WO2005025100A2 - Systeme de radiotelevision a voie de retour - Google Patents

Systeme de radiotelevision a voie de retour Download PDF

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Publication number
WO2005025100A2
WO2005025100A2 PCT/IL2004/000816 IL2004000816W WO2005025100A2 WO 2005025100 A2 WO2005025100 A2 WO 2005025100A2 IL 2004000816 W IL2004000816 W IL 2004000816W WO 2005025100 A2 WO2005025100 A2 WO 2005025100A2
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WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
user
terrestrial
installation
receiver
satellite
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/IL2004/000816
Other languages
English (en)
Other versions
WO2005025100A3 (fr
Inventor
Efraim Atad
Ofer Harpak
Eitan Efron
Original Assignee
Wi Networks Inc.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from US10/810,583 external-priority patent/US20050055723A1/en
Priority claimed from US10/810,558 external-priority patent/US20050055720A1/en
Priority claimed from US10/810,591 external-priority patent/US20050055724A1/en
Priority claimed from US10/810,577 external-priority patent/US20050055729A1/en
Priority claimed from US10/810,552 external-priority patent/US20050068915A1/en
Application filed by Wi Networks Inc. filed Critical Wi Networks Inc.
Priority to AU2004302989A priority Critical patent/AU2004302989A1/en
Priority to CA002538380A priority patent/CA2538380A1/fr
Priority to EP04770487A priority patent/EP1671435A2/fr
Publication of WO2005025100A2 publication Critical patent/WO2005025100A2/fr
Publication of WO2005025100A3 publication Critical patent/WO2005025100A3/fr

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Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H40/00—Arrangements specially adapted for receiving broadcast information
    • H04H40/18—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving
    • H04H40/27—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95
    • H04H40/90—Arrangements characterised by circuits or components specially adapted for receiving specially adapted for broadcast systems covered by groups H04H20/53 - H04H20/95 specially adapted for satellite broadcast receiving
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/20—Adaptations for transmission via a GHz frequency band, e.g. via satellite
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H2201/00—Aspects of broadcast communication
    • H04H2201/30—Aspects of broadcast communication characterised by the use of a return channel, e.g. for collecting users' opinions, for returning broadcast space/time information or for requesting data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/10—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable
    • H04N7/106—Adaptations for transmission by electrical cable for domestic distribution
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04W—WIRELESS COMMUNICATION NETWORKS
    • H04W84/00—Network topologies
    • H04W84/02—Hierarchically pre-organised networks, e.g. paging networks, cellular networks, WLAN [Wireless Local Area Network] or WLL [Wireless Local Loop]
    • H04W84/10—Small scale networks; Flat hierarchical networks
    • H04W84/12—WLAN [Wireless Local Area Networks]

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to broadcasting including satellite broadcasting (DVB-S) or terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T) with a return channel and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a method and apparatus for providing broadband services, interactive TV and gaming, broadband Internet access and internet telephony, full duplex, three-way communication and like services requiring at least a return channel to television customers of satellite or terrestrial broadcasting which do not have natural return or adaptable channels.
  • DVD-S satellite broadcasting
  • DVD-T terrestrial broadcasting
  • the present invention relates to broadcasting including satellite broadcasting (DVB-S) or terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T) with a return channel and, more particularly, but not exclusively to a method and apparatus for providing broadband services, interactive TV and gaming, broadband Internet access and internet telephony, full duplex, three-way communication and like services requiring at least a return channel to television customers of satellite or terrestrial broadcasting which do not have natural return or adaptable channels.
  • cable operators are able to provide their customers with interactive television, Internet telephony and broadband Internet services
  • 09/811,593 which describes two-way data communication via satellite, using data communication in a first direction via satellites in geostationary orbit, and data communication in a second direction via satellites in a below geostationary orbit, either MEO or LEO.
  • the transceiver is described as being particularly useful for providing Internet connections although the application of Interactive TV is not specifically mentioned.
  • a LEO forward link is used for control signaling, urgent data traffic and the like.
  • the disadvantage of this solution however is that LEO satellites require directional antennas and even for MEO the user's satellite dish has to be modified considerably or replaced in order to provide the necessary transmission power.
  • the satellite provider has to make sure that transmission capacity is continuously available from MEO satellites.
  • the solution is not economical, both the bandwidth and the necessary customer units are expensive. Additional patents and applications relate to the application of providing a return channel to DVB-S, manly over PSTN line or two-way satellite connection.
  • DVB-S DVB-S providers have to compete with terrestrial networks and particularly with the cable networks who are able to provide broadband Internet, interactive TV, video on demand, games on demand and the like over their infrastructure.
  • the lack of an effective return channel and unicast support for DVB-S are a serious limitation on the growth and provisioning of new services -causing loss of market share and potential revenues from existing customers.
  • a return channel of some kind is required to support interactive television and a unicast channel is required to support revenue-generating services such as VOD, VoIP, and Internet access.
  • the difficulty that needs to be overcome is finding an effective way to provide such a return channel and unicast support in association with satellite broadcasting.
  • the lack of a natural return channel force DVB-S providers to cooperate with telephony providers to solve the problem using a modem and telephone link as explained above.
  • the telephone return channel is paid for separately, is costly if used extensively and restricts availability of the user's telephone line.
  • Other solutions for return channel or unicast services support include satellite return (e.g. VSAT, ARTES) but the options are limited and the solutions are not economical.
  • Customers are looking for one-provider-one bill, just as they currently receive from the cable providers.
  • DVB-S providers are under pressure to become a full MSP
  • Table 1 shows various schemes for broadband data transmission and tabulates their usability for various types of media.
  • a satellite (DVB-S) or terrestrial (DVB-T) TV broadcasting system comprising: an outward broadcast link to reach each of a plurality of user receiver installations via satellite, and a return link from each of the plurality of users, the return channel being a wireless terrestrial channel via a wide area network (WAN) of which WAN the user receiver installations form a node .
  • the WAN further supports a second forward link to each of the plurality of user receiver installations.
  • the WAN is operative substantially in accordance with IEEE standard 802.16 or IEEE standard 802.20.
  • one or more of the nodes comprise support for a communications hotspot.
