JP2022042150A - Broadcast signal processing device, broadcasting signal processing system, and broadcasting signal processing method - Google Patents

Abstract

To retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while keeping a delay caused when the broadcast signal of a terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.SOLUTION: A broadcast signal processing device includes: a receiving unit that receives a terrestrial signal which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting via a plurality of antennas and down-converts the received terrestrial signal; an extraction unit that extracts a channel signal which is a signal of a part of the channel from each of the terrestrial signals received and down-converted by the receiving unit via the plurality of antennas; a measuring unit that measures the signal quality of at least one of the channel signals extracted by the extracting unit; a selection unit that selects one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit according to the measurement result of the measuring unit; and an output unit that up-converts and outputs the channel signal selected by the selection unit.SELECTED DRAWING: Figure 2

Description

The present disclosure relates to a broadcast signal processing device, a broadcast signal processing system, and a broadcast signal processing method.

Conventionally, there is known a technique for making a retransmission system provided in a cable television station redundant.

For example, Japanese Patent Application Laid-Open No. 2011-155328 (Patent Document 1) discloses the following techniques. That is, the high-frequency input system switching device includes a regular main high-frequency input system, a sub-high-frequency input system provided as a backup, and a signal processing device, and detects that the state of the received signal of the main high-frequency input system is below the set value. A high-frequency input system switching device in the CATV station receiving equipment system that sends the received signal of the high-frequency sub-input system to the signal processing device, and a branching device that sideways the signal of the main high-frequency input system to be input. An input signal measurement circuit that measures the high frequency level, modulation error ratio, and bit error rate of the signal of the high frequency main input system sideways by the branching device, and the sub high frequency input system instead of the main high frequency input system. A switching circuit that sends the received signal of the above to the signal processing device, a threshold setting unit that sets a monitoring threshold for each measurement value of the high frequency level, the modulation error ratio, and the bit error rate from the input signal measurement circuit. A switching signal generation unit that outputs a switching signal of a reception signal of the main high frequency input system and a reception signal of the sub high frequency input system to the switching circuit, and each monitoring threshold value and each measurement value set in the threshold value setting unit. A control circuit including a control unit for outputting the switching signal generated from the switching signal generation unit to the switching circuit based on any one or two or more of the comparison outputs with the above is provided.

Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2011-155328 JP-A-2015-201833 Japanese Unexamined Patent Publication No. 2004-186829 Jikkenhei 5-93135 Gazette

Beyond the techniques described in Patent Documents 1 to 4, it is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while keeping the delay caused when the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range. Possible technology is desired.

The present disclosure has been made to solve the above-mentioned problems, and an object thereof is to achieve higher quality while keeping the delay caused when retransmitting a broadcast signal of a terrestrial digital signal within an acceptable range. It is an object of the present invention to provide a broadcast signal processing device, a broadcast signal processing system, and a broadcast signal processing method capable of retransmitting a broadcast signal.

The broadcast signal processing apparatus of the present disclosure receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas, and down-converts the received terrestrial signal, and the plurality of receivers. At least one of an extraction unit that extracts a channel signal that is a signal of a part of the channel from each of the ground wave signals received via the antenna of the above and each of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit. A measurement unit that measures signal quality, a selection unit that selects any one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit according to the measurement result by the measurement unit, and a selection unit that is selected by the selection unit. It also includes an output unit that up-converts and outputs the channel signal.

The broadcast signal processing system of the present disclosure includes a plurality of broadcast signal processing devices, and each of the plurality of broadcast signal processing devices receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas. The received terrestrial signal is down-converted, and a channel signal, which is a signal of some channels different for each broadcast signal processing device, is extracted from each of the down-converted terrestrial signals, and the extracted channel signal is used. The signal quality of at least one of them is measured, one of the extracted channel signals is selected according to the measurement result of the signal quality, and the selected channel signal is up-converted. Output.

The broadcast signal processing method of the present disclosure is a broadcast signal processing method in a broadcast signal processing device.
A step of receiving a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas and down-converting the received terrestrial signal, and one from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas. A step of extracting a channel signal which is a signal of a channel, a step of measuring the signal quality of at least one of the extracted channel signals, and each of the extracted channels according to the measurement result of the signal quality. It includes a step of selecting any one of the channel signals and a step of up-converting and outputting the selected channel signal.

One aspect of the present disclosure can be realized not only as a broadcast signal processing device provided with such a characteristic processing unit, but also as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of the broadcast signal processing device. It can be realized as a program for causing a computer to execute a processing step in a broadcast signal processing device, or it can be realized as a semiconductor integrated circuit that realizes a part or all of a broadcast signal processing system, or processing in a broadcast signal processing system. It can be realized as a method as a step, or as a program for causing a computer to execute a processing step in a broadcast signal processing system.

