CN103023631A - New frame and signalling pattern structure for multi-carrier systems - Google Patents

Abstract

The present invention relates to a transmitting apparatus for transmitting signals in a multi carrier system on the basis of a frame structure, each frame comprising at least two signaling patterns adjacent to each other in the frequency direction and at least one data pattern, said transmitting apparatus comprising frame forming means adapted to arrange signaling data and pilot signals in each of said at least two signaling patterns in a frame, each signaling pattern having the same length, and to arrange data on frequency carriers of said at least one data pattern in a frame, transforming means adapted to transform said signaling patterns and said data patterns from the frequency domain into the time domain in order to generate a time domain transmission signal, and transmitting means adapted to transmit said time domain transmission signal.; The present invention further relates to a corresponding transmitting method, a frame pattern for a multi carrier system and a receiving apparatus and method as well as a transmitting and receiving system and method.

Description

The new frame and the signalling pattern structure that are used for multicarrier system

The application is that application number is 200910166732.7, the applying date is that August 14, priority date in 2009 are on August 14th, 2008, are entitled as the dividing an application of application for a patent for invention of " the new frame and the signalling pattern structure that are used for multicarrier system ".

Technical field

The present invention relates to new frame and signaling mode (pattern) structure for multicarrier system.

Background technology

Therefore the present invention relates generally to (but being not limited to) broadcast system, for example as based on cable or the received terrestrial digital broadcasting system, wherein content-data, signaling data, pilot signal etc. are mapped on a plurality of frequency carriers, and then it be transmitted in given whole or whole transmission bandwidths.Receiver usually be tuned to all the local channel (part of whole transmission bandwidth) (sometimes being called segmentation (segmented) receives) in the channel widths in order to receive only the necessary or desirable content-data of corresponding receiver.For example, in the ISDB-T standard, therefore whole channel width be divided into 13 fixing isometric (frequency carrier of equal amount) segmentations (segment).

Summary of the invention

The purpose of this invention is to provide signal structure and transfer equipment and method for multicarrier system, its allow flexibly be tuned to any required part of transmission bandwidth and its have low expense.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by transfer equipment according to claim 1.Transfer equipment of the present invention is suitable for transmitting signal according to frame structure in multicarrier system, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, described transfer equipment comprises: the protocol mapping device, be suitable for signaling data and pilot signal are mapped in described in the frame on each the frequency carrier in two signaling modes at least, each signaling mode has identical length; Data mapping unit is suitable for data-mapping on the frequency carrier of at least one data pattern described in the frame; Converting means is suitable for described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And conveyer, be suitable for transmitting described time domain signal transmission.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by transfer approach according to claim 8 in addition.Transfer approach of the present invention is suitable for transmitting signal according to frame structure in multicarrier system, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, may further comprise the steps: signaling data and pilot signal are mapped in described in the frame on each the frequency carrier in two signaling modes at least, and each signaling mode has identical length; With data-mapping on the frequency carrier of at least one data pattern described in the frame; Described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And transmit described time domain signal transmission.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by the frame pattern for multicarrier system according to claim 9 in addition, be included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, wherein signaling data and pilot signal are mapped in described in the frame on each the frequency carrier in two signaling modes at least, each signaling mode has identical length, and wherein data are mapped on the frequency carrier of at least one data pattern described in the frame.

In addition, the system and method that the purpose of this invention is to provide receiving equipment and method and be used for transmitting and receiving in multicarrier system signal, its allow flexibly be tuned to any required part of transmission bandwidth and its have low expense.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by receiving equipment according to claim 10.Receiving equipment according to the present invention is suitable for receiving signal according to the frame structure in the transmission bandwidth in multicarrier system, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, described at least two signaling modes all have signaling data and the pilot signal of reflection on frequency carrier, described at least one data pattern has the data of reflection on frequency carrier, in described at least two signaling modes each has identical length, described receiving equipment comprises: receiving system, be suitable for being tuned to and receiving the selected part of described transmission bandwidth, the described selected part of described transmission bandwidth has at least the length of one of described signaling mode and covers at least one data pattern to be received; And frequency deviation (frequency offset) checkout gear, be suitable for detecting frequency deviation according to the pilot signal that is included in the received signaling mode.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by method of reseptance according to claim 19 in addition.Method of reseptance of the present invention is suitable for being received in the signal that transmits in the multicarrier system according to the frame structure in the transmission bandwidth, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, described at least two signaling modes all have signaling data and the pilot signal of reflection on frequency carrier, described at least one data pattern has the data of reflection on frequency carrier, in described at least two signaling modes each has identical length, described method of reseptance may further comprise the steps: receive the selected part of described transmission bandwidth, the described selected part of described transmission bandwidth has at least the length of one of described signaling mode and covers at least one data pattern to be received; And detect frequency deviation according to the pilot signal that is included in the received signaling mode.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by the system for transmitting and receive signal according to claim 20 in addition, this system comprises for the transfer equipment that transmits signal in multicarrier system according to frame structure, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, described transfer equipment comprises: the protocol mapping device, be suitable for signaling data and pilot signal are mapped in described in the frame on each the frequency carrier in two signaling modes at least, each signaling mode has identical length; Data mapping unit is suitable for data-mapping on the frequency carrier of at least one data pattern described in the frame; Converting means is suitable for described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And conveyer, being suitable for transmitting described time domain signal transmission, described system further comprises the receiving equipment that is suitable for receiving from described transfer equipment described time domain signal transmission according to of the present invention.

Above-mentioned purpose realizes by the method for transmitting and receive signal according to claim 21 in addition, the method comprises for the transfer approach that transmits signal in multicarrier system according to frame structure, each frame is included at least two signaling modes and at least one data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction, and described transfer approach may further comprise the steps:

Signaling data and pilot signal are mapped in described in the frame on each the frequency carrier in two signaling modes at least, and each signaling mode has identical length;

With data-mapping on the frequency carrier of at least one data pattern described in the frame;

Described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And

Transmit described time domain signal transmission,

Described method further comprises the method for reseptance that is suitable for receiving described time domain signal transmission according to of the present invention.

How favourable feature is defined in the dependent claims.

Therefore the present invention proposes a kind of multicarrier system, and it uses in the frequency domain and the frame structure in the time domain or frame pattern.In frequency domain, each frame comprises at least two signaling modes, and described signaling mode is carrier signaling data and pilot signal and have respectively identical length (or bandwidth) on frequency carrier respectively.After in being transformed into time domain, in resulting time-domain signal, so each frame comprises corresponding signaling symbols and data symbol.Whole or whole transmission bandwidth on each frame pattern covering frequence direction is divided equally so that therefore whole transmission bandwidth has respectively the signaling mode of equal length.So the data pattern of each frame is followed after signaling mode in time.If receiving equipment can be coordinated to the transmission bandwidth part have at least the length of one of signaling mode, then receiving equipment can be by freely, neatly and rapidly be tuned to transmission bandwidth wish arbitrarily part.Therefore, receiving equipment always can receive the signaling data of whole signaling mode, like this based on this and use the signaling data comprise for receiving the follow-up necessary physical layer information of (succeeding) data pattern, can be in receiving equipment the receive data pattern.In addition, because each signaling mode not only comprises signaling data, and comprise the pilot signal that is mapped on the frequency carrier, so there is no need to provide the Special leader (preamble) or the training mode that only comprise pilot signal, this is to allow to carry out that necessary frequency deviation detects and compensation because be included in pilot signal in the signaling mode in receiving equipment, to compare overall overhead lower with system that utilization has the Special leader of pilot signal or a training mode.The present invention is particularly advantageous in the system with quite high signal noise ratio (such as but not limited to the system based on cable).Although receiver can by neatly be tuned to transmission bandwidth any wish part because the cause of new frame structure proposed by the invention, always can receive the signaling data of whole signaling mode.In addition, new frame structure so that receiving equipment can be fast be tuned to the hope part of transmission bandwidth.

Advantageously, the described pilot signal that is mapped on the frequency carrier of at least two signaling modes described in the frame forms pilot signal sequence.In other words, all pilot signals of frame form pilot signal sequence.

Replacedly, the described pilot signal in described at least two signaling modes in each advantageously generates pilot signal sequence, and wherein pilot signal sequence differs from one another.

Advantageously, described pilot signal sequence is pseudo-random binary sequence.

Advantageously, the described protocol mapping device of described transfer equipment is suitable for utilizing the differential modulation scheme that described pilot signal is mapped on the frequency carrier of described two signaling modes at least.

Advantageously, the described protocol mapping device of described transfer equipment is suitable for pilot signal is mapped on every m frequency carrier of described two signaling modes at least, and m is the integer greater than 1.

Advantageously, each in described at least two signaling modes comprises that at least one pilot tone band and described pilot signal are mapped on the frequency carrier of described at least one pilot tone band.

