SDV Manager EAS Channel Re-tuning
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Solution Overview
Problem
The existing switched digital video (SDV) systems face network congestion and difficulties in re-tuning subscribers to their original channels after an Emergency Alert System (EAS) event due to the large number of channel change messages generated, which overwhelms the network bandwidth and prevents resource reclamation, leading to congestion and failed re-tuning attempts.
Innovation Solution
The SDV system includes an SDV manager that suspends resource reclamation and locks SDV channels during an EAS event, allowing subscribers to automatically re-tune to their original channels by broadcasting the necessary tuning information and implementing a random backoff period for channel change messages to alleviate network congestion.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Ease of operation
If the SDV system processes a large number of channel change messages during an EAS event, then subscribers can be directed to tune to the correct channel for EAS messages, but the network bandwidth is overwhelmed causing congestion and message loss
Solution Approach 1:
The patent combines multiple channel change messages into a single broadcast message that is sent to all subscribers simultaneously. Instead of each subscriber sending individual channel change messages to the session manager, the system aggregates these requests and transmits a unified broadcast message containing channel tuning information for EAS events, thereby reducing the total number of messages on the network.
Solution Approach 2:
The session manager acts as an intermediary between subscribers and the network. It receives channel change messages from subscribers, processes them to identify EAS event requests, and generates a consolidated broadcast message that is sent back to all subscribers. This intermediary function prevents direct subscriber-to-network communication from overwhelming the network.
2Productivity
If the SDV system allows normal resource reclamation during an EAS event, then network resources can be optimized, but subscribers cannot successfully re-tune to their original channels after the EAS message
Solution Approach 1:
The session manager performs preliminary action by maintaining a record of which channels were active before the EAS event and preparing re-tuning information in advance. When the EAS event ends, the system uses this pre-stored channel information to enable subscribers to quickly and reliably re-tune to their original channels without needing to send new channel change messages, thus ensuring re-tuning success while allowing network resource optimization during the EAS event.
3Reliability
If the SDV system implements a retry mechanism for failed channel change messages, then more subscribers can receive EAS messages, but network congestion increases due to additional messages
Solution Approach 1:
The patent converts the harmful effect of network congestion into a benefit by using the broadcast mechanism to send channel change information to all subscribers simultaneously. Instead of relying on individual retry mechanisms that generate more messages, the system uses the initial broadcast message to deliver EAS channel tuning information to all subscribers at once, effectively turning the potential congestion problem into an efficient mass communication solution.
Data Source
AI summary
A switched digital video (SDV) system includes an SDV manager for coordinating SDV sessions requested by subscriber terminals associated with at least one service group. The SDV system also includes an input for receiving content to be delivered during the SDV sessions and at least one edge device for receiving transport streams that include an SDV program provided by the input and for transmitting each transport stream over an access network to at least one of the subscriber terminals on one of a plurality of SDV channels. In response to receipt of a message from a subscriber terminal in a first service group indicating that an EAS event is occurring, the SDV manager is configured to suspend reclamation of network resources allocated to the first service group which otherwise occurs when subscriber terminals tune off an SDV channel.