WO2018109239A1 - Method and system for configuring a low noise block (lnb) and configurable lnb - Google Patents

Abstract

The invention relates to a method comprising: storing in a low noise block (LNB) (101) a list of frequencies used by the LNB (101) to communicate with one or more television decoders (110) by means of one or more transmission lines; generating, by means of the LNB (101), a series of parameters for the configuration thereof; generating, by means of the LNB(101), a descriptor and broadcasting same from the digital headend of the LNB to the one or more television decoders (110), the descriptor including information regarding a new list of frequencies to be used by the LNB (101); and updating the list of frequencies of the LNB (101) with the new list of frequencies once the descriptor has been received, by means of the one or more television decoders (110), by using a plurality of commands in compliance with a communication protocol.

Description

 Method and system to configure a Low Noise Block (LNB) and configurable LNB

DESCRIPTION

Technical Sector

The present invention generally concerns telecommunication methods and systems. In particular, the invention concerns a method and a system for configuring / programming a Low Noise Block (LNB). The invention also concerns a configurable and / or programmable LNB, remotely.

Background and technical problem to be solved by the Invention

The present invention stems from the need to provide a solution to the lack of scalability of current LNBs, because these, when a modification in their frequency plan occurs due to the demand for more services, have to be modified.

For this, the present invention uses DCSS (Digital Communications Satellite Subsystem) technology as a base, which in turn comes from CSS (Channel Stacking Switch) technology. This technology allows the radiofrequency switching necessary to develop the proposed invention. In addition, these have to be closely related to the operation of the tuners of the television decoders since not everyone has the possibility of communicating in full duplex. The existing limitation in this development is the semi-duplex communication form that does not allow fluid information to be received from the LNB. To solve this limitation, we have opted for a means of response through tones, which have to be read by the television decoders of the park involved with this technology. Description of the Invention

The present invention provides according to a first aspect a method for configuring a Low Noise Block (LNB), comprising:

- Store a frequency list in an LNB, where said frequency list comprises different frequencies used by the LNB to communicate with one or more television decoders through one or more transmission lines;

 - generate, by the LNB, a series of parameters for its configuration based on at least a number of user bands to be used during said LNB communication with said one or more television decoders; a version number of the frequency list, and a file that includes said version number, a new frequency list and a cyclic redundancy verification code, CRC, of a certain length;

 - generate, by the LNB, a descriptor using said file and a system that stores information about said one or more television decoders, for example by means of an MDI communication module, that is to say a module that stores all the software of the decoders of television, or by means of a descriptor in the DVB NIT table so that it subsequently sends the information to the LNB using modulated electrical pulses; Y

 - broadcast, from a digital header of the LNB, the descriptor generated to said one or more television decoders, wherein said descriptor includes information about said new frequency list.

Also, the method further comprises updating, by said one or more television decoders, once said descriptor has been received, the LNB frequency list with the new frequency list by using a plurality of commands in compliance with a communication protocol , wherein said plurality of commands includes a first command (or start command) sent by said one or more television decoders to the LNB to request the start of the frequency list update; a second command (or command to send information) sent by said one or more television decoders to the LNB comprising the new frequency list; and a third command (or closing command) to update the new frequency list in said one or more television decoders.

According to the present invention, the first command preferably includes a hexadecimal data field, which represents an information line, intended to indicate that a communication is to be initiated; an identifier of the television decoder; the version number of the frequency list; the number of user bands; and the CRC. In an exemplary embodiment, the first command is sent by each of said one or more television decoders with a certain delay, while each of the television decoders obtains information on the air, OTA.

Before sending the first command, said one or more television decoders can track a BUSY RF tone of the LNB, the first command being sent if said tone is off. Once said one or more television decoders have received said tone from the LNB, said one or more television decoders may send the first command to the LNB with a new delay. According to the present invention, the second command preferably includes a hexadecimal data field, which represents an information line, intended to send information from said LNB; different data fields to transmit information about the user bands, an input frequency (i.e. the frequency in Ku band for reception), polarization (i.e. the electromagnetic channel in which the information is sent), AGC (automatic control of gain of each user band), an output frequency (that is, the one in the L band and on which its output is designed for optimization) and bandwidth; and the CRC.

Note that the second command is not sent if the hexadecimal data field of the first command is rejected. The present invention provides according to a second and third aspect a system for configuring a LNB and a configurable LNB, remotely.

