EP3738229A1

EP3738229A1 - Transmitter and/or receiver for transmitting and/or receiving radio information signals

Info

Publication number: EP3738229A1
Application number: EP18814510.6A
Authority: EP
Inventors: Christian Menzel; Javier MORGADE PRIETO; Jordi Joan GIMÉNEZ GANDIA
Original assignee: Institut fuer Rundfunktechnik GmbH
Current assignee: Institut fuer Rundfunktechnik GmbH
Priority date: 2018-01-12
Filing date: 2018-11-23
Publication date: 2020-11-18
Also published as: CN111886816A; JP2021510474A; CN111886816B; US20210013978A1; US11916655B2; KR102513893B1; JP7048000B2; KR20200108859A; WO2019137682A1; IT201800000832A1

Abstract

The invention relates to an OFDM-based transmitter (1000) for transmitting a multiplex (M1) of one or more radio information signals in a radio transmission mode via a transmission medium. According to the invention, the transmitter comprises an input (1002) for receiving the multiplex of radio information signals, an encoding unit (1006/1010) for encoding a block of data of the multiplex of radio information signals and for generating an encoded block of data (202), and a multiplexer unit (1012) for incorporating the encoded block of data in a media radio subframe of a radio transmission signal. According to the invention, the transmitter is furthermore designed to receive a second multiplex (M2) of one or more radio information signals. The encoder unit (1008/1010) according to the invention is furthermore designed to encode a block of data of the second multiplex of radio information signals and to generate a second encoded block of data (204), and the multiplexer unit (1012) is furthermore designed to incorporate the second encoded block of data in the same media radio subframe of the radio transmission signal (Sout).

Description

TRANSMITTER AND / OR RECEIVER FOR SENDING OR BEGINNING. RECEIVING BROADCASTING INFORMATION SIGNALS

The invention relates to a transmitter for transmitting a multiplex of one or more broadcast information signals in a broadcast transmission mode according to the preamble of claim 1. Such a transmitter is known from US 20130114497A1.

The invention also relates to a receiver for receiving a broadcast signal in a broadcast reception mode according to the preamble of claim 13. Such a receiver is also known from US20130114497A1.

Description of the invention

It is the object of the invention to realize an improved broadcast transmission between transmitter and receiver. The transmitter according to the preamble of claim 1 is characterized as defined in the characterizing part of the first claim. Inventive further embodiments of the transmitter are claimed in the dependent claims 2 to 12. The receiver is characterized by claims 13 to 25.

The invention is based on the following inventive idea.

In the distribution of broadcast programs with different range (i.e., regional and countrywide broadcast) in a multiplex, there is the problem that this multiplex can not be broadcast on supply limits in SFN (Single Frequency Network) operation.

Reason: If two multiplexes broadcast in adjacent service areas of adjacent transmitters differ in only one (or more) programs, the entire multiplex in each adjacent coverage area can not be broadcast in SFN mode because the two multiplexes due of varying content. SFN only works with identical signals or multiplexes. Basically, this problem exists with multiplex-based program distribution, ie with DVB-T / T2, DAB / DAB + but also with MBSFN (or eMBMS) in the context of LTE or one of the potential future xG systems, where x is an integer equal to 4 or is larger.

However, in LTE or xG systems (but possibly also in DVB and / or DAB) are Modifications of the current channel structures of MBSFN (or eMBMS) are possible, which significantly reduce the problem and thus contribute to a much more spectrum-efficient broadcasting.

Although the problem described basically exists in the distribution of digital broadcasting by means of multiplexing. However, it is particularly evident when e.g. using LTE-MBSFN (or LTE-eMBMS) or xG-MBSFN (or xG-eMBMS) not only audio / video programs ("television") but only pure radio (DAB-via-MBSFN / eMBMS) or mixtures of audio broadcast and Broadcasting be transmitted. The reason for this is that individual radio programs have much lower data rates than television (around l28kbps for radio compared to 1.5 to 4mbps for television.

As a result, significantly more radio programs than Femseh programs can be transmitted per MBSFN (or eMBMS) channel, which increases the likelihood of the constellation described above that spatially adjacent multiplexed content differs with respect to regional programs.

