Physical layer aware video encoding for mobile TV applications
A system and method of transmitting video in a time division multiplexing (TDM) system, wherein the method comprises identifying a video reference frame from a series of video frames; encoding a difference between the video reference frame and a video non-reference frame; placing the video reference frame at a beginning of a data burst; transmitting the series of video frames and the data burst from a transmitter to a mobile TV receiver; and the mobile TV receiver immediately locating the video reference frame upon receipt of the data burst. The method may further comprise the mobile TV receiver decoding the series of video frames. Additionally, the placing process results in a substantially non-existent channel switching delay in the mobile TV receiver. Moreover, the method may further comprise placing exactly one video reference frame at the beginning of the data burst. Preferably, the TDM system comprises a mobile TV system.
1. A system for transmitting video in a time division multiplexing (TDM) environment, said system comprising:
a TV channel transmitter comprising:
a video encoder that identifies a video reference frame from a series of video frames and encode a difference between said video reference frame and a video non-reference frame; and
a first encapsulator that places said video reference frame at a beginning of a data burst and feeds back to said video encoder a timing of a beginning of said data burst,
wherein said TV channel transmitter transmits said series of video frames and said data burst, and
wherein said video encoder identifies a duration of said data burst and a duty cycle of said first encapsulator, and wherein said video encoder generates said video reference frame at a same duty cycle as that being generated by said first encapsulator,
a mobile TV receiver in communication with said TV channel transmitter, said mobile TV receiver comprising:
a video decoder that receives the transmitted series of video frames and said data burst; and
a second encapsulator that immediately locates said video reference frame upon receipt of said data burst.
2. The system of claim 1 , wherein said video decoder decodes said series of video frames.
3. The system of claim 1 , wherein placement of said video reference frame at said beginning of said data burst results in a substantially reduced channel switching delay in said mobile TV receiver.
4. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first encapsulator places exactly one video reference frame at said beginning of said data burst.
5. The system of claim 1 , wherein said first encapsulator provides timing of said beginning of said data burst to said video encoder.
6. The system of claim 1 , wherein said second encapsulator locates said video reference frame coming from said video decoder, and wherein said second encapsulator links said beginning of said data burst to a location of said video reference frame.
7. The system of claim 1 , wherein said TDM environment comprises a mobile TV environment.