The present invention allows the configuration / programming of an LNB remotely from the digital header (that is, from where the video services are transmitted and the information that is carried in the DVB tables such as the service 3 in the NIT that carries the descriptor with the information to be programmed in the LNB) when this LNB needs to change its frequency plan due to the demand for new services.

The present invention allows the different LNBs of a region to be updated by zones, thus controlling the frequency plan according to the needs of each client. The proposed configurable LNBs will preferably have semi-duplex communication for their configuration and will send tones response to confirm, deny and save the commands sent by the television decoders. The present invention also achieves a better ordering of the carriers, in this way satellite spacing is optimized. Brief Description of the Figures

The foregoing and other advantages and features will be more fully understood from the following detailed description of some embodiments with reference to the accompanying drawings, which should be taken by way of illustration and not limitation, in which: Fig. 1 is a diagram which schematically illustrates a method for configuring an LNB; and the

Figs. 2 to 4 graphically show the process by which television decoders send the first command to begin the process of updating the LNB after receiving the descriptor of the digital header of the LNB. Detailed description of the Invention and some Examples of Embodiment

Fig. 1 illustrates the operating flow of a method for configuring a Low Noise Block (LNB) 101, according to an embodiment of the present invention. According to this embodiment, the method (Part 1) stores a list of frequencies used for communication of the LNB 101 with one or more television decoders 1 10 through one or more transmission lines. Next, the LNB 101 generates (Part 2) a series of parameters for its configuration and a PID / descriptor that is subsequently broadcast (Part 3) to the television decoder (or decoders) 1 10. Finally, the television decoder (decoders) 110 transmits (n) through the use of a plurality of commands, preferably three, in compliance with a communication protocol a new list of frequencies to the LNB 101 to establish a new configuration thereof.

The different parts (stages) of Fig. 1 are described in more detail below. Part 1: frequency list The LNB 101 has a list of frequencies inside. Also, the LNB 101 is adapted and configured to be updated to a new frequency list according to certain needs (for example due to a change in the video services provided by the LNB). It should be noted that if the LNB 101 could not be updated successfully, the LNB 101 retains its previous frequency list, avoiding signal blockages and interruptions.

A particular example of how to update the frequency list is given below: The LNB 101 has the registered 2LO production frequency list.

After the update, the LNB 101 returns to the 3LO frequency list inside.

Then, in the input part, the transponder to be used from the satellite is decided to provide a specific service. This data will be the input of the LNB 101 that can be in horizontal or vertical band.

Part 2: LNB parameter generation

In this stage the number of user bands or UBs to be used is decided, for example "15". This number of user bands must be sent by the television decoder 1 10 in the first command it sends to the LNB 101. The number of user bands will be recognized by the television decoder 1 10 from a file, for example a .bin file.

Likewise, the version number to be modified in the channel map table is also decided.

Then, the .bin file that carries the frequency list version, the new frequency list data and a cyclic redundancy code (CRC), preferably 8 bits long, is generated. For the update of the LNB 101 it must be compatible with the .bin file that includes the list of frequencies with input and output parameters that will be reproduced in the course of communication with the Television decoder 110 by the generated PID or descriptor.

Then the channel map file is modified according to the new frequency plan. You can also change the configuration version of the user bands (UB_Config_Version) of the first command.

Channel map table:

UB:

 Sets the number of user bands in the digital header. This information passes through the PID data to the television decoder 1 10 and the latter sends this information in the first command in the Package No. position.

 Freq. input

 Input frequency information is added in the (MHZ)

 Ku band in the channel map table according to:

Low For example: frequency

 10728 MHz (Ku satellite transponder) - 9750 =

978 (number for the channel map table)

High For example:

 frequency

 12092 MHz (Ku satellite transport) - 10600 =

1492 (number for the channel map table)

The polarization input goes to the input port

 input port

 These parameters set the polarization input according to the following table.

 Horizontal low 2

 Horizontal high 1

 Low vertical 3

 Vertical high 0

 Output level

 At this point the automatic gain control is set per user band; preferably a maximum gain of 25 should be established.

 Freq. of UB (MHZ)

 This parameter helps the output in the L band according to the proposed design.

 Bandwidth

 The bandwidth is set according to the

(MHZ)

 design.

From the result of the previous configuration in the channel map, another file is obtained, in this case a kk.bin file.

