Method, device and system for generating a contribution data stream

A method of generating megaframes from a data stream, referred to as a contribution stream, comprising a multiplex of services and signalling tables, the method comprising:

• a step of generating, by a concentrator, a transport stream consisting of transport packets constructed from sections of the multiplex, said transport stream not being formed in bursts;
• a step of constructing, by the concentrator, megaframes within the transport stream, referred to as contribution megaframes, by inserting special so-called synchronisation transport packets for a contribution multiplex comprising a pointer to the first packet of the following contribution megaframe and a time stamp, called MCTS, relating to the moment of sending of the start of the following contribution megaframe;
• a step of generating, by the concentrator, a periodic signal called an IPE synchronisation signal, the period corresponding to the time of sending of an integer number of transport packets;
• a step of generating, by the concentrator, a periodic signal called the megaframe synchronisation signal;
• a step of inserting, by the concentrator, in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex, a second time stamp called ITS relating to the IPE synchronisation signal;
• a step of inserting, by the concentrator, in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex, a third time stamp called MTS relating to the megaframe synchronisation signal;
• a step of receiving by a deconcentrator, the contribution stream;
• a step of synchronisation, by the deconcentrator, from the first MCTS time stamp relating to the moment of transmission of the start of the following contribution megaframe of the stream received, included in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex of the stream received;
• a step of generating, by the deconcentrator, a periodic signal called an IPE synchronisation signal from the ITS time stamps included in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex of the stream received;
• a step of generating, by the deconcentrator, a periodic signal called the megaframe synchronisation signal from the MTS time stamps included in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex of the stream received;
• a step of generating, by the deconcentrator, a multiplex of services issuing from the stream received;
• a step of generating, by the deconcentrator, a transport stream from the multiplex generated, formed in bursts, synchronised on the IPE synchronisation signal generated;
• and
• a step of constructing, by the deconcentrator, megaframes within the transport stream generated, referred to as broadcast megaframes, by the insertion of megaframe initialisation packets synchronised on the megaframe synchronisation signal generated.

A device for generating a data stream comprising a multiplex of services, comprising:

• a concentrator arranged for generating a transport stream consisting of transport packets constructed from sections of the multiplex, said transport stream not being formed in bursts;
• the concentrator arranged for constructing megaframes within the transport stream, referred to as contribution megaframes, by inserting special transport packets for synchronisation of the contribution multiplex comprising a pointer to the first packet of the following contribution megaframe and a time stamp, called MCTS, relating to the moment of sending of the start of the following megaframe;
• the concentrator arranged for generating a periodic signal called an IPE synchronisation signal, the period corresponding to the time taken for sending an integer number of transport packets;
• the concentrator arranged for generating a periodic signal called a megaframe synchronisation signal;
• the concentrator arranged for inserting, in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex, a second time stamp called ITS relating the IPE synchronisation signal;
• and
• the concentrator arranged for inserting, in the synchronisation packets of the contribution multiplex, a third time stamp called MTS relating to the megaframe synchronisation signal.