According to the present disclosure, it is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while suppressing the delay caused when the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.

FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast signal processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure. FIG. 5 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits a distributed wave. FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining another example of the operation procedure when the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits a distributed wave.

First, the contents of the embodiments of the present disclosure will be listed and described.

(1) The broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a receiving unit that receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas and down-converts the received terrestrial signal. And an extraction unit that extracts a channel signal that is a signal of a part of the channel from each of the ground wave signals received by the reception unit via the plurality of antennas, and each of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit. A measurement unit that measures the signal quality of at least one of the above, and a selection unit that selects one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit according to the measurement result of the measurement unit. And an output unit that up-converts and outputs the channel signal selected by the selection unit.

In this way, the channel signal is extracted from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas and down-converted, the signal quality of the channel signal is measured, and the signal of each channel is measured according to the measurement result. By selecting and outputting one of them, the reception quality of each channel signal is better without demoting the terrestrial signal while preventing the loss of the terrestrial signal due to the branching of the high frequency analog signal, for example. It is possible to output a channel signal extracted from various terrestrial signals. Therefore, it is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while suppressing the delay generated when the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.

(2) Preferably, the measuring unit measures the BER (Bit Error Ratio) of the channel signal.

With such a configuration, for example, a channel signal with better reception quality is selected by using the measurement result considering the influence of the noise level, the adjacent channel, etc., as compared with the case of using the measurement result of the signal level of the channel signal. Can be output.

(3) Preferably, the measuring unit measures the MER (Modulation Eror Ratio) of the channel signal.

With such a configuration, it is possible to detect a deterioration in the reception quality of the terrestrial signal at an early stage as compared with the case where the measurement result of the BER is used, for example. It is possible to switch the channel signal to be used at an early stage.

(4) Preferably, the broadcast signal processing device further generates a digital channel signal by AD (Analog to Digital) conversion of at least one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit. The AD conversion unit is provided with an AD conversion unit and a filter unit that attenuates signal components of channels other than the partial channels in the digital channel signal generated by the AD conversion unit, and the measurement unit has passed through the filter unit. The signal quality of the digital channel signal is measured.

With such a configuration, it is possible to more accurately select and output a channel signal having a good reception quality from each channel signal by using the measurement result of the signal quality having a high correlation with the reception quality of the channel signal. ..

(5) Preferably, the broadcast signal processing device further generates a modulated signal by modulating an acquisition unit that acquires a broadcast signal other than the terrestrial signal and the broadcast signal acquired by the acquisition unit. A modulation unit is provided, and the output unit can up-convert and output the modulation signal generated by the modulation unit.

With such a configuration, various broadcast signals can be output, so that broadcast signals other than the terrestrial signal can be output, for example, in a time zone when the terrestrial signal is stopped.

(6) The broadcast signal processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a plurality of broadcast signal processing devices, and the plurality of broadcast signal processing devices each provide a terrestrial signal which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting. The terrestrial signal received via a plurality of antennas is down-converted, and a channel signal, which is a signal of some channels different for each broadcast signal processing device, is extracted from each of the down-converted terrestrial signals. , At least one of the extracted channel signals was measured, and one of the extracted channel signals was selected and selected according to the measurement result of the signal quality. The channel signal is up-converted and output.

In this way, the channel signal is extracted from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas and down-converted, the signal quality of the channel signal is measured, and the signal of each channel is measured according to the measurement result. By selecting and outputting one of them, the reception quality of each channel signal is better without demoting the terrestrial signal while preventing the loss of the terrestrial signal due to the branching of the high frequency analog signal, for example. It is possible to output a channel signal extracted from various terrestrial signals. Therefore, it is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while suppressing the delay generated when the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.

(7) Preferably, each broadcast signal processing device should output so that the level variation of the up-converted channel signal output from each of the broadcast signal processing devices is equal to or less than a predetermined value. Adjust the level of the channel signal.

With such a configuration, it is possible to output channel signals of a plurality of channels while suppressing level variation among channels.

(8) The broadcast signal processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is a broadcast signal processing method in a broadcast signal processing device, and receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas. , A step of down-converting the received terrestrial signal, a step of extracting a channel signal which is a signal of a part of the channel from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas, and each of the extracted channels. A step of measuring the signal quality of at least one of the signals, a step of selecting any one of the extracted channel signals according to the measurement result of the signal quality, and the selected channel. It includes a step of up-converting a signal and outputting it.

In this way, the channel signal is extracted from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas and down-converted, the signal quality of the channel signal is measured, and the signal of each channel is measured according to the measurement result. By selecting and outputting one of them, the reception quality of each channel signal is better without demoting the terrestrial signal while preventing the loss of the terrestrial signal due to the branching of the high frequency analog signal, for example. It is possible to output a channel signal extracted from various terrestrial signals. Therefore, it is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while suppressing the delay generated when the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.

