, Sridhar Ramesh.
Application Number | 20160088360 14/949235 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 47175978 |
Filed Date | 2016-03-24 |
United States Patent
Application |
20160088360 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Chang; Glenn ; et
al. |
March 24, 2016 |
System and Method in a Broadband Receiver for Efficiently Receiving
and Processing Signals
Abstract
A system and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite
television receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing
signals, substantially as shown in and/or described in connection
with at least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in
the claims.
Inventors: |
Chang; Glenn; (Carlsbad,
CA) ; Gallagher; Timothy; (Encinitas, CA) ;
Ramesh; Sridhar; (Carlsbad, CA) ; Ling; Curtis;
(Carlsbad, CA) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
MaxLinear, Inc. |
Carlsbad |
CA |
US |
|
|
Family ID: |
47175978 |
Appl. No.: |
14/949235 |
Filed: |
November 23, 2015 |
Related U.S. Patent Documents
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Application
Number |
Filing Date |
Patent Number |
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14733198 |
Jun 8, 2015 |
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14949235 |
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13326125 |
Dec 14, 2011 |
9055329 |
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14733198 |
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14847752 |
Sep 8, 2015 |
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13326125 |
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13301400 |
Nov 21, 2011 |
9131265 |
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14847752 |
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61487979 |
May 19, 2011 |
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61487979 |
May 19, 2011 |
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Current U.S.
Class: |
725/70 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04N 21/4382 20130101;
H04N 21/440218 20130101; H04N 21/4627 20130101; H04N 21/64
20130101; H04N 21/434 20130101; H04N 21/63 20130101; H04N 21/4367
20130101; H04N 21/43615 20130101; H04N 21/64746 20130101; H04N
21/64761 20130101; H04N 21/4408 20130101; H04N 21/63345 20130101;
H04N 21/6106 20130101; H04N 21/4343 20130101; H04N 21/440209
20130101; H04N 21/4383 20130101; H04N 21/60 20130101; H04N 21/4405
20130101; H04N 21/64322 20130101; H04N 21/6402 20130101; H04N
21/6193 20130101; H04N 21/637 20130101; H04N 21/61 20130101; H04N
21/6143 20130101; H04N 21/4341 20130101; H04N 21/4347 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04N 21/61 20060101
H04N021/61; H04N 21/643 20060101 H04N021/643; H04N 21/434 20060101
H04N021/434; H04N 21/4402 20060101 H04N021/4402; H04N 21/436
20060101 H04N021/436; H04N 21/438 20060101 H04N021/438 |
Claims
1. A satellite dish system for receiving satellite signals, the
satellite dish system comprising: a full-band capture receiver
circuitry that is communicatively coupled to a low noise block
downconverter (LNB) and is operable to: receive a down-converted
satellite signal from the LNB; and digitize the down-converted
satellite signal over frequencies of the down-converted satellite
signal that are used for communicating satellite television
signals; a digital channelizer that comprises a fast Fourier
transform (FFT) engine, that is communicatively coupled to the
full-band capture receiver, and that is operable to: receive the
digitized down-converted signal from the full-band capture
receiver, wherein the digitized down-converted signal comprises a
plurality of channels; process, by the FFT engine, the digitized
down-converted signal to generate a plurality of FFT outputs;
select a portion of the FFT outputs; and output a digital signal
comprising the selected portion of the FFT outputs.
2. The satellite dish system of claim 1, comprising a demodulator
that is communicatively coupled to the digital channelizer and is
operable to: receive the output digital signal from the digital
channelizer; convert the output digital signal received from the
digital channelizer to one or more transport streams; and output
the one or more transport streams.
3. The satellite dish system of claim 1, comprising bridge
circuitry operable to encapsulate the one or more transport streams
in one or more Internet Protocol (IP) packets.
4. The satellite dish system of claim 3, wherein the bridge
circuitry is operable to first the transport streams based on
packet identifiers for encapsulation of only a portion of the one
or more transport streams into the one or more IP packets.
5. The satellite dish system of claim 3, comprising a communication
interface circuitry operable to communicate the one or more IP
packets to a device external to the satellite dish system.
6. The satellite dish system of claim 5, wherein the communication
interface circuitry is operable to communicate the one or more IP
packets to the device external to the satellite dish system
utilizing a communication protocol specifically adapted for
communication with in-home devices over a television cable
medium.
7. The satellite dish system of claim 6, where the device external
to the satellite dish system is an in-the-home device.
8. A satellite dish system for receiving satellite signals, the
satellite dish system comprising: a plurality of full-band capture
receivers, that are communicatively coupled to a low noise block
downconverter (LNB) and are operable to: receive a plurality of
down-converted satellite signals from the LNB; and digitize the
plurality of down-converted satellite signals over frequencies of
the plurality of down-converted satellite signal that are used for
communicating satellite television signals; a digital channelizer
that comprises a fast Fourier transform (FFT) engine, that is
communicatively coupled to the plurality of full-band capture
receivers, and that is operable to: receive the plurality of
digitized down-converted satellite signals from the plurality of
full-band capture receivers, wherein each of the plurality of
digitized down-converted satellite signals comprises a plurality of
channels; process, by the FFT engine, the plurality of digitized
down-converted satellite signals to generate a plurality of FFT
outputs; select a portion of the FFT outputs; and output a digital
signal comprising the selected portion of the FFT outputs.
