Design and Implementation of an Optimized Set Top Box Electronic Program Guide System

[Abstract] This paper introduces an optimized design scheme for an electronic program guide (EPG) system on a set-top box. The innovation of this scheme is to design different SI engine processes for the characteristics of simple EPG and advanced EPG, thus improving their respective execution efficiency. At the same time, a new EPG database structure with separate program index and program information is proposed. It is convenient for the application layer to query the database and the database itself.
[Keywords] EPG digital TV set-top box SI engine

1 Introduction

The Electronic Program Guide (EPG) is a unique feature of digital TV. It inserts the Service Information (SI) defined by the DVB standard into the TS transport stream conforming to MPEG-2 (13818-1), making the set-top box The Integrated Receive Decoder (IRD) of (Set-Top-Box) can extract the list of broadcast programs of the program provider and the broadcast parameters from the TS stream, and display them to the digital TV users in an intuitive form, so that the user can conveniently Receive and select digital TV programs. The electronic program guide is a complex system. Its implementation depends on the software and hardware resources of the set-top box, and it is also related to the front-end SI publishing strategy. This paper presents an optimized implementation of the electronic program guide for the set-top box from the perspective of the development of the set-top box.

2 overall system structure

The basic functions of the electronic program guide include two types:

1. Simple EPG: Display current and next program information

2. Advanced EPG: Display all program information for the week

The process of processing the EPG information by the set-top box is as follows: the demultiplexer work of the set-top box starts by searching for the PAT table, and the PID number of the PAT table is “0x00”. The PAT gives the PID of the PMT constituting each program service in the transport stream, and also gives the PID number of the NIT. According to the PID value of the NIT and the PMT and the corresponding Table ID value, the corresponding information such as PMT, NIT, SDT, EIT, etc. can be solved from the stream. The resolution of the receiving end of the set top box is mainly responsible for the reconstruction of these SI data information. The simple EPG information is stored in the EIT P/F (present/following) table, and the advanced EPG information is stored in the EIT schedule table.

The example shown in this article is based on Fujitsu SmartMPEG MB86H20/5 as the core hardware platform. Metaware and related tools are software development platforms, using Nucleus real-time operating system.

3 specific module implementation

3.1 SI engine

The traditional set-top box's SI engine is the same for all SI tables (including EIT P/F and EIT schedule). The optimization process of this paper is to treat the EIT P/F table and the EIT schedule table differently in the processing method of the set-top box terminal. In the "Digital Broadcast Service Information Specification (GY/Z174-2001)", GY/Z174-2001 NIT, BAT, SDT, and EIT are all divided into one or several section representations and then inserted into TS packets. The EIT P/F table has two sections, which store the current program information and the next program information respectively; the EIT schedule can have up to 32 segments, and each section can store one channel of three hours. Information, and there can be up to 8 sections in each section. The simple EPG has less information, and the parsing and storage process is relatively simple, but its update speed is fast. The transmission interval requirement for the front-end EIT P/F table in DVB is 2s; the advanced EPG has a large amount of information, parsing and storage process. It is a lot more complicated, but its update speed is slow. The transmission interval requirement for the front-end EIT schedule table in DVB is 10s. This paper designs different SI engine solutions for two different types of SI table reception requirements.

When the filter receives the EIT table and calls the interrupt handler function, the simple EPG first closes the EIT P/F channel and sets the relevant flag, waiting for the background polling function to parse the table and then open the EIT P/F channel to receive again. The process of receiving the table by the filter and the parsing process of the background polling function are serially processed. This mechanism can process the current table in real time, which is suitable for the simple EPG with small amount of information and fast update speed; the advanced EPG does not close the channel. Instead, the header is parsed first. If the segment has not been received, the segment information is inserted into the message queue, waiting for the background polling function to parse the processing, that is, the process of receiving the table by the filter and the parsing process of the background polling function are parallel processing. This mechanism can ensure that the filter collection process is continuous without being interrupted by the background, which is suitable for the advanced EPG with large amount of information and continuous transmission of the front end.

In terms of EIT table version update, after the simple EPG receives the current and next program information, the filter is set to receive only the new version of the EIT P/F table, so that the simple EPG information can be received and updated in real time; for the advanced EPG, The amount of information is large and the front-end update speed is slow, so the latest version of the EIT table information is received only at each reboot.

3.2 EPG database

The EPG database on the traditional set-top box is a single program information database. The optimization process of this paper is that the program index and the program detailed information respectively establish a database and maintain independently of each other. The program index database is a tree-like index structure according to the channel-sub-table-segment-program, wherein the segment node contains the id (parameter event_id) of all programs to which it belongs, and also includes a parameter sectavail indicating whether the segment is received.

This tree index database has three advantages:

1. Tree index all program ids, which facilitates querying and time sorting of program information

2. Record the reception status of all segments of the EIT table of a channel, so that the SI engine can determine whether the segment has been received when receiving.

3. The index structure facilitates the management of the program information database, such as deleting all advanced EPG information of a certain channel, etc.

The program information database stores detailed information of each program, including the program name, program start and end time, program description, and program language type. The important parameter is the program id, through which the program index database can access the corresponding program information database content.

3.3 EPG application

The main function of the EPG application is to respond to the relevant EPG button in the remote control and query the EPG database to output the program information to the OSD interface in time order. For the simple EPG, only the time sorting output of the current and next programs is required; and for the advanced EPG, after selecting the specific channel and the specific date in the OSD interface, all the programs of the specified channel are extracted by accessing the program index database in the EPG database. Id, then select the program of the specified date in the program information database according to the program id, and perform bubble sorting according to the program start time, and finally output to the OSD display.

