Claims:WE CLAIM:
1. A multi-functional front-end Network Interface Module (NIM) with Trans modulating and Trans receiving capabilities over Television (TV) white space comprising:
Front-end Radio Frequency (RF) receiver block [1];
RF Trans modulator block [3]; and
Broad band Trans receiver block [4],
wherein the front-end RF receiver block [1] comprising:
RF switch [6];
Filter and protection circuits [7];
One or more System on Chip (SOC) tuners [8] and [9]; and
One or more demodulators [2],
wherein the RF Trans modulator block [3] comprising:
Modulator [3];
IQ modulator [12];
Filter bank [11]; and
Power amplifier [10],
wherein the RF switch [6] connected to the filter and protection circuits [7] is enabled to select required signal source,
wherein the SOC tuners [8] and [9] connected between the filter and protection circuits [7] and the demodulators [2] receives the signal and gives Intermediate Frequency (IF) output signal / Digital Transport Stream (TS out) to the demodulators [2],
wherein the IF output signal / TS out from the demodulators [2] is fed as input (TS in) to the modulator [3] and then into the IQ modulator [12] of the RF Trans modulator block [3] to provide RF signal as output,
wherein the filter bank [11] attached at the output of the IQ modulator [12] suppresses third harmonic components in the RF signal output,
wherein Internet Protocol (IP) data received by the Broad band Trans receiver block [4] is converted into TS which is then converted into low IF or I and Q output by digital modulators,
wherein the low IF or I and Q output is up converted into RF signal output,
wherein the RF signal output received by the receivers is tuned using SOC tuner to get IF which is then demodulated and processed at digital demodulator or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to get TS and IP packets, and
wherein the multi-functional NIM receives the RF and IP contents in a single platform.

2. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1 is configured to access different types of signal sources and regenerates / redistributes the signals as per the requirement.

3. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 2, wherein the signal source includes Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T), Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S) and IP data.

4. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the front-end RF receiver block [1] is configured to match the SOC tuner [8] and [9] as per requirement.
5. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein one of the SOC tuners [8] is used for DVB-C/T reception and another SOC tuner [9] for DVB-S reception.

6. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the RF signal output is amplified using the power amplifier [10] as per requirement.

7. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the IP data received by the Broad band Trans receiver block [4] is converted into TS using programmable SOC tuner.

8. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 7, wherein the TS is converted into low IF by using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology based Digital Modulators using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms.

9. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the Broad band Trans receiver block [4] distributes the IP data over TV white space or Cable as per requirement.

10. The Network Interface Module (NIM) as claimed in claim 1, wherein the filter bank [11] attached at the output of the IQ modulator [12] further comprising of one or more RF switches [15] and one or more filters [16a, 16b, 16c, 16d] to suppress third harmonic components.
, Description:FIELD OF INVENTION
The present invention generally relates to a Network Interface Module (NIM). More particularly, the present invention relates to a multi-functional front-end NIM with Trans modulation and Transceiver, which integrates Radio Frequency (RF) and Internet Protocol (IP) contents in a single architectural platform to reduce cost and implementation time. Further, the present invention integrates Broad band Transceiver capability to the NIM for distribution over Television (TV) white space. Further, the NIM of the present invention act as an interface unit between external signal sources and processing unit of the High Definition (HD) receivers like Set top box or TV.

BACKGROUND OF INVENTION
Generally, the Network Interface Module (NIM) is a Disc Operating System (DOS)-based module designed as a generic, network-interface platform for use with TAC II telemetry systems. The NIM functions as an interface between a 10base-T Ethernet network and up to fifteen function modules of any combination. The NIM may be in communication with a controller through a control bus. The data received by the NIM may include, without limitation, a TV broadcast transport stream e.g., Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) - compliant transport stream that may be carried over Satellite, Cable, or Terrestrial digital transmission systems or any other suitable communication system.

In a normal scenario, as a front-end block, NIM access incoming signal source and down converts into Intermediate Frequency (IF) and it will be processed further in blocks in High Definition (HD) receiver.

However, while receiving Digital Video Broadcasting-Terrestrial (DVB-T) signal, the interference due to other frequencies associated with mobile communication and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) is very high which need to be suppressed. Depending on type of receiving signal the filter architecture need to be changed to have best signal reception.