9. The satellite dish system of claim 8, comprising a demodulator
that is communicatively coupled to the digital channelizer and is
operable to: receive the output digital signal from the digital
channelizer; convert the output digital signal received from the
digital channelizer to one or more transport streams; and output
the one or more transport streams.
10. The satellite dish system of claim 8, comprising bridge
circuitry operable to encapsulate the one or more transport streams
in one or more Internet Protocol (IP) packets.
11. The satellite dish system of claim 10, wherein the bridge
circuitry is operable to first the transport streams based on
packet identifiers for encapsulation of only a portion of the one
or more transport streams into the one or more IP packets.
12. The satellite dish system of claim 10, comprising a
communication interface circuitry operable to communicate the one
or more IP packets to a device external to the satellite dish
system.
13. The satellite dish system of claim 12, wherein the
communication interface circuitry is operable to communicate the
one or more IP packets to the device external to the satellite dish
system utilizing a communication protocol specifically adapted for
communication with in-home devices over a television cable
medium.
14. The satellite dish system of claim 13, where the device
external to the satellite dish system is an in-the-home device.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS/INCORPORATION BY
REFERENCE
[0001] This application is a continuation of U.S. patent
application Ser. No. 14/733,198 filed Jun. 8, 2015, which is a
continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/326,125 filed
Dec. 14, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,055,329), which claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Ser. No. 61/487,979 filed
May 19, 2011. This application is also a continuation of U.S.
patent application Ser. No. 14/847,752 filed Sep. 8, 2015, which is
a continuation of U.S. patent application Ser. No. 13/301,400 filed
Nov. 21, 2011 (now U.S. Pat. No. 9,131,265), which claims priority
to U.S. Provisional Patent Application Serial No. 6,1487,979. Each
of the above mentioned documents is hereby incorporated herein by
reference.
BACKGROUND
[0002] Present broadband receivers, for example those utilized in
satellite television systems, are unnecessarily complex and utilize
bandwidth inefficiently. Further limitations and disadvantages of
conventional and traditional approaches will become apparent to one
of skill in the art, through comparison of such systems with the
present invention as set forth in the remainder of the present
application with reference to the drawings.
BRIEF SUMMARY
[0003] Various aspects of the present invention provide a system
and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite television
receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing signals,
substantially as shown in and/or described in connection with at
least one of the figures, as set forth more completely in the
claims. These and other advantages, aspects and novel features of
the present invention, as well as details of illustrative aspects
thereof, will be more fully understood from the following
description and drawings.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF SEVERAL VIEWS OF THE DRAWINGS
[0004] FIG. 1 is a diagram illustrating a satellite television
system.
[0005] FIG. 2 is a diagram illustrating a satellite television
system.
[0006] FIG. 3 is a diagram illustrating a satellite television
system.
[0007] FIG. 4 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication
system, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0008] FIG. 5 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary communication
system comprising a broadband receiver system, in accordance with
various aspects of the present invention.
[0009] FIG. 6 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary full-band
capture receiver, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0010] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary full-band
capture receiver, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0011] FIG. 8 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary polyphase
channelizer, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention.
[0012] FIG. 9 is a flow diagram illustrating an exemplary method
for receiving a broadband signal, in accordance with various
aspects of the present invention.
DETAILED DESCRIPTION
[0013] The following discussion will refer to various modules,
components and/or circuits. Such modules, components and/or
circuits may generally comprise hardware and/or a combination of
hardware and software (e.g., including firmware). Such modules may
also, for example, comprise a computer readable medium (e.g., a
non-transitory medium) comprising instructions (e.g., software
instructions) that, when executed by a processor, cause the
processor to perform various functional aspects of the present
invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by characteristics of particular
hardware and/or hardware/software implementations of a module,
component or circuit unless explicitly claimed as such. For example
and without limitation, various aspects of the present invention
may be implemented by one or more processors (e.g., a
microprocessor, digital signal processor, baseband processor,
microcontroller, etc.) executing software instructions (e.g.,
stored in volatile and/or non-volatile memory). Also for example,
various aspects of the present invention may be implemented by an
application-specific integrated circuit ("ASIC") and/or other
hardware components.
[0014] Additionally, the following discussion will refer to various
functional modules (e.g., communication modules, signal processing
modules, etc.). It should be noted that the following discussion of
such various modules is segmented into such modules for the sake of
illustrative clarity. However, in actual implementation, the
boundaries between various modules may be blurred. For example, any
or all of the functional modules discussed herein may share various
hardware and/or software components. For example, any or all of the
functional modules discussed herein may be implemented wholly or
in-part by a shared processor executing software instructions.
Additionally, various software sub-modules that may be executed by
one or more processors may be shared between various software
modules. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present
invention should not be limited by arbitrary boundaries between
various hardware and/or software components, unless explicitly
claimed.
[0015] The following discussion may also refer to communication
networks and various aspects thereof. For the following discussion,
a communication network is generally the communication
infrastructure through which a device (e.g., a portable
communication device, television, television control device,
television provider, television programming provider, television
receiver, video recording device, set top box, network controller,
satellite dish circuitry, etc.) may communicate with other devices.