Advantageously, the described frequency deviation checkout gear of described receiving equipment comprises relevant (correlation) device, is suitable for carrying out relevant to the pilot signal that is included in the received signaling mode.According to the first favourable aspect, the described pilot signal that is mapped on the frequency carrier of at least two signaling modes described in the frame forms pilot signal sequence, wherein said pilot signal is stored in the storage device that is included in the described receiving equipment, and wherein said pilot signal sequence is made to carry out described relevant by described relevant apparatus.Therefore, described relevant apparatus advantageously is suitable for carrying out according to the part of the described pilot signal sequence corresponding with the described selected part of described transmission bandwidth of storing in described storage device described relevant.According to the second favourable aspect, the described pilot signal in each in described at least two signaling modes forms pilot signal sequence,

Wherein said frequency deviation checkout gear comprises the calculation element that is suitable for calculating described pilot signal sequence, and wherein said pilot signal sequence is made to carry out described relevant by described relevant apparatus.

Advantageously, pilot signal is mapped on every m (every m-th) frequency carrier of described two signaling modes at least, m is the integer greater than 1, and the described frequency deviation checkout gear of wherein said receiving equipment is suitable for detecting frequency deviation according to described pilot signal.

In addition advantageously, in described at least two signaling modes each comprises that at least one pilot tone band and described pilot signal are mapped on the frequency carrier of described at least one pilot tone band, and the described frequency deviation checkout gear of wherein said receiving equipment is suitable for detecting frequency deviation according to described pilot signal.

In addition advantageously, described receiving equipment comprises time synchronism apparatus, and it is suitable for coming the time of implementation synchronous according to protection interval contrast (guard interval correlation).

In addition advantageously, described receiving equipment comprises other frequency deviation checkout gear, and it is suitable for detecting recently carrying out decimal (fractional) frequency deviation according to the protection interval.

Advantageously, receiving equipment comprises reconstruction (reconstructing) device, and described reconstructing device is suitable for rebuilding original signaling mode according to the selected part of the described reception of described transmission bandwidth.Therefore, described reconstructing device can be suitable in the selected part of the described transmission bandwidth that receiving system is tuned to and the unmatched situation of signalling pattern structure received signaling-information being rearranged (rearrange) in original signaling mode.Therefore, even the selected part of the transmission bandwidth that receiver is tuned to one of signaling mode coupling (on frequency direction) fully and correctly, receiver also will receive (on the frequency (frequency wise)) the formerly decline of (preceding) signaling mode and first of (on the frequency) follow-up signaling mode in the case.For example, if receiving equipment is known (frequency dimension) skew of the signalling pattern structure in itself and each frame, then described reconstructing device can be suitable for received signaling-information is rescheduled in the original signaling mode.Replacedly, each frame is included in the time dimension, at least two additional signaling patterns after described at least two signaling modes, in the described additional signaling pattern each has respectively and described two corresponding length that pattern is identical in the signaling mode formerly at least, wherein said reconstructing device be suitable for received in time dimension each other in succession two or more signaling modes be rescheduled in the original signaling mode.Therefore, even the length of signaling mode and all essential signaling datas wherein are comprised in situation in the single signaling mode and compare shortlyer in frequency dimension, formerly signaling mode and follow-up signaling mode also can comprise essential signaling data jointly.

Replacedly or in addition, the signaling data of signaling mode comprises error detection and/or error correction coding, wherein said reconstructing device is suitable for the signaling-information of described reception is carried out error detection and/or error correction decoding in order to rebuild original signaling mode.

Therefore, even the signaling mode that transmits can comprise additional error coding, redundancy etc. so that only a part of signaling mode can be received, receiver also can be rebuild original signaling mode.

Advantageously, each signaling mode of each frame comprises the position of signaling mode in the frame, and it is extracted and assesses (evaluate) at receiver side.In this case, in addition advantageously, can comprise identical signaling data the position of each signaling mode corresponding signaling mode in frame in each frame, be different in its at least some signaling modes in frame.Therefore, receiving equipment can be for example being determined its position of (in each frame) in whole transmission bandwidth during the initialization cycle, wherein receiving equipment is tuned to the optional position in the frame, then be tuned to described bandwidth to realize receiving according to the signaling data in the received signaling mode data of hope.Replacedly, location information is encoded in can the pilot signal in being included in signaling mode.Advantageously, the signaling mode of each frame comprises the signaling data with the data pattern number that is included in the frame, and wherein said apparatus for evaluating is suitable for extracting the described signaling data with data pattern number from received signaling mode.In addition advantageously, the signaling mode of each frame comprises the independent signaling data with each data pattern that is included in the frame, and wherein said apparatus for evaluating is suitable for extracting the described independent signaling data with each data pattern from received signaling mode.

Advantageously, receiver is suitable for being tuned to and receiving the selected part of described transmission bandwidth that the optimization to signaling mode receives in the selected part of transmission bandwidth in order to be implemented in.Especially, if the frequency dimension structure of the data pattern in the frame and signaling mode is not mated, if and the selectivity of the transmission bandwidth that will in receiver, the receive part data pattern (one or more) that will receive greater than (in frequency dimension), then can optimize tuning in order to realize the best possible reception of signaling mode, for example described tuning so that when still receiving the data pattern (one or more) of all wishing, receive the largest portion of a complete signaling mode by adjusting.

Usually, maybe advantageously carry out tuning to receiver so that the selectivity of transmission bandwidth is partly received, so that at least one data pattern to be received is with respect to the selectivity of transmission bandwidth partly center (center).

In addition advantageously, receiver can be by the tuning selectivity part that receives described transmission bandwidth with signaling information received in the signaling mode according to previous frame.

In addition advantageously, each frame is included at least one the additional data pattern in the time dimension, after described at least one data pattern, each in the described additional data pattern have respectively with described previous at least one data pattern in a corresponding identical length.In other words, the structure of the data pattern (one or more) in each frame is so advantageously set up so that at least one data pattern is arranged in the frequency dimension in order to cover whole transmission bandwidth.Then at least one additional data pattern is arranged in the identical frame, but follow after at least one data pattern at time orientation, each data pattern additional or back has the length identical with the past data pattern at same frequency position place (in frequency dimension or on the frequency direction) thus.Therefore, if receiving equipment is tuned to the specific part of transmission bandwidth, then at least one data pattern is received with regard to each frame, each in the described data pattern have identical length but in time dimension each other in succession.Therefore, the length of each in the data pattern can be dynamically adjusted in transfer equipment.Replacedly or in addition, the number of additional data pattern can be dynamically adjusted in time dimension.Equally, on time orientation, the length of the data pattern in the frame (being the length of time slot) can change.Therefore importantly, the signaling mode of next frame all originates in identical time point.Then in signaling mode, will notify (signal) any dynamic change about data pattern.Having as proposed by the present invention, therefore the multicarrier system of frame structure realized transmitting very flexibly of data content, wherein the length of data pattern and therefore the data volume of each data pattern can be dynamically altered, for example change in any other required mode because of the frame XOR.Replacedly, the length of data pattern and/or number can be fixing or permanent.

It must be understood that the present invention can be applied to the multicarrier system of any kind, wherein transfer equipment is suitable in whole transmission bandwidth transmitting the part that data and receiving equipment are suitable for optionally receiving only described whole transmission bandwidth.The non-limitative example of such system can be existing or future unidirectional or two-way broadcast system, for example wired or wireless (as based on cable, ground etc.) digital video broadcast system.The non-limitative example of multicarrier system will be OFDM (OFDM) system, yet any other suitable system can be used, and wherein data, pilot signal etc. are mapped on a plurality of frequency carriers.Therefore frequency carrier can be equidistant (equidistant) and have respectively identical length (bandwidth).Yet the present invention can also be used in the multicarrier system, and wherein frequency carrier is not equidistant and/or does not have respectively identical length.In addition, it should be understood that the present invention is not limited to the particular frequency range of any kind, both be not limited to transmitting applied whole transmission bandwidth on the side, also be not limited to the selected part of the transmission bandwidth that receiver side is tuned to.Yet, maybe advantageously use in some applications the reception bandwidth of receiver side, the bandwidth of the part of the receiver transmission bandwidth that can be tuned to namely, it is equivalent to have now the bandwidth of the receiving equipment of (digital video broadcasting or other) system.The non-limitative example of receiver bandwidth can be 8MHz, and namely receiver side can be tuned to the 8MHz bandwidth of any hope of whole transmission bandwidth.Therefore, whole transmission bandwidth can be the multiple of 8MHz, for example 8MHz, 16MHz, 24MHz, 32MHz, 64MHz, 256MHz etc., so that the segmentation of whole transmission bandwidth, namely the length of each signaling mode can be 8MHz.Yet other segmentations are possible, for example the length of (but being not limited to) each signaling mode 4MHz or 6MHz.