Further, for accessing different types of signal sources separate NIM’s are required. While receiving Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable Terrestrial (DVB-C/T) cable, it is required to activate filter which blocks Ethernet over cable and Wireless Fidelity (Wi-Fi) frequencies which will adversely affect the performance of the receiving signal.

Some of the prior arts are:
US9026036 discloses a system for supporting wireless RF services over a wired digital data network infrastructure, such as an Ethernet network. The system includes a control unit that can be connected to a base station that supports one or more wireless RF services. The control unit converts the wireless RF signals to an intermediate frequency (IF) that does not interfere with the data network signals and combines the IF signals onto the cable run to a remote network device on the digital data network. The system is mainly for the multiple wireless services using common distributed antenna.

WO2008154047 discloses a premises gateway functions that integrate or unify functions typically distributed across multiple devices within a content-based network. In one embodiment, the out-of-band (OOB) signaling functionality normally provided in each of a set-top-box (STB) and digital video recorder (DVR) are unified into a common OOB (e.g., DOCSIS) capable premises gateway device. In another variant, the premises gateway is adapted for all-IP operation, such as for use with IP-based computers and IP set-top boxes, etc. Fully unified variants are also disclosed, wherein the DVR and/or STB functions are physically integrated within the premises gateway.

CA2764245 discloses a switching box connected between a TV set and a plurality of signal sources to enable the signal sources to transmit media signals with the TV set interactively. The signal switching box comprises a first interface and a second interface, the first interface is electrically connected to and communicates interactively with the TV set, and the second interface is electrically connected to a plurality of signal sources and outputs a power supply signal and a control signal to the signal sources.

US20080092188 discloses a system for processing multimedia data that may include receiving a DVB-H signal via a DVB-H receiver integrated within a cable modem. The cable modem may include a wireless interface and/or a wired interface. The received DVB-H signal may be routed from within the cable modem to a multimedia device coupled to the cable modem via the wired or wireless interface. An audio signal and/or a video signal may be generated based on the received DVB-H signal, and may be communicated to a multimedia device communicatively coupled to the cable modem. The wired interface may comprise an Ethernet interface or a serial interface.
Limitations and drawbacks of prior art are as follows:
• Different types of signal sources cannot be accessed in the same receiver, which increases cost of duplication of control processors.
• NIM disclosed in the prior arts does not act as transmitter and receiver for Broadband distribution over TV white space.
• NIM disclosed in the prior arts is not flexible for using any commercially available System on Chips (SOCs) and not constructed with RF switch and front-end protection filters.

Accordingly, there exists a need for a multi-functional NIM with Trans modulation and Transceiver, which integrates RF and IP contents in a single architectural platform, and also acts as transmitter and receiver for Broadband distribution over TV white space.

OBJECTS OF INVENTION
One or more problems present of the prior art may be overcome by various embodiment of the present invention.

Accordingly it is the primary object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional front-end NIM, which integrates RF and IP contents in a single architectural platform to reduce cost and implementation time.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional front-end NIM, which acts as transmitter and receiver for Broadband distribution over Television (TV) white space.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the multi-functional front-end NIM provides flexibility to access different types of signal sources in the same receiver, which reduces cost of duplication of control processors.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the signal source includes but not limited to Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T), Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S), IP data.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the multi-functional front-end NIM act as an interface unit between external signal sources and processing unit of the High Definition (HD) receivers like Set top box or TV.

It is another object of the present invention to provide a multi-functional front-end NIM with Trans modulation, wherein commercially available System on Chip (SOC) tuners can be used for signal reception.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the multi-functional front-end NIM is provided with filter bank to suppress the third Harmonic frequency generated during IQ modulation.

It is another object of the present invention, wherein the NIM is configured to perform multiple functions to enhance the receiver capabilities.

