ATSC 3.0 Receiver Fast Channel Change via Broadband Pre-fetching
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Solution Overview
Problem
ATSC 3.0 systems face challenges in fast channel change and robustness against packet loss, particularly when switching between broadcast channels, due to the complexity of signaling for dynamic live MPDs and the need for clock synchronization in mobile receivers.
Innovation Solution
A digital information receiving apparatus with a processor configured to use a SegmentTemplate template to identify a period length based on broadcast time, access broadband content before switching from broadband to broadcast sources, and adjust content presentation to facilitate seamless channel changes and error repair.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Manufacturing precision
If a longer GOP is used for better encoding efficiency and quality, then encoding efficiency and quality are improved, but channel change time increases due to waiting for the first I frame
Solution Approach 1:
The patent performs preliminary actions by obtaining signaling information about broadband content availability before actually needing to switch channels. The receiver checks whether the first few segments of the new channel are available on the broadband network in advance, and if so, immediately starts downloading them while the broadcast tuner is still switching. This preliminary preparation eliminates the waiting time for I-frames during channel changes.
2Speed
If signaling is implemented to indicate broadband content availability for fast channel change, then channel change speed is improved, but system complexity increases due to MPD management and clock synchronization requirements
Solution Approach 1:
The patent applies local quality by making the system adaptive - it only uses the complex broadband signaling approach when actually beneficial. The receiver checks signaling information and broadband availability locally and dynamically, and only activates the fast channel change mechanism when the first segments are indeed available on broadband. This avoids unnecessary complexity when broadband is not available or when broadcast-only operation is sufficient.
3Device complexity
If broadcast-only delivery is used to simplify system architecture, then system complexity is reduced, but robustness against packet loss and ability to provide fast channel change deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements multi-functionality by making the receiver capable of operating in multiple modes - it can use broadcast delivery when broadband is unavailable, switch to broadband-assisted fast channel change when broadband is available, and even repair broadcast packet loss using broadband segments. The same receiver architecture and signaling mechanism support both pure broadcast operation and enhanced broadband-assisted operation, providing versatility without requiring separate systems.
Data Source
AI summary
Techniques are described for expanding and/or improving the Advanced Television Systems Committee (ATSC) 3.0 television protocol in robustly delivering the next generation broadcast television services. An ATSC 3.0 receiver backs off the live point of a broadcast by a short delay period such that channel change may be rendered perceptibly faster by pre-fetching segments identified in a SegmentTemplate MPD from broadband before the broadcast channel is fully tuned to.