For example and without limitation, a communication network may
comprise a cable and/or satellite television communication network,
a cellular communication network, a wireless metropolitan area
network (WMAN), a wireless local area network (WLAN), a wireless
personal area network (WPAN), any home or premises communication
network (e.g., an in-home coaxial cable television communication
network), etc. A particular communication network may, for example,
generally have a corresponding communication protocol according to
which a communication device may communicate with the communication
network. Unless so claimed, the scope of various aspects of the
present invention should not be limited by characteristics of a
particular type of communication network.
[0016] Turning first to FIG. 1, such figure is a diagram
illustrating a satellite television system 100. The exemplary
system 100 comprises a premises 108 (e.g., a home, building,
office, etc.). External to the premises 108 is a satellite dish
system 105, comprising a satellite dish 106, feed horn 107, and low
noise block downconverter (LNB) 110, which will be discussed in
more detail below. The satellite dish system 105 outputs one or
more IF analog signals and communicates such signals into the
premises 108 over one or more cables 120 (e.g., coaxial cables) to
an in-home device 130 (e.g., a satellite set top box, an in-home
multiswitch, etc.). The in-home device 130 may be connected to an
in-home communication network 140.
[0017] Turning next to FIG. 2, such figure is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary satellite television system 200. The
exemplary system 200 may, for example, comprise a low noise block
downconverter (LNB) 210 (e.g., as illustrated at item 110 in FIG.
1), which generally operates to amplify a received RF satellite
signal and convert such signal to lower frequencies (e.g.,
intermediate frequencies (or IF)). The LNB 210 is typically
collocated with a satellite dish at a satellite dish system (e.g.,
as illustrated at the satellite dish system 105 of FIG. 1). For
example, the LNB 210 may be mounted to the satellite dish, share a
same general structure with the satellite dish, etc.
[0018] Such a system 200 may, for example, be implemented in a
manner that receives a plurality of bands. Such implementation may,
for example, arise when a satellite dish is receiving signals from
multiple orbital slots. In such a configuration, the LNB 210 may
output a plurality of IF signals over a plurality of respective
cables 220 (e.g., coaxial cables). Each of such a plurality of IF
signals may, for example, cover a broadband frequency range (e.g.,
from 950 MHz to 2150 MHz).
[0019] Such a plurality of cables 220 may, for example, terminate
(e.g., in the home or other customer premises (CP)) at a network
multi-switch 230. The multi-switch 230 may, for example, reside in
the customer premises (e.g., in a customer home). Such a
multi-switch 230 (e.g., individually and/or combined with a
receiver) is an example of the in-home device 130 of FIG. 1. The
multi-switch 230 may, for example, direct particular IF signals to
one or more respective receivers. For illustrative clarity, the
system 200 is only shown with a single in-home set top box (STB)
235 receiving a signal from the multi-switch 230. The in-home set
top box 235 may then select channels from the IF signal(s), where
such channels have for example been specified by the provider
(and/or customer), and combine such selected channels in an output
for communication on a home network 240.
[0020] The exemplary system 200 of FIG. 2 suffers from having a
plurality of cables 220 coupling the LNB 210, which is generally
outside a premises (e.g., outside a customer home) with satellite
receiver circuitry located inside a premises.
[0021] Turning next to FIG. 3, such figure is a diagram
illustrating a satellite television system 300. The exemplary
system 300 may, for example, comprise a low noise block
downconverter (LNB) 310 (e.g., as illustrated at item 110 in FIG.
1), which generally operates to amplify a received RF satellite
signal and convert such signal to lower frequencies (e.g.,
intermediate frequencies (or IF)). The LNB 310 is typically
collocated with a satellite dish at a satellite dish system (e.g.,
as illustrated at the satellite dish system 105 of FIG. 1).
[0022] Such a system 300 may, for example, be implemented in a
manner that receives a plurality of bands. Such implementation may,
for example, arise when a satellite dish is receiving signals from
multiple orbital slots. In such a configuration, the LNB 310 may
output a plurality of IF signals. In comparison with the system 200
illustrated in FIG. 2, which communicates the plurality of IF
signals over a plurality of respective cables 220, the system 300
of FIG. 3 comprises a single wire module (SWM) 315, communicatively
coupled to the LNB 310, that processes the plurality of IF signals
from the LNB 310 (e.g., frequency shifting or "channel-stacking"
such IF signals) to combine the IF signals (e.g., selected portions
thereof) onto a single cable (e.g., a coaxial cable). Such SWM 315
may, for example, comprise a channel stacking switch to perform
such functionality. In such a configuration, the SWM 315 may output
the stacked IF signals over a cable 320 (e.g., a coaxial
cable).
[0023] Such a cable 320 may, for example, terminate (e.g., in the
home or other customer premises (CP)) at a set top box (STB) 330.
The STB 330 may, for example, reside in the customer premises
(e.g., in a customer home). Such a set top box 330 is an example of
the in-home device 130 of FIG. 1. The STB 330 may then, for
example, communicate selected channels over a home network 340 to
various other devices (e.g., television devices, media content
storage devices, personal computing devices, etc.).
