Heartbeat System for ATSC 3.0 Broadcast Signaling
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Solution Overview
Problem
The Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 standard's dedicated return channel is limited by being part of the same network infrastructure, leading to outages and bandwidth constraints, necessitating a separate signaling protocol for communication between broadcasters and devices to ensure reliable interactive services.
Innovation Solution
Implementing a unicast signaling protocol with a heartbeat system that uses a separate communication path, such as the internet, for devices to send keep-alive messages and acknowledgments, distinct from the ATSC 3.0 network architecture, allowing for redundant and bandwidth-efficient communication.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If the dedicated return channel is integrated into the ATSC 3.0 network infrastructure, then interactive services can be supported, but the system suffers from outages and bandwidth constraints when the network fails
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a separate communication path (intermediary channel) that acts as a mediator between the broadcaster and receiving devices. This intermediary path is independent of the ATSC 3.0 broadcast network infrastructure, allowing signaling and control messages to be transmitted reliably even when the broadcast network experiences outages or congestion.
2Ease of operation
If the dedicated return channel uses the ATSC 3.0 network infrastructure, then device communication is enabled, but bandwidth is limited and shared with broadcast traffic
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the communication functions by separating the signaling/control traffic from the broadcast data traffic. The dedicated return channel is divided into distinct functional paths: one for ATSC 3.0 broadcast communication and another for reliable signaling and control messages, allowing each to operate independently with dedicated bandwidth.
3Device complexity
If a single network infrastructure is used for both broadcast and return channel, then system complexity is reduced, but the system cannot provide redundant communication paths
Solution Approach 1:
The patent adds another dimension to the network architecture by introducing a separate communication plane for signaling and control. Instead of relying solely on the horizontal broadcast network infrastructure, the system vertically layers a dedicated return channel that operates independently, providing redundancy without significantly increasing overall system complexity.
Data Source
AI summary
A heartbeat system and signaling protocol for a digital broadcast system that provides a unicast return path signaling protocol. In one embodiment, the digital broadcast system may be an ATSC 3.0 compliant broadcast system.