KR100262322B1 - Terminal control method using IP address in multimedia satellite communication system - Google Patents

Abstract

PURPOSE: A method for controlling terminal is provided to effectively perform a construction management or a state management by to allocating an IP address for use in a construction management or a state management to construct a call control network between a central station and a terminal station. CONSTITUTION: A method for controlling terminal generates a change request signal of construction information for a specific subscriber in a central station. A given construction information change message requesting change of the construction information for the subscriber to a set-top box is generated depending on the change request signal of construction information in the central station. If the construction information change message is received, the set top box changes its construction information into construction information to be changed.

Description

Terminal control method using IP address in multimedia satellite communication system

The present invention relates to a multimedia satellite communication system, and in particular, to configure a call control network between a central station and a terminal station by assigning a specific IP address for configuration management or status management. A terminal control method using an IP address in a satellite communication system.

Currently, wireless communication systems are rapidly spreading, and researches for operating mobile communication devices or personal communication devices using satellite communication systems are being actively conducted.

On the other hand, in recent years, a global Internet network based on a transport control protocol / internet protocol (TCP / IP) has been established, and data communication using a personal computer has been activated.

Currently, for example, a multimedia satellite communication system has been proposed that can provide various multimedia services by interworking with the satellite communication system. In this multimedia satellite communication system, subscribers such as mountainous areas or island areas can access the Internet without using a separate communication line or use various multimedia services such as home banking or home shopping. .

However, in the conventional satellite communication system, since the network is usually configured in a one-way configuration and a closed loop, it is impossible for general subscribers to access the Internet network using the satellite communication system. This, in turn, is a major obstacle to the establishment and operation of a nation's telecommunications network.

In general, when a communication subscriber uses the above-described Internet or multimedia service, the amount of data to be received is much higher than that of data transmitted to the service network, and since such received data is multimedia data, There is a problem that is very time consuming.

Therefore, in order to solve such a problem, it may be considered to establish a separate dedicated network for the Internet or a multimedia service. In this case, since there is a problem that it is difficult to employ a reality that requires a lot of time and cost to build the dedicated network. A multimedia satellite communication system has been proposed that combines a satellite communication system with the Internet, which is growing at a high speed.

The multimedia satellite communication system includes a central station physically coupled with the Internet, a set top box physically coupled with a communication terminal, and is a communication system configured to provide a communication path between an Internet service provider and a service subscriber using a satellite.

The multimedia satellite communication system has a TDM in the case of a forward link transmitted from the central station to the set-top box in consideration of the fact that the amount of data received from the Internet becomes very large compared to the amount of data transmitted to the Internet as described above. In this case, a large number of messages can be transmitted, and in case of a return link transmitted from a set-top box to a central station, a code division multiple access (CDMA) method is used to accommodate a plurality of subscribers.

However, the multimedia satellite communication system generally requires configuration management or status management of the subscriber remotely from the central station because the location between the central station and the terminal station or the personal terminal that maintains or manages the system is very far.

Accordingly, the present invention has been made in view of the above circumstances, and assigns a specific IP address for configuration management or status management to configure a call control network between a central station and a terminal station so that configuration management or status management can be effectively performed. The purpose of the present invention is to provide a terminal control method using an IP address in a multimedia satellite communication system.

1 is a system schematic diagram for explaining the outline of a multimedia satellite communication system to which the present invention is applied.

2 is a block diagram showing a configuration of a central station to which a terminal control method using an IP address is applied in a multimedia satellite communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention;

Figure 3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a set-top box to which the terminal control method using the IP address in the multimedia satellite communication system according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

4 is a flowchart illustrating a method for controlling a terminal using an IP address in a multimedia satellite communication system according to the present invention.

5 is a block diagram showing the configuration of a central station to which a terminal control method using an IP address is applied in a multimedia satellite communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention;

FIG. 6 is a block diagram illustrating a configuration of a set-top box to which a terminal control method using an IP address is applied in a multimedia satellite communication system according to a second embodiment of the present invention. FIG.