The above problem is solved by transmitting several clearly separable multiplexes in one MBSFN (or eMBMS) channel. In other words, in the media broadcast subframes (such as MBSFN subframes or eMBMS subframes) separately encoded blocks for each of the at least two multiplexes to be transmitted are transmitted by one or more broadcast information signals, they are separately accessible upon receipt in a receiver and also separately decodable again. Clearly separable or separately decodable means that the multiplexes are assigned to individual or groups of physical resource blocks of the media broadcast sub-frame (such as MBSFN subframes or eMBMS subframes). If such multiplexes are identical, then the associated physical resource blocks or subcarriers can be sent out in SFN mode. They are not disturbed by other multiplexes since their contents are on other physical resource blocks or subcarriers.

The added advantage of the invention is that by now separately reading out an encoded block of data from a multiplex from a media broadcast subframe (such as an MBSFN subframe or an eMBMS subframe) and decoding it separately, the computational overhead in a receiver is significantly reduced Battery energy is saved. Compared to the previous eMBMS, the subdivision of a media broadcast subframe (such as an MBSFN subframe or an eMBMS subframe) or a media broadcast channel (such as an MBSFN channel or an eMBMS channel) into a group of subcarriers and / or physical resource blocks (PRBs), in which temporally parallel, separate multiplexes are transmitted, a novelty. So far, this possibility does not exist, whereby multiplexes must always comprise at least one complete subframe of a broadcast frame (such as an LTE frame or an xG frame).

This has the advantage of simple implementation: the previous basic principle of broadcast transmission modulation (such as LTE-OFDM modulation or xG modulation) does not change, because e.g. no different lengths of OFDM symbols or resource elements in a subframe or variable subcarrier spacing within a subframe must be used. As a result, no changes in the OFDM method used are necessary for the implementation of the invention.

The advantage of the invention lies in the more spectrum efficient distribution of broadcast programs, especially radio programs, because the multiplexes used can be made smaller and some of the smaller multiplexes can be distributed in the SFN spectrum efficient mode (e.g., for nationwide, supraregional programs). These multiplexes are not affected by some only regionally distributed programs because their multiplexes are separated.

It should be additionally mentioned here that where a multiplex is mentioned, including either only one broadcast information signal, or several broadcast information signals that are processed and transmitted together, is to be understood. On

Radio information signal is to be understood here as: either a

Video / television information signal, or a video / television information signal and an associated audio information signal, or only an audio information signal, or an information signal comprising other information.

It should be further noted that where in the claims of a first-mentioned multiplex and a second multiplex is mentioned, the invention of course comprises an embodiment wherein three or more multiplexes are transmitted in a Medienruffunksubframes.

Brief description of the figures The invention will be explained in more detail with reference to the following figure description. It shows:

1 shows a media broadcast subframe (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the prior art,

Fig. 2 shows a first embodiment of a media broadcast subframe (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the invention

3 shows a second embodiment of a media broadcast sub-frame (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the invention,

4 shows a third embodiment of a media broadcast sub-frame (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the invention,

4A shows a fourth embodiment of a media broadcast sub-frame (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the invention,

5 shows a fifth embodiment of a media broadcast sub-frame (such as an MBSFN subframe) according to the invention,

6 shows a signaling procedure between a transmitter and a receiver in a transmission network,

Fig. 7 shows the structure of the system information blocks SIB2 and SIB 13 as defined in the FTE / xG standard specification;

8 shows the structure of a system information block SIBx proposed according to the invention for signaling the position of the first control signal

9 shows the signaling procedure of FIG. 6, extended with the transmission of the system information block SIBx from the sender to the receiver, FIG.

9A shows the contents of the system information block SIB1,

10 shows an embodiment of a transmitter according to the invention, and

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a receiver according to the invention.

Detailed figure description

FIG. 1 shows an embodiment of a prior art broadcast media subframe 102. A media broadcast subframe may be an MBSFN subframe as contained in an FTE frame, or as may be included in an xG frame, where x is an integer greater than or equal to 4 (ie, a 4G frame, a 5G frame,.). MBSFN stands for "MBMS Single Frequency Network", where MBMS means "Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service".

An MBSFN subframe is also called eMBMS Subframe (Evolved Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Services) in LTE (Long Term Evolution).

Fig. 1 shows a media broadcast subframe in the case of a channel bandwidth of 1.4MHz. According to the current LTE / 5G standard, only one multiplex is transmitted in an MBSFN (or eMBMS) channel over a PMCH (Physical Multicast Channel) representing an MBSFN (or eMBMS) subframe, as shown in FIG ,

LTE frames are described and defined in detail in the LTE / 3GPP standard specification. In this embodiment, the LTE frame contains ten subframes, each consisting of two slots. Horizontal is the time and vertical is the frequency for the frequency values of the OFDM frequency carriers. As can be seen from FIG. 1, the frame duration of a frame is 10 ms. In the vertical direction, the frequency domain is subdivided into six subregions. Thus, six so-called resouce blocks, as indicated by the reference number 100, are contained in each slot.