Usually, be that the length of each in frame structure of the present invention in the employed signaling mode can be 8MHz, 6MHz, 4MHz (or less) in the situation of non-limitative example of 8MHz in receiver bandwidth.

Description of drawings

The present invention will be explained in further detail following in for the accompanying drawing description of preferred embodiments, wherein

Fig. 1 illustrates the schematic diagram of whole transmission bandwidth, and receiver can optionally and neatly receive selected part from this whole transmission bandwidth,

Fig. 2 illustrates the example of the segmentation of whole transmission bandwidth,

Fig. 3 illustrates the schematic time-domain representation according to frame structure of the present invention,

Fig. 4 illustrates the illustrative example according to frame structure of the present invention or pattern,

Fig. 5 illustrates the part of the frame structure of Fig. 4, has wherein explained the reconstruction of signaling mode,

Fig. 6 illustrates the illustrative example of filter for receiver characteristic,

Fig. 7 illustrates another example according to frame structure of the present invention or pattern,

Fig. 8 illustrates the part according to another example of frame structure of the present invention or pattern,

Fig. 9 illustrates first example of allocation of pilots to signaling mode,

Figure 10 illustrates second example of allocation of pilots to signaling mode,

Figure 11 illustrates another example of the reconstruction of signaling mode,

Figure 12 illustrates the example to the adaptation of different channel width,

Figure 13 is shown schematically in the example of frame structure of the present invention in the time dimension,

Figure 14 illustrates the schematic block diagram according to the example of transfer equipment of the present invention, and

Figure 15 illustrates the schematic block diagram according to the example of receiving equipment of the present invention.

Embodiment

Fig. 1 illustrates schematically showing of whole transmission bandwidth 1, wherein transmits signal according to transfer equipment of the present invention (for example in Figure 14 schematically illustrated transfer equipment 54) according to the present invention in multicarrier system.Fig. 1 is the block diagram of schematically illustrated receiving equipment of the present invention 3 in addition, and it is suitable for being tuned to and optionally receiving the selected part 2 of transmission bandwidth 1.Therefore, receiving equipment 3 comprises: tuner (tuner) 4, and described tuner 4 is suitable for being tuned to and optionally receiving the hope part 2 of transmission bandwidth 1; And other processing unit 5, it carries out other essential processing, for example demodulation, channel-decoding etc. according to corresponding communication system to received signal.According to the more complicated example of receiving equipment of the present invention shown in the schematic block diagram of Figure 15, Figure 15 illustrates the receiving equipment 63 that comprises receiving interface 64, and described receiving interface 64 for example can be antenna, antenna pattern (antenna pattern), wired or be suitable for receiving the suitable interface of signal based on the receiving interface of cable or any other in corresponding transmission system or communication system.The receiving interface 64 of receiving equipment 63 is connected to receiving system 65, described receiving system 65 comprises tuner (for example tuner shown in Fig. 1 4) and the other necessary processing unit that depends on respective transmissions or communication system, for example is suitable for received signal is downconverted to the down conversion device of intermediate frequency or base band.

As mentioned above, the present invention by the specific and new frame structure that is provided for multicarrier system realized in receiver to the hope part 2 of transmission bandwidth 1 flexibly and the reception that changes.Fig. 2 illustrates schematically showing of overall transfer bandwidth 1, and transfer equipment 54 of the present invention is suitable in this bandwidth 1 communication of data content, for example data of video data, voice data or any other kind in different segmentations or part 6,7,8,9 and 10.For example, transfer equipment 54 can transmit the variety classes data with part 6,7,8,9 and 10, from the data of homology, plan not give data of different recipients etc.Part 6 and 9 has for example maximum bandwidth, the maximum bandwidth that namely can be received by corresponding receiving equipment 63.Part 7,8 and 10 has less bandwidth.The present invention proposes now frame structure or model application in whole transmission bandwidth 1, and each frame is included at least two signaling modes and a plurality of data pattern located adjacent one another on the frequency direction thus.Each signaling mode has identical length and comprises pilot signal and the signaling data that is mapped to its frequency carrier (being frequency subcarriers in the situation of ofdm system).In other words, overall transfer bandwidth 1 is divided into the moiety for signaling mode, and the receiver maximum bandwidth that can be tuned to for example for the part 6 among Fig. 2 and 9 shown bandwidth, must be equal to or greater than the length of each signaling mode thus.Therefore new frame structure as suggested in the present invention only comprises signaling mode and data pattern, but does not comprise any independent training mode or comprising other patterns of pilot signal.In other words, the present invention proposes a kind of new frame structure, and it has and only comprises the leading of two or more signaling modes and have at time orientation and follow data pattern after leading.

The length that should be noted that various data divisions in transmission bandwidth can not surpass the length (number of frequency carrier) of the maximum bandwidth that receiver can be tuned to, and this will be explained hereinafter in further detail.

Fig. 3 illustrates schematically showing according to frame 11 of the present invention, 12 spatial structure.Each frame 11,12 comprise one or more signaling symbols 13,13 ' and some data symbols 14,14 '.Therefore, in time domain, signaling symbols is before data symbol.Each frame 11,12 can have a plurality of data symbols, and wherein following system is possible, and the number of data symbol changes in each frame 11,12 in described system.The pilot signal that is included in the signaling symbols is used in the receiving equipment 63 to carry out the calculating of channel estimating and/or integer frequency bias.Time synchronized can for example be undertaken by execute protection interval, the protection interval contrast (or any other appropriate technology) to signaling symbols received in time domain and/or data symbol.Signaling symbols 13,13 ' also comprise signaling information, for example 63 pairs of received signals of receiving equipment decode all physical layer information required, such as but not limited to the L1 signaling data.Signaling data can for example comprise that data content arrives the distribution of various data patterns, namely for example which frequency carrier what sundry services does, data flow, modulation, error correction setting etc. are positioned on, so that receiving equipment 63 can obtain the information of which part of its whole transmission bandwidth that should be tuned to.Possible is that all signaling modes in the frame comprise identical signaling data.Replacedly, each signaling mode can comprise indication corresponding signaling mode and the skew of frame top (beginning) or the signaling data of distance, so that partly tuning of the hope that receiving equipment 63 can be optimized in the mode of the reception of optimizing signaling mode and data pattern transmission frequency.On the other hand; the skew at corresponding signaling mode and frame top or distance can also be encoded in pilot signal, in pilot signal sequence or in the boundary belt of distributing to or being included in the signaling mode, so that each signaling mode in the frame can have identical signaling data.Use according to the present invention to frame structure has additional advantage: by data flow is divided into logical block, the change of frame structure can be notified in interframe, thus formerly frame to subsequent frame or one of the frame structure of notice through changing.For example, frame structure allows the seamless change modulation parameter, and does not produce mistake.

Fig. 4 illustrates the illustrative example according to the frequency domain representation of frame structure of the present invention or pattern 29.Frame structure 29 covers whole transmission bandwidth 24 and is included at least two signaling modes 31 located adjacent one another on the frequency direction in frequency direction, and each is carrying and is being mapped in the identical or almost identical signaling data on each frequency carrier and has identical length.In the example shown in Figure 4, whole transmission bandwidth 24 is subdivided into four signaling modes 31, but the signaling mode of any other higher or lower number also may be suitable.In the transfer equipment of the present invention 54 shown in Figure 14, protocol mapping device 55 is suitable for signaling data and pilot signal are videoed on the frequency carrier of each signaling mode.Advantageously, pseudo noise sequence or CAZAC sequence are used to pilot signal, but any other the pilot signal sequence with good pseudo noise and/or correlation properties also may be suitable.Each signaling mode of frame can comprise different pilot signal sequences, but replacedly, the pilot signal of the signaling mode of a frame can form single pilot signal sequence.Protocol mapping device 55 can be suitable for pilot signal is mapped to every m frequency carrier 17 (m is the natural number greater than 1) in each signaling mode, so that the 16 carrier signaling data of the frequency carrier between the pilot tone, as following will the explanation in further detail for Fig. 9.In addition or replacedly, protocol mapping device 55 can be suitable for pilot signal will be mapped at least one pilot tone band 18 of being included in the signaling mode, 19 the frequency carrier 20,21, as following will the explanation in further detail for Figure 10. Pilot tone band 18,19 comprises a plurality of next-door neighbours' frequency carrier, and wherein pilot signal is mapped on it.Therefore, each signaling mode can have single pilot tone band 18 maybe can have two pilot tone bands 18,19, and on frequency direction, one at the top of signaling mode, the end at signaling mode.Advantageously, the length of pilot tone band (distributing to the number of the frequency carrier of pilot tone band) is identical for each signaling mode.The length of each signaling mode 30 or bandwidth 39 can be identical with the bandwidth 38 that the tuner of receiving equipment 63 can be tuned to.Yet the part of the transmission bandwidth that the tuner of receiving equipment 63 can be tuned to can be greater than the length of signaling mode 30.

