EA010643B1 - Means for receiving data via satellite using at least two polarisations - Google Patents

Abstract

Apparatus is provided which allows the simultaneous reception, processing and availability of digital data which is transmitted in both linear and circular polarity formats, thereby allowing data over a greater frequency bandwidth to be available for selection and for selection and processing of data of different polarity formats to be achieved simultaneously. This therefore means that there is now the practical possibility to allow the continued broadcast of data in a circular polarity format over existing bandwidths and the additional broadcast of data in a linear polarity format in the same geographical region and over a larger frequency bandwidth thereby enlarging the amount of data which can be transmitted, and received and the user selections which are available and ensuring that the linear and circular polarity format data can be received and processed and be available in response to a user selection simultaneously.

Description

The present invention relates to the field of receiving and processing digital data that are transmitted from a remote place, usually using a satellite transmission system. The data comes to homes and premises for further processing and the formation of video and / or audio signals in order to display them for the user of the device located in these rooms.

After entering the houses and premises, the data are processed by the broadcast data reception system, in which the data can be processed to form video, audio and / or auxiliary data. In one separate, but not exclusive, case of video, audio and / or auxiliary data can be used to form television or radio programs, with a specific program being formed in accordance with the user choice made by the user using the receiver.

As a rule, the receiving device for buildings includes a device mounted on the outside and an internal device.

The external device consists of an antenna, or a plate, with a waveguide and a low-noise unit. As a rule, the external device transmits the received data to the internal device via a cable connection. The user interacts with the internal device, which is a receiver of broadcast data, and signals indicating user interaction can be generated to control and select certain operating states of the low-noise block; these signals are transmitted via cable to the low-noise block.

As a rule, data from one or several satellites are transmitted to one or several external receivers both in circular polarization format (as in the USA, for example), and in linear polarization format (as, for example, in most European countries). Both systems are efficient, but using standard systems with circular polarization poses a problem, since the available bandwidth is relatively limited usually to values from 12.2 to 12.7 GHz in comparison with systems with linear polarization, where the frequency range is from 10.7 to 12.7 GHz. However, it should be noted that the application of the invention is not limited to these ranges and is also suitable for circular and linear polarization ranges that are intermixed. As the requirement for the number of available programs increases and, consequently, the amount of data that must be transmitted at each time point increases, it turned out that the available bandwidth of systems with circular polarization is insufficient. However, due to the massive use of circular polarization format and a large number of circular polarization receivers already installed in buildings, it would be commercially impractical to start transferring all data only in linear polarization format, since the existing devices could not be used.

In addition, although it is known to use a low-noise block that can receive transmissions in both linear and circular polarization formats, a known low-noise block must switch between two receive states, one for linear polarized reception and another for circular polarized reception. This means that the low-noise block at any time can receive and process the signal only circular or linear polarization. This, in turn, means that all receivers connected to the low-noise block, at any given time, should receive the same circular or linear polarization signals and, thus, can only receive a subset of the transmitted data that can be transmitted in this format. Given that buildings increasingly have multiple broadcast data receivers connected to outdoor devices, and each receiver can operate independently of the others, providing a different user choice on different receivers at the same time, the operating parameters of a modern low-noise unit are unsatisfactory. In addition, from patent application I8 2004/0029549 a system is known that is capable of receiving orthogonal signals at the input, and then uses diplexers to divide the range into two. The use of a diplexer requires an interval of at least 10% between reception bands, which in practice means that the system according to this patent application does not provide practical solutions to current problems for many of the required applications, since reception frequency bands often do not have an interval between them.

The aim of the present invention is to create a receiving device capable of receiving information signals of several formats, and creating a low-noise unit capable of receiving information signals of two or more formats and / or two or more frequency bands for connecting a plurality of broadcast data receivers to receive data from the low-noise unit regardless of other specified devices.

On the one hand, a low-noise unit is proposed for a receiving device intended for receiving information signals transmitted by satellite at frequencies within a predetermined frequency range, while the receiving device includes circuits for receiving and processing information signals having at least two formats polarization in a predetermined frequency range; and circuits for generating audio and / or video data from information signals, extract

- 1,010,643 kakami optional in response to at least one choice of the user, carried out using the receiving device.