In the LTE frame shown, only one MBSFN (or eMBMS) subframe is included. However, multiple MBSFN subframes may be included in the LTE frame. Successive frames also contain one or more MBSFN subframes, thus forming an MBSFN channel over which one or more multiplexes of each one or more broadcast information signals may be transmitted. at

Radio information signals are to be considered digital television signals (ie video and / or audio information signals) or digital radio signals.

The MBSFN subframes are generated by a transmitter operating in a MBSFN broadcast mode. The other subframes in the LTE frame that are not used for MBSFN transmission are used for unicast transmission, and are thus generated by the transmitter when the transmitter is operating in a unicast transmission mode.

For example, if three multiplexes of one or more broadcast information signals are to be transmitted in the MBSFN channel (in the MBSFN frames), in a prior art transmitter, blocks of data from the three multiplexes are coded together to form one encoded block of data from the three multiplexes to obtain. The encoded block of Data is stored in an MBSFN subframe 102 and transmitted thereafter. Upon receipt, the entire MBSFN subframe must be read out and decoded throughout to receive the data from one of the three multiplexes.

According to the invention, it is now proposed to encode the blocks of data from the three multiplexes separately into coded blocks of data and store them in a MBSFN subframe, such that these blocks of data are separately accessible on reception and also separately derivable from the broadcast signal and separately are decodable. This is indicated in FIG. 2. As a result, several narrower MBSFN channels are simultaneously transmitted in a subframe. These MBSFN channels would correspond in the channel model of LTE to separate physical multicast channels PMCHs. In the MBSFN subframe shown in Fig. 2, three encoded blocks of data 202 (MCH1), 204 (MCH2) and 206 (MCH3) are stored.

Upon receiving and assuming that the user of the receiver wants to receive a broadcast information signal from the first multiplex (transmitted in the encoded blocks MCH1 in successive MBSFN subframes), the receiver need only read out the blocks MCH1 from the MBSFN subframes. Since these blocks contain data that are separately decodable, so the first multiplex can be received and decoded to derive from this first multiplex one of the broadcast information signals so that it can be viewed (in a television signal) or listened to (in the case of a radio signal).

The advantage of this is that thereby only one encoded block of a multiplex can be read out and decoded separately from a MBSFN subframe, the computational effort in a receiver is significantly reduced, so that the battery energy is saved in the receiver.

As can be seen from FIG. 2, the encoded blocks of data of the three multiplexes of broadcast information signals received in the MBSFN frame 202 are an integer multiple of resource blocks 100, 4, 6, and 2 resource blocks, respectively. There may also be more if the FTE channel is e.g. 5 MHz or 20 MHz wide.

Alternatively, a plurality of MBSFN Transport Channels (Multicast Channel - MCH) may be transmitted via a PMCH representing an MBSFN subframe, each MCH a number of subcarriers of the MBSFN subframe to be configured individually or a number of physical resource blocks PRB to be configured individually.

The size of sub-blocks MCH1, MCH2, and MCH3 are now a non-integer number of resource blocks 100, as shown for sub-blocks MCH1 and MCH2 in MBSFN sub-frame 302 in FIG.

In other embodiments of the invention, an MBSFN channel may also extend over multiple subframes.

As with the existing MBSFN, information about the existence of the MBSFN channel is to be sent from the network to the terminals, e.g. in the form of s.g. System Information Messages. This information should be extended to provide information describing the number, location and configuration of each PMCH or MCH so that the terminals can detect the multiplexes they contain. It is important that radio receivers generally have only one receiving function and no transmitting function to connect to a transmitter. This has consequences in the way receivers behave after switching on, as a receiver can find out the structure of the broadcast channels.

This will be further explained with reference to the figures 4 and higher.

Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein the transmitter transmits only multiplexes in all MBSFN subframes of a frame. Referring to Figure 4, there are six multiplexes, 401-406, one of the multiplexes having a coded block of data 401 in the first MBSFN subframe and also having an encoded block of data in the second MBSFN subframe in the frame. In addition, a first control signal, a so-called Broadcast Information Message BIM (not yet specified in the LTE / xG standard specification), is transmitted in a physical BIM channel PBIMCH 407.

This first control signal BIM indicates where the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes are located in an MBSFN subframe and / or the size of the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes in an MBSFN subframe. Fig. 4 shows an embodiment wherein the first control signal indicates the location or the size of the blocks of data of the multiplexes in the frame.