The input and output frequency results are offset by 300 due to the 11 bits of use. UB Freq. Frequency Level Polarization Reserved Input width output output Band

0 678 2 (Hor) 22 678 0 40

1 718 2 (Hor) 22 718 0 40

2 758 2 (Hor) 22 758 0 40

3 798 2 (Hor) 22 798 0 40

4 838 2 (Hor) 22 838 0 40

5 878 2 (Hor) 22 878 0 40

6 1172 2 (Hor) 22 1 172 0 40

7 1212 2 (Hor) 22 1212 0 40

8 1252 2 (Hor) 22 1252 0 40

9 1292 2 (Hor) 22 1292 0 40

10 1332 2 (Hor) 22 1332 0 40

11 1372 2 (Hor) 22 1372 0 40

12 678 3 (See) 22 1468 0 40

13 718 3 (See) 22 1508 0 40

14 1192 1 (HHor) 22 1762 0 40

Part 3: PID dissemination (or descriptor)

According to an exemplary embodiment, the .bin file is first placed in a carousel of an MDI communication module generating a PID. Next, the PID it is broadcast on the digital header of the LNB 101 using for example a DSMCC protocol. Finally, the television decoder 1 10 recognizes the sent PID.

For the header configuration, a new type of linkage (0x9A) is created in the CAS part to indicate a new configuration of the LNB 101 available for download. Then the PID is assigned.

In an exemplary embodiment, the PID has the following structure:

Part 4: Transmission from the television decoder to the LNB Preferably according to the present invention, the transmission of the new frequency list to be used by the LNB 101 is performed by using three commands in compliance with a modified DiSEqC communication protocol. In other words, a communication protocol that works with 18V modulated pulses so that degradation is prevented in the arrival of the commands. It should be noted that other types of communication protocols could also be used, for example the standard DiSEqC protocol that works with 13V modulated pulses.

The three types of commands will be detailed below.

1. ODU_UB_Config_Request (television decoder 110 requests the start of the frequency update in the frequency table): The first command preferably has the following structure:

40h S_ID U B_Conf ig_Version No. CRC8

package where:

 40h is a hexadecimal data field intended to indicate that a communication is to be initiated;

 S_ID is an identifier of the television decoder. Preferably it is a random number between 0-255;

 UB_Config_Versión is the version number of the frequency list. Preferably it is a byte that is set in the channel map table and can be obtained from the .bin file by the television decoder 1 10;

 Package No. is the number of ODU_UB_Config configuration commands. It can be used to check the number of user bands. Preferably it has a length of 8 bits and its value is between 0 and 31. This number is obtained from the .bin file; Y

 CRC8 is the code used for such configuration.

The aforementioned DiSEqC protocol modified in this case acts as follows. If the CRC8 code is valid and the version is new, an BUSY RF tone is emitted, which will exist until the transmission ends or is aborted. Otherwise, that is, if the CRC8 code is invalid, that is, an old version, or already updated, the BUSY RF tone is deactivated at a frequency of about 950 MHz, and then the communication is aborted. At this stage, the television decoder 1 10 generates the S_ID in accordance with an identifier number and the LNB 101 registers said number to match the television decoder 110 for the update. Preferably, the busy tone is not active more than 10 minutes, in case of exceeding this period of time the tone is aborted.

Also, the television decoder 110 may have a random delay (0-120 seconds), after sending the request while obtaining OTA information and being asked to start. Also, the television decoder 1 10 can monitor the BUSY RF tone. While maintaining the BUSY RF tone, the television decoder 1 10 does not send any commands and continues to monitor the BUSY RF tone and an RF tone performed at a frequency of 2150 MHz. If the television decoder 1 10 obtains a Negative response or the BUSY tone is not evaluated within 5 seconds after the command sent, the television decoder 110 is assigned a new random delay (0-120 seconds) and then the command is sent again. In the event that the television decoder 110 has tried to send the command for 5 times and could not make the configuration, it is addressed.

In figs. 2 to 4 the previous processes are shown graphically. The digital header of the LNB 101 sends the generated PID with the information for its new configuration to the television decoder (decoders) 110 through a splitter 105 (Fig. 2). As can be seen in Fig. 3, the different television decoders 110 have a random delay (0-120 seconds), sending the command while obtaining OTA information. The first television decoder 1 10 sends the ODU_UB_Config_Request configuration request (Fig. 4). If the LNB 101 validates that the CRC8 code is correct and the version is new, the LNB 101 emits the BUSY RF tone. The occupied RF tone will exist until the transmission is finalized or aborted. While this tone is active, the other television decoder 110 listens to ESC_T this busy tone or the performed tone and sends nothing more.

