ATSC 3.0 Receiver Combining Portable Antenna Signals
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Solution Overview
Problem
Old portable ATSC 3.0 devices, which are often replaced frequently, can go unused but still have WiFi capability, and could enhance the reception of relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 receivers by acting as additional remote receivers, improving signal quality within a premises.
Innovation Solution
A method where a relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device communicates with portable ATSC 3.0 devices to select the one with the best signal quality for a specific channel, receives IP packetized data from these devices, and combines it with its own signal to improve reception, utilizing WiFi or Ethernet connections for data transfer.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If portable ATSC 3.0 devices are frequently replaced, then device functionality is updated, but unused devices are discarded creating waste
Solution Approach 1:
The patent recovers functionality from discarded portable ATSC 3.0 devices by repurposing them as remote receiving devices. Instead of discarding old portable devices, the system reuses their receiving capabilities to extend the reception coverage of fixed ATSC 3.0 receivers, thereby reducing electronic waste while maintaining adaptability.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent makes portable ATSC 3.0 devices serve multiple functions: they can be used as primary portable receivers when needed, and simultaneously function as remote receiving devices to extend coverage for fixed receivers. This multi-functionality maximizes the utility of each device throughout its lifecycle.
2Reliability
If portable ATSC 3.0 devices are used as remote receivers, then signal quality for fixed receivers is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a receiving device as an intermediary that coordinates between fixed ATSC 3.0 receivers and portable remote receiving devices. This intermediary manages the selection, polling, and data combination processes, thereby managing system complexity centrally while enabling improved signal quality through multiple remote devices.
Solution Approach 2:
The portable ATSC 3.0 devices autonomously poll signal quality for specified channels and self-select based on their reception capabilities. They automatically transmit their signal quality metrics and receive data requests without requiring complex manual configuration, thereby reducing overall system complexity through self-service operation.
3Area of stationary object
If multiple portable devices are polled for signal quality, then reception coverage is extended, but communication overhead increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements selective polling where the receiving device polls only a subset of available portable ATSC 3.0 devices rather than all devices continuously. This partial action approach extends reception coverage by utilizing multiple devices when needed while reducing communication overhead by avoiding unnecessary polling of all devices at all times.
Data Source
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AI summary
A method and apparatus for improving signal quality in a relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device are described including accepting a channel selection, establishing communication with all ATSC 3.0 devices in a premises, polling each portable ATSC 3.0 device to obtain signal quality information, selecting one or more of the portable ATSC 3.0 devices to receive a signal, receiving IP packetized data related to a program on the selected channel from the one or more selected portable ATSC 3.0 devices to improve signal quality at the relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device and combining the received IP packetized data received from the one or more selected portable ATSC 3.0 devices with a signal of the relatively fixed ATSC 3.0 device to form a combined signal for rendering a program on the selected channel.