Method and apparatus for bi-directional communication in systems broadcasting multi-carrier signals
OwnerDavid Wayne Ihrie, Alfonse Anthony Acampora +3inventors
InventorsDavid Wayne Ihrie, Alfonse Anthony Acampora, Richard Michael Bunting, Frank Bowen Lang, Frederick John Vannozzi
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Abstract
A method and apparatus for providing bi-directional communication in systems broadcasting multi-carrier signals removes at least one sub-carrier to form an intra-spectral gap within a multi-carrier broadcast signal. The intra-spectral gap is used to provide a bi-directional channel for propagating ancillary data signals between network elements in a broadcast communication system.
Claims22
A method of communicating between network elements in a broadcast communication system comprising:
- removing at least one sub-carrier to form an intra-spectral gap within a multi-carrier broadcast signal;
- and
- employing the intra-spectral gap to provide a bi-directional channel adapted to propagate ancillary data signals.
A broadcast communication system comprising:
- a transmission system for broadcasting a multi-carrier signal, the transmission system removing at least one sub-carrier from the multi-carrier signal to create a bi-directional channel;
- and
- a plurality of remote devices for transmitting and receiving ancillary data signals using the bi-directional channel.
An apparatus for providing bi-directional channels in a broadcast communication system comprising:
- a modulator for generating a multi-carrier broadcast signal;
- a means for removing at least one sub-carrier from the multi-carrier broadcast signal to create a bi-directional channel;
- and
- an ancillary data transceiver for transmitting and receiving ancillary data signals using the bi-directional channel.
Dependencies are inferred from the claim text.