L1 Dynamic Signaling Robustness in DVB-T2 Networks

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Solution Overview

Problem

The dynamic signaling in DVB-T2 networks is not sufficiently robust, particularly in channel-switching scenarios, as it relies heavily on P2 symbols, and co-scheduling of signaling with data increases capacity requirements exponentially with the number of services, compromising robustness.

Innovation Solution

Implementing additional error correction for L1 dynamic signaling in P2 symbols, providing time and frequency diversity by calculating error correction over multiple symbols and scheduling services to rotate between frames, ensuring that P1/P2 symbols are received from different frequencies in different frames.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Quantity of substance

If co-scheduled signaling is implemented to reduce dynamic signaling data requirements, then signaling capacity is reduced for the current service, but signaling robustness deteriorates in channel-switching scenarios

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling capacityVSAvoidsignaling robustness
Core Design Contradiction:
Quantity of substanceVSReliability

Solution Approach 1:

The patent segments signaling information into two distinct parts: co-scheduled signaling (transmitted with data) and P2 symbol signaling (transmitted in dedicated pilot symbols). This segmentation allows the system to provide service-specific signaling through co-scheduling while maintaining service-independent signaling robustness through P2 symbols, resolving the contradiction between reducing signaling capacity and maintaining signaling robustness

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent applies different signaling strategies to different scenarios: co-scheduled signaling is used for service-following scenarios where data is continuously received, while P2 symbol signaling is emphasized for channel-switching scenarios where robustness is critical. This local quality approach optimizes signaling capacity where possible while ensuring robustness where needed

Inventive Principle:
Principle #3Local quality

2Reliability

If dynamic signaling is transmitted only via P2 symbols to ensure channel-switching robustness, then signaling robustness is maintained, but signaling capacity requirements increase

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling robustnessVSAvoidsignaling capacity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSQuantity of substance

Solution Approach 1:

The patent divides signaling into co-scheduled portions (reducing P2 burden) and P2 symbol portions (ensuring robustness). By segmenting the signaling load, the system maintains robustness through P2 symbols while avoiding the exponential capacity multiplication that would occur if all signaling were placed in P2 symbols

Inventive Principle:
Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements partial co-scheduling where only service-specific signaling is co-scheduled with data, while service-independent signaling remains in P2 symbols. This partial action approach provides sufficient robustness for channel switching without the excessive capacity requirements of complete co-scheduling

Inventive Principle:
Principle #16Partial or excessive action

3Reliability

If error correction is applied to dynamic signaling in P2 symbols, then signaling robustness is improved, but device complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:
Improvesignaling robustnessVSAvoiderror correction complexity
Core Design Contradiction:
ReliabilityVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The patent applies error correction coding to P2 symbols in advance, before transmission. This preliminary action embeds redundancy in the P2 symbols that enables the receiver to correct errors without complex real-time processing, improving robustness while controlling complexity through pre-computed error correction codes

Inventive Principle:
Principle #10Preliminary action

Data Source

PatentEP2198547B1Apparatuses and methods for improving signaling channel robustness
Publication Date: 2015.11.11 NOKIA TECHNOLOGIES OY
  • EP2198547B1 patent drawingFigure 1
  • EP2198547B1 patent drawingFigure 2
  • EP2198547B1 patent drawingFigure 3

AI summary

A system and method for improving signaling channel robustness. Additional error correction is provided for (Ll) dynamic signaling that is carried in P2 symbols in such way that high time diversity can be provided. In other embodiments, transmitted services are scheduled such that services will rotate or "move" between frames, thereby ensuring that a first slot for a service is not always transmitted in the same frequency.