Method and apparatus for performing channel detection
View Patent ↗A technique for performing channel detection in a device such as a television signal receiver is capable of quickly determining the analog and/or digital broadcast channels available in a given area. According to an exemplary embodiment, a method for performing channel detection includes tuning a first frequency channel, determining whether a signal parameter associated with the first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that the signal parameter exceeds the predetermined threshold.
1. A method for performing channel detection, comprising:
tuning a first frequency channel;
determining whether a signal parameter associated with said first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that said signal parameter exceeds said predetermined threshold;
wherein said predetermined threshold varies based on at least one of signal source or signal modulation.
2. The method of claim 1 , further comprised of enabling a second channel acquisition operation after enabling said first channel acquisition operation.
3. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel.
4. The method of claim 3 , wherein:
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel; and
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel.
5. The method of claim 2 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel.
6. The method of claim 5 , wherein:
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel; and
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel.
7. The method of claim 1 , further comprised of tuning a second frequency channel responsive to determining that said signal parameter does not exceed said predetermined threshold.
8. The method of claim 1 , wherein said signal parameter includes amplitude.
9. An apparatus for performing channel detection, comprising:
tuning means for tuning a first frequency channel; and
processing means for determining whether a signal parameter associated with said first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold, and for enabling a first channel acquisition operation responsive to determining that said signal parameter exceeds said predetermined threshold;
wherein said predetermined threshold varies based on at least one of signal source or signal modulation.
10. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said processing means further enables a second channel acquisition operation after enabling said first channel acquisition operation.
11. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel.
12. The apparatus of claim 11 , wherein:
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel; and
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel.
13. The apparatus of claim 10 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel.
14. The apparatus of claim 13 , wherein:
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel; and
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel.
15. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said tuning means tunes a second frequency channel responsive to said processing means determining that said signal parameter does not exceed said predetermined threshold.
16. The apparatus of claim 9 , wherein said signal parameter includes amplitude.
17. A television signal receiver, comprising:
a tuner operative to tune a first frequency channel;
a processor operative to determine whether a signal parameter associated with said first frequency channel exceeds a predetermined threshold; and
a first demodulator operative to perform a first channel acquisition operation responsive to said processor determining that said signal parameter exceeds said predetermined threshold;
wherein said predetermined threshold varies based on at least one of signal source or signal modulation.
18. The television signal receiver of claim 17 , further comprising a second demodulator operative to perform a second channel acquisition operation after said first demodulator performs said first channel acquisition operation.
19. The television signal receiver of claim 18 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel.
20. The television signal receiver of claim 19 , wherein:
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel; and
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel.
21. The television signal receiver of claim 18 , wherein:
said first channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of an analog broadcast channel; and
said second channel acquisition operation includes acquisition of a digital broadcast channel.
22. The television signal receiver of claim 21 , wherein:
said analog broadcast channel is an NTSC channel; and
said digital broadcast channel is an ATSC channel.
23. The television signal receiver of claim 17 , wherein said tuner is further operative to tune a second frequency channel responsive to said processor determining that said signal parameter does not exceed said predetermined threshold.
24. The television signal receiver of claim 17 , wherein said signal parameter includes amplitude.