Conveying metadata by modulation of pilot carriers in COFDM broadcasting

摘要

Transmitter apparatus transmits metadata together with data, at least part of which metadata specifies the version of coded orthogonal frequency-division modulation (COFDM) broadcasting standard it uses for transmitting. Some of the metadata is conveyed by prescribed signature modulation of pilot carrier waves dispersed in one or another of prescribed patterns among the COFDM carrier waves that convey interleaved forward-error-correction coded digital signals. Receiver apparatus detects that metadata by searching for a prescribed signature modulation of the continual pilot carrier waves in those transmissions. Preferably, Barker modulation of the continual pilot carriers near the conclusion of each COFDM frame signals the start of the next COFDM frame to the receiver apparatus.