SUMMARY OF INVENTION
Thus according to the basic aspect of the present invention there is provided a multi-functional front-end Network Interface Module (NIM) with Trans modulating and Trans receiving capabilities over Television (TV) white space comprising:
Front-end Radio Frequency (RF) receiver block;
RF Trans modulator block; and
Broad band Trans receiver block,
wherein the front-end RF receiver block comprising:
RF switch;
Filter and protection circuits;
One or more System on Chip (SOC) tuners; and
One or more demodulators,
wherein the RF Trans modulator block comprising:
Modulator;
IQ modulator;
Filter bank; and
Power amplifier,
wherein the RF switch connected to the filter and protection circuits is enabled to select required signal source,
wherein the SOC tuners connected between the filter and protection circuits and the demodulators receives the signal and gives Intermediate Frequency (IF) output signal / Digital Transport Stream (TS out) to the demodulators,
wherein the IF output signal / TS out from the demodulators is fed as input (TS in) to the modulator and then into the IQ modulator of the RF Trans modulator block to provide RF signal as output,
wherein the filter bank attached at the output of the IQ modulator suppresses third harmonic components in the RF signal output,
wherein Internet Protocol (IP) data received by the Broad band Trans receiver block is converted into TS which is then converted into low IF or I and Q output by digital modulators,
wherein the low IF or I and Q output is up converted into RF signal output,
wherein the RF signal output received by the receivers is tuned using SOC tuner to get IF which is then demodulated and processed at digital demodulator or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to get TS and IP packets, and
wherein the multi-functional NIM receives the RF and IP contents in a single platform.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the NIM is configured to access different types of signal sources and regenerates / redistributes the signals as per the requirement.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the signal source includes Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T), Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S) and IP data.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the front-end RF receiver block is configured to match the SOC tuner as per requirement.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein one of the SOC tuners is used for DVB-C/T reception and another SOC tuner for DVB-S reception.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the RF signal output is amplified using the power amplifier as per requirement.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the IP data received by the Broad band Trans receiver block is converted into TS using programmable SOC tuner.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the TS is converted into low IF by using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology based Digital Modulators using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the Broad band Trans receiver block distributes the IP data over TV white space or Cable as per requirement.

It is another aspect of the present invention, wherein the filter bank attached at the output of the IQ modulator further comprising of one or more RF switches and one or more filters to suppress third harmonic components.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The details for the invention, its object and advantages are explained hereunder in greater details in relation to non-limiting exemplary illustration as per the accompanying drawings as detailed hereunder.
Figure 1: illustrates the block diagram of multi-functional front-end NIM according to the present invention.
Figure 2: illustrates the block diagram of RF Switch and filter interface with tuner block in the NIM according to the present invention.
Figure 3: illustrates the block diagram of Trans-modulator section in the NIM according to the present invention.
Figure 4: illustrates the block diagram of IP data communication system in the NIM according to the present invention.
Figure 5: illustrates the block diagram of filter bank design for third harmonics suppression in the NIM according to the present invention.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE INVENTION WITH REFERENCE TO THE ACCOMPANYING DRAWINGS
The present invention is thus directed to a multi-functional NIM with Trans modulation and Transceiver, which integrates Radio Frequency (RF) and Internet Protocol (IP) contents in a single architectural platform.

Referring to Figure 1, the NIM with Trans modulation and Transceiver, which integrates RF and IP contents in a single architectural platform comprises of Front-end RF receiver block [1]; RF Trans modulator block [3]; and Broad band Trans receiver block [4].

Referring to Figure 2, the front-end RF receiver block [1] comprises of RF switch [6]; Filter and protection circuits [7]; one or more System on Chip (SOC) tuners [8] and [9]; and one or more demodulators [2]. The SOC tuners include Digital Video Broadcasting – Cable/Terrestrial (DVB-C/T) tuner [8] and Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S) tuner [9]. The RF switch [6] connected to the filter and protection circuits [7] is enabled to select the required frequency, depending on the type of incoming signal source. The SOC tuners [8] and [9] connected between the filter and protection circuit [7] and the demodulators [2] receives the signal and gives Intermediate Frequency (IF) output signal / Digital Transport Stream (TS out) to the demodulators [2].

The front-end RF receiver block [1] circuit is matched to the SOC tuners [8] and [9] as per requirement and the filter [7] selection is possible depending on the type of signal source and type of application, which reduces cost of duplication of control processors. The signal source includes but not limited to Digital Video Broadcasting - Cable (DVB-C), Digital Video Broadcasting - Terrestrial (DVB-T), Digital Video Broadcasting - Satellite (DVB-S), Internet Protocol (IP) data. The filters [7] is designed with the characteristics FM rejection, IF rejection and Long-Term Evolution (LTE) frequency rejection, along with High Voltage protection circuit. For example, while receiving DVB-T signal, the interference due to other frequencies associated with mobile communication and LTE is very high which need to be suppressed. Depending on type of receiving signal the filter architecture can be changed to have best signal reception.