Hereinafter, embodiments of the present disclosure will be described with reference to the drawings. The same or corresponding parts in the drawings are designated by the same reference numerals and the description thereof will not be repeated. In addition, at least a part of the embodiments described below may be arbitrarily combined.

[Configuration and basic operation]
FIG. 1 is a diagram showing a configuration of a broadcast signal processing system according to an embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 1, the broadcast signal processing system 301 includes a plurality of broadcast signal processing devices 101. The plurality of broadcast signal processing devices 101 are provided in, for example, the cable television station 151, and form a part or all of the head-end device.

The STB (Set Top Box) 131 and the TV monitor 133 are provided in the subscriber's house 152.

For example, external antennas 121A and 121B are connected to each broadcast signal processing device 101. The external antennas 121A and 121B may be provided at different bases or at the same base. The broadcast signal processing device 101 receives a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting including, for example, a stream. Hereinafter, the broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting is also referred to as a terrestrial signal.

The stream contains program information and the like. The program information includes, for example, audio information, video information, EPG (Electronic Program Guide) information, SI information (Service Information), subtitle information, and the like. The audio and video information is, for example, compressed and encrypted according to a predetermined method.

The broadcast signal processing device 101 receives a terrestrial signal transmitted from a radio tower (not shown) for relaying a stream from a broadcasting station via external antennas 121A and 121B.

The plurality of broadcast signal processing devices 101 extract channel signals, which are signals of some channels different for each broadcast signal processing device 101, from each of the terrestrial signals received via the external antennas 121A and 121B.

Then, each broadcast signal processing device 101 measures the signal quality of at least one of the extracted channel signals.

Each broadcast signal processing device 101 selects one of the extracted channel signals according to the measurement result of the signal quality, up-converts the selected channel signal, and subscribes to each via the cable TV network 161. Send to the person's house 152.

For example, each broadcast signal processing device 101 adjusts the level of the channel signal to be output so that the variation in the level of the channel signal output from each of the broadcast signal processing devices 101 is equal to or less than a predetermined value.

The STB 131 receives, for example, a channel signal transmitted from the broadcast retransmission device 101 via the cable television network 161.

Upon receiving the channel signal from the broadcast retransmission device 101, the STB 131 acquires program information from the received channel signal, decodes audio information and video information based on the acquired program information, and decodes the audio information. And the video information is transmitted to the TV monitor 133.

The TV monitor 133 reproduces the program based on the audio information and the video information received from the STB 131. The broadcast signal processing system 301 is not limited to the configuration including the STB 131, and the TV monitor 133 receives the channel signal transmitted from the broadcast retransmission device 101 via the cable TV network 161 and programs from the received channel signal. Information may be acquired, audio information and video information may be decoded based on the acquired program information, and the program may be reproduced based on the decoded audio information and video information.

FIG. 2 is a diagram showing an example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 2, the broadcast signal processing device 101 includes a receiving unit 10, an extraction unit 20, amplification units 31A and 31B, a detection unit 32, an AD conversion unit 40, a filter unit 50, and a measurement unit 61. , A selection unit 71, an output unit 81, an acquisition unit 91, and a modulation unit 92. The receiving unit 10 includes signal receiving units 11A and 11B. The extraction unit 20 includes signal extraction units 21A and 21B. The AD conversion unit 40 includes ADCs (Analog to Digital Converters) 41A and 41B. The filter unit 50 includes adjacent removal filters 51A and 51B.

For example, the filter unit 50, the measurement unit 61, the selection unit 71, the acquisition unit 91, and the modulation unit 92 are realized by one FPGA (Field-Programmable Gate Array) circuit.

(Receiver)
The receiving unit 10 receives a terrestrial signal including signals of a plurality of channels via the external antennas 121A and 121B, and down-converts the received terrestrial signal.

More specifically, the signal receiving units 11A and 11B receive the terrestrial signal via the external antennas 121A and 121B, respectively.

The signal receiving unit 11A generates a baseband signal by down-converting an RF (Radio Frequency) band terrestrial signal received via the external antenna 121A by using a direct conversion method, and generates a baseband signal. Output to the signal extraction unit 21A.

The signal receiving unit 11B generates a baseband signal by down-converting an RF band terrestrial signal received via the external antenna 121B by using a direct conversion method, and the generated baseband signal is used as a signal extraction unit 21B. Output to.

(Extractor)
The extraction unit 20 extracts a channel signal, which is a signal of a part of the channel, from each of the terrestrial signals received and down-converted by the reception unit 10 via the external antennas 121A and 121B.

More specifically, the signal extraction unit 21A extracts a predetermined channel A signal as a channel signal chA from the baseband signal received from the signal reception unit 11A. Further, the signal extraction unit 21B extracts a predetermined channel B signal as a channel signal chB from the baseband signal received from the signal reception unit 11B. Channel A and Channel B may be the same or different from each other.