  • the communications hotspot is substantially in accordance with
  • the system typically comprises a plurality of WANs, distributed over different urban areas as convenient.
  • each WAN comprises a central base station for broadcasting to other nodes thereof using a mesh algorithm.
  • the system may additionally make use of IP core infrastructure to transmit data between a head end unit and the various central base stations of the WAN. It is also possible to use satellite capacity to transmit to the individual WANs if desired.
  • the system may comprise a head end unit to direct TV channel content over the outward broadcast link and to manage interactive services for respective users using data received from respective users over the return link.
  • a TV receiver installation comprising: a satellite receiver for receiving a broadcast data link from a satellite relay, and a terrestrial antenna, associated with the satellite receiver, for handling a return link over a WAN.
  • the terrestrial antenna is further operable to handle a forward link over the WAN.
  • the satellite and the terrestrial receivers are connected to a single connecting cable via a splitter combiner unit which is operable to combine satellite and WAN signals for sending together through the cable and to split signals coming out of the cable.
  • the terrestrial antenna and the return and forward links may be adapted for the IEEE 802.16 standard or the IEEE 802.20 standard.
  • the TV receiver installation may further be adapted to comprise a node of the
  • the installation may further be adapted to be a micro base station for a local hot spot.
  • the local hot spot conforms substantially to the IEEE 802.11 standard.
  • a user installation for interfacing a television or like device with a satellite TV signal comprising: a connector for connection to a satellite TV receiver installation, and a splitter combiner attached to the connector for splitting incoming signals from the connector into a TV signal and a WAN signal, and for directing outgoing WAN signals to the connector, the WAN signal providing a return link to allow interactive viewing at the television.
  • the installation is preferably operable to provide WAN support so that the connected satellite TV installation, when supplied with a terrestrial antenna, can serve as a WAN node.
  • the WAN support substantially fulfils the requirements of IEEE standard 802.16 or the requirements of IEEE standard 802.20.
  • the installation is preferably further operable to provide Hotspot support so that the connected satellite TV installation, when supplied with a terrestrial antenna, can provide a local hotspot.
  • the hotspot support substantially fulfils the requirements of IEEE standard 802.11.
  • the user installation comprises at least set top box (STB) functionality, WAN functionality, and splitter combiner functionality. These may be provided as discrete devices, an integrated device or as any combination thereof.
  • STB set top box
  • the installation may include a residential gateway comprising interface functionality for at least one of a LAN, an Internet enabled device, and a voice over IP enabled device.
  • a residential gateway comprising interface functionality for at least one of a LAN, an Internet enabled device, and a voice over IP enabled device.
  • the residential gateway and the set top box functionality are integrated within a single housing.
  • the installation may comprise hotspot management functionality.
  • a head end installation for satellite TV broadcasting to a plurality of user TV receiver installations, comprising: a transmitter for transmitting streaming channel content via satellite to the user installations, and a router for receiving a return link from a core IP network and regional WANs, the user TV receiver installations forming nodes of the WANs, the return link allowing interactive services to be provided by the installation, and the WAN may additionally provide a further forward channel to provide afull-duplex broadband service.
  • the head end may comprise an interactive server for managing interactive services to a given user.
  • the router is further adapted for sending a forward link via the core
  • the installation may comprise an interactive server for managing interactive services to a given user, wherein the router is associated with the interactive server to modify data sent to an individual user in accordance with data received from the individual user via the return link.
  • the installation may comprise an interactive server for managing interactive services to a given user, wherein the router is associated with the interactive server to modify data sent in the forward link to an individual user in accordance with data received from the individual user via the return link.
  • a method of modifying an existing user satellite TV receiver installation including a satellite receiver dish and a single cable connection for reaching a set top box at a user's premises, the method comprising: affixing a terrestrial antenna suitable for broadcasting terrestrial wireless WAN signals, connecting a splitter combiner unit to the satellite receiver dish, the terrestrial antenna and the single cable connection, to combine incoming signals from the satellite receiver dish and the terrestrial antenna onto the single antenna and to split outgoing signals and direct them to the terrestrial antenna.
  • the method may comprise connecting WAN support electronics at a far end of the single cable connection for allowing the terrestrial antenna to function as a WAN node.
  • the WAN support electronics is sufficient for supporting one of the
  • the method may comprise connecting hotspot support electronics at a far end of the single cable for allowing the terrestrial antenna to function as a micro base station for a wireless hotspot.
  • the hotspot support electronics is sufficient for supporting the
  • the method may comprise connecting a residential gateway at a far end of the single cable, the residential gateway comprising interfaces for at least one of a set top box, a voice over IP device, an Internet device and a local area network, thereby to allow devices connected to the interfaces or the LAN to be able to receive and send signals via the modified receiver.
  • a residential gateway at a far end of the single cable
  • the residential gateway comprising interfaces for at least one of a set top box, a voice over IP device, an Internet device and a local area network, thereby to allow devices connected to the interfaces or the LAN to be able to receive and send signals via the modified receiver.
  • selected steps could be implemented by hardware or by software on any operating system of any firmware or a combination thereof.
  • selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a chip or a circuit.
  • selected steps of the invention could be implemented as a plurality of software instructions being executed by a computer, or by a CPU placed within a set top box or like device using any suitable operating system.