For example, this BIM channel PBIMCH 407 could be included in the first MBSFN subframe of the frame as shown in FIG. 4. This PBIMCH 407 is in a number of Resource Transfer elements in the LTE / 5G frame. Preferably, as also seen in Figure 4, the PBIMCH channel 407 is formed by resource elements located around the center frequency of the LTE / 5G channel.

The fact that the content of the broadcast information message BIM does not change frequently means that the capacity utilization of the PBIMCH channel 407 is limited. As a result, only a few OFDM symbols are required for each LTE / xG frame for the transmission of the PBIMCH channel 407. Preferably, the first OFDM symbol of the first subframe (subframe number zero) of each FTE / xG frame is used for this purpose.

Fig. 4A shows an embodiment of an FTE / xG frame that looks similar to the FTE / xG frame in Fig. 4. Again, the frame contains only media broadcast subframes (MBSFN or eMBMS subframes). In these media broadcast subframes, in this embodiment only four multipexes of one or more broadcast information signals are indicated, indicated by the reference numbers 401, 402, 403 and 404. This means that the media broadcast subframes 3 to 10 are empty in this case. The BIM channel PBIMCH is also included here in the first media broadcast subframe of the frame. It can be seen that the first control signal BIM contains four partial control signals 408, 410, 412 and 414. These sub-control signals refer to the position of the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes in the FTE / xG frame. Thus, part control signal 408 refers to the position of the encoded block 404, the sub control signal 410 to the position of the encoded block 403, the sub control signal 412 to the position of the encoded block 402 and the part control signal 414 to the position of the encoded block 401 of a multiplex extends over 2 MBSFN subframes in this embodiment.

In Fig. 5 shows an embodiment wherein the FTE / xG frame contains 4 MBSFN subframes. The remaining subframes in the frame can be used in this embodiment for other purposes such as unicast connections. Fig. 5 shows MBSFN subframes in the subframes 2, 3, 7 and 8. In the embodiment of Fig. 5, within the 4 MBSFN subframes, encoded blocks of data are transmitted from six multiplexes, 501 to 506. The broadcast information message BIM is now transmitted in the physical BIM channel PBIMCH 507. Again, in this embodiment, the BIM channel PBIMCH 507 is preferably formed by resource elements located around the center frequency of the FTE / 5G channel, and again preferably the first one OFDM symbol or the first OFDM symbols of the first MBSFN subframe used to transmit the PBIM channel 507. Additionally, in this embodiment, a second control signal, an indication IND, is needed to indicate in which MBSFN subframe the BIM channel PBIMCH 507 is located. Where this second control signal is stored in the broadcast transmission signal will be explained later

According to the current LTE / xG standard specification, e.g. Rel 13 or 14 contains the first subframe with subframe number zero signaling channels such as PCH, SCH, PBCH (Physical Broadcast Channel). Further signaling channels such as PDCCH (Physical Downlink Control Channel), PDSCH (Physical Downlink Shared Channel) can be contained in further subframes.

The PBCH indicates where in the LTE frame the physical resources blocks of the PDCCH are allocated and the PDCCH again where the physical resources of the PDSCH are allocated. The information for configuring the radio cell (eg MIB, SIB1 and for MBSFN the SIB2, SIB13 and, if necessary, a new SIBx) is sent to the LTE / 5G terminals via PBCH and PDSCH.To quickly locate the MBSFN-capable LTE / xG terminal the MBSFN subframes, the PBIMCHs and thus the location of the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes, it is advisable to include the above-mentioned indication IND in the list of system information blocks, for example in the form of a new SIBx message as in embodiment Fig. 8 and 9.

This will be explained further below.

Below is a representation of how specifically for the embodiment of FIG. 5, the signaling (specifically the system information messages) could be extended so that the existence and the position of the PBIMCH can be signaled within the MBSFN subframes. In this variant, this is done by a new system information block x (SIBx). This SIBx (the second control signal according to the invention) is sent as in, for example, SIB2 and SIB13 of the previous MBSFN within the subframes not configured for MBSFN. In the embodiment according to FIG. 4, the LTE frame contains only MBSFN subframes and the position of the PBIMCH or the procedure for finding the PBIMCH within the LTE frame can be firmly defined in the standard (eg as described above in connection with FIG ). Then the second control signal is not necessary. Fig. 6 shows schematically the signaling procedure between transmitters (E-UTRAN = Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and receiver (UE = User Equipment), as it is defined until now in the LTE / xG standard specification. In particular, this concerns the system information defined in the standard. The specific system information required by the receiver depends in particular on the reception characteristics of the receiver UE.

