Automatic Signal Processing System Switching Controller
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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 uplink signals, which increases the overall cost of providing reliable satellite television services, including local channels across the Continental United States.
Innovation Solution
A method and system that involves generating and encoding channel signals at local collection facilities, communicating them through a network to a remote facility with multiplexers and signal processing systems, using a compression system controller for monitoring and control, and switching to an engineering signal processing system for redundancy and reliability, reducing the need for manual intervention and maintaining signal quality.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If manned stations are used to receive and uplink signals at local collection facilities, then signal collection and processing can be performed, but labor costs and operational costs increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The system enables automatic self-service operation through the controller that monitors signal quality parameters and automatically switches between primary and backup uplink signal processing systems without human intervention. The receiving circuit modules automatically encode signals and the system self-manages the switching process based on predefined quality thresholds, eliminating the need for manual operation while maintaining reliable signal collection.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces manual mechanical operation with automated electronic control. The controller substitutes human operators by electronically monitoring signal quality parameters and automatically executing switching decisions between primary and backup systems, thereby eliminating labor costs while maintaining system reliability through electronic automation.
2Device complexity
If a single primary signal processing system is used, then system operation is simplified, but reliability decreases when failures occur
Solution Approach 1:
The system implements preliminary action by pre-configuring backup uplink signal processing systems alongside the primary system before any failure occurs. The controller is pre-programmed with switching logic that activates automatically when signal quality parameters indicate primary system failure, ensuring immediate redundancy activation without requiring complex real-time decision-making or increasing operational complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent applies beforehand cushioning by establishing backup systems in advance that stand ready to compensate for primary system failures. This preemptive redundancy arrangement cushions against potential failures by having alternative systems already in place and configured, allowing seamless switching without service interruption while maintaining simple operational procedures.
3Reliability
If automatic switching to backup systems is implemented, then service continuity is improved, but system complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The controller implements feedback by continuously monitoring signal quality parameters from the primary uplink signal processing system and automatically comparing them against predefined quality thresholds. When parameters indicate failure or degradation below the threshold, the controller automatically switches to the backup system, ensuring service continuity through closed-loop feedback control without requiring complex manual intervention or system redesign.
Data Source
AI summary
A system and method for transitioning to a back-up or engineering signal processing system includes a remote facility having multiplexers and a primary signal processing system generating a first output signal, an IP network, and a plurality of local collection facilities generating a plurality of channel signals through a plurality of receiving circuit modules having respective encoders encoding the plurality of channel signals into a plurality of encoded signals. The plurality of local collection facilities communicating the plurality of encoded signals to the remote facility having a first signal processing system through the network. A first compression system controller is associated with the remote facility storing first configuration data for monitoring and controlling the plurality of receiving circuit modules and the multiplexers. An engineering compression system controller has an engineering signal processing system. The first compression system controller communicates the first configuration data to the engineering compression system controller. The engineering compression system controller configures the engineering signal processing system with the first configuration data. A router associated with the plurality of receiving circuit modules routing the plurality of encoded signals to the engineering signal processing system. The engineering signal processing system generates a second output signal from the plurality encoded signal. The first signal processing system discontinues generating the first output signal.