Received pilot tone, namely be mapped on every m frequency carrier and/or be included in pilot signal in the pilot tone band of received signaling mode, (the time transforms to frequency domain in frequency-transposition arrangement 68 after) is used in channel estimating apparatus 69 channel estimating to the frequency carrier in the frame, and it provides essential channel estimating information to realize the correct solution mapping to the data in the received data pattern to separating mapping device 70.Equally, received pilot tone is used to detect with the integer frequency bias that is used for corresponding integer frequency bias checkout gear 67 in the receiving equipment 63, and described integer frequency bias checkout gear 67 is realized the detection of the integer frequency bias of received signal and compensation afterwards.Integer frequency bias be with original (transmission) frequency, in the skew of the multiple of frequency carrier spacing.

Each signaling mode 31 comprises for example position of signaling mode 31 in frame.For example except the position (in its each signaling mode 31 in frame be different) of each signaling mode in frame, each signaling mode 31 in each frame has and carries identical signaling data.Signaling data for example is the L1 signaling data, and it comprises all physical layer information that 63 pairs of received signals of receiving equipment are decoded required.Yet any other suitable signaling data can be contained in the signaling mode 31.Signaling mode 31 can for example comprise each data sectional 32,33,34,35,36 position, where be positioned at so that receiving equipment 63 is known desirable data sectional so that the tuner of receiving equipment 63 can be tuned to the relevant position in order to receive desirable data sectional.Replacedly; as mentioned above; each signaling mode of frame can comprise identical signaling data, and the position of corresponding signaling mode is notified in a different manner in the frame, for example the pilot signal sequence by signaling mode or by the information of encoding in boundary belt etc.As mentioned above, each in the signaling mode 31 can comprise about being included in the information of each data pattern in the frame.Yet, in order to reduce expense, each signaling mode 31 can comprise about only part or the information of some data patterns, and such as but not limited to those data patterns that are positioned at frequency band (or position in the inner and contiguous with it), wherein signaling mode 31 is arranged in described frequency band.In the example of Fig. 4, the first signaling mode 31 in the frame can comprise the information about data pattern 32 and 33 (and upper at the heel data pattern 32 of time ', 32 " ... 33 ', 33 " etc.).The second signaling mode in the frame can comprise about data pattern 33,34 and 35 (and upper at the heel data pattern 33 of time ', 33 " ... 34 ', 34 " ... 35 ', 35 " etc.) information.

As shown in Figure 15, receiving equipment 63, after the receiving system 65 with tuner, comprise being suitable for synchronous time synchronism apparatus 66 of time of implementation and being suitable for received time-domain symbol carried out that decimal frequency bias detects and the decimal frequency bias checkout gear 67 of compensation.Then the time that received time-domain symbol offered to frequency-transposition arrangement 68 to be used for that received time-domain signal is transformed to frequency domain, wherein after signaling data (after the optional reconstruction in reconstructing device 71) separated mapping to it and then at apparatus for evaluating 73 it assessed in separating mapping device 72.Apparatus for evaluating 73 is suitable for from received signaling data extracting necessary and required signaling information.If necessary, and then the additional signaling pattern can be provided after the signaling mode 31 on time orientation.

Frame structure or pattern 29 also are included on the frequency direction that extend in whole frequency bandwidth 24 and follow at least one data pattern or segmentation after signaling mode 31 at time orientation.At the time slot of closelying follow after the time slot that signaling mode 31 is arranged in, the frame structure 29 shown in Fig. 4 comprises some data sectionals 32,33,34,35,36 and 37 with different length (being the different numbers of the mapped corresponding frequencies carrier wave thereon of data).Frame structure 29 also is included in the additional data segmentation in the follow-up time slot, the additional data pattern has respectively with correspondingly formerly data pattern is identical thus length and frequency carrier number.For example, data pattern 32 ', 32 ", 32 " ' have the length identical with the first data pattern 32 with 32 " ".For example, data pattern 33 ', 33 ", 33 " ' have the length identical with data sectional 33 with 33 " ".In other words, the additional data pattern have with the first time slot after signaling mode 31 in some data patterns 32,33,34,35,36 and 37 identical frequency dimension structures.Therefore, if receiving equipment 63 for example be tuned to the part 38 of transmission bandwidth so that receive data mode 35, then free follow-up have with the data pattern 35 of data pattern 35 equal length ', 35 " and 35 " ' can both be correctly received.

Flexible and the variable data pattern structure of frame structure proposed by the invention or pattern 29 can be for example the enforcement in transfer equipment of the present invention 54 as shown in Figure 14 by the various data flow of reflection (for example have different types of data and/or from the data of homology not, as such by circuit-switched data 1, data 2 and 3 visualizes of data among Figure 14).Then by corresponding data mapping unit 58,58 ', 58 " corresponding data is mapped on the frequency carrier in the corresponding data pattern.As mentioned above, at least some in the various data patterns can have respectively different length, that is, and and the frequency carrier of different numbers (if frequency carrier is equidistant and has identical bandwidth).Replacedly, the number of data pattern can be identical with the number of signaling mode on frequency direction, wherein the length of each data pattern (or bandwidth) can be identical with the length of each signaling mode and they can (having identical frequency direction structure) aligned with each other.Replacedly, the number that each data pattern can have identical length and data pattern can be the multiple of the number of signaling mode, and still has identical frequency structure and aligning (alignment) simultaneously.Therefore, for example 2,3,4 or the more data pattern will aim at in the signaling mode each.Usually, the length of data pattern need to less than or maximum equal effective receiver bandwith so that data pattern can be received in receiving equipment 63.In addition, transfer equipment 54 can be suitable for dynamically changing data pattern structure, for example number of data pattern and/or length.Replacedly, the structure of data pattern can be that fix or permanent.

In addition, notice that data pattern can advantageously comprise the pilot signal of reflection on some frequency carriers (for example every k frequency carrier, k is the integer greater than 1), in order to be implemented in meticulous (fine) channel estimating of receiver side.Therefore, pilot signal can be dispersed between the carrier wave with rule or scramble pattern with data.In transfer equipment 54, in frame forms device 59, from the frequency carrier with signaling data and pilot signal of protocol mapping device 55 and from each data mapping unit device 58,58 ', 58 " the frequency carrier with data be combined into according to frame pattern of the present invention or structure 29.Then formed frame is transformed the time domain symbol and is provided for protection interval adding set 57 to time converting means 60 by frequency, and it adds the protection interval to signaling and data symbol.Then the transmission symbol that forms is thus transmitted by transmitting interface 62 by conveyer 61.

Usually, frame structure of the present invention can be fixing or permanent, namely total bandwidth and on time orientation the extension of each frame can be that fix and always identical.Replacedly, frame structure can also be flexibly, namely total bandwidth and/or on time orientation the extension of each frame can be flexibly and depend on expectation and use and change in time.For example, the number that has a time slot of data pattern can be changed neatly.Therefore, can in the signaling data of signaling mode, notify described change to receiving equipment.

At start-up period or the initial phase of receiving equipment 63, receiving equipment 63 be tuned to the optional frequency part of whole frequency bandwidth.In the non-limitative example of cablecast system, signaling mode 30 can for example have 8MHz bandwidth (yet it must be understood that signaling mode can also have any other bandwidth, for example 4MHz, 6MHz etc.).Therefore; during start-up period; receiving equipment 63 can with original or reorder the whole signaling mode 30 of (re-ordered) sequential reception and in time synchronism apparatus 66 time of implementation synchronous, for example by to the contrast of the execute protection interval, protection interval of received signaling symbols (or data symbol) or by obtaining time synchronized with any other proper technology.Receiving equipment 63 also comprises the decimal frequency bias checkout gear 67 of mentioning, and it is suitable for carrying out the detection of the decimal frequency bias of received signal and calculating in order to allow the fractional frequency compensation according to the decimal of frequency carrier spacing.Then thus obtained decimal frequency bias information can be provided for the tuner that is included in the receiving system 65, and then it carry out the fractional frequency compensation.The fractional frequency compensation also can realize by other proper technologies.The time transforms to frequency domain with received time-domain signal in frequency-transposition arrangement 68 after, in calculating, channel estimating apparatus 69 and/or integer frequency bias carry out channel estimating (being generally rough channel estimation) with the pilot signal in the received signaling mode.Carry out integer frequency bias and calculate in integer frequency bias checkout gear 74, it is suitable for detecting and calculating the frequency deviation of received signal and original frequency structure, and its frequency deviation comes (therefore as integer frequency bias) take the integral multiple of frequency carrier spacing.Then thus obtained integer frequency bias information can be provided for the tuner that is included in the receiving system 65, and then it carry out the integer frequency compensation.The integer frequency compensation can also realize by other proper technologies.Because decimal frequency bias is calculated and compensates by decimal frequency bias checkout gear 67, therefore can realize completely compensate of frequency deviation.In the apparatus for evaluating 73 of receiving equipment 63, received signaling data is evaluated, for example the obtained so that receiver in the position of received signaling mode in frame can be freely and neatly be tuned to the frequency location of corresponding hope, for example part 38 shown in Figure 4.Yet in order correctly to assess the signaling data of signaling mode 31 in the tuning setting of receiving equipment 63 and the unmatched situation of signalling pattern structure, received signaling-information must be rearranged order, and this carries out in described reconstructing device 71.Fig. 5 is this reordering shown in the illustrative example.The decline 31 of previous signaling mode ' in the first 31 of follow-up signaling mode " be received before; wherein at reconstructing device 71 with part 31 ' place part 31 " afterwards so that after rebuilding original signaling data sequence, wherein in separating mapping device 72, the signaling data from frequency carrier to be carried out in apparatus for evaluating 73 signaling mode that reorders being assessed after the homographic solution mapping.What remember is that the content of each signaling mode 31 is identical, so that this reordering is possible.