[0024] Though the exemplary system 300 of FIG. 3 eliminates the
multiple IF cables of the system 200 of FIG. 2, such system 300
suffers from having the SWM 315, which is a relatively expensive
component that consumes a relatively large amount of power.
[0025] Turning next to FIG. 4, such figure is a diagram
illustrating a satellite television system 400. The exemplary
system 400 may, for example, comprise a low noise block
downconverter (LNB) 410, which generally operates to amplify a
received RF satellite signal and convert such signal to lower
frequencies (e.g., intermediate frequencies (or IF)). The LNB 410
is typically collocated with a satellite dish at a satellite dish
system (e.g., as illustrated at the satellite dish system 105 of
FIG. 1).
[0026] Such a system 400 may, for example, be implemented in a
manner that receives a plurality of bands. Such implementation may,
for example, arise when a satellite dish is receiving signals from
multiple orbital slots. In such a configuration, the LNB 410 may
generate and/or output a plurality of IF signals. In comparison
with the system 200 illustrated in FIG. 2 which communicates the
plurality of IF signals over a plurality of respective cables 220,
the system 400 of FIG. 4 comprises a broadband multichannel
receiver (BMR) 415 that processes the plurality of IF signals
received from the LNB 410 and outputs a digital signal (e.g., a
digital Internet Protocol (IP) signal) that communicates selected
channels (e.g., over a single cable 420, over multiple cables 420
numbering less than the number of IF signals from the LNB 410,
etc.). The discussion of FIG. 5 below, and subsequent figures, will
include detailed discussion of the BMR 415 (which, when combined
with the LNB 410, may also be referred to herein as an IP-LNB
410/415). The BMR 415 may, for example, be housed with the LNB 410
in a same housing, implemented on a same circuit board as the LNB
410, implemented on a same semiconductor substrate as the LNB 410,
implementing on a system-on-a-chip (SoC) with the LNB 410, etc.
Additionally, in comparison with the system 300 illustrated in FIG.
3, which utilizes a relatively expensive and power-hungry SWM 315,
the exemplary system 400 of FIG. 4 replaces such SWM 315 with a
relatively low-cost and energy efficient BMR 415.
[0027] As mentioned above, the BMR 415 may output a digital IP
signal. The exemplary system 400 comprises a cable 420 (e.g., a
coaxial cable) over which the digital IP signal output from the BMR
415 is communicated to an in-home IP network 440 (or in-premises IP
network). Such an in-home IP network 440 may comprise various
characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be
presented. The network 440 may, for example, be a cable-based
(e.g., a television coaxial cable-based) network. Such an
implementation may, for example, utilize an existing in-home cable
television network for the communication of IP signals. For
example, such a cable-based network 440 may be operated in
accordance with a Multimedia over Coax Alliance (MoCA) protocol
(e.g., MoCA 1.0, MoCA 1.1, MoCA 2.0, etc.). Also for example, such
a cable-based network 440 may be operated in accordance with an ITU
G.hn standard (or portion thereof), a HomePNA standard (or portion
thereof), etc. In an additional example, the network 440 may be
operated in accordance with an Ethernet standard (e.g., gigabit
Ethernet), a wireless standard (e.g., 802.11abgn, 802.11ac, etc.),
etc. Note that in various implementations, the BMR 415 may
communicate with such In-home IP Network 440 via a wireless
link.
[0028] The in-home IP network 440 may, for example, communicatively
couple any of a variety of devices, each of which may in turn be
communicatively coupled to the IP-LNB 410/415. Such devices may,
for example, reside in the user's home.
[0029] By way of example and not limitation, the system 400 may
comprise an IP set top box (IP-STB) 450 that resides in the home
and is communicatively coupled to the in-home IP network 440. Such
an IP-STB 450 may, for example, communicate directly with the
IP-LNB 410/415 (or the BMR 415) outside the home. Also for example,
the system 400 may comprise a television 455 (e.g., an IP-capable
television) that resides in the home and is communicatively coupled
to the in-home IP network 440. Such a television 455 may, for
example, communicate directly with the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the BMR
415) outside the home.
[0030] Additionally for example, the system 400 may comprise a
networked attached storage (NAS) 475 that resides in the home and
is communicatively coupled to the in-home IP network 440. Such a
NAS 475 may, for example, communicate directly with the IP-LNB
410/415 (or the BMR 415) outside the home. Note that in various
implementations, such a NAS 475 (or another NAS) may reside
off-premises (e.g., at a location remote from the home), and in
such case be communicatively coupled to the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the
BMR 415) via the in-home network 440 and one or more other
communication networks (e.g., the Internet).
[0031] Also for example, the system 400 may comprise a personal
computer 480 that is located in the home and is communicatively
coupled to the in-home IP network 440 (e.g., directly, via cable
modem, via wireless modem, etc.). Such personal computer 480 may,
for example, communicate directly with the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the
BMR 415) outside the home. Additionally for example, the system 400
may comprise a printer 495 (or other computer peripheral device)
that resides in the home and is communicatively coupled to the
in-home IP network 440. Such a printer 495 may, for example,
communicate directly with the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the BMR 415)
outside the home (e.g., for the communication of printable
information and/or scanned information that may be communicated via
satellite, like program guide information, advertisement
information, etc.).