* Brief description of the main parts of the drawing

1: central station 2, 3: antenna

4: set-top box 5: personal computer

6: satellite

In the multimedia satellite communication system according to the present invention for realizing the above object, the method of controlling a terminal using an IP address combines a plurality of multimedia servers or a central station physically coupled with the Internet and a terminal station physically coupled with a subscriber through satellites. In the multimedia satellite communication system to provide the Internet or multimedia services to the subscriber; When a request for change of configuration information for a specific subscriber is generated in the central station and the central station outputs a predetermined configuration information change message requesting the configuration information for the subscriber to be changed to the set-top box according to the change request for the generated configuration information. In the step, the set-top box, characterized in that configured to include the step of changing its configuration information to the configuration information, if the configuration information change message is received.

That is, according to the present invention described above, it is possible to effectively perform configuration management or state management using a specific IP address.

Hereinafter, an embodiment according to the present invention will be described with reference to the drawings.

1 is a block diagram showing the overall system configuration of a terminal control method using an IP address in a multimedia satellite communication system to which the present invention is applied.

In FIG. 1, reference numeral 1 denotes a central station connected to the Internet, which provides various multimedia services to terminal stations, and performs overall network operation management and control functions. Reference numeral 3 is a terminal station antenna, 4 is a set-top box as a terminal station providing multimedia services to a general subscriber, 5 is a personal computer as a terminal for a user to execute multimedia communication, and 6 is a satellite.

In general, a user using an Internet service has a much larger amount of data received from the Internet than the amount of data transmitted to the Internet. Therefore, in consideration of this, in the present system, a large amount of messages can be transmitted through a TDM scheme in the case of a forward link, and a CDMA scheme is used to accommodate a large number of subscribers in the case of a return link.

The central station 1 is coupled to the Internet, and transmits and receives various data with the Internet through an IP packet (internet protocol packet). Then, for example, an MPEG-2 transport stream (TS) packet for a multimedia service is generated based on an IP packet for a subscriber received from the Internet, and the generated packet data is transmitted to the set-top box 4 through a TDM scheme. do. Then, the CDMA modulated data received from the set-top box 4 is received, the IP packet is generated based on this, and the IP packet is transmitted to the Internet.

The set top box 4 receives the TS packet transmitted from the central station 1 to provide multimedia data to the personal computer. The set top box 4 transmits the IP packet data input from the personal computer 5 to the central station 1 through CDMA modulation and frequency modulation.

2 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the central station 1 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In FIG. 2, reference numeral 10 denotes a router physically coupled to the Internet, which executes a connection process between the central station 1 and the Internet to convert an IP packet input from the Internet into data of an Ethernet frame, thereby converting the central station into a central station. It outputs to (1), converts the Ethernet frame transmitted from the central station 1 to the Internet into an IP packet, and performs routing processing based on a predetermined routing protocol. In addition, the router 10 provides a communication path between each unit to be described later.

In the drawing, reference numeral 11 denotes an MPEG-2 TS packet by processing the transmission data input from the router 10, as well as QPSK modulation (QPSK), for example, to generate the MPEG-2 TS packet. A transmission data processing apparatus which not only converts an intermediate frequency signal of MHz, but also converts the intermediate frequency signal by frequency up-conversion and high power output to the antenna 2.

In the drawing, reference numeral 12 denotes frequency downconversion and low noise amplification of the high frequency signal received through the antenna 2, as well as frequency demodulation for the intermediate frequency signal, and original packet data for the frequency demodulated signal. A reception data processing apparatus for processing reception data such as CDMA demodulation. Here, when the received packet processing device 12 receives the IP packet data or the control message from the set-top box 4, the received data processing apparatus 12 converts the data into Ethernet frame data and inputs it to the router 10.

In the drawing, reference numeral 13 denotes a central station configuration management unit that manages configuration information on a subscriber, which is, for example, a transmission / reception mode of the set-top box 4, that is, the set-top box 4 uses a satellite channel to transmit and receive data. Configuration information on whether or not, IP address allocation mode for each set-top box 4, that is, whether to assign or use a fixed IP address or not, and assign an available IP address whenever a subscriber wants to connect. Manage the configuration information. In addition, the central station configuration management unit 13 assembles a predetermined configuration information message requesting transmission of configuration information to an arbitrary set-top box 4 according to the request of the central station control unit 14, and sets the corresponding set-top through the router 10. Transmission control is carried out to the box 4.

Reference numeral 14 controls the entire apparatus of the central station 1, assigns a control or traffic PID to the set top box 4, assigns a transmission channel frequency and a CDMA code for transmission, or configures the configuration. Is a central international language for executing control such as assigning a specific IP address, and 15 is an IP address storage for storing IP address information for allocation for configuration management.

