IP Network Signal Encoding for Satellite Broadcasting Automation

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Solution Overview

Problem

Satellite broadcasting systems face high labor and operational costs due to the need for manned stations to collect and relay local channels, which increases the overall cost of service and reduces reliability.

Innovation Solution

A system and method utilizing an IP network to receive and encode channel signals at a local collection facility, communicate them to a remote facility, and control antenna switches to monitor and relay signals, thereby reducing the need for manned stations and enhancing reliability.

Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles

VSEngineering Contradiction Analysis

1Reliability

If manned stations are used to collect and relay local channels, then signal collection reliability is improved, but labor costs and operational costs increase

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal collection reliabilityVSAvoidautomation level

Core Design Contradiction:

ReliabilityVSExtent of automation

Solution Approach 1:

The system enables automatic signal collection, encoding, and relaying at local facilities without requiring manual operation. The automated antenna switching, signal encoding, and IP network communication perform all functions autonomously, eliminating the need for manned stations while maintaining operational reliability

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The patent replaces manual mechanical operations with automated electronic systems. The antenna switch controller automatically manages signal routing, encoders convert signals to IP format, and network devices handle communication, substituting human-operated mechanical processes with automated electronic control systems

Inventive Principle:

Principle #28Mechanics substitution (Replace mechanical system)

2Adaptability or versatility

If manned stations are deployed at various locations to receive signals, then signal collection capability is improved, but overall service cost increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improvesignal collection capabilityVSAvoidoperational cost

Core Design Contradiction:

Adaptability or versatilityVSLoss of energy

Solution Approach 1:

Each local facility operates autonomously with automated signal reception, encoding, and transmission capabilities. The system self-manages multiple locations without requiring human personnel at each site, maintaining versatile signal collection while eliminating the operational costs associated with staffing distributed facilities

Inventive Principle:

Principle #25Self-service

Solution Approach 2:

The system changes the operational parameters from manual to automated control, transforming how signal collection is performed across multiple locations. By implementing automated encoding and IP network transmission, the system maintains multi-location signal collection capability while fundamentally reducing the operational cost parameter

Inventive Principle:

Principle #35Parameter changes

3Extent of automation

If automated IP-based signal collection is implemented, then labor costs are reduced, but system complexity increases

Engineering Contradiction:

Improveautomation levelVSAvoidsystem complexity

Core Design Contradiction:

Extent of automationVSDevice complexity

Solution Approach 1:

The system divides the signal collection and transmission function into separate modular components: antenna switching modules, signal encoding modules, and network communication modules. Each component performs a specific function independently, making the overall automated system more manageable and easier to maintain despite the increased automation level

Inventive Principle:

Principle #1Segmentation

Solution Approach 2:

The patent implements universal IP-based communication protocols and standardized encoding formats that allow the system to handle multiple signal types and transmission scenarios through a single automated framework. This multi-functionality reduces the apparent complexity by providing a unified approach to automated signal collection and transmission across diverse applications

Inventive Principle:

Principle #6Universality (Multi-functionality)

Data Source

PatentUS9049037B2Method and system for monitoring and encoding signals in a local facility and communicating the signals between a local collection facility and a remote facility using an IP network

Publication Date: 2015.06.02 DIRECTV LLC

AI summary

A system and method for collecting signals includes an IP network, a remote facility and a local collection facility in communication with the local collection facility through the IP network. The local collection facility receives channel signals, encoding the channel signals into respective IP signals, communicating the respective IP signals through an IP network to the remote facility. The remote facility controls an antenna switch at the local collection facility to communicate a first channel signal of the channel signals to a monitoring receiver circuit module. The local collection facility generates a monitoring signal at the monitoring receiver circuit module and communicates the monitoring signal through to a remote facility through the IP network.