The signal receiving unit 11A outputs the extracted channel signal chA to the amplification unit 31A. The signal receiving unit 11B outputs the extracted channel signal chB to the amplification unit 31B.

(Amplification part)
The amplification unit 31A amplifies the channel signal chA received from the signal reception unit 11A. The amplification unit 31B amplifies the channel signal chB received from the signal reception unit 11B.

For example, the amplification units 31A and 31B receive a control signal from the detection unit 32 as described later, and change the gain according to the received control signal so that the levels of the channel signals chA and chB become predetermined values. The signals chA and chB are amplified respectively.

The amplification unit 31A outputs the amplified channel signal chA to the ADC 41A. The amplification unit 31B outputs the amplified channel signal chB to the ADC 41B.

(AD conversion unit)
The AD conversion unit 40 generates digital channel signals dchA and dchB by AD-converting the channel signals chA and chB extracted by the extraction unit 20.

More specifically, the ADC 41A generates a digital channel signal dchA by AD-converting the amplified channel signal chA received from the amplification unit 31A, and transfers the generated digital channel signal dchA to the adjacent removal filter 51A and the detection unit 32. Output.

Further, the ADC 41B generates a digital channel signal dchB by AD-converting the amplified channel signal chB received from the amplification unit 31B, and outputs the generated digital channel signal dchB to the adjacent removal filter 51B and the detection unit 32.

The detection unit 32 generates and generates control signals for adjusting the gains of the amplification units 31A and 31B so that the level of the digital channel signal dchA received from the ADC 41A and the level of the digital channel signal dchB received from the ADC 41B become predetermined values. The output control signal is output to the amplification units 31A and 31B.

(Filter part)
The filter unit 50 attenuates the signal components of the channels other than the channels A and B of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB generated by the AD conversion unit 40, respectively.

For example, the adjacency removal filters 51A and 51B are FIR (Finite Impulse Response) filters.

The adjacency removal filter 51A attenuates signal components of channels other than channel A from the digital channel signal dchA received from ADC 41A. The adjacency removal filter 51A outputs the attenuated digital channel signal dchA to the measuring unit 61 and the selection unit 71.

Further, the adjacent removal filter 51B attenuates the signal components of channels other than the channel B from the digital channel signal dchB received from the ADC 41B. The adjacency removal filter 51B outputs the attenuated digital channel signal dchB to the measuring unit 61 and the selection unit 71.

(Measurement unit)
The measuring unit 61 measures the signal quality of at least one of the channel signals chA and chB extracted by the extraction unit 20. For example, the measuring unit 61 measures the signal quality of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB generated by the AD conversion unit 40 and passed through the filter unit 50.

More specifically, the measuring unit 61 generates demodulated data demA by demodulating the digital channel signal dchA received from the adjacent removal filter 51A. Further, the measuring unit 61 generates demodulated data demB by demodulating the digital channel signal dchB received from the adjacent removal filter 51B. Then, the measuring unit 61 measures the signal quality of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB using the generated demodulated data demA and demB, respectively.

For example, the measuring unit 61 measures the BER and MER of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB. More specifically, the measuring unit 61 measures the BER and MER of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB, respectively, using the demodulated data demA and demB at the measurement timing according to a predetermined cycle, for example.

Then, the measurement unit 61 outputs the measurement results of the BER and MER of the digital channel signal dchA and the measurement information indicating the measurement results of the BER and MER of the digital channel signal dchB to the selection unit 71.

(Selection section)
The selection unit 71 selects either one of the channel signals chA and chB extracted by the extraction unit 20 according to the measurement result by the measurement unit 61.

More specifically, the selection unit 71 either has a digital channel signal dchA received from the adjacency removal filter 51A or a digital channel signal dchB received from the adjacency removal filter 51B based on the measurement information received from the measurement unit 61. Select.

As an example, the selection unit 71 compares the MER of the digital channel signal dchA indicated by the measurement information with the MER of the digital channel signal dchB, and selects either the digital channel signal dchA or the digital channel signal dchB based on the comparison result. ..

More specifically, when the MER of the digital channel signal dchA is equal to or higher than the MER of the digital channel signal dchB, the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchA, while the MER of the digital channel signal dchA is the digital channel signal dchB. If it is less than MER, the digital channel signal dchB is selected.

As another example, the selection unit 71 compares the MER of the digital channel signal dchA indicated by the measurement information with the predetermined threshold value Th1, and based on the comparison result, either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB. Select.

More specifically, when the MER of the digital channel signal dchA is equal to or higher than the threshold value Th1, the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchA, while the MER of the digital channel signal dchA is less than the threshold value Th1. If so, select the digital channel signal dchB.