  • selected steps of the method and system of the invention could be described as being performed by a data processor, such as a computing platform for executing a plurality of instructions.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram showing a general concept of the present embodiments, namely of a user satellite receiver installation for receiving a satellite feed and also forming a node of a terrestrial WAN;
  • FIG. 2 is a simplified diagram showing how an existing installed cable at the user satellite receiver installation is sufficient for a receiver installation augmented according to the present embodiments to incorporate WAN functionality;
  • FIG. 3 is a simplified diagram showing a modification of the embodiment of
  • FIG. 2 in which WAN customer premise equipment is integrated with a splitter combiner in a single housing;
  • FIG. 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating a modification of the installation of FIG. 2 for use in a multi-occupancy building;
  • FIG. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating a filter-only connection for a user in a multi-occupancy building who does not require a return channel;
  • FIG. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating alternative connections to a central feed for users in a multi-occupancy building who require a return channel;
  • FIG. 7 is a simplified diagram illustrating a system using one TV frequency band and two WAN frequency bands;
  • FIG. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating a system using one TV frequency band, two WAN frequency bands and two WiFi or hotspot frequency bands;
  • FIG. 9 is a simplified schematic diagram of a rooftop satellite receiver installation showing two options for mounting a modification to equip the antenna for WAN and if required for hotspot use;
  • FIG. 10 is simplified diagram showing in more detail the modification options illustrated schematically in FIG. 9;
  • FIG. 11 is a simplified diagram showing the modifications of FIG. 9 viewed from the front of the antenna;
  • FIG. 12 is a simplified diagram illustrating the modifications of FIG. 9 viewed from the side of the antenna;
  • FIG. 13 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating a system for integrated broadcasting and service management of a satellite link and a WAN two-way interactive channel;
  • FIG. 14A is a simplified diagram of a user installation for supporting satellite broadcasting according to the various embodiments of the present invention;
  • FIG. 14B is a simplified diagram of an example user installation that supports
  • FIG. 15A is a simplified diagram illustrating in schematic form the system of FIG. 13;
  • FIG. 15B is a block diagram illustrating in greater detail a configuration that retains compatibility with existing the Telco or telephone line solution;
  • FIG. 16A illustrates a residential gateway device supporting a set top box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 16B illustrates a configuration in which the set top box and residential gateway are combined as a single device;
  • FIG. 16C illustrates a configuration in which a residential gateway supports a number of devices including a set top box;
  • FIG. 16D illustrates a configuration in which a combined set top box and residential gateway supports a television and other household communication enabled devices;
  • FIG. 16E illustrates a configuration in which a combined set top box and residential gateway supports a number of standard set top boxes
  • FIG. 17A illustrates a WAN formed from a plurality of satellite receiver installations and in which meshwise connections are available making several paths available to reach groups or individual users
  • FIG. 17B illustrates use of a backhaul channel between two WAN base stations
  • FIG. 17C illustrates use of a repeater to support a backhaul channel
  • FIG. 17D illustrates use of a local center and multiple repeaters to feed individual base stations
  • FIG. 18 illustrates the WAN of FIG. 17 in which the individual satellite installations of the WAN support local hotspots
  • FIG. 19 is a system diagram illustrating a WAN and hotspot supporting equipment arrangement from a system point of view
  • FIG. 19 is a system diagram illustrating a WAN and hotspot supporting equipment arrangement from a system point of view
  • FIG. 19 is a system diagram illustrating a WAN and hotspot supporting equipment arrangement from a system point
  • FIG. 20 is a system diagram illustrating a residential gateway according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention from a system point of view;
  • FIG. 21 illustrates the residential gateway of FIG. 20 connected to a set top box also shown from a system point of view;
  • FIG. 22 illustrates a residential gateway integrated with a set top box according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention;
  • FIG. 23 is a system diagram showing the DVB-S head end of FIG. 13 shown from a system point of view.
  • FIG. 24 is a simplified diagram showing a cable-based distribution system adapted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention;
  • FIG. 25 is a simplified diagram illustrating a terrestrial broadcast system adapted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention, and
  • FIG. 26 is a simplified diagram illustrating a hybrid cable and terrestrial broadcast distribution system adapted in accordance with embodiments of the present invention.
  • the present embodiments comprise a satellite (DVB-S) or terrestrial (DVB-T) based broadcasting system in which a digital TV feed is provided over a feed connection to a user's receiver and wherein a 2- way preferably relatively high data rate channel is provided over a WAN which uses each satellite receiver as a micro- base station for the WAN network.
  • the WAN network may be mesh configured so that multiple paths exist for transmitting to each user, hence making it more robust. This may be best achieved simply by using the DVB-S install base.
  • the WAN provides at least a return channel to enable interactive television and like services but may also provide an outward channel of high capacity allowing unicast services. Thus services such as Internet, Internet telephony and video/gaming on demand can be made available. It will be appreciated that whilst the present embodiments concentrated on
  • DVB-S or more precisely DVB-S (digital video broadcast via satellite) the invention is as much applicable to DVB-T (digital video broadcast - terrestrial), in which return and interactive channels can be applied in the same way to the existing broadcast channel.
  • the WAN is preferably based on the WiMax ( IEEE 802.16) standard, or alternatively on the IEEE 802.20 standard and/or on the DVB-T standard.
  • the IEEE 802.16 addresses the "first-mile/last-mile" connection in wireless metropolitan area networks.
  • the 802.16 standard creates a platform on which the present embodiments are able to build a cost-effective broadband wireless solution which is high-speed and which uses the existing satellite receivers as an infrastructure so that it can be installed rapidly and cheaply.
  • the IEEE 802.16 or WiMax standard was approved on April 2002, after a two-year, open-consensus process that involved the world's leading operators and vendors.
  • IEE 802.16 enables interoperability among devices from multiple manufacturers.
  • the standard is purely packet based and thus is eminently suitable for data- based services. It includes a medium access control layer (MAC) that supports multiple physical layer specifications.
  • the physical layer supports a wide-range band coverage (licensed and unlicensed) including band 10 to 66 GHz (802.16c) and band
  • IEEE 802.16e is the mobile version. Although the standard covers a very large spectrum it specifically targets the 2.4Ghz, 3.5Ghz, and 5.8Ghz bands and also targes operation of the 6-20Mhz bands. There is also interest in the use of KU bands 12.2-12.7Ghz, currently reserved for southbound sky use. This is a
  • the IEEE 802.16 standard provides up to 50 kilometers of linear service area range and enables connectivity without a direct line of sight to a base station.
  • the technology also provides shared data rates of up to 70Mbps, which, according to
  • WiMax is enough bandwidth to simultaneously support more than 60 businesses with
  • WiMax can be used to extend Cable networks HFC (Hybrid Fiber Coax) to remote locations.
  • the extension involves using WiMax over the cable part of the connection and then using wireless Wimax.
  • wireless can connect to a Wimax base station and the HFC network can thus be extended to a remote rural area at a fraction of the cost of having to lay cable in the conventional manner. It is further possible to extend Wimax back over the cable networks to the transmission source or headend.
  • Coax construction may apply from the cable modem to the roof over coax/DSL or another - for the purpose of delivering a WiMAx service using the coax infrastructure, or from a Wimax supporting Cable STB - for supporting home devices, or from any means of delivering wimax over cable coax in addition to existing signals.
