ATSC 3.0 and D2M Broadcast Coexistence in 5G O-RAN

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology lacks support for mobile and battery-saving features, particularly in user equipment (UE) devices, and does not efficiently utilize broadcast waveform and L1, L2 signaling for mobile services.

Innovation Solution

The introduction of Direct to Mobile (D2M) broadcast technology, optimized for mobile use cases, which extends A/321, A/322, and A/330 standards to enable L1 and L2 signaling, allowing for virtual frame reception paradigms and intelligent broadcast RAN modes aligned with 5G O-RAN principles, enabling coexistence with ATSC 3.0 in the same spectrum.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If ATSC 3.0 broadcast technology is used, then broadcast service coverage is improved, but mobile support and battery-saving features are lacking

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile supportVSAvoidbattery-saving features

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments the broadcast service into two distinct protocols: ATSC 3.0 for fixed broadcast services and D2M (Direct to Mobile) for mobile services. This segmentation allows each protocol to be optimized independently - ATSC 3.0 maintains its broadcast coverage advantages while D2M provides mobile-optimized features including battery-saving capabilities through efficient signaling and reception mechanisms designed specifically for mobile devices

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent creates a universal broadcast system that can deliver both ATSC 3.0 and D2M services through the same infrastructure. The multi-functionality is achieved by enabling the broadcast system to serve dual purposes: traditional fixed reception via ATSC 3.0 and mobile reception via D2M, allowing a single broadcast network to adapt to diverse service requirements without requiring separate infrastructure

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

2Productivity

If D2M broadcast technology is introduced for mobile services, then mobile broadcast service efficiency is improved, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvemobile broadcast service efficiencyVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent introduces a protocol selection mechanism that acts as an intermediary between the broadcast content and the receiver. This intermediary automatically determines whether to deliver content via ATSC 3.0 or D2M based on receiver type and service requirements, abstracting the complexity from end users while maintaining optimized performance for each service category

Inventive Principle:

Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

Solution Approach 2:

The system implements dynamic protocol selection where the broadcast infrastructure can adaptively switch between ATSC 3.0 and D2M protocols based on real-time conditions such as receiver mobility status, service type, and network conditions. This dynamic behavior allows the system to optimize mobile broadcast efficiency without requiring manual configuration or increasing operational complexity for users

Inventive Principle:

Principle #15Dynamics

3Adaptability or versatility

If dual protocol broadcast frames are transmitted, then spectrum utilization is improved, but receiver processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvespectrum utilizationVSAvoidreceiver processing complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies local quality by tailoring the protocol characteristics to the specific reception context. ATSC 3.0 frames use signaling and modulation optimized for fixed receivers with stable conditions, while D2M frames use signaling and modulation optimized for mobile receivers experiencing varying conditions. Each protocol's local characteristics are optimized for its intended use case, improving overall spectrum utilization efficiency

Inventive Principle:

Principle #3Local quality

Solution Approach 2:

Instead of requiring receivers to process both ATSC 3.0 and D2M protocols simultaneously, the system inverts the approach by having the broadcast infrastructure select and transmit only the appropriate protocol for each receiver type. This inversion reduces receiver processing complexity while maintaining dual-protocol capability in the network, as receivers only need to be designed for their specific protocol requirement

Inventive Principle:

Principle #13The other way round (Inversion)

Data Source

PatentUS20230337156A1ATSC 3.0 and d2m broadcast co-exist aligned 5g o-ran

Publication Date: 2023.10.19 SINCLAIR BROADCAST GRP

AI summary

Disclosed herein are method and apparatus for Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 and non-ATSC 3.0 broadcast Direct to Mobile (D2M) co-exist aligned open radio access network (O-RAN). One aspect of this disclosure operates by generating a broadcast frame conforming to a first communications protocol, where the broadcast frame conforming to the first communication protocol includes a slice start (SS) portion. The embodiment further generates a broadcast virtual frame container including the broadcast frame conforming to the first communication protocol and a broadcast frame conforming to a second communication protocol, where the broadcast virtual frame container further includes a virtual frame start (VFS) portion, and transmits the broadcast virtual frame container.