As another example, the selection unit 71 compares the BER of the digital channel signal dchA indicated by the measurement information with the BER of the digital channel signal dchB, and based on the comparison result, selects either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB. select. More specifically, when the BER of the digital channel signal dchA is equal to or higher than the BER of the digital channel signal dchB, the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchA, while the BER of the digital channel signal dchA is the digital channel signal dchB. If it is less than BER, the digital channel signal dchB is selected.

As another example, the selection unit 71 compares the BER of the digital channel signal dchA indicated by the measurement information with the predetermined threshold value Th2, and based on the comparison result, either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB. Select. More specifically, when the BER of the digital channel signal dchA is the threshold value Th2 or more, the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchA, while the BER of the digital channel signal dchA is less than the threshold value Th2. If so, select the digital channel signal dchB.

The selection unit 71 outputs the selected digital channel signal from the digital channel signals dchA and dchB to the output unit 81.

For example, in the initial state, the selection unit 71 outputs the digital channel signal dchA of the digital channel signal dchA received from the adjacency removal filter 51A and the digital channel signal dchB received from the adjacency removal filter 51B to the output unit 81.

Then, when the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchB based on the measurement information received from the measurement unit 61, the selection unit 71 switches the signal to be output to the output unit 81 from the digital channel signal dchA to the digital channel signal dchB.

On the other hand, when the selection unit 71 selects the digital channel signal dchA based on the measurement information received from the measurement unit 61, the selection unit 71 continues to output the digital channel signal dchA to the output unit 81.

(Output section)
The output unit 81 up-converts the channel signal selected by the selection unit 71 to a desired frequency and outputs the signal.

For example, the output unit 81 receives from the selection unit 71 a digital channel signal that has not been demodulated and modulated by the broadcast signal processing device 101. Then, the output unit 81 performs an adjustment process for adjusting the amplitude indicated by the digital channel signal so that the level indicated by the digital channel signal received from the selection unit 71 becomes a value within a predetermined range. More specifically, the output unit 81 indicates the digital channel signal so that the variation in the level of the channel signal output from each of the broadcast signal processing devices 101 in the broadcast signal processing system 301 is equal to or less than a predetermined value in the adjustment process. Adjust the amplitude.

The output unit 81 generates an analog channel signal by DA (Digital to Analog) conversion of the digital channel signal after the adjustment processing, and generates a distribution wave in which the generated analog channel signal is up-converted, that is, a channel signal to be output. do.

The output unit 81 transmits the generated distribution wave to each subscriber's house 152 via the cable television network 161.

(Acquisition department)
The acquisition unit 91 acquires a broadcast signal other than the terrestrial signal. More specifically, the acquisition unit 91 receives a TS (Transport Stream) packet from a device provided in a broadcasting station (not shown) via an IP network, ASI (Asynchronous Interface) or NIM (Network Interface Module).

The acquisition unit 91 generates a frame that is a digital signal based on the received TS packet, and outputs the generated frame to the modulation unit 92.

The modulation unit 92 generates a modulation signal by modulating the broadcast signal acquired by the acquisition unit 91. More specifically, the modulation unit 92 modulates the frame received from the acquisition unit 91 and outputs the modulated frame to the selection unit 71.

For example, the selection unit 71 outputs the frame received from the modulation unit 92 to the output unit 81 instead of the digital channel signals dchA and dcbB according to the time zone. That is, the selection unit 71 receives the digital channel signals dchA, dchB and the frame, and outputs either one of the digital channel signals dchA, dchB or the frame to the output unit 81. As described above, since the selection unit 71 is configured to select signals using a digital circuit, the output unit 81 is compared to the case where a channel signal or the like which is an analog signal is received instead of the digital channel signals dchA and dcbB. It is possible to realize the switching of the signal of the above with a simple configuration.

For example, the output unit 81 can up-convert the modulation signal generated by the modulation unit 92 to a desired frequency and output it. More specifically, the output unit 81 generates an analog channel signal by DA-converting the frame received from the selection unit 71, and generates an up-converted distribution wave of the generated analog channel signal. The output unit 81 transmits the generated distribution wave to each subscriber's house 152 via the cable television network 161.

The selection unit 71 may be configured to output the frame received from the modulation unit 92 to the output unit 81 in addition to the digital channel signal.

In this case, the output unit 81 sends both the distribution wave based on the digital channel signal received from the selection unit 71 and the distribution wave based on the frame received from the selection unit 71 to each subscriber's house 152 via the cable television network 161. Send in parallel.

[Modification example]
FIG. 3 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 3, the ADC 41A generates a digital channel signal dchA by AD-converting the amplified channel signal chA received from the amplification unit 31A, and the generated digital channel signal dchA is used as an adjacent removal filter 51A and a detection unit. Output to 32 and the measuring unit 61.