[0032] Further for example, the system 400 may comprise a wireless
access point 465 (e.g., a wireless router, for example an access
point operating in accordance with, for example, any of the 802.11
standards, the Bluetooth standard, a WiMAX standard, a cellular
standard, etc.) that is located in the home and is communicatively
coupled to the in-home IP network 440 (e.g., directly, via cable
modem, etc.). Such wireless access point 465 may, for example,
communicate directly with the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the BMR 415)
outside the home. For example, such wireless access point 465 may
operate to provide a wireless communication link between the
in-home network 440 and a wireless device 467 (e.g., a mobile
phone, mobile computing device, wireless game controller, personal
digital assistant, smart phone, etc.).
[0033] Also for example, the system 400 may comprise a camera 470
(e.g., a still and/or moving image camera) that resides in the home
and is communicatively coupled to the in-home IP network 440. Such
a camera 470 may, for example, communicate directly with the IP-LNB
410/415 (or the BMR 415) outside the home (e.g., for the
communication of still and/or moving image information that may be
communicated via satellite).
[0034] Still further for example, the system 400 may comprise any
general IP-Networked Device 460 (e.g., an IP-enabled gaming device,
a climate control system, a home security system, or any other
IP-enabled device). Such IP-Networked Device may, for example,
operate to communicate information with the IP-LNB 410/415 (or the
BMR 415) via the in-home IP network 440.
[0035] The exemplary system 400 is presented to provide
non-limiting exemplary characteristics of an in-home network
comprising an IP-LNB 410/415 in accordance with various aspects of
the present invention. Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of
the present invention should not be limited by any of such
exemplary characteristics unless explicitly claimed.
[0036] Turning next to FIG. 5, such figure is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary communication system 500 comprising a
broadband receiver system, in accordance with various aspects of
the present invention. Such system 500 may, for example and without
limitation, share any or all aspects with the IP-LNB 410/415
discussed previously with regard to the exemplary system 400
illustrated in FIG. 4.
[0037] The exemplary communication system 500 comprises an LNB 510.
As discussed previously, such an LNB 510 generally receives RF
satellite signals at a satellite dish, and filters and amplifies
such signals to generate corresponding IF signals, which are then
provided to downstream entities. The LNB 510 may, for example and
without limitation, share any and all aspects with the LNBs 110,
210, 310 and 410 illustrated in FIGS. 1-4 and discussed previously.
The LNB 510 is illustrated outputting M (an integer number) of IF
signals, labeled s.sub.1 to s.sub.M. Each of such IF signals may,
for example, comprise IF signals in the 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range,
each of which corresponding to a respective satellite signal (e.g.,
a satellite television signal).
[0038] The exemplary system 500 also comprises a broadband
multichannel receiver (BMR) 515. Such BMR 515 may, for example and
without limitation, share any or all aspects with the BMR 415
discussed previously with regard to the exemplary system 400
illustrated in FIG. 4. Such BMR 515 may, for example, be operable
to (e.g., including operate to and/or operate when enabled to)
process the plurality of IF signals s.sub.1-s.sub.M received from
the LNB 510 and output a digital signal (e.g., one or more digital
Internet Protocol (IP) signals) that communicates desired channels.
For example, a non-limiting exemplary implementation of the BMR 515
is illustrated in FIG. 5, and comprises a variety of modules, for
example a Full-Band Capture Receiver bank 540, Digital Channelizer
550, N.times.Demodulator bank 560, IP Bridge 570, and Communication
Interface Module 580 (e.g., an IP communication interface module
comprising a MAC and PHY layer for IP networking). Such modules
may, for example, be implemented in hardware or a combination of
hardware and software.
[0039] For example, the BMR 515 may comprise a Full-Band Capture
Receiver bank 540 (e.g., comprising M full-band capture receivers,
FBCR.sub.1-FBCR.sub.M. Each of such full-band capture receivers
may, for example, digitize the entire IF signal contained on a
respective input IF signal from the LNB 510. In an exemplary
satellite implementation, each of such full-band capture receivers
may, for example, digitize the entire 950 MHz to 2150 MHz range of
satellite-related content (e.g., media content) on the respective
input signal. For example, FBCR.sub.1 may receive analog IF signal
s.sub.1 from the LNB 510 and digitize the entire IF content of the
input signal s.sub.1 to generate output signal d.sub.1. In such a
manner, the full-band capture receiver bank 540 may receive M
analog IF signals s.sub.1-s.sub.M from the LNB 510 and output
corresponding digital signals d.sub.1-d.sub.M. Non-limiting
examples of full-band capture receivers will be presented below in
FIGS. 6-7 and the respective discussions thereof.
[0040] Note that although the full-band capture receiver bank 540
is shown and discussed as receiving the M analog IF signals
s.sub.1-s.sub.M from the LNB 510, such signals may be received from
a plurality of different sources (e.g., from one or more satellite
television sources, from one or more cable television sources, from
one or more terrestrial broadcast television sources, etc.). Such
full-band capture receiver(s) may, for example, operate to capture
the complete, or substantially complete, spectral band for a
particular communication protocol, standard or proprietary (e.g.,
for a satellite television communication protocol). Also, such
full-band capture receiver(s) may, for example, operate to capture
the complete, or substantially complete, respective spectral bands
for a plurality of respective communication protocols, standard or
proprietary (e.g., for a satellite television communication
protocol and/or a cable television communication protocol and/or a
terrestrial television communication protocol, etc.).