4 Conclusion

This paper introduces the architecture of the EPG system in the set-top box and introduces the optimization scheme for the specific functional modules. In the SI engine, different processes for simple EPG and advanced EPG are proposed. In the EPG database, a database structure for program index and program information separation is proposed. This optimized structure achieves good results in actual EPG code stream testing.



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2.54mm Female Pin Header

2.54mm (0.1") Pitch Female Headers
Overview
The most commonly seen female headers are 2.54mm (0.1") single or double row female/socket headers. These female headers together with its male counterpart are used in connecting Arduino boards and shields together. 2.54mm pitch female sockets/headers are low-profile connectors designed for signal and low power PC board connections when space is at a premium. They have the perfect height for clearing the USB-B connector and great for stacking multiple shields.
Since 2.54mm pitch female header is commonly used in a lot of applications, Scondar offers numerous options for this type of female header. Orientation can either be SMT or THM, single, dual or triple row. Antenk offers 2.54mm pitch female headers in either vertical or right-angle orientation. The pins and blades are also available in various sizes, counts, amperages, and plating.

The 2.54mm can accommodate a maximum current of 3A, with a 30 to 22 AWG wire size, and up to 40-positions. Antenk offers these female headers in high quality and affordable China-quoted price that snuggly fits with the pins of a male header and acts as a receptacle.


Female header always called as [Header connector", Antenk provide widely range of header connector, from 2.54mm (.100″ inch) pitch to 1.0mm (.039″ inch) pitch. The number of pins (contacts) is from 2 to 40 pins per row. There are three type: Straight (Dip Vertical), Right angle, SMT (surface mount).
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Applications of 2.54mm Pitch Female Headers
Electronics:
LED applications
Arduino boards
Arduino Pro
Arduino Mega
Solar applications
Weighing systems

Appliances:
Air conditioner
Refrigerator
Microwave oven
Washing machine
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Stove
Automotive, Heavy Duty Military and Marine
For densely packed equipment requiring weight reduction and downsizing and for tough and harsh conditions.

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Battery Connections
Battery connections rely on the ability of the current to pass reliable and solid current. This prevents overheating in the circuit and voltage drop.
Rechargeable battery packs
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Heart monitors


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Mount Type: Through-hole vs Surface Mount

At one side of this female header is a series of pins which can either be mounted and soldered directly onto the surface of the PCB (SMT) or placed into drilled holes on the PCB (THM).

Through-Hole (Poke-In)

Best used for high-reliability products that require stronger connections between layers.
Aerospace and military products are most likely to require this type of mounting as these products experience extreme accelerations, collisions, or high temperatures.
Useful in test and prototyping applications that sometimes require manual adjustments and replacements.
2.54mm, 1-row vertical female header, 2.54mm, 2-row vertical female header, 2.54mm, 3-row vertical female header, 2.54mm, 1-row right-angle female header and 2.54mm, 2-row right-angle female header, 2.54mm U-
Shaped Female header, 2.54mm U-Shaped Dual Row Female header are examples of Antenk products with through-hole mount type.

Surface-Mount
The most common electronic hardware requirements are SMT.
Essential in PCB design and manufacturing, having improved the quality and performance of PCBs overall.
Cost of processing and handling is reduced.
SMT components can be mounted on both side of the board.
Ability to fit a high number of small components on a PCB has allowed for much denser, higher performing, and smaller PCBs.
2.54mm, 2-row right-angle female header and 2.54mm, 1-row right-angle female header are Antenk`s featured SMT female headers.

Orientation/Pin-Type: Vertical (Straight), Right-Angle and U-Shaped

2.54mm pitch female headers may be further classified into pin orientation as well, such as vertical or straight female header, right-angle female header or U-shaped female header.

Vertical or Straight Female Header Orientation
One side of the series of pins is connected to PCB board in which the pins can be at a right-angle to the PCB surface (usually called "straight" or [vertical") or..

Right-Angle Female Header Orientation
Parallel to the board's surface (referred to as "right-angle" pins).
U-Shaped Female Header Orientation
U-shaped orientation is characterized by the shape of the pins at one side of the header, forming a letter [U". It is often chosen for applications where repeat mating cycles are not required as it can also be used and soldered directly to both PCB's.
Each of these pin-types have different applications that fit with their specific configuration.

Single, Dual or Multiple Number of Rows
For a 2.54mm straight or vertical female header, the standard number of rows that Antenk offers ranges from 1 to 2 rows. However, customization can be available if 3, 4 or n number of rows is needed by the customer. Also, the number of contacts for the single row is about 2-40 pins while for dual row, the number contacts may vary from 2-80 pins.

Pin Material
The pins of the connector attached to the board have been designed with copper alloy. With customer`s demand the pins can be made gold plated.

Custom 2.54mm Pitch Female Headers
Customizable 2.54 mm pitch female headers are also available, making your manufacturing process way faster as the pins are already inserted in the headers, insulator height is made at the right size and the accurate pin length you require is followed.
Parts are made using semi-automated manufacturing processes that ensure both precision and delicacy in handling the headers before packaging on tape and reel.

Tape and Reel Packaging for SMT Components
Antenk's SMT headers are offered with customizable mating pin lengths, in which each series has multiple number of of circuits, summing up to a thousand individual part number combinations per connector series.
The tape and reel carrier strip ensures that the headers are packaged within accurately sized cavities for its height, width and depth, securing the headers from the environment and maintaining consistent position during transportation.
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