Further, the ADC 41B generates a digital channel signal dchB by AD-converting the amplified channel signal chB received from the amplification unit 31B, and the generated digital channel signal dchB is used as an adjacent removal filter 51B, a detection unit 32, and a measurement unit 61. Output to.

The measuring unit 61 generates demodulated data demA by demodulating the digital channel signal dchA received from the ADC 41A. Further, the measuring unit 61 generates demodulated data demB by demodulating the digital channel signal dchB received from the ADC 41A. Then, the measurement unit 61 measures the signal qualities of the digital channel signals dcha and dcchB using the generated demodulation data demA and demB, respectively, and outputs the measurement information to the selection unit 71.

FIG. 4 is a diagram showing another example of the configuration of the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure.

With reference to FIG. 4, the amplification unit 31A amplifies the channel signal chA so that the level of the channel signal chA becomes a predetermined value by changing the gain according to the control signal received from the detection unit 32, and after amplification. The channel signal chA is output to the ADC 41A and the measuring unit 61.

Further, the amplification unit 31B amplifies the channel signal chB so that the level of the channel signal chB becomes a predetermined value by changing the gain according to the control signal received from the detection unit 32, and the amplified channel signal chB is converted to the ADC 41B. And output to the measuring unit 61.

The measuring unit 61 includes an AD converter. The measuring unit 61 AD-converts the channel signal chA received from the amplification unit 31A and demodulates the channel signal chA to generate demodulated data demA. Further, the measurement unit 61 AD-converts the channel signal chB received from the amplification unit 31A and demodulates the channel signal chB to generate demodulated data demB. Then, the measurement unit 61 measures the signal qualities of the digital channel signals dcha and dcchB using the generated demodulation data demA and demB, respectively, and outputs the measurement information to the selection unit 71.

[Operation flow]
Each device in the broadcast signal processing system according to the embodiment of the present disclosure includes a computer including a memory, and an arithmetic processing unit such as a CPU in the computer includes a part or all of each step of the following flowchart and sequence. Read the program from the memory and execute it. The programs of these plurality of devices can be installed from the outside. The programs of these plurality of devices are distributed in a state of being stored in a recording medium.

FIG. 5 is a flowchart defining an example of an operation procedure when the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits a distributed wave.

With reference to FIG. 5, first, the broadcast signal processing device 101 receives the terrestrial signal via the external antennas 121A and 121B (step S102).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 extracts channel signals chA and chB from the terrestrial signals received via the external antennas 121A and 121B, respectively (step S104).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 amplifies the extracted channel signals chA and chB, respectively (step S106).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 AD-converts the amplified channel signals chA and chB to generate digital channel signals dchA and dchB, respectively (step S108).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 attenuates the signal components of the channels other than the channel A from the digital channel signal dchA, and attenuates the signal components of the channels other than the channel B from the digital channel signal dchB (step S110).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 measures the MER of the attenuated digital channel signals dchA and dchB (step S112).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 selects either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB according to the measurement result of the MERs of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB (step S114).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 performs an adjustment process for adjusting the amplitude indicated by the selected digital channel signal among the digital channel signals dchA and dchB (step S116).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 generates an analog channel signal by DA-converting the adjusted digital channel signal, and generates an up-converted distribution wave of the generated analog channel signal (step S118).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 transmits the generated distribution wave to the STB 131 in each subscriber's house 152 via the cable television network 161 (step S120).

FIG. 6 is a flowchart defining another example of the operation procedure when the broadcast signal processing device according to the embodiment of the present disclosure transmits a distributed wave.

With reference to FIG. 6, first, the broadcast signal processing device 101 receives a TS packet from a device provided in a broadcasting station or the like (not shown) via an IP network, ASI, or NIM (step S202).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 generates a frame that is a digital signal based on the received TS packet, and modulates the generated frame (step S204).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 generates an analog channel signal by DA-converting the modulated frame, and generates an up-converted distribution wave of the generated analog channel signal (step S206).

Next, the broadcast signal processing device 101 transmits the generated distribution wave to the STB 131 in each subscriber's house 152 via the cable television network 161 (step S208).

In the broadcast signal processing system 301 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, in each broadcast signal processing device 101, the variation in the level of the channel signal output from each of the broadcast signal processing devices 101 in the adjustment processing is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The configuration is such that the level of the selected channel signal is adjusted so as to be, but the configuration is not limited to this. For example, the output unit in each broadcast signal processing device 101 may be configured not to perform adjustment processing.

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring unit 61 is configured to measure the BER and MER of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB as the signal quality of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB, respectively. However, it is not limited to this. The measurement unit 61 may be configured to measure one of the BER of the digital channel signals dchaA and dcHB and the MER of the digital channel signals dchaa and dcchB, and output the measurement information indicating the measurement result to the selection unit 71. ..