In the case of MBMS (Multimedia Broadcast Multicast Service), specific System Information Blocks (SIBs) are standardized.

So is:

System Information Block 2 (SIB2) for identifying specific MBSFN subframes contained in an LTE / 4G or 5G frame.

System Information Block 13 (SIB13) tells the sender where to send the MCCH of an eMBMS system.

Fig. 7 shows the structure of the system information blocks SIB2 and SIB13 as defined in the LTE standard.

A further description is unnecessary because the above-mentioned signaling method in connection with FIGS. 6 and 7 is described in detail in documents about LTE.

Fig. 9 shows schematically the signaling procedure of Fig. 6, between transmitters (E-UTRAN = Evolved UMTS Terrestrial Radio Access Network) and receivers (UE = User Equipment), extended with a transmission step 901, in addition, and according to the invention, the transmitter Information Block SIBx which is received by the receiver.

9A shows how in SIB 1 in FIG. 9, in the list of system information blocks used, the existence of a new SIBx message is indicated to the recipients by adding the information "SibX- <ver> SystemInformationBlockTypeX- <ver>", see 9A, reference number 902.

When a receiver is turned on and the transmitter sends both MBSFN subframes and unicast subframes in the LTE frame (Figures 1, 2, 3 and 5), the receiver carries the Primary Synchronization Signaling (PSS) procedures known in LTE / 5G - SSS - Secondary Synchronization Signal) in order to find the specific system information SIBx according to the invention (the second control signal) via PBCH, PDCCH and PDSCH. From the system information SIBx and other system information, the receiver takes where in the case of the embodiment Fig. 5 in the FTE frame the MBSFN subframes and specifically where the PBIMCH is located within the MBSFN subframes. From the PBIMCH information, the receiver extracts where on the MBSFN subframes the respective SFN area-specific MBSFN channels are located, which contain the encoded blocks of the multiplexes of the broadcast information signals. Thus, in the case of the embodiment of FIG. 5, for example, the receiver can derive a multiplex from the broadcast transmission signal and derive a television or radio program from the multiplex and output it at an output.

Mobile phones that can only handle unicast and thus can not decode MBSFN subframes are not affected by the existence of MBSFN subframes. They ignore the system information SIBx sent by means of PBCH, PDCCH and PDSCH. They use subframes not configured as MBSFN subframes for unicast connections.

If, as in exemplary embodiments FIG. 4 and FIG. 4A, all subframes of the FTE frame are configured as MBSFN subframes, then there is no PBCH, PDCCH, PDSCH, etc. in the FTE frame. In this case, a receiver recognizes that there is no PBCH in this FTE frame there. In this case, and after switching on, the receiver also performs a synchronization procedure (PSS - Primary Synchronization Signal - SSS - Secondary Synchronization Signal). But, having synchronized to the FTE frame (ie, timing and subframe numbering is known to the receiver), it immediately decodes the PBIMCH (the first control signal) where it extracts information from the PBIMCH, where the respective ones on the MBSFN subframes If necessary, there are SFN area-specific MBSFN channels containing the multiplexes of the broadcast information signals.

Receivers or terminals that do not have MBSFN or eMBMS functionality, ie not MBSFN-capable mobile devices or smartphones, can not process a transmission signal according to FIG. 4. However, MBSFN (or eMBMS) receivable receivers will perform a search procedure to detect the PBIMCH channel 407 to extract the BIM information therefrom. When the receiver has found the BIM information, the receiver knows the PMCH structure and position of the various MBSFN (or eMBMS) channels in the MBSFN / eMBMS subframes. The receiver can then extract and decode the desired MBSFN channel (multiplex) and the resulting one Output video and / or audio data stream.

For current broadcast applications it is to be expected that the number and mode of the multiplexes of the broadcast programs to be transmitted and thus the structure of the PMCH will only rarely change. This may change in the future with the introduction of new services and applications. It is therefore necessary for the recipient to regularly read out the PBIMCH information in order to determine changes in the PMCH structure and the content of the programs.

This method of broadcasting according to the invention differs substantially from the previously specified and standardized MBSFN.

Fig. 10 shows schematically an embodiment of a transmitter 1000 according to the invention. The OFDM based transmitter 1000 is, as stated, arranged to transmit a plurality of at least two multiplexes of broadcast information signals in an MBSFN broadcast mode over a transmission medium. Fig. 10 shows an embodiment wherein the transmitter 1000 transmits two multiplexes of broadcast information signals.