2. ODU_UB_Config (television decoder 110 sends the frequency update to the frequency table):

The second command preferably has the following structure:

where:

 40h is a hexadecimal data field intended to send information from LNB 101;

 Data are different data fields to transmit information about user bands, an input frequency, polarization, AGC, an output frequency and bandwidth; Y

 CRC8 is the code used for configuration.

In this case, the modified DiSEqC protocol acts as follows. In case the UB sequence is invalid, it deactivates the BUSY RF tone at the frequency of 950 MHz, and then aborts the communication. Alternatively, in case the UB / CRC8 sequence is valid, the RF TONE PERFORMED is maintained for a period of time (preferably for 1-3 seconds). In case the CRC8 code has failed, the RF TONE PERFORMED is maintained for a period of time (preferably for 4-6 seconds). In the case of 5 or more successive failures of the CRC8 code during the update, the BUSY RF tone is deactivated and the communication is aborted.

Some of the bits in the Data2 data field related to polarization can be reserved for future implementations. 3. ODU_Commit_UB_Config (television decoder 1 10 finishes updating the frequency in the frequency table and modifies the list):

The third command preferably has the following structure:

where:

 42h is a hexadecimal data field intended to indicate that the update will be performed;

 S_ID is the identifier of the television decoder;

 UB_Config_CRC8 is the version number of the CRC code used for the update. Preferably it comprises 8 bits;

 UB_Config_Versión is the version number of the frequency list; and CRC8 is the code used for configuration.

In this case, the modified DiSEqC protocol acts as follows. If SJD / CRC8 is valid, the RF PERFORMED tone is activated for a period of time (preferably for 8-10 seconds) and then the BUSY RF tone is deactivated. Alternatively, if CRC8 / UB_Config_CRC8 are invalid or UB_Config_Version are not equal, the BUSY RF tone is disabled. In the event that two television decoders 110 have the same S_ID identifier, they can return to the new request since UB_Config_CRC8 will be incorrect.

According to the present invention, each CRC8 code entered at the end of each of the three types of commands is derived from framing the previous byte byte. For example, in ODU_Commit_UB_Config the code CRC8 is calculated using [0x42, S_ID, UB_Config_CRC8, UB_Config_Version]; In ODU_UB_Config the CRC8 code is calculated using [0x41, DataO, Datal, Data2, Data3, Data4, Data5]; in UB_Config_CRC8 it is derived with all data Data0-Data5, if the first DataO-Data5 is from UB0, the second is from UB1, etc. so if the amount of UB is 15, CRC8 of UB configuration will be derived by these 90 bytes (15x6). In this last case UB_Config_CRC8 the CRC8 code can be derived from the last byte of the binary generated by the file kk.bin.

After receiving ODU_Commit_UB_Config and ensuring that everything is correct (CRC8, UB_Config_CRC8 ...), the LNB 101 maintains the RF tone made for a period of time (preferably for 8-10 seconds). At the same time, the LNB 101 can register the version in a memory thereof.

Examples of embodiment of the present invention also provide a system formed by one or more television decoders 110 and at least one LNB 101 of which new parameters are to be configured. The proposed system is adapted to implement the proposed method according to any of the different embodiments described above.

Similarly, a configurable LNB 101 is also provided, remotely, from the digital header using the modified DiSEqC protocol, or another. So the LNB 101 can be updated by zones, based on a control of the frequency plan according to the needs of the different service customers, for example video services, of an operator. The proposed LNB 101 allows semi-duplex communication and is configured to send response tones to confirm, deny and save the commands sent by the different television decoders 110. The scope of protection of the present invention is defined in the following set of claims. .