Often, receiving equipment does not have to provide the flat frequency response in whole reception bandwidth that receiver is tuned to.In addition, transmission system faces the decay that the border (boarder) that receives the bandwidth window is located to increase usually.Fig. 6 illustrates schematically showing of typical filter shape (filter shape) example.Can see that filter is not rectangular, so for example receiving equipment in fact only can receive 7.61MHz bandwidth rather than 8MHz bandwidth.The result is, receiving equipment 63 can not be as described in Figure 5 be carried out under signaling mode 31 has the situation of the length identical with the reception bandwidth of receiving equipment 63 and bandwidth the reordering of signaling data, like this some dropouts and can not being received at the boundary that receives bandwidth.In order to overcome this problem and other problems and always can to receive a complete signaling mode and needn't received signaling-information be reordered or rearrange with original series in order to ensure receiving equipment 63, the present invention replacedly or in addition proposes to use signaling mode 31a, compare with receiver bandwidth, described signaling mode 31a has the length of reduction.

According to the example shown in Fig. 7, propose to use signaling mode 31a, it has half length of receiver bandwidth, but still has identical frequency structure.The signaling mode 31a of in other words, corresponding two (namely paired) half length mates with receiver bandwidth and aims at.Therefore, every couple of signaling mode 31a will have identical signaling data or almost identical signaling data, comprise signaling mode 31a (variation) position in respective frame.Yet, with regard to other to regard to the signaling mode, these other centerings, because they have respectively different positions in frame, so except positional information, signaling data will be identical.In the above-mentioned example of the receiving equipment 63 of the bandwidth with 8MHz or length, so signaling mode 31a will all have length or the bandwidth of 4MHz.Therefore, can be transmitted in order to ensure the signaling data of equal number as before, what may be necessary is at the signaling mode 31b that adds half additional length after signaling mode 31a and in the time slot before data pattern 32,34,35,36 and 37.Additional signaling mode 3 1b has the time identical with signaling mode 31a and frequency arrangement/aligning, but comprises additional and different from the signaling information in being included in signaling mode 31a signaling informations.Like this, receiving equipment 63 can receive signaling mode 31a and 31b fully, and the reconstructing device 71 of receiving equipment is suitable for the signaling data of signaling mode 31a and 31b is combined into original series.In this case, the reconstructing device 71 in the receiving equipment 63 can be omitted.

Equally maybe advantageously, if all essential signaling datas can be transmitted and additional signaling mode 3 1b is optional, then only provide the time slot of the signaling mode 31a with half length in half length.In this case, each signaling mode 31a comprise the signaling data of identical (or almost identical) and signaling mode 31a that each is received so that receiving equipment 63 always can be tuned to and receive any hope part of transmission bandwidth and therefore receive desirable data pattern (one or more).Replacedly, even more half length signaling mode can be used in the follow-up time slot after the signaling mode 31b.

Usually it should be noted (for all embodiment of the present invention), the length of data pattern and/or signaling mode (or bandwidth) can be adapted to, for example can less than or the maximum effective reception bandwidth that equals receiving equipment 63, for example be adapted to the output bandwidth of reception bandpass filter, such as described above.

In addition, for all embodiment of the present invention, if on time orientation signaling mode 31; One or more follow-up among 31a, the 31b has the one or more additional signaling patterns that have equal length and position in frame, then may be favourable.For example, the first signaling mode in the frame can have the one or more additional signaling patterns in follow-up time slot.Therefore the additional signaling pattern can have the signaling information identical or almost identical with the first signaling mode.Therefore, other signaling modes in the frame need not to have the additional signaling pattern.Usually, the number of the signaling mode in each frequency location can change in the frame.For example, disturbing necessary a plurality of signaling mode if provide in view of breach (notch) or other at each frequency location of frame, then may be favourable.Replacedly or in addition, the number of the signaling mode in each frequency location can change according to the signaling data amount in the frame.Therefore, for example, if the more data pattern need to be signaled (signalize), then more signaling modes may be essential on time orientation.Therefore the length of signaling mode can be included in the part of the signaling data in the signaling mode on time orientation.

In non-limitative example, the transmission of signaling data and additional pilots and reception are based on OFDM, and described signaling data is L1 (rank (level) 1) signaling data for example, and described additional pilots is used to fractional frequency synchronously and channel equalization.Signaling data is to be transmitted in the piece of for example 4MHz or pattern, but any other suitable size can be used.Unique necessary condition is to have a complete signaling mode in tuning window, but this condition can satisfy by using on time orientation each other two or more signaling modes with less size in succession, as described in Figure 7.Therefore, the maximum bandwidth of signaling mode can for example be the tuning window of prior art tuner, i.e. 7.61MHz.Some numerical examples have below been provided.In the first example, each signaling mode 31; 31a, 31b just in time cover 4MHz, and this is corresponding to 1792 OFDM frequency carriers and have the duration T of useful part of the OFDM symbol of 448 μ s _UIn the second example, each signaling mode covers 7.61MHz (just in time 3409/448usec), and this is corresponding to 3049 OFDM carrier waves and have the duration T of useful part of the OFDM symbol of 448 μ s _U

According to a first aspect of the invention, videoed every m frequency carrier 17 of signaling mode 31a of pilot signal is as schematically illustrated among Fig. 9 (m is the integer greater than 1).Yet be clear that very that undoubtedly this possibility is equally applicable to the signaling mode 31 shown in Fig. 4, perhaps be generally applicable to the signaling mode of any suitable length.Frequency carrier 16 between the pilot signal of carrying frequency carrier is carrying signaling data.Signaling data is mapped to frequency carrier 16 and pilot signal 17 is mapped to every m frequency carrier is to carry out by the protocol mapping device 55 that is included in the transfer equipment 54 as shown in Figure 14.Usually, as mentioned above, pilot signal forms pilot signal sequence.Therefore, for example contrast pilot tone is modulated each other by the differential modulation scheme, such as but not limited to D-BPSK (difference binary phase shift keying).Modulation for example obtains by the PRBS (pseudo-random binary sequence register, for example 2^23-1) that comprises in the protocol mapping device 55 of conveyer 54.The clear and definite D-BPSK decoding that the repetition rate of m should allow at receiver side (for example receiving equipment of the present invention 63 shown in Figure 15) is even also be like this for multipath channel.For the 4MHz signaling mode, repetition rate m for example 7,14,28 ..., because 7,14,28... be 1792 divisor (divider) of the number of frequency carrier in the 4MHz signaling mode (==).In this example, favourable repetition values is m=7.In other words, per the 7th frequency carrier carrying even crossing over the pilot signal of contiguous signaling mode.This example produces 256 pilot signals with regard to every 4MHz signaling mode.Yet, depending on corresponding length and/or other factors of signaling mode, other repetition values different from above-mentioned example may be favourable.Also carrying in the situation of the pilot signal on some frequency carriers that are mapped between the frequency carrier with data in data pattern (one or more), may be favourable if pilot signal videos on the data pattern in the upper/lower positions (one or mores') frequency carrier, described position be corresponding to the frequency carrier in the mapped signaling mode (one or more) thereon of pilot signal.Therefore, the density of pilot signal need not the same high with the density of pilot signal in the signaling mode (one or more) in the data pattern (one or more).For example, if pilot signal is by on every m the frequency carrier in the signaling mode of videoing (one or more) (m is the integer greater than 1), then pilot signal can be by reflection to every n frequency carrier of data pattern (one or more), and wherein n is greater than 1 integer and is the integral multiple of m.As favourable example, if m=7, then n=28 (or any other suitable number).Pilot signal in the data pattern (one or more) can also form pilot signal sequence, as explaining for signaling mode (one or more).