  • the coax construction may be alternatively a totally separate delivery network from the headend, or from a fiber node , or from a coax node (such as the home units).
  • Wimax support can be integrated in the cable STBs or be a separate residential gateway connecting to the Cable coax network.
  • the WiMax support can be local, say an NLOS embedded antenna, or via an external antenna.
  • WiMax cable networks which are able to combine the advantages of both coax and fiber.
  • WiMax itself and the 802.16 standard makes highly efficient use of bandwidth and supports voice, video and data applications with enhanced support of quality of service.
  • the standard is used in setting up the WAN and provides the physical and access layers needed to provide a two channel link that is powerful enough to support interactive television and supply Internet at broadband levels.
  • the preferred embodiments provide systems and a method to implement return channel functions and unicast services to multi-channel TV DVB-S/DVB users and service providers using metro wireless packet radio, typically the above described IEEE 802.16 but also 802.20. It will be appreciated that the standards are not mandatory, and in certain jurisdictions may be modified by local regulations. The standards are also subject to amendment during the life of the patent.
  • the skilled person will appreciate that in certain cases he is obliged to use the standards as given and in certain cases he may modify the standards or use them merely as guidelines for the kind of service to be provided.
  • the present embodiments allow satellite TV (DVB-S) providers that are limited today to multi-channel TV services to turn into multi-service providers (MSPs), and the present disclosure explains concepts, methods, technology, systems, and tools for a DVB-S service provider to cost-effectively turn into a MSP.
  • the resulting system is preferably triple play and mobile ready
  • the presently preferred embodiments between them comprise the following features and aspects of the invention: • A satellite-based channel feed operated together with a return channel and preferably with a full-duplex terrestrial broadband channel.
  • the terrestrial return channel is a WAN and may be based on one or more of the wireless standards discussed herein.
  • the WAN may additionally provide a forward channel.
  • the nodes may be WAN base-stations or WAN repeaters or simply receiver stations.
  • the satellite receivers may be used as micro base stations for hotspots, particularly using the IEEE 802.11 standard.
  • a set top box (or satellite decoder box) that has a single antenna outlet is adapted with a splitter/combiner (often termed dyplexer) to send and receive WAN traffic and to receive satellite traffic over the single outlet (3 -way).
  • the receiver may additionally manage local hotspot trafric (5-way).
  • a satellite dish has a WAN antenna, a splitter and combiner and a single outlet.
  • the splitter combiner modulates the WAN and satellite signals so that they can be sent through the single cable and so that WAN signals can be received from the cable for broadcasting.
  • the WAN infrastructure preferably also allows the WAN antenna to serve as a relay for traffic not intended for the local user so that the WAN forms a mesh giving multiple communication pathways to individual users, and enables the WAN to span higher distances yet transmit at lower power.
  • the modified antenna may also provide a micro-base station for a local hotspot.
  • a head end or broadcast station supports a one-way data sfreaming channel which is broadcast via satellite or terrestrial feed type broadcasting say (DVB-S) or (DVB-T), and a two-way terrestrial channel for a return link to support interactive services.
  • An outward terrestrial channel can also be provided.
  • the combination allows for unicast signals to be sent to individual users, and allows interactive TV, Internet, telephony via voice over IP (VoIP) and like services.
  • VoIP voice over IP
  • the system may further accommodate mobile services according to the IEEE 802.16e or 802.20 standards.
  • a method of adaptation of an existing satellite dish by adding a splitter/combiner and a terrestrial antenna.
  • a household communication hub has a bidirectional output to a satellite dish, and bidirectional outputs to household appliances or a household LAN.
  • the hub includes or is connected to a splitter combiner unit for modulating the WAN and satellite signals as above.
  • FIG. 1 is a simplified diagram illustrating a satellite broadcast system with terrestrial WAN support according to a first preferred embodiment of the present invention.
  • a satellite customer has a satellite dish 10 on the roof of his house 12.
  • the satellite dish is linked to a set top decoder or set top box (STB) in the house 12 by a single cable, typically a co-ax cable 14 in the usual way (Typically RG6, RG11 or RG59 coax cables).
  • STB set top decoder or set top box
  • the satellite dish is modified with a splitter combiner unit 16, miscellaneous supporting electronics as needed, and a terrestrial antenna 18.
  • the unit on the roof may be in the same housing as the WAN antenna or may be separate.
  • the splitter combiner function can transmit the WAN signal over different bands either as RF, IF or Ethernet over the coax cable 14, and these variations should be borne in mind in the following drawings.
  • the satellite dish itself receives a multi-channel video feed 20 from satellite relay 22 which is typically in geosynchronous orbit.
  • the terrestrial antenna 18 sends and receives radio signals 24 of a bidirectional wireless WAN using any of the standards mentioned above or based on modifications or variations thereof.
  • the satellite dish typically serves as a receive-only device just as with a prior art satellite TV receiver, whereas the terrestrial antenna provides a high capacity two-way channel.
  • the terrestrial antenna and supporting electronics in fact not only send and receive signals of the local satellite customer.
  • they also serve as a relay station for passing signals between other satellite customers so that in effect a mesh is set up using the satellite infrastructure as a series of relays permitting higher transmission distances for lower transmitted power the green effect.
  • the individual antennas may serve as micro base stations to support local hotspots under IEEE 802.11.
  • the splitter combiner 16 combines the incoming signals from the terrestrial and satellite antennas to send down the cable 14 and directs outgoing signals from the cable 14 to the terrestrial antenna.
  • Fig. 2 is a simplified diagram illustrating the pathway from the set top box to the antenna according to a preferred embodiment of the present invention. Parts that are the same are given the same reference numerals and are not described again except as needed for an understanding of the present drawing.
  • the satellite dish 10 and the terrestrial antenna 18 are located together on the outside of the building followed by splitter /combiner 16.
  • the dish and antenna can also be separate if desired.
  • a combined signal is transmitted through cable 14 and at the inside end of the cable is a further splitter combiner 30 which splits the incoming signals and combines the outgoing signals for transmission down the cable.