3 is a block diagram showing the configuration of the set top box 4 according to the first embodiment of the present invention.

In the drawing, reference numeral 41 denotes an RF device for frequency down-converting and low-noise amplifying a high frequency signal transmitted from the central station 1, a demodulation device for demodulating an intermediate frequency signal output from the RF device, and a signal output from the demodulation device. STB receiver including a demultiplexer for extracting a TS packet corresponding to the set top box 4 of the apparatus, which has a register (not shown) for storing a predetermined IP address therein, which will be described later. After storing the configuration management IP address applied from (43) in the register, it extracts its own packet based on the configuration management IP address and applies it to the STB control unit 43.

In the figure, reference numeral 42 denotes an STB transmitter which processes the transmission data applied from the STB controller 43, which sequentially generates and outputs a transmission data frame in accordance with a predetermined transmission timing signal. CDMA modulation is performed by mixing the CDMA codes, and the CDMA modulated data is converted into a predetermined intermediate frequency signal, for example, based on QPSK modulation and a predetermined control frequency. Transmission processing will be performed.

In addition, reference numeral 43 in the drawing is an STB control unit for controlling the overall operation of the set-top box 4, which converts the TS packet for the personal computer 5 received from the STB receiving unit 41 into an IP packet interface 46 In addition, the data from the personal computer 5 input from the interface 46 is outputted to the STB transmitter 42 and transmitted to the central station 1.

In addition, the STB control unit 43 outputs a predetermined CDMA code and frequency data to the STB transmitter 42 according to the control data transmitted from the central station 1 to the TS packet, so as to transmit data to the central station 1 to the central station 1. CDMA modulation and frequency modulation are executed.

In addition, the STB control unit 43 registers the call control IP address allocated from the central station 1 to the STB receiving unit 41 to receive and control the configuration management message transmitted from the central station 1 as well as the central station 1. Then, the configuration information required for transmission is assembled, and transmitted to the central station 1 through the STB transmitter 42.

In the drawing, reference numeral 44 is an STB configuration management unit for managing configuration information of the set-top box 4, 45 is an IP address storage unit for storing an IP address for configuration management assigned by the central station 1, and 46 is An interface for executing an interface with the personal computer 5, which converts an Ethernet packet applied from the STB control unit 43 into an IP packet and outputs it to the personal computer 5, as well as an IP packet applied from the personal computer 5 Is converted into an Ethernet packet and applied to the STB control unit 43.

Next, a method of controlling a terminal using an IP address in a multimedia satellite communication system according to a first embodiment of the present invention will be described with reference to the flowchart of FIG. 4.

First, a case of requesting a change of configuration management information from the central station 1 to the set top box 4 will be described.

The central station 1 broadcasts the configuration management IP address to each set top box 4 when the system is activated. Each set top box 4 stores the broadcasted configuration management IP address.

On the other hand, when the central international fisherman 14 requests the central station configuration management unit 13 to change the IP allocation mode for a particular subscriber through the router 10 (step A1), the central station configuration management unit 13 is the central international fisherman. The configuration information for the corresponding subscriber requested at 14 is changed, for example, the IP allocation mode.

In addition, the central station configuration management unit 13 assembles a predetermined configuration management control message requesting the configuration information for the subscriber to the set-top box 4 to output to the central station transmission unit 11 through the router 10. (Step A2). Then, the central station transmitting unit 11 converts the control message for configuration management input from the central station configuration management unit 13 into, for example, an MPEG-2 TS packet and transmits it to the set top box 4.

On the other hand, in the set-top box 4, the control message for configuration management transmitted from the central station 1 is received through an RF device (not shown), RF-processed, and then input to the STB receiver 41.

At this time, the STB control unit 43 outputs the configuration management IP address transmitted according to the broadcasting operation of the central station 1 to the STB receiving unit 41, and the STB receiving unit 41 outputs the inputted configuration management IP address. When the message transmitted from the central station 1 is input through the antenna 3, the STB receiving unit 41 stores an IP address that is the same as the configuration management IP address stored in the register. It is determined whether there is an IP packet including (step A3).

The STB receiver 41 extracts an IP packet including the same configuration management IP address, and then outputs the extracted configuration management control message to the STB controller 43. Subsequently, the STB control unit 43 transmits the configuration management control message input from the STB receiving unit 41 to the STB configuration management unit 44 (step A4).