With regard to regard to signaling mode (one or more) and data pattern (one or more) establishment pilot signal sequence (for example being the PN sequence), exist two selections:

* select 1: the different pilot signal sequence of each signaling mode carrying in each frame.In above-mentioned example, the initialization of PRBS register is aligned to transmission frequency.256 pilot tones are positioned at the frequency chunks of each 4MHz.The pilot signal sequence of each 4MHz piece is calculated independently.This allows the efficient realization of memory on receiver side.

* select 2: for all signaling modes that are included in whole transmission bandwidths, pilot signal sequence only is employed once.Receiver (for example receiving equipment 63) for example is stored in this known array in the storage device and extracts the frequency chunks corresponding with its current tuning setting, and described storage device can belong to integer frequency bias checkout gear 74 or can be in integer frequency bias checkout gear 74 outsides.

Every other carrier wave 16 in the signaling mode is used to the transmission of L1 signaling data.The initial 4MHz structure that always is aligned to of signaling data that is to say that it always originates in the multiple of 4MHz in described example in each signaling mode.Each 4MHz signaling mode can carry identical information, and this is because one or more pilot signal sequences provide information about the position of corresponding signaling mode in each frame to receiving equipment 63.Replacedly, each signaling mode can comprise the position of signaling mode in frame in addition.In addition, in order to reduce the peak to average power ratio of output time-domain signal, can carry out scrambling by unique scramble sequence signaling data to each signaling mode in transmitter, described unique scramble sequence can number obtain by signaling mode.

In receiving equipment 63, in integer frequency bias checkout gear 74, use and be included in signaling mode 31; Pilot signal among 31a, the 31b (in frequency-transposition arrangement 68 received time-domain symbol being carried out the time after frequency translation in the time) detects integer frequency bias, and then its result is used in the receiving equipment 63 to carry out the integer frequency bias compensation in frequency domain.More particularly, be included in the demodulating equipment 75 of pilot signal (it is for example through the D-BPSK modulation) in being included in integer frequency bias checkout gear 74 in the signaling mode in the frequency range that receives demodulated.Then, be included in relevant apparatus 76 in the integer frequency bias checkout gear 74 and carry out the relevant of (expection) pilot signal sequence (for example PRBS sequence) of store or generate through the pilot signal (pilot signal sequence) of demodulation and institute, so that with definite frequency deviation acquisition aligning.Described being correlated with utilizes the PRBS sequence to carry out, and described PRBS sequence is expected at the top (can be listed in the table at receiver side) of signaling mode.If find this sequence in received symbol, then receiving equipment 63 is known definite frequency deviation and it is compensated.More particularly, the integer frequency bias that obtains can be provided for and be used in reconstructing device 71 and conciliate in the mapping devices 72 to be used for correctly signaling data being carried out demodulation, and offers and be used in the channel estimating apparatus 69 in order to carry out channel estimating and therefore channel equalization.

In time synchronism apparatus 66 and decimal frequency bias checkout gear 67, use the protection interval of the signaling symbols that receives and/or data symbol to use the contrast of protection interval; with in time domain, received time-domain symbol carried out for example necessary time synchronized and decimal frequency bias detects and compensation (referring to Figure 13, show have signaling symbols, the time-domain representation of the frame at data symbol and protection interval).Time synchronized replacedly realizes that by the relevant of absolute value of carrying out between the time-domain symbol that received time-domain symbol and receiver generate wherein only pilot signal is modulated.The definite time synchronized of peak value permission in relevant between the symbol that received symbol and receiver generate.

According to a second aspect of the present invention schematically illustrated in Figure 10, each signaling mode 31a (or signaling mode 31) comprises at least one pilot tone band 18,19, and described at least one pilot tone band 18,19 comprises the pilot signal that is mapped on pilot tone band 18,19 the frequency carrier 20,21. Pilot tone band 18,19 comprises respectively the mapped a plurality of next-door neighbours' thereon of pilot signal frequency carrier. Pilot tone band 18,19 all can have the frequency carrier of similar number or the frequency carrier of different numbers.Therefore, each signaling mode 31a can comprise pilot tone band 18,19 at its top or at its end (on frequency direction).Replacedly, each signaling mode can comprise pilot tone band 18,19 at each boundary top and the end of pattern (namely).More than every other statement and the definition made for a first aspect of the present invention be equally applicable to second aspect, comprise and select 1 and select 2.It must be understood that the first and second aspects of the present invention can be combined, namely each signaling mode can comprise aforesaid at least one pilot tone band 18,19 and the pilot signal of reflection on every m frequency carrier 12.

In aspect aforesaid two of the present invention, have the number of frequency carrier of pilot signal and the relation that has between the number of frequency carrier of signaling data in each signaling mode and may be variable and submit to corresponding signaling and the migration requirement.

As schematically illustrated among Figure 11, transfer equipment 54 can make some zone 22,23 of whole transmission bandwidth become blank (blank) (breach) and enter other services, for example aviation radio in order to avoid from the interference of cable system.Therefore, can certain part of frequency spectrum not modulated.In this case, should be to signaling mode 31 yet; Affected frequency carrier is modulated in 31a, the 31b.Because as suggested in the present invention is very strong synchronously, so this can not affect the Frequency Synchronization performance that realizes by the pilot tone through the D-BPSK modulation.By repeating signaling data (each signaling mode 31 in the frame; 31a, 31b comprise identical or almost identical signaling data) (for example as shown in Figure 11 by the part of combination from two contiguous signaling modes); and by adding error protection by the error coding device 56 that is included in the transfer equipment 54 to signaling mode, recover omission (missing) part of signaling data at last.The breach that should be used as non-constant width at the holiday of the signaling data of transmission bandwidth edge is treated.

Alternative or the other possibility of processing breach or other problems can be with signaling mode 31; 31a, 31b are subdivided into the sequence of two or more parts in two or more parts and frame by frame counter-rotating (frame) each signaling mode.For example, if the first signaling mode in the frame be subdivided in first and (follow-up) second portion in, then (correspondence) first signaling mode in back to back next frame will have at the second portion at top and the first follow-up signaling moiety, i.e. inverted sequence (inverted sequence).Therefore, if for example second portion is by breach or otherwise disturbed, then receiver must be waited for next frame, and wherein second portion can be received and no problem (because follow-up first is with disturbed).

Make signaling mode 31; 31a, 31b adapt to the different tuning bandwidths of receiver side can for example be realized by the distance that changes signaling mode medium frequency carrier wave.Replacedly, can the holding frequency carrier wave distance constant and delete the signaling mode part of transmission bandwidth edge, for example by corresponding frequency carrier not being modulated, as schematically illustrated among Figure 12.Figure 12 illustrates and makes the scheme with 4MHz signaling mode be adapted to the 6MHz tuning bandwidth, realizes thus having the reception up to the data pattern of the length of 6MHz.

At last, each signaling mode 31; 31a, 31b can comprise boundary belt at top and the end of each pattern in addition.Replacedly; in some applications maybe advantageously; only the first signaling mode in each frame (signaling mode at 39 places, position in the example of Fig. 4) can only comprise boundary belt at the top of pattern, and the last signaling mode in each frame can only comprise boundary belt at the pattern end.Replacedly; in some applications; only the first signaling mode in each frame (signaling mode at 39 places, position in the example of Fig. 4) can comprise boundary belt at top and the end of pattern, and the last signaling mode in each frame can comprise boundary belt at top and the end of pattern.Be included in the length of the boundary belt in the some or all of signaling modes can be for example less than or maximumly equal the maximum frequency deviation that receiving equipment can be tackled.In the example of the receiver bandwidth of the 8MHz that mentions, boundary belt can for example have 250 to 500kHz length or any other suitable length.Equally, the length that is included in each boundary belt in the signaling mode can be because the as described in Figure 6 cause of filter characteristic and the length of the carrier wave that can not receive in receiving equipment at least.

For example; total transmission bandwidth is that (4nk pattern: k is Fourier's window size of 1024 carrier wave/samplings for the multiple of 8MHz therein; n=1,2,3,4...) and each signaling mode have in the ofdm system of length of 4MHz, will be 343 frequency carriers (these are in each 4nk pattern in the data pattern of the top of each frame and end untapped carrier number) for the suggestion in the length of each boundary belt of the top of each signaling mode and end.The number of resulting available carrier wave will be 3584/2-2x343=1106 carrier wave in each signaling mode.Yet, it must be understood that these numbers only are not intended under any circumstance as example and limit.Therefore; the length that is included in each boundary belt in the signaling mode can be because the as described in Figure 6 cause of filter characteristic and the length of the carrier wave that can not receive in receiving equipment at least, so that the length of the signaling data in each signaling mode equals (or can less than) effective receiver bandwith.Should be noted that if there is additional signaling mode 3 1b, then they will have the boundary belt identical with signaling mode 31a.