  • the splitter combiner 30 is connected to a customer premises equipment (CPE) unit 32 which contains electronics for managing the wireless technology of the terrestrial network and for using it, both for sending and receiving data and preferably also for relaying data not intended for the local recipient.
  • CPE customer premises equipment
  • the local unit is also connected to the standard STB 34 which is in turn connected to television set 36.
  • the set top box is a conventional satellite TV STB and carries out functions such as D/A conversion of digital channels and decoding of the incoming channels in the standard manner.
  • Fig. 3 is a modification of the embodiment of Fig. 2 in which the indoor-end splitter combiner and the CPE are combined into a single unit 38. The modification is simply an integration of the two within a single housing.
  • Fig. 4 is a simplified diagram illustrating a modification of the connection between the antenna and the STB for a multi-tenant building.
  • Fig. 4 shows a scheme for distributing the signal from the antenna to all the users in the building and providing interactive channel functionality to those who require it.
  • User 1 does not want interactive services and simply requires a satellite TV signal.
  • User 1 is therefore supplied with filter 40 which filters out any signals to do with the WAN system and allows through the TV signal.
  • Fig. 5 is a simplified diagram illustrating in greater detail the filter connection to user 1 who does not require interactive services.
  • the filter operates to filter out the WAN signals as described above so that the user does not receive them. It is noted that the filter may be located at the branch of the co-ax cable, in which case only a single filter is required. Alternatively the filter may be placed after the branch, in which case a second filter may be required.
  • Fig. 6 is a simplified diagram illustrating in greater detail the filter connection to users 2 and 3.
  • the splitter combiner may be located at the co-ax branch or may be located subsequent to the branch, in which latter case two may be required.
  • the figure shows connections both for discrete and combined versions of the CPE and splitter combiner.
  • Fig. 7 shows the different frequency bands that appear at various points along the connecting wires between the antennas and the set top box.
  • a first frequency band 1 is reserved for the mcoming television signal from the satellite. The band is not changed and simply is picked up at the satellite dish and transferred to the set top box.
  • a second frequency band, band 2 is used as an up band for outward broadcasting over the terrestrial antenna.
  • the band is modified at the upper splitter combiner 16 to form band 2.1 in which band it is transmitted.
  • Incoming signals are received at a band 3.1 and modified at upper splitter combiner 16 to form a band 3.
  • Band 3 is transferred down the co-ax cable 14 and provides the incoming signals to the CPE.
  • the lower splitter combiner 30 is preferably transparent to band 1 but presents a high pass (or low pass) filter towards the STB and a band pass filter towards the CPE to ensure that each component receives the correct signal.
  • the upper splitter combiner 16 is preferably also transparent to band 1 and includes an IF to RF converter for converting between bands 2 and 3 and bands 2.1 and 3.1. It includes an antenna termination for the antenna and a cable termination for the co-ax cable. It is noted that it is possible to send an RF signal directly over the coax cable 14.
  • Fig. 8 is a simplified diagram illustrating a variation of the embodiment of Fig. 7 for additionally supporting WiFi hotspot functionality.
  • the system is modified by adding two more bands, bands 4 and 5, received/transmitted as bands 4.1 and 5.1, over the terrestrial antenna.
  • the new bands allow the accommodation of third party signals which are not intended for the user but instead allow his receiver to be used as a micro base station for relaying hot spot signals to nearby mobile communication devices.
  • the third parties may be any users with communications equipment who are in range and are able to log in to the system, allowing the WAN to provide wireless hotspots in the local vicinity.
  • Fig. 9 is a schematic diagram illustrating two possibilities for attaching the WAN hardware to a satellite dish 50.
  • the satellite dish has a stem 52 to which it is connected to the roof or wall of a building.
  • the dish also has a peripheral end 54.
  • the WAN hardware including the terrestrial antenna is preferably attached either to the stem 52 or the peripheral end 54. Whichever of the two options is used the antenna is mounted using an appropriate type of clip. The skilled person will appreciate that it is possible to place the antenna anywhere else on the roof or house wall if the line-of-site transmission requires higher distances.
  • the splitter/coupler may always be mounted on the stem, and the antenna may then be placed either together with the splitter coupler on the stem or the antenna may be separately mounted on the periphery of the dish.
  • Fig. 10 is a rear view of the antenna showing both options in greater detail.
  • Figs 11 and 12 are front and side views respectively of the options for mounting the antenna on the periphery of the dish with the splitter coupler on the stem.
  • the splitter coupler is connected via a cable to the terrestrial antenna.
  • Fig. 13 is a simplified schematic diagram showing a broadcast system for supporting a one-way channel feed via satellite together with a two-way channel system via a WAN. Parts that are the same as in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not referred to again except as necessary for understanding the present embodiment.
  • a transmission station or DVB-S head end 60 is connected to the Internet 62 and transmits a multichannel TV feed via satellite to the users.
  • the head end receives the WAN-based return channel and also transmits an outward channel over the WAN to provide unicast signals to individual users.
  • the head end comprises a series of servers such as a streaming server 64 which provides the TV channels and a video on demand (VOD) server 66 which provides individual video streams to individual customers who request it.
  • Other servers (not shown) provide other services such as Internet, voice over IP and Interactive TV and the like that it is desired to provide to users.
  • the TV channels are encoded for digital video broadcast (DVB) at DVB encoder 68 and sent via satellite antenna 70 and satellite relay 22 to all the users.
  • DVD digital video broadcast
  • Signals intended for the WAN are sent via router 72 and any suitable connection, typically some kind of core IP infrastructure 74, to WAN antennas 76 of which there is preferably one for each WAN.
  • Return signals from the WAN are received at WAN antennas 76, sent back by the core IP infrastructure, received at router 72 and sent to the server providing the relevant service.
  • the WAN signals are preferably sent on from user to user until arriving at the antenna 10 of the intended user, using point to multipoint and mesh type routing, as will be explained below in reference to FIG. 17.
  • Internet connections can also be local at a city concentrator and not only at the headend.
  • Units may thus be added at either or both of the city concentrator or the headend that can interface to existing infrastructure. For example it is possible to interface between the existing telco-return system and the WAN at the headend as shown in Fig. 15B.
  • the user has filter combiners and a CPE as well as an STB as described above.
