JPH1127193A - Satellite communication system and image pickup device - Google Patents

Abstract

PROBLEM TO BE SOLVED: To provide a satellite communication system which can transmit image data, etc., to a broadcast station from an image pickup device via a stationary satellite without intervention of SNG(satellite news gathering) vehicles. SOLUTION: SNG signals which are photographed and gathered by an image pickup device CAM are transmitted to a stationary satellite SAT from a rod- shaped antenna provided on the CAM via the up link of an S band. Meanwhile, the SAT contains an S band antenna having a 15 m class reflector that can receive SNG signals from the CAM. Then the SAT relays the SNG signals received via its S band antenna to a broadcast station BC from a Ku band antenna via the down link of a Ku band.

Description

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION

[0001]

BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION 1. Field of the Invention The present invention relates to a satellite news gathering (SNG) for collecting and reporting news using a geostationary satellite arranged in a geosynchronous orbit above the equator,
The present invention relates to a satellite communication system that provides digital communication such as satellite broadcasting, and an imaging device used in the system.

[0002]

2. Description of the Related Art Recently, satellite broadcasting has been started in addition to terrestrial broadcasting with the demand for diversification of broadcasting services and development of communication technology, and digitalization of transmission systems has been realized. Since satellite broadcasting can provide services to a wide range of areas without having to construct extensive infrastructure on the ground, it has been attracting attention as a medium that can respond to further needs.

[0003] Conventional satellite communication systems in Japan include BS (Broadcasting Satellite) broadcasting,
CS (Communication Satellite) broadcasting has already been put into practical use, and digital broadcasting has also started. A satellite communication system of almost the same size has been developed in other countries,
Has been put to practical use.

However, in any of the satellite communication systems, a news gathering team of a television station relays a video taken at the site of an accident or disaster to a broadcasting station via a geostationary satellite to collect news and gather news. SNG (Satellite
News Gathering)
The collected signals (video signal and audio signal) are transferred from a SNG vehicle equipped with a parabolic antenna of 1 to 2 meters to a broadcasting station via a geostationary satellite.

[0005] As described above, since an SNG vehicle is required to transfer a video or the like from a news gathering site to a broadcasting station, it becomes overwhelming, and this is a great limitation in performing SNG. Further, when the SNG vehicle cannot be sent to the news gathering site, it is necessary to further relay to the SNG vehicle.

[0006]

In a conventional satellite communication system, when performing SNG for news gathering and news gathering, an SNG vehicle is required. Had become.

[0007] The present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and a satellite communication system capable of transmitting video information and the like at a coverage site to a broadcasting station without passing through an SNG vehicle, and an imaging system used in the system. It is intended to provide a device.

[0008]

In order to achieve the above object, a satellite communication system according to the present invention utilizes a digital satellite communication line of a geostationary satellite arranged in a geostationary orbit above the equator to obtain an image pickup apparatus. Is a satellite communication system for transmitting video information captured at
SNG (Satellite News) that transmits at least captured video information to geosynchronous satellites via digital satellite communication lines
Gathering) transmitting means, the geostationary satellite includes an antenna having a reflector having a diameter communicable with the imaging device, and receiving means for receiving a signal transmitted from the imaging device using the antenna. It was made to comprise.

[0009] In the satellite communication system having the above configuration, the image information picked up by the imaging device is transmitted to the geosynchronous satellite through the digital satellite communication line, and the geosynchronous satellite receives the signal transmitted from the imaging device. And an antenna having a reflecting mirror for receiving a signal transmitted from the imaging device. Therefore, according to the satellite communication system having the above configuration, it is possible to transmit the video information captured at the coverage site to the broadcasting station without passing through the SNG vehicle.

[0010]

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE PREFERRED EMBODIMENTS An embodiment of the present invention will be described below with reference to the drawings. FIG. 1 shows a configuration of a satellite communication system according to an embodiment of the present invention. This satellite communication system includes a broadcasting station BC, a geostationary satellite SAT, and an imaging device CAM.

FIG. 2 shows a schematic configuration of the broadcasting station BC. The broadcasting station BC includes a transmitting / receiving section 110 and an antenna section 12.
0 and a central control unit 130. Here, a description of the same configuration as that of the conventional broadcasting station will be omitted, and a description will be given mainly of a portion related to the present invention.

The transmission / reception unit 110 includes a central control unit 13 described later.
According to the control of 0, a plurality of pieces of program information created and edited by a broadcaster or the like are multiplexed, frequency conversion / modulation / amplification is performed, and input to the antenna unit 120 as a broadcast signal.

The antenna section 120 is a parabolic antenna, and transmits the broadcast signal to the geostationary satellite SAT through a Ku-band uplink which is a digital transmission path.
Also, from the geostationary satellite SAT to the digital transmission line Ku
The SNG signal transmitted through the band downlink is received and input to the transmission / reception unit 110.

