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Arthur Webb Allison, Iii

Allen LeRoy Limberg

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.

Conveying metadata by modulation of pilot carriers in COFDM broadcasting

Digital television (DTV) broadcasting using COFDM modulation is designed to modulate orthogonal frequency-division-multiplexed (OFDM) mid-band carriers with metadata including synchronization signals and transmission-mode signals. DTV signals modulate OFDM carriers occupying portions of the frequency spectrum of the transmission channel that extend in frequency both below and above these mid-band carriers. The OFDM midband carriers are capable of signaling when a new broadcast service is used that differs from the one disclosed. The signaling is provided by modulating the midband carriers with respective elements of signature sequences, each of which signature sequences is composed of Zadoff-Chu sequences and repetitive pseudo-random sequences scrambled by a Zadoff-Chu sequence.

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Silver Spring, MD, United States of America

Arthur Webb Allison, Iii