[0041] Note that, depending on the IF bandwidth utilization and/or
depending on desired channels, one or more of the plurality of
FBCRs of the FBCR bank 540 may be powered down. For example, if a
particular FBCR corresponds to a satellite signal that is not
presently providing a desired channel, such particular FBCR may be
powered down (e.g., until a need for a channel corresponding to the
particular FBCR arises). Alternatively, a non-utilized FBCR may
also be re-tasked to process another signal (e.g., a signal
corresponding to another orbital slot, a signal corresponding to a
different signal source, for example, a different satellite and/or
terrestrial broadcast source, etc.). Additionally, an FBCR may also
reduce its capture bandwidth if the desired channels fall within a
limited portion of the full band.
[0042] Note that the FBCR bank 540 is an exemplary implementation.
The implementation of block 540 may alternatively comprise multiple
single-channel tuners, followed by an analog to digital
converter.
[0043] The BMR 515 may also comprise a Digital Channelizer (DCC)
550. The DCC 550 may, for example, operate to receive the digitized
signals d.sub.1-d.sub.M output from the FBCR bank 540. The DCC 550
may then, for example, process such received digitized signals
d.sub.1-d.sub.M (e.g., decimating and filtering such signals) to
select desired channels from the set of channels available in the
digitized signals d.sub.1-d.sub.M. As such, the DCC 550 may, for
example, serve as a crossbar for selecting an arbitrary set of
desired channels from among the channels available from one or more
broadband sources.
[0044] The DCC 550 may perform such processing in any of a variety
of manners. For example and without limitation, the DCC 550 may
utilize a polyphase filter or a block that calculates a running FFT
of the received digitized signals d.sub.1-d.sub.M and selects a
decimated output from each FFT for further processing. The DCC 550
may, for example, perform switching and routing operations after
performing the above-mentioned FFT/filtering operations, which may,
for example, beneficially reduce the speed at which the switching
and routing operations need be performed. A non-limiting example of
a polyphase channelizer circuit is shown in FIG. 8.
[0045] The further processed output may then, for example, be
output on one or more output lines c.sub.1 (e.g., output on M
output lines, each of which corresponding to one of the M input
signals; multiplexed onto a single output line; multiplexed onto
more than one and less than M output lines, etc.).
[0046] The DCC 550 may, for example, receive channel-selection
information from upstream (e.g., via a path from the satellite)
and/or from downstream (e.g., from an in-home device), such
channel-selection information being indicative of such desired
channels. For example, the channel selection process may be
controlled by the operator, by the customer, by both the operator
and the customer, etc.
[0047] The BMR 515 may additionally comprise an N.times.Demodulator
bank (NDB) 560. Such NDB 560 may, for example, operate to receive
the output signal(s) c.sub.1 from the DCC 550 and recover the
digital information modulated on such received signal(s). The
output c.sub.1 of the DCC 550 (which may comprise one or more
digital signals output on one or more output lines) may, for
example, comprise one or more transport streams, including for
example, media transport streams like MPEG, general data transport
streams, etc.
[0048] The BMR 515 may further comprise an IP Bridge (BIP) 570 (or
other protocol bridge(s)). Such BIP 570 may, for example, operate
to receive the output signal(s) c.sub.2 from the NDB 560 (e.g.,
including transport streams and/or other information) and
encapsulate such digital information in IP packets. Such
encapsulation may, for example, comprise forming the input digital
information into IP packets for downstream communication.
[0049] The BIP 570 may also, for example, operate to filter the
digital information received from the NDB 560. Such filtering may,
for example, comprise various types of data filtering. For example,
the BIP 570 may operate to perform packet identification (PID)
filtering to select only desired portions of the input data for
encapsulation. Such filtering may, for example, beneficially reduce
the amount of IP-encapsulated data that is sent downstream from the
IP-LNB 505 to the customer premises (e.g., only desired packets are
communicated on the in-home IP network). Such filtering may, for
example, be controlled by the operator (via control signal(s)
received via a satellite channel) and/or by the user (via control
signal(s) received from in-home user apparatus).
[0050] The BIP 570 may then output the IP-encapsulated data on one
or more output signals c.sub.3. The BMR 515 may also comprise a
communication interface module 580. Such a communication interface
module 580 may operate to interface with a communication network
(e.g., an in-home communication network). The previous discussion
of FIG. 4 presented many non-limiting examples of such an in-home
communication. For example and without limitation, the
communication interface module 580 may comprise a module that
interfaces with an IP network (e.g., operating to perform network
layer operation, transport layer operation, MAC layer operation,
and/or PHY layer operation compatible with the desired network). In
such example, the communication interface module 580 may operate to
interface with the IP network by transmitting and/or receiving
signals s.sub.IP compatible with the IP network.
