TAI to STC Converter for Broadcasting Synchronization
Find Innovative SolutionsGenerate Solutions
Solution Overview
Problem
In broadcasting systems, especially those with redundant configurations for terrestrial digital broadcasting, satellite broadcasting, and CATV, synchronizing System Time Clock (STC) counter values across devices is challenging, particularly when devices are located remotely or in a cloud environment, leading to transmission delays and jitter, which cause issues during seamless system switching.
Innovation Solution
A packet generation apparatus that converts Temps Atomique International (TAI) time into STC counter values, samples these values, and generates TS packets with a PCR value, ensuring precise synchronization across devices using a TAI/STC converter, PCR value sampling unit, and packet generator, with timing controllers determining sampling and output timings.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Reliability
If devices are installed at remote places for risk dispersion, then system reliability is improved, but STC counter value synchronization deteriorates due to transmission delay and jitter
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a timing synchronization server as an intermediary that generates master STC counter values and distributes them to all devices. This mediator eliminates the need for devices to synchronize with each other directly, resolving the transmission delay and jitter issues that occur when devices are geographically dispersed. The server acts as a central time reference that all devices can independently synchronize to, ensuring accurate STC counter value alignment across the distributed system.
2Measurement precision
If PCR packets are transmitted between devices to synchronize STC counter values, then synchronization is attempted, but transmission delay and jitter cause unequal STC counter values
Solution Approach 1:
Instead of having devices transmit STC counter values to each other and hoping to achieve synchronization (which causes transmission delay), the patent inverts the approach by having a central server generate the STC counter values and distribute them to all devices. This ensures that all devices receive the same master STC counter values simultaneously, eliminating the synchronization problems caused by peer-to-peer transmission delays and jitter.
3Reliability
If seamless system switching is implemented between working and auxiliary systems, then system availability is improved, but image skips or repeats occur due to unsynchronized presentation times
Solution Approach 1:
The timing synchronization server provides a universal time reference that serves multiple functions: it generates master STC counter values, distributes them to all devices, and enables seamless switching between working and auxiliary systems. By using this common time reference, all devices in the system can maintain synchronized presentation times regardless of which system is active, preventing image skips or repeats during system transitions.
Data Source
AI summary
According to an embodiment, a packet generation apparatus includes: a converter configured to convert Temps Atomique International (TAI) time into an STC counter value; a sampling unit configured to obtain a PCR value by sampling the STC counter value converted by the converter in accordance with a first timing; a packet generator configured to generate a TS packet in which the PCR value obtained by the sampling unit is described, and to output the TS packet in accordance with a second timing; and a timing controller configured to determine the first timing and the second timing.