In one embodiment, information signals are received in any frequency bands or overlapping frequency bands, or any combination of frequency bands or overlapping frequency bands, in combination with circular and linear polarization formats. In one of the embodiments of the invention, alternative repeaters located on the satellite from which information signals are received may have circular or linear polarization format, and information signals may be received by modern devices.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, the low-noise unit is provided with a series of intermediate frequency (IF) outputs from which the received information signals can be transmitted to the receiver of broadcast data in accordance with a user choice made with this receiver of broadcast data.

Usually, each of the outputs is controlled independently of the others, so that each output is connected to the broadcast data receiver and each broadcast data receiver can receive data from the corresponding low-noise block output, which are determined according to the operating status of the individual broadcast data receiver. In accordance with the invention, each broadcast data receiver can receive data in accordance with the user selection made with this receiver and the operating states of other receivers connected to the remaining outputs of the low-noise block do not affect the available data or the range of program selection, as the low-noise block is capable , as a result of using this invention, to receive and process data of different operating frequency ranges and / or different polarization formats at the same time, so that all data e is always available for each broadcast data receiver connected to a low noise block.

Typically, information signals of different frequency ranges and / or formats of linear or circular polarization are processed in a low-noise block using linear and circular polarization processing circuits.

If the received information signals include signals that have a linear polarization format and signals that have a circular polarization format, then the data that is subsequently used by the receiver of the broadcast data is determined by the user's choice of a particular program and the format in which the data of the program was transmitted to the receiver of the broadcast data. For example, if a selected channel of a television program is formed from data transmitted using information signals having a circular polarization format, then a block of information signals processed by a circular-polarization processing circuit of a low-noise block is selected and transmitted to a broadcast data receiver, which should be used to generate video and audio signals for the selected television program.

Usually, all incoming data is processed, however, at each moment in time each receiver of broadcast data uses only a certain part of this data.

As a rule, for each set of information signals transmitted with circular polarization, a hybrid connection is included in the low-noise block.

In one embodiment of the invention, information signals pass through a waveguide and probes in this waveguide, which are used to separate received information signals into two data paths having a 90 degree phase shift in the case of circular polarization. Preferably, the data from each probe then passes through the first and / or second amplifier stages, which have a phase and amplitude balance, and then split into two data paths: the first route, which leads the data to the hybrid connection, and then to the next stages of the low-noise amplifier In this case, if the data has the format of circular polarization, the information signal is transformed, and the second route, which allows to correct the passage of data having the format of linear polarization. Thus, in each path, the data passes through circular and linear polarization processing routes. On each route, if the data has mixed linear and circular polarization, some data is processed correctly, and some are not. For example, data with linear polarization will not be correctly processed by a circular polarization data processing path, and vice versa, but at the end of paths it is guaranteed that all data will be processed correctly in one of two processing formats, and therefore all of them are available for further processing, ensuring the formation audio and / or video signals.

As a rule, the low-noise unit includes switching facilities connected to each of the outputs, intended to provide access to the corresponding data from the corresponding data processing path in accordance with the user's choice.

In one of the embodiments of the invention, the data enters the broadcast data receiver in blocks, each block includes all data in the received data set, i.e. data of a certain frequency and a certain polarization, and a separate selected data block represent the data required to generate data for user selection using the broadcast data receiver.

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In one of the embodiments of the invention, the circuit used includes probes arranged orthogonally. Preferably, the phase balance of the probes is maintained throughout the entire range of operation at the output of the probes to the microstrip transmission line. For this, the probes must be located in the waveguide orthogonally and in the same plane. This prevents or attenuates, to an acceptable level, the phase error in the waveguide when the frequency changes and prevents the error from penetrating into the microstrip transmission line, where it cannot be corrected.

As a rule, the low-noise unit includes a horn feed that is designed to provide a phase difference of circular polarization of 90 ° over the entire frequency range without a differential phase shift.