[0051] For example, as discussed above with regard to FIG. 4, the
IP-LNB 410/415 (and, for example, the IP-LNB 505 of FIG. 5) may
operate to communicate with an in-home communication network. Such
an in-home communication network 440 may comprise various
characteristics, non-limiting examples of which will now be
presented. The network 440 may, for example, be a cable-based
(e.g., a television coaxial cable-based) network. Such an
implementation may, for example, utilize an existing in-home cable
television network for the communication of IP signals. For
example, such a cable-based network 440 may be operated in
accordance with a Multimedia over Cable Alliance (MoCA) protocol
(e.g., MoCA 1.0, MoCA 1.1, MoCA 2.0, etc.). Also for example, such
a cable-based network 440 may be operated in accordance with an ITU
G.hn standard (or a portion thereof), a HomePNA standard (or a
portion thereof), etc. In an additional example, the network 440
may be operated in accordance with an Ethernet standard (e.g.,
gigabit Ethernet), a wireless standard (e.g., 802.11abgn, 802.11ac,
etc.), etc. The network 440 may also, for example, operate in
accordance with a protocol that includes aspects of a
point-to-point communication protocol, a mesh communication
protocol, a tree-structure communication protocol, etc. The
communication interface module 515 of the BMR 515 will, for
example, operate in the manner appropriate for conducting
communication in accordance with the appropriate network
architecture and/or protocol.
[0052] Note that although the communication interface module 580 is
shown and discussed interfacing with a single communication network
(e.g., a single in-home IP network), the communication interface
module 580 may operate to communicate with a plurality of different
types of communication networks (e.g., simultaneously,
pseudo-simultaneously in a timeshare manner, one at a time, etc.).
Many examples of such different types of networks were presented
above.
[0053] The exemplary system 500 is presented to provide
non-limiting exemplary characteristics of an IP-LNB 505 in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
should not be limited by any of such exemplary characteristics
unless explicitly claimed. For example, the previous discussion of
the exemplary communication system 500 focuses on a satellite dish
system IP-LNB utilization of the exemplary communication system
500. The previously-discussed aspects also generally apply to
non-satellite communication systems, and accordingly, the scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of satellite communication systems unless
explicitly claimed.
[0054] As discussed above, FIGS. 6 and 7 provide non-limiting
examples of the full-band capture receivers FBCR.sub.1-FBCR.sub.M
discussed above. Turning to FIG. 6, such figure is a diagram
illustrating an exemplary full-band capture receiver (FBCR) 600, in
accordance with various aspects of the present invention.
[0055] The exemplary FBCR 600, for example, comprises a variable
gain amplifier 610 that receives an IF signal s.sub.i (e.g., from
an LNB). The output of the variable gain amplifier 610 is then
provided to a plurality of wideband fixed-frequency receivers
RX.sub.1-RX.sub.L, each of which is tuned to receive signals in a
respective portion of the full-band of the input IF signal s.sub.i.
The digitized outputs of such receivers RX.sub.1-RX.sub.L are then
combined to yield a digital output d.sub.i. For example, a first
wideband fixed-frequency receiver RX.sub.1 620 may comprise an
amplifier, mixer, filter and analog-to-digital filter, which are
used to process the input IF signal s.sub.i in a first portion of
the IF frequency band. Similarly, a second wideband fixed-frequency
receiver RX.sub.2 630 may comprise an amplifier, mixer, filter and
analog-to-digital filter, which are used to process the input IF
signal s.sub.i in a second portion of the IF frequency band.
Similarly, an L.sup.th wideband fixed-frequency receiver RX.sub.L
640 may comprise an amplifier, mixer, filter and analog-to-digital
filter, which are used to process the input IF signal s.sub.i in an
L.sup.th portion of the IF frequency band. Various aspects of an
exemplary FBCR 600 are presented in U.S. Provisional Patent
Application No. 61/427,088, filed Dec. 23, 2010, and titled "METHOD
AND APPARATUS FOR BROADBAND DATA CONVERSION", which is hereby
incorporated herein by reference in its entirety.
[0056] FIG. 7 is a diagram illustrating an exemplary full-band
capture receiver (FBCR) 700, in accordance with various aspects of
the present invention. The exemplary FBCR 700, for example,
comprises a variable gain amplifier 710 that receives an IF signal
s.sub.i (e.g., from an LNB). The output of the variable gain
amplifier 710 is then provided to a filter 720, which may, for
example, be utilized for anti-aliasing and equalization. The filter
720 outputs a filtered signal, which is then received by a wideband
analog-to-digital converter 730, which in turn is capable of
digitizing the filtered IF signal over the entire relevant
bandwidth. The A/D converter 730 then outputs a digital output
d.sub.i.
[0057] Turning next to FIG. 8, as discussed above, FIG. 8 provides
a non-limiting example of a digital polyphase channelizer (DCC)
800. Such a digital polyphase channelizer 800 may, for example, be
utilized in the DCC 550 of FIG. 5 to perform the channelization
operation.
[0058] The exemplary a polyphase channelizer 800 may, for example,
comprise a plurality of filters 820 (h.sub.o-h.sub.M-1) serving as
a polyphase partition, the inputs to which are controlled by a
switching device 810. The outputs of the filters 820 are input to
an M-point FFT engine 830, where the outputs of the FFT engine 830
are then selected by switch 840 for output. Such switch 840 may,
for example operate to multiplex the outputs from the FFT engine
830 on a single output line.