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the selection unit 71 may be either a digital channel signal dchA or a digital channel signal dchB according to the measurement result of the signal quality of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB by the measurement unit 61. The configuration is such that one of them is selected, but the configuration is not limited to this. The selection unit 71 may be configured to select either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB based on the measurement result of the signal quality and the measurement result of the level of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB.

More specifically, the detection unit 32 measures the levels of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB, and outputs level information indicating the measurement results to the selection unit 71.

The selection unit 71 selects either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB based on the level information received from the detection unit 32 and the measurement information received from the measurement unit 61.

Further, the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured such that the broadcast signal processing device 101 includes a filter unit 50, but the present invention is not limited to this. The broadcast signal processing device 101 may be configured not to include the filter unit 50.

Further, although the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure is configured to include the acquisition unit 91, the present invention is not limited to this. The broadcast signal processing device 101 may be configured not to include the acquisition unit 91.

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the signal receiving units 11A and 11B download the RF band terrestrial signals received via the external antennas 121A and 121B, respectively, by using the direct conversion method. The configuration is such that a baseband signal is generated by conversion, but the present invention is not limited to this. The signal receiving units 11A and 11B generate an IF (Intermediate Frequency) signal by down-converting the terrestrial signal using a superheterodyne method, and output the generated IF signal to the signal extraction units 21A and 21B, respectively. May be.

Preferably, the signal receiving units 11A and 11B generate a baseband signal and output it to the signal extraction units 21A and 21B. With such a configuration, the adjacent removal filters 51A and 51B can be realized by the low-pass filter, and also with the I (In-phase) signal in each of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB generated by the AD conversion unit 40. The amplitude error and the deviation of the phase difference from 90 degrees with the Q (Quadrature) signal can be adjusted by using a digital circuit in the output unit 81.

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the output unit 81 generates an analog channel signal by DA-converting the digital channel signal after the adjustment processing, and up-converts the generated analog channel signal. Although it is said that the configuration is such that the distributed wave is generated, the present invention is not limited to this. The output unit 81 adjusts the level within a predetermined range by DA-converting the digital channel signal received from the selection unit 71 using the functions of the NCO (Numerical Control Oscillator) and the interpolator. , And may be configured to generate an up-converted distribution wave. Further, the output unit 81 may be configured to generate a distributed wave by adjusting the amplitude of the high frequency signal after up-conversion using a variable gain amplifier or a variable attenuator (not shown).

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the AD conversion unit 40 is configured to generate digital channel signals dchA and dchB by AD-converting the channel signals chA and chB. It is not limited to this. The AD conversion unit 40 may be configured not to perform AD conversion on either one of the channel signals chA and chB. That is, the AD conversion unit 40 may be configured not to include either ADC 41A or 41B.

Further, in the broadcast signal processing device 101 according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the measuring unit 61 is configured to measure the signal quality of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB, but the present invention is not limited to this. The measuring unit 61 may be configured not to measure the signal quality of either one of the digital channel signals dchA and dchB. In this case, the measurement unit 61 outputs, for example, measurement information indicating the measurement result of the MER of the digital channel signal dchA to the selection unit 71. Then, as described above, the selection unit 71 compares the MER of the digital channel signal dchA indicated by the measurement information with the predetermined threshold value Th, and based on the comparison result, either the digital channel signal dchA or the digital channel signal dchB. Select either one.

By the way, there is a demand for a technique capable of retransmitting a broadcast signal of higher quality while suppressing the delay generated when the broadcast signal of a terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted within an acceptable range.

For example, as in the conventional technique, channel signals of some channels are extracted from each of the terrestrial signals received via two antennas, the level of each extracted channel signal is measured, and the level of each extracted channel signal is measured according to the measurement result. In a configuration in which any one of the channel signals is selected and output, the reception quality of the channel signal cannot be accurately measured due to the influence of the channel signals of other channels included in the extracted channel signal. , The channel signal with low reception quality may be selected and output from each channel signal.

In addition, the channel signals extracted from each of the terrestrial signals are demodulated to measure the signal quality of each channel signal, and one of the channel signals is selected based on the measurement result, and the selected channel signal is selected. In a configuration in which the output channel signal is demodulated, subjected to error correction processing, and then modulated again and output, a delay longer than the guard interval may occur in the output channel signal, and the reception quality at STB131 of the subscriber's house 152 may deteriorate. be.

Further, the technique described in Patent Document 1 has a configuration in which a high frequency signal is branched, a BER or the like of the branched high frequency signal is measured, and the high frequency input system is switched according to the measurement result, and the high frequency signal is branched. There will be a loss.

