Demodulation Notification Transport for Extensible SoC Interfaces

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Solution Overview

Problem

The challenge is to enhance the functional extensibility of apparatuses on the receiving side in a data processing system that uses an IP transport scheme, such as ATSC 3.0, while maintaining a single interface between demodulation devices and system-on-chip (SoC) for cost-effectiveness, similar to DVB-T2 systems.

Innovation Solution

The solution involves transporting notification data as private user data between the demodulation apparatus and the processing apparatus using various transport schemes like Generic packet additional header, L2 signaling header, BB packet additional header, and IP packet transport schemes, allowing for efficient and real-time data transfer while maintaining a single interface.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Adaptability or versatility

If multiple interfaces are used between demodulation device and SoC to enhance functional extensibility, then functional extensibility is improved, but device complexity and cost increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional extensibilityVSAvoidinterface complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification data transport mechanism enables a single interface to perform multiple functions by carrying different types of data (notification data and private user data) through standardized packet structures. The demodulation device can notify the SoC of various events (tuning completion, signal quality, error conditions) using the same interface infrastructure, eliminating the need for separate dedicated interfaces for each function.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Solution Approach 2:

Notification data acts as an intermediary information carrier between the demodulation device and SoC. By introducing structured notification data packets with specific formats (including data IDs and notification content), the system enables complex inter-device communication through a simplified single interface, mediating the interaction between different functional blocks.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #24Intermediary (Mediator)

2Adaptability or versatility

If notification data is transported between demodulation device and SoC, then functional extensibility is improved, but data processing complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvefunctional extensibilityVSAvoiddata processing complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
Adaptability or versatilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The notification data structure uses parameterized fields including data ID, notification data type, and optional additional information. This parameterized approach allows the same data structure to convey different types of notifications by changing the values of these parameters, enabling flexible communication without requiring separate processing logic for each notification type.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #35Parameter changes

Solution Approach 2:

Notification data is segmented into structured components (data ID field, notification data field, optional additional information field) that can be independently processed. This segmentation allows the SoC to efficiently parse and handle different types of notifications by examining specific fields, reducing overall processing complexity through modular data handling.

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Data Source

PatentEP3404925B1Data-processing device and data-processing method
Publication Date: 2023.06.21 SONY GROUP CORP
  • EP3404925B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP3404925B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP3404925B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

The present technology relates to a data processing apparatus and a data processing method that permit enhancement of functional extensibility of apparatuses on a receiving side. A data processing apparatus at a preceding stage receives a digital broadcast signal, processes, of data acquired by a demodulation process of the digital broadcast signal, notification data to be notified to a data processing apparatus at a succeeding stage that performs a process succeeding to the demodulation process, transforms the notification data into a transportable format together with reception data acquired from the digital broadcast signal, and outputs the notification data to the data processing apparatus at the succeeding stage together with the reception data. The present technology is applicable, for example, to a system that includes a demodulation device and a system-on-chip.