Broadcast Decoder Switching by Signal Intensity on One Chip
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Solution Overview
Problem
Existing semiconductor devices face difficulties in appropriately switching between one-segment and twelve-segment digital terrestrial TV broadcasting reception processes, leading to inefficiencies and potential disruptions in signal processing.
Innovation Solution
A semiconductor device with integrated components, including a general-purpose processor, tuners, and a decoder, that selectively switches between decoding one-segment and twelve-segment broadcast signals based on signal intensity, allowing seamless switching and reduced processing load by parallel decoding of both signals when necessary.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Use of energy by moving object
If the decoder selectively decodes only one broadcast signal at a time, then power consumption is reduced, but the ability to switch between broadcast signals is impaired
Solution Approach 1:
The broadcast signal processing is divided into multiple segments: a first broadcast signal decoded by the dedicated decoder and a second broadcast signal decoded by the general-purpose processor. This segmentation allows both signals to be processed simultaneously without requiring a single decoder to handle all signals sequentially, thereby maintaining switching capability while managing power consumption efficiently.
Solution Approach 2:
The general-purpose processor is utilized to decode the second broadcast signal in addition to its other functions. This multi-functionality allows the system to maintain the capability to decode multiple broadcast signals simultaneously without requiring additional dedicated decoders, thus preserving adaptability while controlling power consumption.
2Adaptability or versatility
If the general-purpose processor decodes the first broadcast signal, then the dedicated decoder can be used for other purposes, but the processing load on the general-purpose processor increases
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of overloading the general-purpose processor with the complex task of decoding the first broadcast signal, the dedicated decoder is used to decode the first signal while the general-purpose processor handles the second signal. This division of labor allows the general-purpose processor to perform simpler processing tasks, reducing its processing load while still achieving efficient decoder utilization.
3Adaptability or versatility
If both broadcast signals are decoded simultaneously, then switching between signals is improved, but power consumption increases
Solution Approach 1:
The simultaneous decoding of both broadcast signals is achieved by segmenting the processing tasks: the dedicated decoder handles the first signal while the general-purpose processor handles the second signal. This segmentation enables parallel processing and seamless switching between signals without requiring both decoders to operate at full power simultaneously, thus improving signal switching capability while controlling power consumption.
Data Source
AI summary
A semiconductor device includes a one-segment tuner I/F that is connected to a one-segment tuner, a tuner I/F that is connected to a digital terrestrial tuner, a decoder that selectively decodes a first broadcast signal supplied from the one-segment tuner I/F and a second broadcast signal supplied from the tuner I/F, a general purpose processor that is provided separately from the decoder and decodes the first broadcast signal, and a switch unit that, based on signal intensity of the second broadcast wave, switches the decoding by the decoder between the first broadcast signal and the second broadcast signal while the general purpose processor is decoding the first broadcast signal. The one-segment tuner I/F, the tuner I/F, the decoder, the general purpose processor, and the switch unit are integrated on one chip.