Abstract:
A decoder includes a transport engine configured to receive programs and extract timing information and timestamps embedded in the programs. An adder is configured to add a set of timing offsets to the sets of timing information to adjust the timing information from a first time basis to a second time basis. Sums of the timing offsets and the timing information are referred to the mapped-timing information. A correction engine is configured to update the timing offsets as timing information is encountered in the programs, and an offset register is configured to: receive the timing offsets, store the timing offsets, and transfer the timing offsets to the adder. The adder is also configured to add the timing offsets to the timestamps to adjust the time basis of the timestamps from the first time basis to the second time basis. A program is decoder configured to receive the adjusted timestamps to decode the programs.
Abstract:
An improved multi-channel demodulator (44) is provided. The improved demodulator includes an automatic gain control (28), a data buffer (26, 30) and a demodulation engine (44). Data from various RF channels are processed by AGC in order to keep the data at their respective constant levels. Output from AGC (28) is passed to the data buffer for storage (30). Corresponding data from a selected channel is then processed by the demodulation engine (44). The improved demodulator is able to operate in any one of three operating modes, namely, a data processing mode, a channel switching mode and a waiting mode. In the data processing modes, the demodulation engine processes the channel data that is currently loaded into the demodulation engine. In the channel-switching mode, the demodulation engine stores the current channel data into the data buffer and retrieves and loads channel data from another channel for processing. In addition, status and history information relating to the current channel data is stored into a channel status memory (42) and status and history information relating to the next channel be processed is retrieved from the channel status memory (42). In one exemplary aspect, in order to reduce the channel switching time, status and history information relating to the next channel to be processed is preloaded during the previous data processing mode. In the waiting mode, the demodulation engine awaits further processing instructions to decide whether to enter into either the data processing mode or the channel-switching mode.
Abstract:
A method and circuitry for implementing digital multi-channel demodulation circuits (figs 2 and 6). More particularly, embodiments of the present invention provide a digital multi-channel demodulator circuit (250, 650). The demodulator includes a frequency-block down-converter (210, 610) that receives a multi-channel analog RF signal and shifts the multi-channel analog RF signal to a lower frequency band. An ADC (220, 620) receives the multi-channel analog RF signal from the frequency-block down-converter and converts the multi-channel analog RF signal to a multi-channel digital RF signal. A digital channel demultiplexer (230, 630) receives the multi-channel digital RF signal from the ADC and demultiplexes the multi-channel digital RF signal into separate digital RF channels.
Abstract:
Methods, apparatuses, and systems are presented for switching between channels of encoded media data involving receiving encoded media data including reference frames and dependent frames for a plurality of channels, wherein each dependent frame refers to at least one reference frame. Frames associated with a first channel from the plurality of channels are decoded to generate a decoded signal for the first channel. While decoding frames associated with the first channel, data corresponding to at least one reference frame associated with a second channel from the plurality of channels are stored. In response to a control signal for switching from the first to the second channel, at least one dependent frame associated with the second channel is decoded by utilizing the stored data corresponding to the at least one reference frame associated with the second channel, to generate a decoded signal for the second channel.
Abstract:
An MPEG processor is provided. According to one aspect of the processor, multiple MPEG data streams for corresponding channels are individually stored in an off-chip memory. Corresponding data for a channel is then retrieved from the off-chip memory for processing. The retrieved data is then decoded. The decoded results and associated information are stored on the off-chip memory. Some or all of the associated information that can be used for decoding subsequent data is stored in an on-chip memory. When video images need to be displayed, the corresponding data that is needed for that purpose is then retrieved from the off-chip memory and provided to an analog encoder for encoding in a format that is compatible with an analog display device.
Abstract:
A system for managing bandwidth in a content distribution system is provided. The system can be incorporated into the content head end of the content distribution system. The system includes a program multiplexer, a multi-channel modulating module, a channel multiplexer, a digital-to-analog converter and a frequency block-up converter, all arranged in a sequential configuration. Packets representing respective content programs are fed to the program multiplexer. The program multiplexer multiplexes the packets into an output queue. How the packets are multiplexed by the program multiplexer into the output queue depends on the specific design and/or application. Packets from the output queue are then fed to the multi-channel modulating module. The multi-channel modulating module receives the packets and routes them to various modulators representing corresponding RF channels. The various modulators then modulate the respective packets to generate corresponding RF signals. These RF signals are then multiplexed by the channel multiplexer into a multi-channel RF signal. The multi-channel RF signal is then forwarded to the digital-to-analog converter for conversion into an analog, multi-channel RF signal. The frequency block-up converter then takes the analog multi-channel RF signal and shifts its to a higher frequency band for transmission. The shifted analog multi-channel RF signal is then transmitted over a medium to one or more customer premises equipment.