In addition or replacedly, each data pattern can be at top and the terminal boundary belt with untapped carrier wave that comprise of each pattern.Replacedly; in some applications; only on frequency direction each first data pattern in each frame (in the example of Figure 10 and 13; data pattern 32,32 ', 32 ", 32 " ', 32 " ") can only comprise boundary belt at the top of data pattern; and the last data pattern on frequency direction in each frame (in the example of Fig. 4 and 7, data pattern 37,37 ', 37 ", 37 " ', 37 " ") can comprise boundary belt at the end of data pattern.Therefore, the length of the boundary belt of data pattern is can be for example identical with the length of the boundary belt of signaling mode, if signaling mode comprises boundary belt.

As mentioned above, be included in signaling mode 31,31a and or 31b (or according to other signaling modes of the present invention) in signaling data comprise physical layer information, itself so that receiving equipment 63 according to the present invention can obtain about the knowledge of frame structure and can receive desirable data pattern and it is decoded.As non-limitative example; signaling data can comprise parameter, for example numbering in superframe of position in frame of total or whole transmission bandwidth, corresponding signaling mode, the boundary belt length that is used for signaling mode, the boundary belt length that is used for data pattern, the frame number that makes up superframe, present frame, at the number of the frequency dimension data pattern of total frame bandwidth, at the number of the time dimension additional data pattern of frame and/or be used for the independent signaling data of each data pattern of each frame.Therefore, the position of the signaling mode relevant with the segmentation of total bandwidth can for example be indicated in the position of corresponding signaling mode in frame.For example, in the situation of Fig. 4, signaling data comprises following indication: signaling mode is arranged in the first segmentation (a for example 8MHz segmentation) or second segmentation etc.In the situation of the signaling mode of half length with bandwidth fragmentation, as for example explaining for Fig. 7, so every pair of contiguous signaling mode has identical positional information.In any case, receiving equipment can use this positional information and in subsequent frame be tuned to desirable frequency band.Separately signaling data is the independent data piece that provides separately for each data pattern that is present in the frame and can comprises parameter, for example the first frequency carrier wave of data pattern, distribute to the frequency carrier of data pattern number, be used for data pattern modulation, be used for data pattern the error protection code, be used for use, the number of data pattern medium frequency breach (not being used to the frequency carrier of the transfer of data of data pattern), the position of frequency gap and/or the width of frequency gap of the time-interleaved device (time interleaver) of data pattern.The protocol mapping device 55 of transfer equipment 54 is suitable for corresponding signaling data is mapped on the frequency carrier of each signaling mode.The apparatus for evaluating 73 of receiving equipment 63 is suitable for assessing received signaling data and use or forwarding and is included in information in the signaling data for being further processed in receiving equipment 63.

If signaling data comprises being used for of mentioning and be present in the independent signaling information of each data pattern of frame, then the structure of signaling mode is supported in maximum a limited number of data pattern on the frequency direction in order to the size of each signaling mode is limited to largest amount with regard to each frame.Therefore, although the data pattern number of each frame on frequency direction can dynamically and neatly be changed, so this will only set up in a certain maximum number of data pattern.The additional data pattern of each frame on time orientation aimed at data pattern formerly respectively, as explained above.Therefore, each additional position that the subsequent data pattern has with formerly data pattern is identical, length, modulation etc. are so that it is effectively same for the subsequent data pattern to be used for the signaling data of data pattern formerly.Therefore, the number of the additional data pattern of each frame on time orientation can be fixing or flexibly and this information can also be included in the signaling data.Similarly, the structure of signaling mode can only be supported maximum a limited number of frequency gap in each data pattern.

Replacedly or in addition, for overcome part signaling mode 31 may be in receiving equipment 63 received problem, transfer equipment 54 can comprise error coding device 56 alternatively, it is suitable for to being added certain error coding, redundancy by reflection to the signaling data on the frequency carrier of signaling mode by protocol mapping device 55, for example repeated encoding, cyclic redundancy code etc.Additional error coding will be so that transfer equipment 54 can use the signaling mode 31 with training mode 30 equal length, as shown in Figure 4, this is because receiving equipment 63 can be for example carried out certain error detections and/or error correction in order to rebuild original signaling mode by reconstructing device 71.

For the example of the signaling mode with 4MHz length and segmentation that be aligned to the 8MHz in the ofdm system of mentioning, specific (non-limiting) example of signaling structure will be described hereinafter.

For the OFDM symbol duration of 448 μ s, each 4MHz piece makes up by 1792 OFDM subcarriers.If per the 7th the OFDM carrier wave in signaling symbols uses pilot tone, then 1536 OFDM carrier waves are preserved for transmitting the interior L1 signaling data of each signaling OFDM symbol.

These OFDM carrier waves can for example be modulated by 16QAM, thereby are created in 6144 total in the L1 signaling transmissible positions.The transmissible position of part must be used to the error correction purpose, for example is used for LDPC or Read-solomon (Reed Solomon) code.Remaining clean position then is used to signaling, for example described in following form like that.

GI length
	Frame number
Total bandwidth
	The sum of data slicer (slice)
L1 signaling table numbering
	The number of sublist data slicer
For the circulation of data slicer
	The data slicer numbering
Initial subcarrier frequency
	The number of the subcarrier of each section
The time-interleaved device degree of depth
	PSI/SI processes again
The number of breach
	For the circulation of breach
Initial with respect to the breach that section is initial
	Gap width
The circulation of end breach
	End data section circulation
Keep the position
	CRC_32

Below, will the parameter of the signaling data of mentioning in the upper table be described in more detail:

GI length:

Define the length at employed protection interval

Frame number:

The counter that each frame (being each signaling symbols) increases

Total bandwidth:

Whole transmission bandwidths of employed channel

The sum of data slicer:

The sum of this Parametric Representation data slicer (being data pattern) in employed channel

L1 signaling table numbering:

The numbering of sub-signaling table in signaling data

The number of sublist data slicer:

The number of the data slicer of represented (signalize) in this L1 signaling table

The data slicer numbering:

The numbering of current data section

Initial subcarrier frequency:

The initial frequency of data slicer

The number of the subcarrier of each section:

The number of the subcarrier of each data slicer

The time-interleaved device degree of depth:

The time-interleaved degree of depth in the current data section

PSI/SI processes again:

Expression whether for current data section in transmitter, carried out PSI/SI and processed again

The number of breach:

The number of breach in the current data section

Initial with respect to the breach that section is initial:

With respect to the initial frequency of data slicer, the original position of breach in data slicer

Gap width:

The width of breach

Keep the position:

The position in order to using in the future that keeps

CRC_32：

32 CRC codings that are used for L1 signaling piece

In order to ensure receiving signaling mode even better in receiving equipment 63, the present invention proposes to optimize the tuning setting of receiving equipment 63 in addition.In the example shown in Fig. 4 and 7, by centered by the part 38 of the frequency bandwidth of data pattern to be received, with receiver be tuned to this part 38 of transmission bandwidth.Replacedly, receiving equipment 63 can be tuned to so that optimize the reception of signaling mode 31 by placement part 38 so that the largest portion of signaling mode 31 is received and simultaneously desirable data pattern still received fully.Replacedly, the present invention proposes the difference of the length of the length of each data pattern and each signaling mode 31 should be greater than a certain percentage, and for example 10%.The example of this solution can find in Fig. 8.Border (on frequency direction) between the data pattern 42,43,44 and 45 and the skew on the border between the signaling mode 31 are not more than a certain percentage, for example (but being not limited to) 10%.So this little percentage can be corrected by the coding of the additive error in the above-mentioned signaling mode 31.

Figure 13 illustrates the time-domain representation according to the example of frame 47 of the present invention.In transfer equipment 54, in protocol mapping device 55, after delta frame pattern or the structure, to time converting means 60 the frequency domain frame pattern is transformed to time domain by frequency.The example of the time domain frame that produces is shown in now among Figure 13 and comprises protection interval 49, signaling symbols 50, other protection interval 51 and a plurality of data symbol 52 that separates by protection interval 53 respectively.Although wherein only single signaling symbols is present in situation in the time domain corresponding to the example shown in Fig. 4; wherein only single time slot with signaling mode is present in the frequency domain frame structure; but the example with two time slots that comprise respectively signaling mode 31a and 31b of Fig. 7 will cause two signaling modes of existence in time domain, and it is separated by the protection interval at last.The protection interval can for example be the cyclic extensions of the useful part of each symbol.In the example of ofdm system, signaling symbols and data symbol (boundary belt that provides at last that comprises them) can have respectively the length of an OFDM symbol.Then time domain frame is forwarded to conveyer 61, and described conveyer 61 for example comes time-domain signal is processed by signal being up-converted into desirable transmission frequency according to employed multicarrier system.Then signal transmission is transmitted via transmitting interface 62, and described transmission interface 62 can be wireline interface or wave point, for example antenna etc.