The transmitter has for this purpose an input (the part inputs 1102 and 1004) for receiving the at least two multiplexes of broadcast information signals S1 and S2, respectively. The transmitter includes an encoding unit 1010, which includes two sub-encoding units 1006 and 1008, for encoding the multiplexes of broadcast information signals S1 and S2, respectively. The encoding unit 1010 is therefore constructed from two sub-coding units because each sub-coding unit 1006 and 1008 separately encodes blocks of data of the multiplexes M1 and M2 into encoded blocks of data, which are thus also separately decodable. The transmitter 1000 further includes a multiplexer unit 1012 configured to receive the encoded blocks of data of the two multiplexes into an MBSFN subframe of a broadcast transmission signal Sout, as already described with reference to FIGS. 2 to 5. The thus obtained broadcast transmission signal Sout is offered at an output 1014.

The transmitter 1000 further includes a control signal generator unit 1016 for generating the first control signal BIM. This control signal BIM is a measure of the size of the encoded blocks of data of the two multiplexes and / or is a measure of the position where the encoded blocks of data of the two multiplexes contain in an MBSFN subframe are. This control signal BIM is also offered to the multiplexer unit 1014 and the multiplexer unit 1012 ensures that this control signal BIM is included in the broadcast signal. In an OFDM system, among other things, the multiplexer unit also performs the IFFT with the encoded blocks. The thus-obtained broadcasting transmission signal Sout is offered to an output 1014 and then sent out.

For the case that the transmitter 1000 is an LTE or xG (x equal to 4) compatible transmitter for transmitting LTE frames containing one or more MBSFN subframes, the control signal BIM is a measure of the size of the encoded blocks of data the two multiplexes and / or a measure is for the location where the encoded blocks of data of the two multiplexes in the MBSFN subframes are accommodated in an LTE / xG frame and the multiplexer unit 1012 is arranged to store the control signal BIM in that LTE / xG frame. In this case, the control signal BIM is preferably stored in the first MBSFN subframe of an LTE / xG frame.

The multiplexer unit 1012 may be further configured to store the control signal BIM in spectrally adjacent resource blocks around the center frequency of the LTE / xG channel, as also shown in FIGS. 4 and 5.

If the LTE frame also contains non-MBSFN subframes (embodiment Fig. 5), the control signal generator unit 1016 is additionally configured to generate the second control signal IND. As already mentioned above, the second control signal IND is a measure of the position of the first control signal PIM in an LTE / xG frame. This control signal IND is offered to the multiplexer unit 1012 and the multiplexer unit 1012 ensures that this control signal IND is included in the signaling channels in the non-MBSFN subframes. Preferably, the multiplexer unit 1012 stores the second control signal IND in the PBCH information of an LTE frame.

Fig. 11 shows an embodiment of a receiver 1100 according to the invention. The OFDM based receiver 1100 is, as stated, configured to receive in an MBSFN reception mode, a broadcast transmission signal Sout as transmitted from the transmitter of FIG.

The receiver 1100 includes an input 1102 for receiving the Broadcasting signal Sout, and includes a decoding unit 1106 for decoding an encoded block of data of a multiplex (M1 or M2) to obtain a decoded block of data of the multiplex (M1 or M2). This multiplex contains one or more broadcast information signals. Depending on which broadcast information signal from the multiplex the user of the receiver 110 wants to receive, the decoding unit 1106 additionally selects a broadcast information signal from the multiplex and supplies this broadcast information signal to the output 1108.

The encoded blocks of data of the multiplex (Ml or M2) are derived by an extractor 1114 from the MBSFN subframes in the broadcast signal. Moreover, an IND DETECT unit 1110 and a BIM DETECT unit 1112 are provided, which together with the extracting unit 1114 form a demultiplexer unit 1104.

If the LTE frame also contains non-MBSFN subframes (embodiment Fig. 5), the IND DETECT unit 1110 derives the second control signal IND, as stored in the SIBx block, from the transmission signal Sout. This means: the information about where in the LTE frame the PBIMCH is located and forwards this information (ie the second control signal) to the BIM DETECT unit 1112. The BIM DETECT unit 1112 then derives the PBIMCH information (ie the first control signal) from the transmission signal Sout. This first control signal is, as stated, representative of the location and / or the size of the encoded blocks of the multiplexes of broadcast information signals (= MBSFN channels) in the MBSFN subframes. This first control signal is supplied to the extracting unit 1114, which outputs this first Control signal is used to extract the encoded blocks of data of a multiplex from the broadcast signal Sout, and offer them to the decoding unit 1106.

