IBOC Mesh Network Feedback for Edge Transceiver Signal Control
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Solution Overview
Problem
Current IBOC broadcasting systems face limitations in the area of reliable signal reception due to the lower transmission power of IBOC digital signals, which can lead to interference with analog broadcast signals.
Innovation Solution
The implementation of a mesh network using multiple IBOC transceivers positioned at different geographic locations, allowing for the adjustment of IBOC transmit power levels relative to the analog power, to enhance signal coverage and reduce interference.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Area of stationary object
If IBOC digital signal transmission power is increased to improve signal coverage, then coverage area is improved, but interference with analog broadcast signals increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent divides the broadcast signal transmission into separate digital and analog components that can be independently controlled. The digital IBOC signal and analog signal are segmented into different modulation schemes (e.g., 8VSB for digital, QPM for analog) allowing independent power and spectral management, thus enabling improved digital coverage without proportionally increasing analog interference
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies different spectral characteristics and power distributions to different parts of the broadcast signal. The digital IBOC signal uses specific sideband allocations (upper and lower sidebands with different power levels) while the analog signal occupies the center band, creating local spectral quality differences that allow digital signal enhancement without uniform analog interference across the entire frequency spectrum
2Object-generated harmful factors
If IBOC transmit power is reduced to minimize interference with analog signals, then interference is reduced, but signal reception reliability deteriorates
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic power control and adaptive modulation for the IBOC digital signal. The system can adjust transmission parameters in real-time based on received signal quality feedback, allowing the digital signal to maintain reliable reception at lower power levels by optimizing modulation depth and error correction coding dynamically
Solution Approach 2:
The patent incorporates feedback mechanisms where the digital IBOC receiver sends quality metrics back to the transmitter. This feedback loop enables the transmitter to adjust digital signal parameters (power, modulation, coding) to maintain optimal reception reliability even when operating at reduced power levels that minimize analog interference
3Reliability
If separate antenna systems are used for digital and analog signals, then signal quality is improved, but device complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges the digital and analog transmission functions into a single IBOC transmitter system that generates both signal types simultaneously using the same antenna. The transmitter implements composite modulation where digital 8VSB and analog QPM signals are combined in the frequency domain and transmitted together, eliminating the need for separate antenna systems while maintaining signal quality through careful spectral management
Data Source
AI summary
A communications network includes a plurality of in-band on-channel (IBOC) transceivers coupled together in a mesh configuration to form a mesh network. The plurality of IBOC transceivers includes a first IBOC transceiver, a second IBOC transceiver, and an edge transceiver coupled to one or more of the plurality of IBOC transceivers. The edge transceiver is configured to transmit first broadcast content to the second IBOC transceiver via a communication path including the first IBOC transceiver; and receive feedback related to the first broadcast content, wherein the feedback is transmitted from a user device via a communication path that includes the second IBOC transceiver and the first IBOC transceiver.