In one preferred embodiment of the invention, 3-decibel splitters are used to form the data paths, and as a result there is no restriction on the frequency range of the structure.

As a result of the use of the invention, the system has the ability to receive and process a mixture of circular and linear polarization signals in the same frequency range, i.e. alternative satellite repeaters can be circular or linear polarized.

Although the description refers to one power division, it should be taken into account that the device can operate with several power divisions, so power can be divided into two or more ways, usually with the help of a Wilkinson splitter.

In this device, the diplexer should not be used, and therefore there is no need to ensure the interval between frequency bands, as in known devices.

In one of the designs, the device is used to receive data at frequencies from 11.7 to 12.2 GHz in the linear polarization format and at frequencies from 12.2 to 12.7 GHz in the circular polarization format.

In a preferred embodiment of the invention, the device amplifier stages, which are located prior to dividing the data paths, are phase and amplitude balanced, providing a phase difference of 90 ° and an amplitude balance for correct processing of circular polarization signals.

In another aspect of the invention, a receiving device is proposed for receiving information signals transmitted via a satellite at frequencies lying within a predetermined frequency range, said receiving device includes a low-noise unit that simultaneously receives and processes information signals within a frequency range, said information signals have at least two polarization formats, the above data is processed in a low-noise block and available for selection at any time Meni for generating an audio and / or video signal in response to at least one user's choice, implemented by means of the receiving device.

Further, specific embodiments of the invention are described with reference to the attached drawings, in which FIG. 1 schematically illustrates a receiving device installed in a building and a configuration to which the invention is well suited;

FIG. 2 illustrates the first design of the circuits in the low noise unit; and FIG. 3 illustrates a second circuit design in a low-noise block.

FIG. 1 shows a receiving device made in accordance with the invention and installed in building 2. The device includes an antenna 4 mounted outdoors and a low-noise unit constituting a part of it. The antenna and low-noise block are designed and placed to receive data, which are transmitted by satellite from one or more broadcast operators to each building for reception by the antenna and low-noise block in each of the above-mentioned buildings. The low-noise unit is connected via coaxial cable 8 to a number of receivers 10, 12 and 14 of broadcast data installed in a room, usually in different rooms, as shown in FIG. 1. Each of the broadcast data receivers allows the user to interact with the system, so that each receiver, independently of the others, can be controlled by the user to select a separate television program. After the user selects a specific program, the signal from the broadcast data receiver is transmitted to the low-noise block to ensure that the data or data block in which the data is located is transmitted to the broadcast data receiver for processing and generating video and / or audio signals in order to generate a program for user, usually using a television receiver 16.

FIG. 2 and 3 two variants of low-noise block circuits are shown, according to which received data is transmitted according to the invention.

On each circuit, the same components are provided with the same numbering.

The received data enters the low-noise block in the direction indicated by arrow 20, and at point 22 is divided into two data streams 24 and 26 with a phase difference of 90 °. It should be taken into account that all received data are processed in the same way and transmitted along two paths 24 and 26, determined by the waveguide probes 22.

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Then the data of each of the paths 24, 26 pass through a pair of low-noise amplifiers of the first (and / or second) cascade 28, 30. The pair of low-noise amplifiers 28, 30 is balanced in phase and amplitude.

Then, each of the data paths 24 and 26, using the Wilkinson power dividers 36 and 38, forks, respectively, into two data paths 32a, 32b and 34a, 34b.

The two data paths 32a and 34a are used to ensure correct processing of data having a linear polarization format. Data paths 32b and 34b ensure correct processing of data that have a circular polarization format, and are equipped with a 3-dB hybrid connection, with each route equipped with one of the pairs of low-noise amplifiers of the second stage 42 and 44, respectively. In each of the paths 32a, 32b, 34a, and 34b, there is a frequency converter (mixer) 46 and an intermediate frequency (IF) amplifier 48, from which data is selected using switching controls, as described below.

Thus, the received data passes through each data path 24 and 26, and this data can have circular and linear polarization formats.