If the LTE frame contains only MBSFN subframes (Embodiments 4 and 4A) and thus no SIBx information (no second control signal) exists / is receivable, the IND detection unit 1104 is turned off. The BIM DETECT unit 1112 now derives the PBIMCH information (the first control signal BIM) which can be found at a standardized position in the MBSFN subframe from the transmission signal Sout. This PBIMCH information is supplied as a first control signal to the extracting unit 1114, which - as already mentioned above - uses this information to the encoded blocks of data of a multiplexer extract one or more broadcast information signals from the broadcast transmission signal Sout and supply them to the decoding unit 1106.

If desired, multiple broadcast information signals may also be received in the receiver and delivered to the output 1108.

As previously mentioned, the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes stored in a media broadcast subframe are each separately accessible. The receiver is now arranged to separately access one of the encoded blocks of data stored in the media broadcast subframe and to derive that block of data from the media broadcast subframe

It should be additionally mentioned here that the invention relates not only to the embodiments shown and discussed here. The scope of the invention is defined only by the claims. Thus, encoded blocks of more than two multiplexes of one or more run radio information signals may also be included in a subframe. All described functions of the transmitter and the receiver can be realized in hardware or in software.

Claims

An OFDM based transmitter (1000) for transmitting a multiplex (MI) of one or more broadcast information signals in a broadcast transmission mode over a transmission medium, the transmitter including an input (1002) for receiving from the multiplex of broadcast information signals, an encoding unit (1006/1010 ) for encoding a block of data of the multiplex of broadcast information signals and for generating an encoded block of data (202), comprising a multiplexer unit (1012) for recording the encoded block of data into a broadcast frequency subframe of a broadcast signal, characterized in that the sender further configured to receive a second multiplex (M2) of one or more broadcast information signals, the encode unit (1008/1010) is adapted to encode a block of data of the second multiplex of broadcast information signals and to generate a second encoded Bl of data (204), and the multiplexer unit (1012) is further arranged to receive the second encoded block of data in the same media broadcast subframe of the broadcast signal (Sout). (Fig. 2:10)

2. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 1, characterized in that the encoded blocks of data of the former multiplex of broadcast signals and the second-mentioned multiplex of broadcast information signals are each separately decodable.

3. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 1 or 2, characterized in that the media broadcast subframe is an MBSFN subframe or an eMBMS subframe.

4. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 1, 2 or 3, characterized in that the transmitter comprises a control signal generating unit (1016) for generating a control signal (BIM), wherein the control signal is a measure of the size of the encoded blocks of data of the former multiplex and the second-mentioned multiplex and / or a measure is for the location where the encoded blocks of the former and the branched multiplex are located in a media broadcast subframe. (Figure 10)

5. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 4, characterized in that the transmitter is a transmitter for transmitting frames containing one or more media broadcast subframes wherein the control signal (BIM) is a measure of the size of the encoded blocks of data of the former multiplex and the second multiplex in all media broadcast frames in a frame and / or a measure of the location where the encoded blocks of the former and of the branched multiplex in all media broadcast subframes in a frame, and the multiplexer unit (1012) is arranged to store the control signal in that frame.

6. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 5, characterized in that the multiplexer unit (1012) is arranged to store the control signal (407) in the preferably first media broadcast subframe of a frame. (Fig. 4)

7. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 5 or 6, characterized in that the multiplexer unit is arranged to store the control signal (407) in spectrally adjacent resource blocks around the central frequency of the transmission channel. (Fig. 4)

8. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 5, 6 or 7, characterized in that the control signal generating unit (1016) additionally adapted to generate a second control signal (IND), wherein the second control signal is a measure of the position of the first-mentioned control signal (IND) in a frame, and the multiplexer unit is additionally arranged to store the second control signal in the frame. (Fig. 10)

9. OFDM based transmitter according to claim 8, characterized in that, the second control signal is a measure of the position of the media broadcast subframe in the lrame in which the first-mentioned control signal is stored.

10. OLDM based transmitter according to claim 8 or 9, characterized in that the multiplexer unit is arranged to store the second control signal in a system information block message (SIBx). (Lig. 8)

11. OLDM based transmitter according to claim 1, 2, 3 or 4, characterized in that the multiplexer unit is arranged to store a block of data of a multiplex in a non-integer number of resource blocks of a media broadcast subframe. (Lig. 3)

12. OFDM based transmitter according to one of the preceding claims, characterized in that the transmitter is compatible with an LTE standard specification, or is compatible with an xG standard specification, where x is an integer equal to 4 or greater.

