Layered Signal Multiplexing for Robust Multi-Power Broadcast Reception

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Solution Overview

Problem

Current multiplexing technologies like TDM and FDM lack the flexibility and performance required for next-generation broadcasting systems, necessitating a new approach for efficiently multiplexing and demultiplexing signals across multiple layers at different power levels.

Innovation Solution

A broadcast signal transmission/reception system that combines core layer and enhanced layer signals at different power levels using Bit-Interleaved Coded Modulation (BICM) and OFDM, with a signal multiplexer and demultiplexer that perform interleaving and power adjustments to manage burst errors and ensure robust reception.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If TDM or FDM is used for signal multiplexing, then signal transmission is achieved, but flexibility and performance are insufficient for next-generation broadcasting systems

Engineering Contradiction:
ImproveflexibilityVSAvoidperformance
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the signal transmission into multiple layers (base layer and enhancement layer) with different power levels. The base layer carries essential service data with robust error correction, while the enhancement layer provides additional data with higher efficiency. This segmentation allows the system to adapt to different reception conditions and service requirements, providing both flexibility and reliable performance.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes key transmission parameters including power allocation (different power levels for different layers), modulation order (variable depending on layer and conditions), and code rate (adjustable for each layer). These parameter changes enable the system to optimize performance for next-generation broadcasting while maintaining adaptability to various channel conditions and service types.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

2Productivity

If signals are multiplexed using traditional methods, then transmission is possible, but efficiency and performance for multi-layer signals are insufficient

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvemultiplexing efficiencyVSAvoidsignal robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The invention merges multiple signals (base layer and enhancement layer) into a single transmitted signal stream. The base layer signal and enhancement layer signal are combined through power-controlled modulation, creating a unified multiplexed signal that maintains the robustness of the base layer while improving overall multiplexing efficiency through the enhancement layer.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #5Merging (Combining)

Solution Approach 2:

The invention creates a composite signal structure combining two distinct signal components (base layer and enhancement layer) with different characteristics. The base layer provides robust error correction capability, while the enhancement layer provides high-efficiency data transmission. This composite signal structure achieves both reliability and productivity simultaneously.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #40Composite materials

3Productivity

If high-order modulation is used to improve bandwidth efficiency, then data rate increases, but error correction complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvebandwidth efficiencyVSAvoiderror correction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ProductivityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The invention segments the data stream into base layer and enhancement layer, applying different error correction strategies to each. The base layer uses robust error correction codes suitable for reliable transmission, while the enhancement layer can use more efficient but less robust codes. This segmentation reduces overall system complexity by allowing optimized error correction for each layer rather than requiring complex error correction for the entire high-rate stream.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The invention changes the code rate parameter differently for different layers. The base layer uses a lower code rate for robust error correction, while the enhancement layer uses a higher code rate for improved bandwidth efficiency. This parameter differentiation allows the system to achieve high overall data rates without requiring uniformly complex error correction across all data.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Data Source

PatentEP3113432B1Signal multiplexing device and signal multiplexing method using layered division multiplexing
Publication Date: 2020.12.09 ELECTRONICS & TELECOMM RES INST
  • EP3113432B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3113432B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3113432B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

An apparatus and method for multiplexing signals using layered division multiplexing are disclosed. A signal multiplexing apparatus according to an embodiment of the present invention includes a combiner configured to combine a core layer signal and an enhanced layer signal at different power levels, and a time interleaver configured to perform interleaving applied to both the core layer signal and the enhanced layer signal.