On the other hand, the transmission / reception unit 110 amplifies the SNG signal received by the antenna unit 120 under the control of the central control unit 130, converts it to an intermediate frequency, performs decoding processing, and converts the video signal and the audio signal. Play each.

The central control unit 130 controls the transmission / reception unit 120 as described above to control the transmission of the broadcast signal and the SN.
In addition to the function of controlling the reception of the G signal, a broadcast signal switching instruction means 130a is provided as a new control function.

The broadcast signal switching instructing means 130a controls the transmitting and receiving unit 110 to transmit predetermined control data through the above-mentioned Ku band uplink control channel when an operator's instruction or a preset time arrives. The transmission instructs the geostationary satellite SAT to switch the broadcast signal used for broadcasting.

Next, the geostationary satellite SAT will be described.
FIG. 3 is a perspective view showing the external appearance of the geostationary satellite SAT. Reference numeral 21 denotes a satellite main body. The satellite main body 21 has solar cell panels 221 and 222 as power sources and 2.5 m class (even if smaller than this). A Ku-band antenna 23 comprising a reflecting mirror 231 and a primary radiator 232.
Reflector 241 and primary radiator 24 having a diameter of 5 m class
2 and an S-band antenna 24 composed of two antennas.

FIG. 4 is a functional block diagram mainly showing a configuration related to transmission and reception of a broadcast signal and an SNG signal of the geostationary satellite SAT. In addition to the Ku band antenna 23 and the S band antenna 24, the satellite And a control unit 211 and a transmission / reception unit 212.

The control unit 211 transmits and receives a broadcast signal and a SNG signal via the satellite.
And other parts of the satellite.

The transmitting / receiving section 212 receives the broadcast signal multiplexed from the broadcast station BC through the Ku band antenna 23, demodulates and amplifies the signal, and converts the signal into an S band signal. Then, the converted broadcast signal is transmitted from the S-band antenna 24 to the service area through the S-band downlink.

The transmission / reception unit 212 receives an SNG signal transmitted from an imaging device CAM described later through the S-band antenna 24, demodulates and amplifies the signal, and converts the signal into a Ku-band signal. And this converted SNG
The signal is transmitted from the Ku band antenna 23 to the broadcasting station BC through the Ku band downlink.

The control section 211 includes a broadcast signal switching control section 211a as a new control function in addition to the control functions relating to the relay of the broadcast and the SNG signal.

The broadcast signal switching control means 211a
Broadcasting station BC through u-band uplink control channel
When there is an instruction to switch the broadcast signal from, the broadcast signal received from the broadcast station BC is converted into an S-band signal by the transmission / reception unit 212 and transmitted from the S-band antenna 24 to the imaging device CAM.

At this time, the broadcast signal switching control means 211
As for a, the SNG signal received from the imaging device CAM is amplified by the transmission / reception unit 212 and then transmitted from the S-band antenna 24 to the service area as a broadcast signal through the S-band downlink.

In the above-mentioned service area, for example, as shown in FIG.
S and a mobile station M such as an in-vehicle receiving device or a portable terminal device
S receives a broadcast signal from the geostationary satellite SAT.

Also, in the downlink of the S band, 64
A plurality of channels having a transmission rate of ~ 256 kbps / channel are multiplexed up to 900 channels. When a video signal is transmitted by each channel, MPEG4 (moving picture exp
ert group 4) is used.

Here, as a technique for attaching the above-mentioned large-sized antenna 24 of the 15 m class to the satellite main body 21 and arranging it in outer space, for example, Japanese Patent Application No. Hei 1-245707.
Gazette, "Deployed Antenna Structure", Japanese Patent Application No. 1-19570
No. 4, “Deployable antenna”, Japanese Patent Application No. 63-24200
No. 4, “Antenna reflector”, Japanese Patent Application No. 2-261204
Publication No. “Expandable ring” can be used.

If a primary radiator 242 for the S-band antenna 24 is used for forming a multi-beam, it is possible to divide the service area into a plurality of parts and individually form transmission beams. FIG. 5 shows an example of the beam arrangement when the service area is divided into four parts. In FIG. 5, # 1 to # 4 indicate reception areas formed by different transmission beams.

By providing the S-band antenna 24 with the multi-beam function as described above, not only can all channels of satellite broadcasting be provided to the entire service area, but also the control unit 2
By allocating an arbitrary channel to an arbitrary transmission beam by the transmission and reception unit 11 and the transmission / reception unit 212, it is possible to select and broadcast only a necessary area, thereby enabling more detailed services.