On the other hand, in the broadcast signal processing device 101, the broadcast signal processing system 301, and the broadcast signal processing method according to the embodiment of the present disclosure, the broadcast signal of the terrestrial digital signal is retransmitted by the above configuration and method. It is possible to retransmit a higher quality broadcast signal while keeping the delay caused in the process within an acceptable range.

It should be considered that the above embodiments are exemplary in all respects and not restrictive. The scope of the present invention is shown by the scope of claims rather than the above description, and is intended to include all modifications within the meaning and scope equivalent to the scope of claims.

The above description includes the features described below.
[Appendix 1]
A receiver that receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas and down-converts the received terrestrial signal.
An extraction unit that extracts a channel signal, which is a signal of a part of the channel, from each of the terrestrial signals received and down-converted by the receiving unit via the plurality of antennas.
A measuring unit that measures the signal quality of at least one of the channel signals extracted by the extracting unit, and a measuring unit.
A selection unit that selects any one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit according to the measurement result of the measurement unit.
An output unit that up-converts and outputs the channel signal selected by the selection unit, and an output unit.
Moreover,
An AD conversion unit that generates a digital channel signal for each channel signal by AD conversion of each channel signal extracted by the extraction unit.
A filter unit for attenuating signal components of channels other than the partial channel in each digital channel signal generated by the AD conversion unit is provided.
The measuring unit measures the signal quality of at least one of the digital channel signals that have passed through the filter unit.
The selection unit is a broadcast signal processing device that selects any one of the digital channel signals that have passed through the filter unit according to the measurement result by the measurement unit.

10 Receiving unit 11A, 11B Signal receiving unit 20 Extraction unit 21A, 21B Signal extraction unit 31A, 31B Amplification unit 32 Detection unit 40 AD conversion unit 41A, 41B ADC
50 Filter section 51A, 51B Adjacent removal filter 61 Measuring section 71 Selection section 81 Output section 91 Acquisition section 92 Modulation section 101 Broadcast signal processing device 121A, 121B External antenna 131 STB
133 TV monitor 151 Cable TV station 152 Subscriber home 161 Cable TV network 301 Broadcast signal processing system

Claims (8)

A receiver that receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas and down-converts the received terrestrial signal.
An extraction unit that extracts a channel signal, which is a signal of a part of the channel, from each of the terrestrial signals received and down-converted by the receiving unit via the plurality of antennas.
A measuring unit that measures the signal quality of at least one of the channel signals extracted by the extracting unit, and a measuring unit.
A selection unit that selects any one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit according to the measurement result of the measurement unit.
A broadcast signal processing device including an output unit that up-converts and outputs the channel signal selected by the selection unit. The broadcast signal processing device according to claim 1, wherein the measuring unit measures a BER (Bit Error Ratio) of the channel signal. The broadcast signal processing device according to claim 1 or 2, wherein the measuring unit measures the MER (Modulation Eror Ratio) of the channel signal. The broadcast signal processing device further
An AD conversion unit that generates a digital channel signal by AD (Analog to Digital) conversion of at least one of the channel signals extracted by the extraction unit.
A filter unit for attenuating signal components of channels other than the partial channel in the digital channel signal generated by the AD conversion unit is provided.
The broadcast signal processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 3, wherein the measuring unit measures the signal quality of the digital channel signal that has passed through the filter unit. The broadcast signal processing device further
An acquisition unit that acquires broadcast signals other than the terrestrial signal, and
It is provided with a modulation unit that generates a modulation signal by modulating the broadcast signal acquired by the acquisition unit.
The broadcast signal processing device according to any one of claims 1 to 4, wherein the output unit can up-convert and output the modulated signal generated by the modulation unit. Equipped with multiple broadcast signal processing devices
Each of the plurality of broadcast signal processing devices receives a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas, down-converts the received terrestrial signal, and down-converts the terrestrial signal. A channel signal, which is a signal of some channels different for each broadcast signal processing device, is extracted from each of the above, and the signal quality of at least one of the extracted channel signals is measured, and the signal quality is measured. A broadcast signal processing system that selects one of the extracted channel signals according to the result, up-converts the selected channel signal, and outputs the selected channel signal. Each broadcast signal processing device adjusts the level of the channel signal to be output so that the variation in the level of the up-converted channel signal output from each of the broadcast signal processing devices is equal to or less than a predetermined value. The broadcast signal processing system according to claim 6. It is a broadcast signal processing method in a broadcast signal processing device.
A step of receiving a terrestrial signal, which is a broadcast signal of terrestrial digital broadcasting, via a plurality of antennas and down-converting the received terrestrial signal.
A step of extracting a channel signal, which is a signal of some channels, from each of the terrestrial signals received via the plurality of antennas,
A step of measuring the signal quality of at least one of the extracted channel signals, and
A step of selecting one of the extracted channel signals according to the measurement result of the signal quality, and
A broadcast signal processing method including a step of up-converting and outputting the selected channel signal.

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