An OFDM based receiver (1100) for receiving a broadcast signal (Sout) in a broadcast receiving mode, the broadcast signal including media broadcast subframes, and a media broadcast subframe containing an encoded block of data obtained by encoding a block of data of a multiplex (Ml) from one or more a plurality of broadcast information signals, the receiver having an input (1102) for receiving the broadcast signal, a demultiplexer unit (1104/1114) for extracting the encoded block of data of the multiplex from the broadcast signal, a decoder unit (1106) for decoding the encoded one Blocks of data for obtaining a block of data of the multiplex from one or more broadcast information signals, and an output (1108) for outputting at least one broadcast information signal from the multiplex, characterized in that the media broadcast subframe contains an encoded block of data from a second multiplex (M2) of one or more broadcast information signals, the demultiplexer unit (1104/1114) is further adapted to extract the encoded block of data from the second multiplex from the broadcast signal, and the decode unit (1106) is further set up is for decoding the encoded block of data of the second multiplex in a decoded block of data of the second multiplex. (Fig. 11)

The OFDM based receiver according to claim 13, characterized in that the encoded blocks of data of the former multiplex of broadcasting signals and the second-mentioned multiplexing of broadcast information signals are each separately decodable.

The OFDM based receiver according to claim 13 or 14, characterized in that the media broadcast subframe is an MBSFN subframe or an eMBMS subframe, and the demultiplexer unit is adapted to extract the encoded block of data of the former multiplex and / or the second multiplex from the MBSFN subframe or the eMBMS subframe.

16. OFDM based receiver according to claim 13, 14 or 15, characterized in that the broadcasting signal contains a control signal (BIM), wherein the control signal (BIM) is a measure of the size of the coded blocks of data of the first and the second multiplex and / or a measure is for the location where the encoded blocks of data of the former and second multiplexes are contained in a media broadcast subframe, and the demultiplexer unit (1104/1112) is arranged to extract the control signal (BIM) from the broadcast signal and further the A demultiplexer unit (1104/1114) is arranged to extract an encoded block of data of a multiplex from a media broadcast subframe in accordance with the control signal (BIM).

The OFDM based receiver according to claim 16, characterized in that the receiver is arranged to receive frames containing one or more media broadcast subframes, the control signal (BIM) being a measure of the size of the encoded blocks of data of the former and of the second-mentioned multiplex and / or a measure is for the position where the encoded blocks of data of the former and the second-mentioned multiplex are contained in a media broadcast subframe in one frame, and the demultiplexer unit (1104/1114) is arranged to extract the control signal from one frame.

18 OFDM based receiver according to claim 16 or 17, characterized in that the control signal is received in the first media broadcast subframe of a frame, and further the demultiplexer unit is arranged to extract the control signal from the preferably first media broadcast subframe of a frame.

19. OFDM based receiver according to claim 16, 17 or 18, characterized in that the demultiplexer unit is arranged to extract the control signal (BIM) from spectrally adjacent resource blocks around the central frequency of the transmission channel.

20. OFDM based receiver according to claim 16, 17, 18 or 19, characterized in that the demultiplexer unit (1104/1110) is further adapted to extract a second control signal (IND) of one frame, the second control signal being a measure of the position of the first-mentioned control signal (BIM) in the frame.

The OFDM-based receiver according to claim 20, characterized in that the demultiplexer unit (1104/1112) is arranged to extract a former control signal (BIM) from a media broadcast subframe in accordance with the second control signal (IND).

22. OFDM based receiver according to claim 20 or 21, characterized in that the demultiplexer unit is adapted to extract the second control signal from a system information block message (SIBx).

23 OFDM based receiver according to claim 13, 14, 15 or 16, characterized in that the demultiplexer unit is adapted to extract an encoded block of data of a multiplex from a non-integer number of resource blocks of a media broadcast subframe.

The OFDM based receiver according to any one of claims 13 to 23, characterized in that the receiver is compatible with an LTE standard specification, or is compatible with an xG standard, where x is an integer equal to 4 or greater.

The OFDM based receiver according to any one of claims 13 to 24, characterized in that the encoded blocks of data of the multiplexes stored in a media broadcast subframe are each separately accessible, and the receiver is arranged to separately access one of the encoded blocks of Data stored in the media broadcast subframe and for deriving that block of data from the media broadcast subframe.