Next, the configuration of the imaging device CAM will be described with reference to FIG. As shown in FIG.
M denotes an imaging unit 311, a microphone unit 312, and an antenna 3
20, the transmission / reception unit 330, the monitor 340, and the synthesis unit 3
50 and a control unit 360.

The image pickup unit 311 includes a CCD (Charge Coupled).
Device) and an image pickup unit using an image pickup device.
The iris, white balance, focus position, and the like are controlled by the control unit 60, and the captured video signal is combined with a combining unit 350 described later.
To enter. The microphone unit 312 is a microphone whose directional characteristics are variable, and inputs a collected sound signal to the synthesizing unit 350.

The antenna 320 is a rod-shaped antenna that can transmit and receive to and from the S-band antenna 24 through the S-band line. Generally, as shown in FIG. It has.

In Japan, since the transmission wave of the geostationary satellite SAT arrives from a direction of about 45 °, it can be received with a sufficient gain. Also, if an antenna AT whose reception beam pattern has an inclination of about 30 ° to 60 ° as shown in FIG. 7B is used, it is possible to receive a transmission wave from the geostationary satellite SAT with substantially the maximum gain.

The transmitting / receiving section 330 encodes and compresses the video signal from the synthesizing section 350 by, for example, the MPEG method, modulates the signal, converts the signal into an S-band high-frequency signal, amplifies the signal, and sends it to the geostationary satellite SAT via the antenna 320. Transmit as an SNG signal.

The transmission / reception unit 330 includes an antenna 320
Amplifies and frequency-converts the S-band broadcast signal of the geostationary satellite SAT received by and demodulates the signal, and inputs the obtained video signal and audio signal to the combining unit 350.

The control section 360 uses a microcomputer as a main control section. As described above, the control section 360 controls the imaging and controls the image signal captured by the image capturing section 311 to SNG.
A control function for transmitting the signal to the geostationary satellite SAT is provided, and the other control functions include a broadcast signal reception control unit 360a and a combining unit control unit 360b.

The broadcast signal reception control means 360a monitors the arrival of a broadcast signal transmitted from the geostationary satellite SAT to the camera, and if a broadcast signal addressed to its own device arrives, the transmission / reception unit 360a receives the signal. 330 is controlled.

When a broadcast signal addressed to the camera is received, the synthesizing section control means 360b controls the synthesizing section 350 so that a video signal obtained from the received broadcast signal and a video signal captured by the imaging section 311 are obtained. And an audio signal obtained from the broadcast signal,
The control for mixing the audio signal collected by the microphone unit 312 is performed.

In addition, in synthesizing a video signal obtained from a received broadcast signal and a video signal picked up by the image pickup section 311, for example, the two video signals are divided and displayed on one screen on the left and right sides. To be synthesized.

The monitor 340 is composed of, for example, a liquid crystal display or the like, and displays a video signal obtained from a received broadcast signal, a video signal captured by the imaging unit 311, and a video obtained by combining these videos as shown in FIG. Display on the monitor.

In the satellite communication system having the above configuration, the SNG signal picked up and picked up by the image pickup device CAM is transmitted to the geostationary satellite SAT from the rod-shaped antenna 320 provided in the image pickup device CAM via the S-band uplink. Sent to

On the other hand, the geostationary satellite SAT receives the SNG signal from the imaging device CAM by the S band antenna 24 having the 15 m-class reflecting mirror 241, and receives the SNG signal from the Ku band antenna 23 through the Ku band downlink. Relay transmission is performed to the broadcasting station BC.

Therefore, according to the satellite communication system having the above configuration, since the SNG signal can be transmitted directly from the imaging device CAM to the geostationary satellite SAT, an SNG vehicle is not required, and it is possible for the photographer to report alone. . At this time, since the frequency band is different between the uplink and the downlink, the problem of fading does not occur.

Further, in this satellite communication system, the geostationary satellite SAT transmits a broadcast signal from the broadcast station BC through the S-band downlink in response to an instruction from the broadcast station BC.
Send it to the AM.

On the other hand, the image pickup device CAM combines the broadcast signal transmitted via the geostationary satellite SAT with the SNG signal picked up and picked up by its own device and sends it to the geostationary satellite SAT through the S-band uplink. Send to

The geostationary satellite SAT is connected to the imaging device CA.
The SNG signal synthesized at M is transmitted to the S band antenna 24.
, And transmitted as a broadcast signal from the S-band antenna 24 to the service area through the S-band downlink.

Therefore, according to the satellite communication system having the above-described configuration, in the image pickup device CAM, the imaged and sound-collected S
The NG signal and the broadcast signal from the broadcast station are combined, and the combined SNG signal is transmitted to the geostationary satellite S without passing through the broadcast station BC.
The broadcast can be broadcast from the AT to the service area.