  • the user has a residential gateway 78 which is a unit that acts as a household communications hub and is able to manage data routing to different communication devices in the house such as a voice over IP (VoIP) telephone 80 and a computer 82.
  • VoIP voice over IP
  • the residential gateway 78 supports a household LAN through which it is able to direct data to the different devices.
  • Fig. 14 A is a simplified diagram illustrating how the set top box 34 is connected up to an integrated splitter combiner and CPE unit 38 so that the TV receives the satellite signals for display and also has a return channel and a full-duplex unicast broadband connection via the WAN.
  • the TV is able to receive any video on demand or interactive TV signals that may be sent via the WAN.
  • the STB has an RF connection to the splitter combiner part of the unit 38 and a separate connection to the CPE part of the unit.
  • the separate connection is preferably a V90 modem connection, but can also be a lower speed modem working say at 2400b/s without V90 support.
  • a separate connection is provided which can be any one of a range of connection types including a USB port, an RS232 port, an Ethernet port, a WiFi connection or any other suitable connection.
  • Fig. 14B is a simplified diagram illustrating a solution in which Ethernet is used as the distribution medium over the coax cable from the roof unit to the home and from the home gateway to the STBs.
  • an outdoor unit 43 is connected to the satellite dish and WAN antenna.
  • a coax cable connection links the indoor and outdoor units via bandpass filters 45.
  • Both units have an Ethernet /VDSL unit 46, a VDSL bandpass filter 47, and suitable power supplies 48.
  • the arrangement allows Ethernet distribution to be used between the outdoor and indoor units over the existing installed coax cable.
  • a similar arrangement can be used to allow Ethernet distribution over existing in-house coax installation between the home gateway and the home STBs. With the same approach it is possible to distribute over an existing twisted pair installation as well. It will be appreciated that the use of Ethernet is merely an example, and the installation could also be designed to use IF and RF as the distribution medium.
  • Fig. 15 A shows in greater detail the DVB-S head end 60 and the WAN structure.
  • the DVB-S head end 60 is connected to one or more Internet service providers (ISP) through which users obtain their Internet services also can be mid-way at city concentrators.
  • ISP Internet service providers
  • the DVB-S head end comprises router 72 and satellite antenna 70 as two separate routes for reaching users, as explained above with respect to Fig. 13.
  • Server farm 80 provides data for the television and other services, although Interactive services may be provided by a separate bank of servers 82.
  • a Telco (telephone based) return server 84 may be provided to retain compatibility with any persisting Telco return channel infrastructure.
  • the telco infrastructure may or may not be provided with WAN-telco conversion units, which are a multi-card version of the CPE units to provide compatibility.
  • Router 72 leads over IP core 74, which is preferably an existing IP backbone type infrastructure to the WAN base stations 76.
  • IP core 74 which is preferably an existing IP backbone type infrastructure to the WAN base stations 76.
  • a single WAN base station serves a group of users.
  • a single WAN base station broadcasts directly to all users in the group, however this is not necessarily the case.
  • not all users need be in range of the main WAN base station and individual user installations may serve as relays or micro base stations to provide what is in effect a cellular network.
  • Fig. 15B shows in greater detail a configuration that retains existing telco functionality.
  • Fig. 15B shows in greater detail a configuration that retains existing telco functionality.
  • Figs. 16A - 16E are different configurations for the customer premises.
  • a television is connected to the WAN/satellite infrastracture, and in some of the figures other devices are connected as well.
  • a residential gateway unit 90 includes the electronics of the CPE discussed above and may be connected directly to STB 92.
  • STB 94 includes the CPE electronics and may be connected directly to the television.
  • the residential gateway unit 96 is the same as in Fig.
  • Fig. 16A is connected to set top box 98 and additionally to other household devices such as computers 100.
  • Fig. 16D the combined set top box and residential gateway of Fig. 16B is connected directly to television 102 and other devices such as a telephone or a computer.
  • Fig. 16E a user having multiple television sets at his premises is accommodated by providing a single master STB 110 which includes the residential gateway and preferably the CPE electronics.
  • the master STB is connected by existing cables to the user's additional television sets and standard STBs 112.
  • communication between the master and additional STBs may use the 802.11 wireless standard, or the 802.16 standard or may use coaxial cable as the distribution medium.
  • the distribution from the rooftop installation to the master STB may use the same range of distribution media.
  • Fig. 17A is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating operation of the WAN.
  • a number of satellite dishes are available in a given locality.
  • the satellite dishes each act as relay stations providing a WAN network in which each node is able to communicate with any other node that is in range, hence providing mesh connectivity. Consequently the network can provide numerous alternative routes to any given user, making the WAN very robust and improving the available capacity. As discussed above, this involves enabling broadcasting over higher distances, at lower power.
  • Fig. 17B is a simplified diagram illustrating a configuration in which a first base station 113 feeds its own user stations
  • Fig. 17C is a simplified diagram illustrating an alternative configuration in which a backhaul connection is needed between a base station 116 and a base station 118 but there is not sufficient reach.
  • the user station 117 is equipped with a repeater and acts as a relay for the backhaul channel, thus allowing an extended connection.
  • Fig. 17D is a simplified diagram illustrating a configuration in which core IP is used to supply a local center. The local center broadcasts via first and second repeaters to a base station.
  • Fig. 18 is a simplified diagram showing how the network of Fig. 17 can be used to provide hotspot coverage.
  • the IEEE 802.16 standard provides the WAN
  • the IEEE 802.11 standard which defines hot spots, provides short range but high capacity coverage around each separate micro-base station.
  • high capacity Internet can be provided within the hotspots to anyone with a device that is able to log in successfully.
  • the WAN is thus able to supplement local cellular networks with a data capacity level which the cellular networks are simply unable to provide.
  • the WAN can replace the cellular networks altogether.
  • the DVB-S operator to operate a mobile network over its DISH infrastracture, using 802.16e or 802.20.
  • the conversion of the satellite antenna as described herein enables a transformation of the current installed location into a 802.11 WiFi hotspot.
  • the 802.16 WAN cloud thus serves as a backdrop to a series of WiFi hotspots. Transition between 802.11 and 802.16 operation is part of the 802.16 standard and is preferably carried out in accordance with the standard.
  • Fig. 19 is a simplified block diagram illustrating the components of combined CPE and splitter combiner 32 as illustrated in FIG. 3.
