An apparatus and method for channel switching comprising encapsulating a plurality of IP datagrams associated with a plurality of real time audio/visual (A/V) streams or a plurality of file objects onto a plurality of MPE sections; inserting the plurality of MPE sections into one of a plurality of elementary streams; and multiplexing the plurality of elementary streams associated with the plurality of real time A/V streams or the plurality of file objects into a plurality of non-consecutive bursts, wherein the plurality of elementary streams are adjacent in a channel line-up. In one aspect, the plurality of non-consecutive bursts is transmitted to a DVB-H receiver with a limited memory size for enabling fast channel switching. In one aspect, the channel line-up is presented in an electronic service guide (ESG).

An apparatus and a corresponding method for mapping payload data of mapping input data streams onto a mapping output data stream having a channel bandwidth for transmission in a multi-carrier broadcast system includes first and second frame forming mechanisms. The first frame forming mechanism is adapted to form first frames having a first frame structure and the second frame forming mechanism is adapted to form second frames having a second frame structure. Preferably, in a second frame structure the data blocks of a particular mapping input data stream are spread in time and frequency over various data symbols and various data segments of the second frames to provide high robustness against disturbances. The payload portion of the second frame is preferably segmented into various data segments enabling use of a narrow-band receiver, even if both the first and second frames cover the same total channel bandwidth.

An apparatus and method for channel switching comprising encapsulating a plurality of IP datagrams associated with a plurality of real time audio/visual (A/V) streams or a plurality of file objects onto a plurality of MPE sections; inserting the plurality of MPE sections into one of a plurality of elementary streams; and multiplexing the plurality of elementary streams associated with the plurality of real time A/V streams or the plurality of file objects into a plurality of non-consecutive bursts, wherein the plurality of elementary streams are adjacent in a channel line-up. In one aspect, the plurality of non-consecutive bursts is transmitted to a DVB-H receiver with a limited memory size for enabling fast channel switching. In one aspect, the channel line-up is presented in an electronic service guide (ESG).

A method for processing a broadcast signal, includes generating a first group of one or more link layer packets carrying broadcast data, first level signaling information, and second level signaling information, the first level signaling information including information for one or more broadcast services and one or more components belonging to each service, the second level signaling information including information for listing the one or more broadcast services, generating a second group of one or more link layer packets carrying third level signaling information that includes physical layer pipe (PLP) identifying information for identifying a PLP to which the third level signaling information is applied, a header of each link layer packet of the second group including header type information indicating that the link layer packet carries the third level signaling information so that a receiver obtains the third level signaling information before obtaining the first level signaling information and the second level signaling information.

A method for transmitting a broadcast signal, includes generating, by a processor, service data of a broadcast service and service signaling information for signaling the service data, the service data including first service components delivered on a Movie Picture Experts Group (MPEG) Media Transport Protocol (MMTP) session or second service components delivered on a Real-Time Object Delivery over Unidirectional Transport (ROUTE) session, generating, by the processor, a service list table including bootstrap information and protocol information for a type of delivery protocol of the service signaling information, wherein the bootstrap information changes based on the protocol information, generating, by the processor, a broadcast signal including the service signaling information, the service list table, the first or second service component, and transmitting, by a broadcasting antenna, the generated broadcast signal.

A Headend system including a packer to pack media content into a plurality of packets including a first packet and a second packet, a packet scheduler to schedule when the packets will be broadcast/multicast to a plurality of end-user devices, and calculate a plurality of timing values including a first timing value which provides an indication of how long the second packet will arrive at the end-user devices after the arrival of the first packet at the end-user devices, and an encryption engine to: encrypt the media content of the packets and the timing values, wherein the media content of the first packet and the first timing value are encrypted by different encryption algorithms, or the same encryption algorithm with different cryptographic keys.

A receiving system and a data processing method are disclosed. The receiving system includes a receiving unit, a demodulator, a first handler, and a second handler. The receiving unit receives a broadcast signal including fast information channel (FIC) data, mobile service data, and a service signaling channel, the FIC data including a field indicating that a table signaling service guide bootstrap information to the service signaling channel is included therein, and the mobile service data and the service signaling channel are packetized into an RS frame belonging to a desired ensemble. The demodulator demodulates the received broadcast signal. The first handler acquires service guide bootstrap information from the table included in the service signaling channel. And, the second handler accesses a service guide announcement channel by using the service guide bootstrap information.

A method for processing transmission of a broadcast signal is disclosed. The method includes generating broadcast data for one or more broadcast services, generating first level signaling information including information for describing attribute of the one or more broadcast services, generating second level signaling information including information for listing the one or more broadcast service, generating link layer packets including the encoded broadcast data, the first level signaling information, and the second level signaling information, and generating a broadcast signal including the generated link layer packets.

The present invention provides a method for transmitting a broadcast signal. The method for transmitting a broadcast signal according to the present invention can support future broadcast services in an environment supporting future hybrid broadcast using terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet. In addition, the present invention provides efficient signaling methods using both terrestrial broadcast networks and the Internet in an environment supporting future hybrid broadcast.

A transmitting apparatus, a receiving apparatus, and a data processing method that enable efficient transmission of periodically transmitting information. The transmitting apparatus arranges, in a physical layer frame including a preamble and a data portion, periodically transmitting transmission information in an area that is extractable temporally before other information arranged in the data portion, and transmits the physical layer frame as a digital broadcast signal. The apparatuses and method are applicable to, for example, digital broadcasting using an IP transmission method.