Low-noise amplifiers are designed to significantly amplify signals, ensuring accurate data processing, and, moreover, it is important that the data paths and routes are symmetrical, ensuring minimal data errors and, thus, ensuring that the data will be acceptable for further processing. within acceptable error parameters.

The data, which in this example have circular and linear polarization formats, is further described as it passes through data path 24, which passes through a low-noise amplifier 28 and is divided into two routes 32a and 32b. Data that passes along route 32a is processed in such a way as if it has a linear polarization format and, therefore, data that has a linear polarization format will be processed correctly, and the rest will not. On route 32b, the data is processed in such a way as if they have a circular polarization format, and in this case, only data that has a circular polarization format is processed correctly, and data that has a linear format does not.

This is repeated on routes 34a and 34b, so data that has a linear polarization format is available at the outputs of data paths 32a and 34a, and data that has a circular polarization format is available at the data path outputs 32b and 34b. The data components that have a circular polarization format are separated by suppression (compensation) in a 3-decibel hybrid connection, after they pass routes 32b and 34b.

Providing dual processing routes in each data path and symmetry of two data paths and route components in this scheme allow simultaneous processing and provision of data with both circular and linear polarization formats and / or presented in the same or different formats in different predetermined frequency ranges.

Therefore, all the data in the appropriate form is available for selection at any time using the switching control means 50 shown in FIG. 2, and the switching control means 52 shown in FIG. 3

FIG. 2 shows a 4x1 switch, which means that there is one 54 IF output to which the broadcast data receiver can be connected. Thus, in this scheme, a signal representing the user's choice of a particular television program in the broadcast data receiver is transmitted to the switch 50. The signal allows you to determine the location of the data required for a particular television program, and the switch provides access to the output from the data paths in which the required data or data block, whether they are circular or linear polarization format. The identified data is then sent through switch 50 and output 54 to a broadcast data receiver, in which they are processed to form a video and / or audio signal for the selected television program.

FIG. 3, switch 52 is a 4x4 switch, i.e. It has 4 outputs 56, 58, 60, 62 inverters. Each of these IF outputs can be connected to a broadcast data receiver, and each ensures that data is transmitted to the corresponding broadcast data receiver independently of the others.

Thus, if, for example, a broadcast data receiver connected to the IF output 56 is controlled to form a user-selectable television program from data that was received in a circular polarization format, then this data is available for processing using paths 32b and 34b, and this data or data block from the corresponding output of the data path is sent to the output 56 of the inverter. If at the same time, the broadcast data receiver connected to the IF output 60 is controlled to form a user-selectable television program from data that was received in a linear polarization format and correctly processed using paths 32a and 32b, they are also available at the same time , and thus the required data or data block is sent to the output of the 60 inverter.

In an alternative embodiment of the invention, each of the data paths of the inverter leading to the output device can be combined with diplexers located at the output into one or any combination of several outputs. In this example, the switches shown in the diagram

- 4 010643 max, not required.

Thus, in accordance with the invention, a low-noise unit and a processing device are proposed that provide simultaneous reception, processing and use of data transmitted in both linear and circular polarization formats, thereby providing data reception in a wider range of operating frequencies from the purpose of providing the choice and the possibility of processing data in different polarization formats simultaneously. This therefore means that it is now practically possible to provide continuous broadcast data in a circular polarization format within the available operating frequency range, as well as additional broadcast data transmission in a linear polarization format in the same geographical area and within a large frequency range. thus increasing the amount of data that can be transferred and the number of choices available to the user and ensuring that the data is linear and circular the polarization of formats can be received and processed and can be accessed in response to a user selection at any time and at the same time.