  • the combined unit 32 combines the functions of the splitter combiner and the CPE.
  • the gateway 96 includes splitter combiner unit 120 and CPE unit 122, the latter providing management for the WAN standard and if relevant the hotspot standard.
  • the residential gateway is provided with interfaces for a LAN and direct interfaces for STBs and different kinds of ports.
  • the splitter combiner unit 120 is connected to the co-ax cable that leads to the satellite antenna installation.
  • Fig. 20 is a system diagram showing the various components of the residential gateway 96 from a system point of view.
  • An 802.16 transceiver unit 130 provides an interface to the WAN for the incoming, outgoing and relay WAN traffic.
  • a set top box interface 132 provides an interface for one or more STBs.
  • a voice over IP gateway 134 provides an Interface for telephones.
  • An 802.11 interface 136 allows a connection for any 802.11 compatible device so as to set up a local hotspot.
  • a 10/100 switch 138 provides connectivity for 10 and lOOMb/s ports.
  • the residential gateway can be connected directly to a LAN if desired.
  • FIG. 21 is a simplified diagram showing the residential gateway 96 connected to STB 140.
  • STB 140 is also shown from a system point of view.
  • the STB has a direct receiver 142 for the incoming satellite signal which does not need to be relayed through the gateway.
  • An encryption unit 144 deals with any encryption issues of the signal and an MPEG unit 146 carries out MPEG decoding.
  • RC unit 148 is an interface for a remote control and a tuner 150 carries out standard interface functions for the TV set.
  • Return channel unit 152 is an interface to the gateway 96 and provides the TV set with a return channel and a connection in general to the WAN part of the system.
  • the system mimics the operation of the telco return channel to the installed STB, and thus provides seamless integration between the new and legacy systems.
  • encryption unit 144 streaming and other content is currently protected by encryption.
  • the present embodiments are integrated to the existing satellite TV solutions for encryption.
  • the user requests the protected content in the usual way, via his remote control used interactively with the screen.
  • the request from the user arrives from the Remote control to the STB, where it is analyzed. After this first analysis the request is sent by the Return channel to an
  • an encryption key is produced and sent to the user via a downstream channel which may be either Satellite or WAN to the STB and partially to the Residential Gateway, this part by WAN.
  • the encrypted content is then sent by the WAN to the Residential Gateway where it may be stored, if storage is available, or streamed directly.
  • the encrypted content is then opened by the STB.
  • User commands for playing the content such as Pause, Fast Forward , etc, may be sent to the RG or to the head-end VOD server.
  • the content if stored, may be saved or erased from the RG according to system policy.
  • the data storage can thus provide a PVR function for a legacy STB.
  • Fig. 22 is a simplified system diagram of the combined STB and residential gateway unit 94 of Figures 16B and D. Parts that are the same as in previous figures are given the same reference numerals and are not referred to again except as necessary for understanding the present embodiment.
  • the device is a combination of the devices of Figs 20 and 21, except that the interfaces between the STB and the residential gateway are no longer required. Instead a CPU 160 is provided for overall control.
  • a hard disk drive 139 is provided for data storage. The hard disk drive may in fact be provided in any of the embodiments and allows for content to be downloaded and then stored at a later time.
  • Fig. 23 is a system diagram of a
  • the base station suitable for supporting antennas 76 at each WAN.
  • the base station comprises a connection to the core IP infrastructure through which data is transferred to and from the transmission center.
  • the infrastracture is here denoted as "internet telecom cloud” to indicate that any available infrastracture may be used that can support the kind of data and the quantity of data that needs to be transferred.
  • the base station includes a subscriber management system 162 that carries out subscriber management tasks such as determining whether a particular service is available to the given subscriber and the like.
  • a mesh algorithm unit 168 which deals with issues such as routing over the network.
  • the base station operates as a point to multipoint transmitter to reach users in the WAN, but as shown in Fig. 17 mesh type relaying of data is also supported and the mesh algorithm unit provides the support for such a function.
  • An air interface unit 170 transforms the incoming data into a signal that can be transmitted.
  • DHCP 172 allows for automatic assignment of IP addresses for a LAN.
  • a transmission arrangement 174 of amplifiers, duplexers and antenna physically allows the signal to be transmitted.
  • An alternative design of the base station is a construction of roof-top units connected with an integral or external IP switch, thus serving as a flat and low cost base station structure.
  • a satellite operator is able to use terrestrial broadcast technology over a WAN, such as a network based on the IEEE 802.16 or 802.20 standards, in order to support return channel and unicast functionality and services and to become a full multiple service provider to compete with the cable companies.
  • a WAN such as a network based on the IEEE 802.16 or 802.20 standards
  • the present embodiments enable the DVB-S operator to provide such broadcast services as a return channel via unlicensed or licensed wireless networks for interactive applications.
  • the embodiments can provide unicast services such as IP telephony, video on demand (VOD), Internet access, games on demand, multi-user gaming and more.
  • VOD video on demand
  • the infrastracture described herein can be expanded to mobile voice and data services if, as described above in respect of Fig.
  • each WAN unit and antenna is also used to provide a 802.16e or 802.20 mobile user access or alternatively can support a local hotspot service, for example using the IEEE 802.11 standard.
  • the WAN or Wimax network is an add-on to the existing satellite based digital broadcasting network to close the loop from the end-user to the DVB-S headend.
  • the Wimax network section is constructed using a base-station and DVB-S/ CPEs as described above.
  • the return and unicast link between the end-user and the headend is packet- based and is transmitted firstly over existing core IP infrastracture to a WAN base station and then by wireless over the WAN, as discussed above in respect of FIG. 13.
  • the Wimax network is seamlessly connected to the existing DVB-S network through router 72 at head end 60.
  • Existing STBs do not have to be adapted, and instead can be connected to a separate residential gateway using such interfacing as a V90 I/F with seamless interface to the CPE or Wimax unit.
  • the CPE can be configured to support of rings and analog levels, thereby mimicking the telephone link.
  • the gateway preferably includes a UART interface - RS232, a USB interface, or an Ethernet/Fast Ethernet interface, as described above.
  • Minimal application which is nothing more than an uplink for the set top box.
