Reference Clock Extraction in Broadcast IP Transmission

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Solution Overview

Problem

Conventional MMT schemes require multiple complex processes to acquire high-precision reference clock information on the reception side, leading to increased time and potential jitter due to software-based extraction, especially when reference clock information is stored within the MMT packet layer.

Innovation Solution

The proposed method involves storing reference clock information in the TLV packet at the head of the transfer slot, allowing for simplified acquisition by specifying its position, and potentially using a lower protocol layer for transmission, enabling hardware-based extraction and reducing processing time.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Measurement precision

If reference clock information is stored within the MMT packet layer, then the information can be transmitted through the broadcast channel, but multiple complex software-based processes are required to extract it, increasing acquisition time and introducing jitter

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock information precisionVSAvoidacquisition time
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSLoss of time

Solution Approach 1:

The patent extracts the reference clock information from the MMT packet layer and places it directly in the transport stream packet header. This extraction moves the clock information to a more accessible location that can be processed by hardware rather than requiring multiple software-based extraction steps from nested packet structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The transport stream packet header serves as an intermediary structure that carries the reference clock information in a format accessible to hardware processors. This intermediate layer enables efficient hardware-based extraction while maintaining the integrity of the broadcast transmission system.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Measurement precision

If reference clock information is stored within the MMT packet layer, then the information can be transmitted through the broadcast channel, but multiple complex processes are required to acquire it, increasing system complexity

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock information precisionVSAvoidextraction process complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference clock information is extracted from the complex MMT packet structure and placed directly in the transport stream packet header. This eliminates the need for multiple software-based extraction processes through nested packet layers, thereby reducing system complexity while maintaining high-precision clock information transmission.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces software-based extraction processes with hardware-based extraction. By positioning the reference clock information in the transport stream packet header, hardware processors can directly access and process the clock information without requiring complex software parsing of MMT packet structures.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

3Measurement precision

If reference clock information is stored within the MMT packet layer, then the information can be transmitted, but software-based extraction is required, introducing jitter in clock reproduction

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveclock information precisionVSAvoidclock reproduction stability
Core Design Contradiction:
Measurement precisionVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent substitutes software-based extraction with hardware-based extraction by placing reference clock information in the transport stream packet header. Hardware processors provide deterministic timing and eliminate the jitter inherent in software-based extraction, thereby improving clock reproduction stability while maintaining high precision.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

4Productivity

If reference clock information is stored in a lower protocol layer, then hardware-based extraction becomes possible, but the information must be transmitted through multiple packetization layers

Engineering Contradiction:
Improveextraction speedVSAvoidpacket structure complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The reference clock information is extracted from deep within the MMT packet structure and placed in the transport stream packet header, which is processed at a lower protocol layer. This enables hardware-based extraction while avoiding the need for complex multi-layer packetization, as the information is made accessible early in the transmission stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #2Taking out (Extraction)

Data Source

PatentEP3758388B1Transmission method, reception method, transmitter apparatus, and receiver apparatus
Publication Date: 2024.12.18 PANASONIC INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY CORP OF AMERICA
  • EP3758388B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3758388B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3758388B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A transmission method in transfer of content using an IP (Internet Protocol) packet performed through broadcast includes a generation step (S151) of generating a transfer frame that stores a plurality of second transfer units that each store one or more first transfer units that each store the IP packet, and a transmission step (S152) of transmitting the generated frame. In the generation step (S151), reference clock information that indicates time for reproduction of the content on a reception side is contained in the first transfer unit positioned at a head within the frame. This provides a transmission method capable of reducing processes for acquiring the reference clock information on a reception side.