Integrated Inter-Tower Wireless Communications Network for Terrestrial Broadcasting and Multicasting Systems.

This paper describes systems, devices, and methods to implement a bi-directional integrated inter-tower wireless communications network (IITWCN). The described technology can be implemented in combination with the Broadcast Core Network (BCN) in next generation broadcast eco-system and, therefore, support new business cases for broadcast operators such as the delivery of flexible datacasting services or support broadcast or point-to-point Internet services. The introduced bi-directional inter-tower communications network (ITCN) extends the previous unidirectional in-band distribution links (IDL) and adopts the on-channel repeater (OCR) as a simplified backhaul solution in single frequency networks (SFN). The concept of the coordinated ITCN is also presented, aiming at future broadcast Internet services. The ITCN provides a scalable and configurable network solution embedded in a broadcast system, which becomes independent from any non-broadcasting telecommunication infrastructure. The described technology partially relies on the infrastructure of the underlying broadcast/multicast network, using the allocated service channels without requiring additional frequency bands or a separate frequency band. The bi-directional inter-transmitter communication links are therefore referred to as integrated transmission links and the corresponding network as an integrated network. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]