  • the uplink, or return channel enables the STB to support interactive commands, gaming, interactive TV/games but does not allow for any services that require unicast.
  • a return channel only application has minimal bandwidth usage, and enables a satellite provider to start with a bare minimal base-station infrastracture and relatively large cell sizes. The provider may then add more base stations only as more services and more users are added and more revenues are generated.
  • a more sophisticated version of the residential gateway includes a downlink via the WAN which enables the STB to directly support dedicated traffic such as video on demand, gaming on demand and the like. As described above in respect of Fig. 16B it is possible to expanding the STB capabilities to include the Residential Gateway.
  • Such a combined device supports high speed Internet access by the satellite TV provider, hot-spot support with integrated WiFi, video on demand, interactive games, etc, as well as interactive TV.
  • Extending the Residential Gateway capabilities as shown in Fig 16C provides the additional services of a full Residential Gateway including a VoIP Telephone service provided by the satellite provider.
  • An extended Residential Gateway may contain additional functions such as Personalized Video Recording - PVR (virtual or included disk) voice mail and the like.
  • End user unit antennae for the WAN has been described up till now as being located with the satellite dish. However this is not essential and in certain embodiments the WAN antenna may be located internally by the end-user device although this results in short reach. For cases in which there is a high density of satellite users such short reach may be sufficient.
  • An external window antenna may be provided for improved or extended reach, and a roof antenna may be located over the existing satellite antenna mount, as described above, to give maximum possible reach.
  • a roof antenna may be located over the existing satellite antenna mount, as described above, to give maximum possible reach.
  • the existing connection infrastracture at the user premises is used wherever possible, and the connection from the antenna to the end-unit is over the existing coax cable.
  • the electronics to provide Wimax-TV inter-signal interference suppression are provided.
  • the Wimax base-station supports point-to-multi-point and MESH-type routing over the WAN. In a preferred embodiment there is also support for mobile telephony devices.
  • the use of Mesh topology allows more bandwidth and better coverage.
  • the MESH topology and the use of the satellite receiver infrastracture enables the satellite TV provider to maximize his infrastracture and right of way.
  • some of the users become relays or micro base stations and improve network coverage.
  • the satellite TV provider is able to enhance his services and offer services to nomadic or mobile users.
  • every roof-top antenna may become a hot-spot for nomadic users if desired.
  • the satellite TV provider may thus compete with cellular operators and offer mobile VoIP voice services.
  • the satelhte TV provider also becomes a provider of multiple services and the customers benefit by having a single bill for all of these services.
  • FIG. 24 illustrates the construction of a coax based network over which WiMax may be applied.
  • the figure illustrates a number of different regions between the user 2400 and the head end 2402, any or all of which may use coax.
  • the regions are as follows: 1. From the cable modem to the roof, for the purpose of delivering a WiMAx service using the coax infrastracture 2. From a Wimax supporting Cable STB to the supported home devices 2408 3. Local distribution delivering wimax over cable coax in addition to existing signals 2410, and 4. As a totally separate delivery network from the headend 2412.
  • coax may be used for any part of the route from the headend to the user, such as from a fiber or hybrid node 2414, or from a coax node (such as the home units).
  • WiMax support can be integrated in the cable STBs or may be a separate residential gateway connecting to the Cable coax network.
  • Wiamx support can be local (an NLOS embedded antenna) or via an external antenna.
  • Fig. 25 is a simplified schematic diagram illustrating the general outline for providing an interactive system according to the present embodiments when the outward broadcast channel is provided using conventional terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T). As shown in Fig. 25, an outward broadcast leg 2500 is sent via terrestrial transmitters from a head end 2502 to users 2504.
  • Fig. 26 shows a hybrid wireless digital video broadcast network in which an outward broadcast leg 2600 uses terrestrial broadcasting (DVB-T) and a return channel, interactive and unicast services are supported via a WAN 2602 between a head end 2604 and user 2606.
  • DVD-T terrestrial broadcasting

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Abstract

Un système de radiotélévision par satellite comprend: une liaison de diffusion vers l'extérieur permettant d'atteindre par satellite chaque installation de réception utilisateur d'une pluralité d'installations de réception, et une liaison de retour depuis chacun des utilisateurs. La voie de retour est une voie terrestre sur un réseau longue portée (WAN) dont les installations de réception utilisateur forment un noeud. Le WAN peut également prendre en charge une liaison montante. Une installation de réception par satellite est modifiée par une antenne extraterrestre pour le WAN et un diviseur-mélangeur permet à la liaison câblée déjà installée avec le récepteur par satellite d'être maintenue. Une passerelle résidentielle permet à un LAN domestique et à des dispositifs de communication d'être pris en charge par l'intermédiaire de l'infrastructure LAN/satellite.
PCT/IL2004/000816 2003-09-10 2004-09-09 Systeme de radiotelevision a voie de retour WO2005025100A2 (fr)

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AU2004302989A AU2004302989A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-09-09 Broadcasting system with return channel
CA002538380A CA2538380A1 (fr) 2003-09-10 2004-09-09 Systeme de radiotelevision a voie de retour
EP04770487A EP1671435A2 (fr) 2003-09-10 2004-09-09 Systeme de radiotelevision a voie de retour

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US50141103P 2003-09-10 2003-09-10
US60/501,411 2003-09-10
US51544103P 2003-10-30 2003-10-30
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US10/810,583 2004-03-29
US10/810,558 2004-03-29
US10/810,583 US20050055723A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-03-29 Indoor installation of TV broadcasting with return channel
US10/810,591 2004-03-29
US10/810,558 US20050055720A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-03-29 Receiver installation for multi channel broadcasting with return channel, and method of modifying the same
US10/810,552 2004-03-29
US10/810,591 US20050055724A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-03-29 Head end installation for broadcasting with return channel
US10/810,577 US20050055729A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-03-29 Video broadcasting with return channel
US10/810,552 US20050068915A1 (en) 2003-09-10 2004-03-29 Wireless infrastructure for broadcasting with return channel
US10/810,577 2004-03-29

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EP1671435A2 (fr) 2006-06-21
CA2538380A1 (fr) 2005-03-17
WO2005025100A3 (fr) 2005-09-01
AU2004302989A1 (en) 2005-03-17

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