Figure 13 illustrates the respective number of the frame that can be combined into superframe in addition.The frame number of each superframe, namely on time orientation the length of each superframe can be fix or can change.The maximum length that therefore, may exist superframe dynamically to be set to.In addition, if if to be used for signaling data in the signaling mode of each frame of superframe be identical and signaling data in change only occur from a superframe to another superframe, then may be favourable.In other words, the modulation of data pattern, coding, number etc. will be identical in each frame of superframe, but then can be different in follow-up superframe.For example, the length of superframe can be longer in broadcast system, this is because signaling data may not can frequently changes, and superframe length can be shorter in interactive system, and this is because can come optimized transmission and receive parameter according to the feedback from the receiver to the transmitter.

The assembly of transfer equipment 54 and function are being explained before that its block diagram is shown in Figure 14.It must be understood that the actual execution mode of transfer equipment 54 will be included in the necessary add-on assemble of the practical operation of transfer equipment and function in the corresponding system.In Figure 14, only be depicted as explanation and understand assembly essential to the invention and device.So same for receiving equipment 63, its block diagram is shown in Figure 15.Figure 15 only is depicted as and understands assembly essential to the invention and function.Add-on assemble will be that the practical operation of receiving equipment 63 is necessary.It must be understood that in addition the assembly of transfer equipment 54 and receiving equipment 63 and function can realize with the device of any kind of the function that is suitable for carrying out invention herein described and claimed, equipment, system etc.

The present invention relates to a kind of frame structure (with adaptive transmission and receiving equipment correspondingly as described above) in addition, it is as the alternative of above-described embodiment, have a plurality of (two or more) data pattern, wherein at least one data pattern has the length different from the length of other data patterns (one or more).The structure of this data pattern with variable-length can combine with aforesaid signaling mode sequence with equal length and (identical or almost identical) content, perhaps combines from the signaling mode sequence that at least one signaling mode wherein has the length different with other signaling modes and/or a content (being variable signaling mode length).In both cases, receiving equipment 63 will need some about the information of the data pattern length of variation, and it can transmit by independent signaling data channel or by the aforesaid signaling data that is included in the signaling data pattern (described signaling data is comprised in the frame structure).With regard to latter's situation, receiving equipment always can obtain information about the data pattern that changes by receiving the first signaling mode in each or the necessary frame if the first signaling mode in each frame always has identical length, then is possible execution mode.Certainly, other execution modes also are possible.In addition, all the other relevant with the possible execution mode in data pattern and signaling mode and transfer equipment 54 and the receiving equipment 63 more than descriptions are still applicable.

Claims (16)

1. transfer equipment (54), be used for transmitting signal in multicarrier system according to frame structure, each frame is included at least two signaling modes located adjacent one another on the frequency direction and data pattern, described data pattern is followed after described two signaling modes at time orientation at least, described two data patterns are arranged in time slot that described at least two signaling modes the are positioned at time slot after being right after, wherein, follow respectively the other data pattern in the afterwards time slot on time orientation at least after each data pattern after described two signaling modes, in described at least two signaling modes each and described data pattern comprise a plurality of frequency carriers, and described transfer equipment comprises:

-frame forms device (59), is suitable for signaling data is arranged in each of described two signaling modes of frame at least, and wherein, all signaling modes in the frame comprise identical signaling data, and, be suitable for data placement in the described data pattern of frame,

-scrambler is used for by coming described signaling data is carried out scrambling with unique scramble sequence,

-converting means (60) is suitable for described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And

-conveyer (61) is suitable for transmitting described time domain signal transmission.

2. transfer equipment according to claim 1 (54),

Wherein, described frame forms device and is suitable for signaling data and pilot signal are arranged in each of described two signaling modes in the frame at least.

3. transfer equipment according to claim 1 (54),

Wherein, described frame forms device and is suitable for signaling data or signaling data and pilot signal are arranged in each of two signaling modes of frame, so that each signaling mode has identical length at least.

4. according to claim 1 and 2 or 3 described transfer equipments (54),

Wherein, described frame formation device is suitable for arranging all data patterns of following each other with same frequency direction structure on time orientation.

5. each described transfer equipment (54) in 4 according to claim 1,

Wherein said frame forms device (59) and is suitable for described pilot signal is arranged in two signaling modes with the differential modulation scheme at least.

6. each described transfer equipment (54) in 5 according to claim 1,

Wherein, described frame forms device (59) and is suitable for arranging described pilot signal, so that pilot signal is mapped on each m frequency carrier of described two signaling modes by described converting means (60) at least, m is the integer greater than 1.

7. each described transfer equipment (54) in 6 according to claim 1,

Wherein, described frame forms device and is suitable for arranging described signaling mode, so that the signaling mode of each frame comprises the signaling data identical with the quantity of data pattern in the described frame.

8. transfer approach, be used for transmitting signal in multicarrier system according to frame structure, each frame is included at least two signaling modes located adjacent one another on the frequency direction and data pattern, described data pattern is followed after described two signaling modes at time orientation at least, described two data patterns are arranged in time slot that described at least two signaling modes the are positioned at time slot after being right after, wherein, follow respectively the other data pattern in the afterwards time slot on time orientation at least after each data pattern after described two signaling modes, wherein, in described at least two signaling modes each and described data pattern comprise a plurality of frequency carriers, and described transfer approach may further comprise the steps:

Signaling data is arranged in each of described at least two signaling modes of frame, wherein, all signaling modes in the frame comprise identical signaling data, and,

With data placement in the described data pattern of frame,

By coming described signaling data is carried out scrambling with unique scramble sequence,

Described signaling mode and described data pattern are transformed to time domain in order to generate the time domain signal transmission from frequency domain; And

Transmit described time domain signal transmission.

9. receiving equipment (63), be used for receiving signal in multicarrier system according to the frame structure in the transmission bandwidth, each frame is included at least two signaling modes located adjacent one another on the frequency direction and data pattern, described data pattern is followed after described two signaling modes at time orientation at least, described two data patterns are arranged in time slot that described at least two signaling modes the are positioned at time slot after being right after, wherein, follow respectively the other data pattern in the afterwards time slot on time orientation at least after each data pattern after described two signaling modes, in described at least two signaling modes each and described data pattern comprise a plurality of frequency carriers, wherein, all signaling modes in the frame comprise identical signaling data

Described receiving equipment (63) comprising:

Receiving system (65) is suitable for being tuned to and receiving the selected part of described transmission bandwidth, and the described selected part of described transmission bandwidth has at least the length of one of described signaling mode and covers at least one data pattern to be received, and

Descrambler is suitable for by coming described signaling data is carried out descrambling with unique scramble sequence.

10. receiving equipment according to claim 9 (63),

Comprise frequency deviation checkout gear (74), be suitable for detecting frequency deviation according to the pilot signal that is included in the received signaling mode.

11. receiving equipment according to claim 10 (63),

Wherein, described frequency deviation checkout gear (74) comprises relevant apparatus, and it is suitable for carrying out relevant to the pilot signal that is included in the received signaling mode.

12. receiving equipment according to claim 10 (63),

Comprise apparatus for evaluating, be suitable for from received signaling mode extracting the signal data identical with the quantity of data pattern in the frame.

13. each described receiving equipment (63) in 12 according to claim 9,

Wherein, pilot signal is mapped on each m frequency carrier of described two signaling modes at least, and m is the integer greater than 1, and

Wherein, described frequency deviation checkout gear (74) is suitable for detecting frequency deviation according to described pilot signal.

14. method of reseptance, be used for being received in the signal that transmits in the multicarrier system according to the frame structure of transmission bandwidth, each frame is included at least two signaling modes located adjacent one another on the frequency direction and data pattern, described data pattern is followed after described two signaling modes at time orientation at least, described two data patterns are arranged in time slot that described at least two signaling modes the are positioned at time slot after being right after, wherein, follow respectively the other data pattern in the afterwards time slot on time orientation at least after each data pattern after described two signaling modes, in described at least two signaling modes each and described data pattern comprise a plurality of frequency carriers, wherein, all signaling modes in the frame comprise identical signaling data, and described method of reseptance may further comprise the steps:

Receive the selected part of described transmission bandwidth, the described selected part of described transmission bandwidth has at least the length of one of described signaling mode and covers at least one data pattern to be received, and

By coming described signaling data is carried out descrambling with unique scramble sequence.

15. be used for to transmit and receive the system of signal, comprise according to claim 1 each described transfer equipment (54) and each described receiving equipment in 13 according to claim 9 in 7.

16. be used for transmitting and receiving the method for signal, comprise transfer approach according to claim 8 and method of reseptance according to claim 14.

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