Claims (21)

1. A low-noise block of a receiver designed to receive information signals transmitted by satellite at frequencies within a predetermined frequency range, while the low-noise block includes circuits for receiving and processing information signals having at least two polarization formats in a predetermined frequency range; and circuits for generating audio and / or video data from information signals and for selectively extracting audio and / or video data in response to at least one user selection made by a receiver, the low-noise unit being able to receive and process data in circular and linear polarization at the same time, so that the data transmitted in either of these two formats are available for selection in order to generate the specified audio data and / or video data in response to a specific user tel at any time. 2. The low-noise block according to claim 1, in which information signals are received in any frequency bands, any combination of frequency bands or overlapping frequency bands within a predetermined frequency range, in combination with circular and linear polarization formats. 3. The low-noise unit according to claim 2, which is capable of receiving information signals in a circular or linear polarization format from alternative transponders installed on the satellite. 4. The low-noise unit according to claim 3, which has a number of outputs of an intermediate frequency, each of which is capable of delivering received information signals to the broadcast data receiver in accordance with the user's choice made using the broadcast data receiver. 5. The low-noise unit according to claim 4, in which each of the outputs can be independently controlled to provide received information signals optionally to a connected broadcast data receiver, wherein the output of information signals is determined in accordance with the operational state of each individual broadcast data receiver. 6. The low-noise block according to claim 5, in which each broadcast data receiver is capable of receiving data in accordance with a user selection made using the broadcast data receiver, while the available data or the program selection range are independent of the operational status of other broadcast data receivers connected to other outputs of the low-noise block. 7. The low-noise block according to claim 6, comprising a linear polarization processing circuit capable of processing information signals having a linear polarization format, and a circular polarization processing circuit capable of processing information signals having a circular polarization format. 8. The low-noise block according to claim 7, in which the received information signals include an information signal having a linear polarization format, and an information signal having a circular polarization format, and a low-noise block capable of outputting data to a broadcast data receiver based on a user selecting a separate program and based on the format in which data for this program was transmitted. 9. The low-noise block according to claim 6, in which the low-noise block includes a waveguide capable of separating the received information signals into a first data path and a second data path. 10. The low-noise block according to claim 9, including amplifier circuits for each data path that have a phase and amplitude balance and are capable of amplifying the corresponding information signal; splitter circuits for each data path capable of branching the information signal into the first and second data path, the first data path being able to convert the information signal for circular polarization format, and the second data path being able to pass the information signal in linear polarization format. 11. The low-noise block according to claim 9, in which the amplifier circuit for each data path is consistent - 5 010643 in phase and amplitude in order to maintain a phase difference of 90 ° and a balance of amplitudes for information signals in the circular polarization format. 12. Low-noise block on and. 11, including a switching circuit connected to each of these outputs and capable of providing access to data from the selected data processing route in accordance with the choice of the user. 13. The low-noise block according to item 12, in which the information signal arriving at the broadcast data receiver is provided in blocks, each of which includes data in the received data set, including data at a specific frequency or data with a certain polarization, and the selected data block includes data required to generate data for selecting a user made using the broadcast data receiver. 14. The low-noise block according to claim 9, in which the waveguide includes probes located orthogonally relative to each other. 15. Low-noise block on and. 14, in which the waveguide is capable of maintaining the phase balance of the probes over the entire frequency range of operation. 16. Low-noise block on and. 15, including a horn feed, capable of maintaining a phase difference of circular polarization of 90 ° over the entire frequency range of operation without significant differential phase shift. 17. Low-noise block on and. 15, in which the splitter circuits include three decibel splitters. 18. Low-noise block on and. 15, in which the splitter circuits are capable of branching an information signal into a plurality of data paths. 19. Low-noise block on and. 15, in which the interval between the frequency ranges of operation is absent. 20. Low-noise block on and. 15, in which the first received information signal lies in the frequency range of 11.7-12.2 GHz and has a linear polarization, and the second received information signal lies in the frequency range of 12.2-12.7 GHz and has circular polarization. 21. A receiving device for receiving information signals transmitted via satellite at frequencies lying within a predetermined frequency range, said receiving device includes a low-noise unit that simultaneously receives and processes information signals within a frequency range, while said information signals have at least at least two polarization formats, the aforementioned received data is processed in a low-noise block in two polarization formats at the same time and parts of this data in any of Two polarization formats are available for selection at any time in order to generate an audio signal and / or video signal in response to at least one user selection made by the receiving device.