Subsequently, the STB configuration management unit 44 changes its configuration management information based on the input control message for configuration management (step A5).

Next, an operation for requesting the change of configuration management information from the set top box 4 to the central station 1 will be described.

When the configuration information, for example, a predetermined IP allocation mode change message which is desired to change the current IP allocation mode is input from the personal terminal 5 through the interface 46 (step B1), the STB control unit 43 assigns the input IP allocation. The mode change message is output to the STB configuration manager 44 (step B2).

Then, the STB configuration manager 44 changes its IP allocation mode based on the input IP allocation mode change message, and outputs the IP allocation mode change message to the central station 1 through the STB control unit 43 ( Step B3).

Meanwhile, in the central station 1, the IP allocation mode change message transmitted from the set top box 4 is inputted to the router 10 through the central station receiving unit 12, and the router 10 changes the input IP allocation mode. The message is output to the central station control unit 14. Then, the central station control unit 14 determines whether the input IP allocation mode change message is a message to which the IP address is to be fixedly assigned or whether to change the fixed IP allocation mode to the non-fixed IP allocation mode. .

At this time, the central international fisherman 14 is a message that wants to change the fixed IP assignment mode to the non-fixed IP assignment mode, the fixed IP assignment mode to the central station configuration management unit 13 through the router 10 in the non-fixed assignment mode You will be asked to change it. Then, the central station configuration management unit 13 changes the IP allocation mode for the subscriber based on the input request for changing the IP allocation mode.

However, in step B4, if the central station controller 14 is a message to change from the non-fixed IP allocation mode to the fixed IP allocation mode, whether the subscriber can change to the fixed IP allocation mode, or the current fixed IP allocation mode In step B4, it is determined whether there is an allocated available IP address.

At this time, the central station control unit 14 is a subscriber that can not be changed to the fixed IP assignment mode, or if there is no available IP address to assign to the current fixed IP assignment mode, the set-top box through the router 10 (4) You will be notified of the change. However, if the subscriber is a subscriber who can change to the fixed IP allocation mode and there is an available IP address for allocating to the fixed IP allocation mode, the subscriber station is transmitted to the central station configuration management unit 13 through the router 10. The configuration information is notified to change to the fixed IP allocation mode and the IP address to be changed is output (step B5).

Subsequently, the central station configuration manager 13 changes the configuration information for the subscriber to the fixed IP assignment mode and transmits the fixed assigned IP address to the corresponding set-top box 4 through the router 10.

Then, the set top box 4 changes its configuration information to a fixed IP address using the IP address transmitted from the central station 1.

Therefore, according to the embodiment, it is possible to effectively perform configuration management by using a specific IP address.

5 and 6 are block diagrams showing the configuration of the central station 1 and the set-top box 4 to which the terminal control method using the IP address is applied in the multimedia satellite communication system according to the second embodiment of the present invention. to be.

Since the second embodiment proceeds similarly to the first embodiment, a brief operation thereof will be described.

That is, the central station 1, if the status information for any set-top box 4 or personal terminal 5 is requested, and transmits a message requesting this to the set-top box (4). When the status information request message is input, the set top box 4 transmits its own status information and status information of the personal terminal 5 to the central station 1.

On the other hand, if the status information occurs in the subscriber or set-top box (4), the set-top box (4) transmits the status information to the central station (1), the central station (1) is a predetermined state information The storage will be managed.

According to the second embodiment, it is possible to effectively perform state management by using a specific IP address.

On the other hand, the present invention is not limited to the above embodiments, and various modifications can be made without departing from the technical gist of the present invention.

As described above, according to the present invention, a multimedia satellite communication system which effectively performs configuration management or status management by configuring a call control network between a central station and a terminal station by assigning a specific IP address for configuration management or status management. The terminal control method using the IP address can be realized.

Claims (1)

A multimedia satellite communication system configured to provide an internet or multimedia service to a subscriber by combining a central station physically coupled with a plurality of multimedia servers or the Internet and a terminal station physically coupled with a subscriber through satellites; Generating a request signal for changing configuration information for a specific subscriber in the central station; Outputting a predetermined configuration information change message requesting a change of configuration information for the subscriber to the set-top box according to a change request of the configuration information generated by the central station; Set-top box is a terminal control method using an IP switch in a multimedia satellite communication system, characterized in that configured to include, if the configuration information change message is received, changing its configuration information to the required configuration information.

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