[0059] Turning next to FIG. 9, such figure is a flow diagram
illustrating an exemplary method 900 for receiving a broadband
signal, in accordance with various aspects of the present
invention. The exemplary method 900 may share any or all functional
aspects with the systems illustrated in FIGS. 1-8 and discussed
previously.
[0060] The exemplary method 900 (e.g., the entire method 900 and/or
any portion thereof) may be performed by one or more components of
a satellite dish system (e.g., by components generally collocated
with a satellite dish, for example outside the home). As a
non-limiting example, any or all functional aspects of the
exemplary method 900 may be performed by a broadband multichannel
receiver (BMR) that may for example be communicatively coupled to
an upstream LNB and a downstream premises-based IP network (e.g.,
an in-home cable network).
[0061] The exemplary method 900 starts execution at step 905. The
exemplary method 900 may begin executing in response to any of a
variety of causes and/or conditions. For example and without
limitation, the method 900 may begin executing in response to
resetting and/or powering up a satellite dish system (e.g.,
circuitry generally collocated with a satellite dish). Also for
example, the method 900 may begin executing in response to a signal
received from an external device (e.g., an in-home consumer
electronic device) indicating that the one or more channels are
desired. Further for example, the method 900 may begin executing in
response to a signal received from an external device indicating a
change in a desired set of channels (e.g., for in-home consumption
of media and/or general data associated with such channels). In
general, the exemplary method 900 may begin executing at step 905.
Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
should not be limited by characteristics of any particular
initiating cause and/or condition unless explicitly claimed.
[0062] The exemplary method 900 may, at step 910, comprise
downconverting one or more received satellite signals (and/or
signal received from other sources, like cable sources, terrestrial
television broadcast signal, etc.). Step 910 may, for example and
without limitation, share any or all downconverting characteristics
discussed previously (e.g., with regard to various LNBs 110, 210,
310, 410, and 510 discussed herein). For example, step 910 may
comprise receiving one or more RF satellite signals at a satellite
dish, amplifying such received signals, and converting such signals
to one or more IF signals. Note that the received and converted
signals need not necessarily be RF satellite signals. In general,
step 910 may comprise downconverting one or more received signals.
Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
should not be limited by characteristics of any particular
downconversion functionality unless explicitly claimed.
[0063] The exemplary method 900 may, at step 920, comprise
converting one or more IF signals (e.g., IF satellite signals) to
digital data. Step 920 may, for example and without limitation,
share any or all functional aspects with various components of the
broadband multichannel receiver (BMR) 515 illustrated in FIG. 5 and
discussed previously (e.g., Full-Band Capture Receiver bank 540,
Digital Channelizer 550, and N.times.Demodulator bank 560). For
example and without limitation, step 920 may comprise processing a
plurality of IF signals (e.g., resulting from step 910) and output
a digital signal (e.g., one or more digital Internet Protocol (IP)
signals) that communicates desired channels. In general, step 920
may comprise converting one or more IF signals to digital data.
Accordingly, the scope of various aspects of the present invention
should not be limited by characteristics of any particular type of
signal conversion and/or any particular manner of performing such
signal conversion unless explicitly claimed.
[0064] The exemplary method 900 may, at step 930, comprise
encapsulating digital data in protocol packets (e.g., IP packets).
Step 930 may, for example and without limitation, share any or all
functional aspects with various components of the broadband
multichannel receiver (BMR) 515 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed
previously (e.g., BIP 570). For example and without limitation,
step 930 may comprise receiving one or more digital signals
communicating digital data (e.g., resulting from step 920),
encapsulating such received data in protocol packets (e.g., IP
packets) and outputting one or more digital signals communicating
such protocol packets. In general, step 930 may comprise
encapsulating digital data in protocol packets. Accordingly, the
scope of various aspects of the present invention should not be
limited by characteristics of any particular type of packet and/or
any particular manner of forming received data into such packets
unless explicitly claimed.
[0065] The exemplary method 900 may, at step 940, comprise
communicating protocol packets (e.g., IP packets). Step 940 may,
for example and without limitation, share any or all functional
aspects with various components of the broadband multichannel
receiver (BMR) 515 illustrated in FIG. 5 and discussed previously
(e.g., communication interface module 580). For example and without
limitation, step 940 may comprise receiving one or more digital
signals communicating protocol-encapsulated data (e.g.,
IP-encapsulated data and/or other protocol-encapsulated data
resulting from step 930) and communicating such packets over a
communication network. Many non-limiting examples of such networks
(e.g., in-home cable networks, premises-based wired and/or wireless
networks, etc.) are presented above. In general, step 940 may
comprise communicating protocol packets. Accordingly, the scope of
various aspects of the present invention should not be limited by
characteristics of any particular type of packet and/or any
particular manner of communicating such packets unless explicitly
claimed.
[0066] In summary, various aspects of the present invention provide
a system and method in a broadband receiver (e.g., a satellite
television receiver) for efficiently receiving and processing
signals. While the invention has been described with reference to
certain aspects and embodiments, it will be understood by those
skilled in the art that various changes may be made and equivalents
may be substituted without departing from the scope of the
invention. In addition, many modifications may be made to adapt a
particular situation or material to the teachings of the invention
without departing from its scope. Therefore, it is intended that
the invention not be limited to the particular embodiment
disclosed, but that the invention will include all embodiments
falling within the scope of the appended claims.
* * * * *