Further, since the geostationary satellite SAT is equipped with the S-band antenna 24 having a large diameter of 15 m class, each fixed station SS and mobile station MS can receive a broadcast signal with a sufficiently large electric field strength. . For this reason, the fixed station SS and the mobile station MS can easily receive a broadcast signal by using a small rod antenna or a flat antenna.

Here, if a channel for communication is included in any of the channels of the broadcast signal transmitted from the broadcast station BC, control of the content of signal processing in the satellite, individual control of each receiving device, etc. Becomes possible.

The present invention is not limited to the above embodiment. For example, in the above embodiment, the communication frequency between the broadcasting station BC and the geostationary satellite SAT has been described as the Ku band, but the Ka band may be used instead. It goes without saying that various modifications can be made without departing from the spirit of the present invention.

[0051]

As described above, according to the present invention, the image information picked up by the imaging device is transmitted to the geostationary satellite through the digital satellite communication line, and the geostationary satellite transmits the signal transmitted from the imaging device. An antenna having a reflector having a receivable diameter is provided to receive a signal transmitted from the imaging device.

Therefore, according to the present invention, it is possible to provide a satellite communication system and an image pickup apparatus capable of transmitting video information picked up at a news gathering site without going through an SNG vehicle to a broadcasting station.

[Brief description of the drawings]

FIG. 1 is a system configuration diagram showing a configuration of an embodiment of a satellite communication system according to the present invention.

FIG. 2 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of a broadcasting station of the satellite communication system shown in FIG.

FIG. 3 is an external perspective view showing a specific configuration of a geostationary satellite of the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 1 and an antenna mounted on the satellite.

FIG. 4 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of a main part of the geostationary satellite shown in FIGS. 1 and 3;

5 is a diagram showing an example of division within a service area when the multi-beam system of the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 1 is adopted.

FIG. 6 is a circuit block diagram showing a configuration of an imaging device of the satellite communication system shown in FIG.

FIG. 7 is a diagram showing the directional characteristics of the antenna of the imaging device of the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 1;

FIG. 8 is a view showing a display example of a monitor of the imaging device of the satellite communication system shown in FIG. 1;

[Explanation of symbols]

 BC ... broadcasting station SAT ... geostationary satellite CAM ... imaging device SS ... fixed station MS ... mobile station 110 ... transmitting and receiving unit 120 ... antenna unit 130 ... central control unit 130 a ... broadcast signal switching instruction means 21 ... satellite body 211 ... control unit 211 a ... Broadcast signal switching control means 212 Transmitter / receiver units 221 and 222 Solar cell panel 23 Antenna for Ku band 231 Reflector 232 Primary radiator 24 Antenna for S band 241 Reflector 242 Primary radiator 311 Imaging unit 312: microphone unit 320: antenna 330: transmitting / receiving unit 340: monitor 350: combining unit 360: control unit 360a: broadcast signal reception control unit 360b: combining unit control unit

 ────────────────────────────────────────────────── ─── Continuing on the front page (72) Inventor Yoichi Koishi 1 Kosuka Toshiba-cho, Saiwai-ku, Kawasaki-shi, Kanagawa Inside Toshiba Komukai Plant

Claims (4)

[Claims] 1. A satellite communication system for transmitting video information captured by an imaging device to a broadcasting station using a digital satellite communication line of a geostationary satellite arranged in a geosynchronous orbit above the equator. Transmits at least imaged video information to the geostationary satellite through the digital satellite communication line.
NG (Satellite News Gathering) transmitting means, wherein the geostationary satellite has an antenna having a reflector having a diameter that allows communication with the imaging device, and a signal transmitted from the imaging device using the antenna. A satellite communication system comprising: receiving means for receiving. 2. The geostationary satellite according to claim 1, further comprising a transmitting unit that converts a signal received from the imaging device into a broadcast signal for digital satellite broadcasting, and transmits the broadcast signal to a receiving station on the ground using the antenna. The satellite communication system according to claim 1, wherein 3. The imaging device according to claim 1, wherein the geostationary satellite includes a relay unit that receives a signal including at least video information from the broadcasting station, and transmits the received signal to the imaging device using the antenna. Comprises: means for receiving a signal transmitted from the geostationary satellite addressed to the own device; and synthesizing means for synthesizing video information included in the signal received by this means and captured video information into one video. 3. The satellite communication system according to claim 2, wherein the SNG transmission unit transmits the video information synthesized by the synthesis unit to a geostationary satellite through a digital satellite communication line. 4. An imaging device used in the satellite communication system according to claim 1, wherein the antenna used for communication with the geostationary satellite is the geostationary in all directions. An imaging device comprising a rod antenna having directivity in the direction of a satellite.