Claims

1. A method for configuring a Low Noise Block (LNB), comprising:  - storing a frequency list in an LNB (101), wherein said frequency list comprises different frequencies used by the LNB (101) to communicate with one or more television decoders (1 10) through one or more lines of transmission;  - generate, by the LNB (101), a series of parameters for its configuration based on at least:  a number of user bands to be used during said communication of the LNB (101) with said one or more television decoders (110);  a version number of the frequency list, and  a file that includes said version number, a new frequency list and a cyclic redundancy verification code, CRC, of a certain length;  - generate, by the LNB (101), a descriptor using said file and a system that stores information about said one or more television decoders (1 10); Y  - broadcasting, from a digital header of the LNB (101), the generated descriptor to said one or more television decoders (1 10), wherein said descriptor includes information about said new frequency list, the method being characterized in that it also comprises:  - updating, by said one or more television decoders (1 10), once said descriptor has been received, the frequency list of the LNB (101) with the new frequency list by using a plurality of commands in compliance with a protocol of communication, wherein said plurality of commands includes:  • a first command sent by said one or more television decoders (1 10) to the LNB (101) to request the start of the frequency list update;  · A second command sent by said one or more television decoders (1 10) to the LNB (101) comprising the new frequency list; Y • a third command to update the new frequency list in said one or more television decoders (110). 2. The method of claim 1, wherein the first command includes:  - a hexadecimal data field intended to indicate that a communication is to be initiated;  - an identifier of the television decoder; - the version number of the frequency list;  - the number of user bands; Y  - the CRC. 3. The method according to any one of the preceding claims, wherein the first command is sent by each of said one or more television decoders (1 10) with a certain delay, while each of the television decoders (1 10) get information about the air, OTA. 4. The method of claim 3, wherein before sending said first command, said one or more television decoders (1 10) track an Occupied RF tone of the LNB (101), the first command being sent if That tone is off. 5. The method of claim 4, comprising, once said one or more television decoders (1 10) have received said tone from the LNB (101), forward, by said one or more television decoders (110), the first command to the LNB (101) with a new delay. 6. The method of claim 1, wherein the second command includes: - a hexadecimal data field intended to send information of said LNB (101);  - different data fields to transmit information about user bands, an input frequency, polarization, AGC, an output frequency and bandwidth; Y - the CRC. 7. The method of claim 1, wherein the third command includes:  - a hexadecimal data field intended to indicate that the update is to be performed; - an identifier of the television decoder; - an identifier of the CRC version number;  - the version number of the frequency list; Y  - the CRC. 8. A system for configuring a Low Noise Block (LNB) comprises:  - one or more television decoders (110); Y  - at least one LNB (101), wherein said LNB (101) includes a series of means adapted and configured to: • storing a list of frequencies used by the LNB (101) to communicate with said one or more television decoders (110) through one or more transmission lines;  • generate a series of parameters for configuration based on at least:  or a number of user bands to be used during said communication of the LNB (101) with said one or more television decoders (1 10);  or a version number of the frequency list, and  or a file that includes said version number, a new frequency list and a cyclic redundancy verification code, CRC, of a certain length;  · Generate a descriptor using said file and a system that stores information about said one or more television decoders (110); Y  • disseminating the generated descriptor to said one or more television decoders (110), wherein said descriptor includes information about said new frequency list, the system being characterized because:  - said one or more television decoders (110) are adapted and configured to update, once said descriptor is received, the frequency list of the LNB (101) with the new frequency list by using a plurality of commands in compliance with a communication protocol, wherein said plurality of commands includes: • a first command sent by said one or more television decoders (1 10) to the LNB (101) to request the start of the frequency list update; • a second command sent by said one or more television decoders (1 10) to the LNB (101) comprising the new frequency list; Y  • a third command to update the new frequency list in said one or more television decoders (110). 9. A configurable Low Noise Block (LNB) comprises:  - means adapted and configured to store a frequency list, wherein said frequency list comprises different frequencies used by the LNB (101) to communicate with one or more television decoders (110) through one or more transmission lines;  - means adapted and configured to generate a series of parameters for the configuration of the LNB (101) based on at least:  a number of user bands to be used during the communication of the LNB (101) with said one or more television decoders (110);  a version number of the frequency list, and  a file that includes said version number, a new frequency list and a cyclic redundancy verification code, CRC, of a certain length; - means adapted and configured to generate a descriptor using said file and to a system that stores information about said one or more television decoders (1 10); Y  - means adapted and configured to transmit, from a digital header of the LNB (101), the descriptor generated to said one or more television decoders (1 10), wherein said descriptor includes information about said new frequency list, characterized in that the LNB (101) further comprises means adapted and configured to update the frequency list of the LNB (101) with said new frequency list based on the reception of a plurality of commands in compliance with a communication protocol, wherein said plurality of commands includes: • a first command sent by said one or more television decoders (1 10) to the LNB (101) to request the start of the frequency list update; • a second command sent by said one or more television decoders (110) to the LNB (101) comprising the new frequency list; Y • a third command to update the new frequency list in said one or more television decoders (110).