The DVB-C/T tuner [8] is used for DVB-C/T reception and DVB-S tuner [9] is for DVB-S reception. For example, for DVB-C and DVB-T, the operating frequency is 50 MHz to 900 MHz and for the DVB-S the frequency is from 900 MHz to 2.4 GHz. The output from the SOC tuner [8] and [9] will be a simple Intermediate Frequency (IF) / Digital Transport Stream (TS out), which is connected to digital demodulator / decoder SOC. This gives flexibility to the designer to use demodulator [2] or decoder SOC as per requirement. The Digital Transport Stream (TS) from the demodulator [2] output will be given to decoder.

Referring to Figure 3, the RF Trans modulator block [3] comprises of Modulator [3]; IQ modulator [12]; Filter bank [11]; and Power amplifier [10]. The RF Trans modulator block [3] is used to modulate the signal to the required type based on the need. The output signal/ Digital Transport Stream (TS out) from the demodulators [2] are fed as input (TS in) to the modulator [3] and then into the IQ modulator [12] of the RF Trans modulator block [3] to provide RF signal as output. In the IQ modulator [12], "I" is the "in-phase" component of the waveform, and "Q" represents the quadrature component. The filter bank [11] attached at the output of the IQ modulator [12] suppresses third harmonic components in the RF signal output .The output RF approximately is in the range of 50 to 900 MHz. The output RF can be transmitted over cable or it can be retransmitted over air using small antenna. The power amplifier [10] is switched on to get the required amplified signal, which need to be decided based on the range of signal transmission required. Depending on the requirement, signal can be internally regenerated which can be accessed by other equipment in home.

Figure 4 illustrates the Broad band Transmitter and receiver block [4] used for the IP data distribution over TV white space or Cable, depending on the requirements. The Broad band Trans receiver block [4] comprises of Transmitter block [13] and one or more Receiver blocks [14], said Broad band Trans receiver block [4] converts the IP data into RF. For illustration, the output RF is in the frequency range of 470 MHz to 590 MHz, with channel spacing of 6 MHz / 8 MHz with Quadrature Phase Shift Keying (QPSK) or 16 Quadrature Amplitude Modulation (QAM) modulation with data rate of 12 to 15Mbps for uplink and down link. The operating mode may be Time Division Duplex (TDD) or Frequency Division Duplex (FDD). The received IP data will be converted into TS using programmable SOC tuner. The TS is then converted into Low IF using by using Software Defined Radio (SDR) technology based Digital Modulators using Digital Signal Processing (DSP) algorithms. The low IF or I and Q output from this block is up converted into RF approximately in the frequency range of 470 to 590 MHz. The RF output level is increased using power amplifiers and transmitted through air using antenna with a power of about 0 to +5 dbm. At the receivers [14], the NIM receives RF and tunes using SOC Tuners [8] and [9] to get IF, which will be demodulated and processed at Digital demodulator or Field-Programmable Gate Array (FPGA) to get TS and IP packets/data.

Figure 5 illustrates the block diagram of filter bank [11] design for third harmonics suppression in the NIM according to the present invention. The filter bank [11] attached at the output of the IQ modulator [12] as shown in Figure 3 further comprises of one or more RF switches [15] and one or more filters [16a, 16b, 16c and 16d] to suppress third harmonic components in the RF signal output.

For illustration, RF up converter works in the range of 50 to 900 MHz, and commercially available SOCs will generate third harmonics during mixing. Hence it is necessary to suppress the third harmonics in this entire range. Theoretically, the odd harmonics generated during the mixing process will have higher amplitude and these signals are the major concerns to affect the quality of the signal. To suppress the third harmonic components, Filter [16a] is switched on for the frequency range of 0 to 100 MHz, Filter [16b] for 90 to 200 MHz, Filter [16c] for 200 to 400 MHz and Filter [16d] for 50 to 900 MHz. Above 390 MHz, the harmonics falls above 1100 MHz, which is not in the operating range of Cable or Terrestrial TV channel band. The RF switch with 4 selection positions is selected digitally. The multi-functional NIM receives the RF and IP contents in a single platform.