Embodiments disclose systems and methods for testing and determining outages of communication systems. A server can receive signal-reception-related information from set-top boxes (STBs) in a particular geographical region, where a STB: receives signals having a predefined pattern, generates a comparison of the predefined pattern to reference patterns stored on the STB, generates the signal-reception-related information based on the comparison, and sends the signal-reception-related information. The server can determine an outage status for the particular geographical region based on the signal-reception-related information. The server can generate an output based on the outage status. The output is configured to provide information related to the outage status of the particular geographical region and information for possible responses related to the outage status. The server can send the output.

A distribution system for transmitting media content programs to premises equipment via a satellite transmission path addresses signal degradation caused by atmospheric conditions and other factors. Upon detection of a degradation of the satellite signal, the system may begin transmitting the content using an alternative signal path, such as a terrestrial IP network. The satellite transmission path is brought back on line after the satellite link is restored. Alternatively, the system may begin recording the signal in the media distribution system for transmission via the satellite link after the link is restored.

A satellite reception assembly that provides satellite television and/or radio service to a customer premises may comprise a wireless interface via which it can communicate with other satellite reception assemblies. Wireless connections between satellite reception assemblies may be utilized for providing satellite content between different satellite customer premises. Wireless connections between satellite reception assemblies may be utilized for offloading traffic from other network connections.

A vehicle includes a plurality of broadcast reception antennae; a speaker; and an audio-video-navigation (AVN) device electrically connected to the plurality of broadcast reception antennae and the speaker; wherein the AVN device is configured to receive broadcast signals of a plurality of different frequencies from the plurality of broadcast reception antennae, synthesize the broadcast signals of different frequencies, and provide the synthesized broadcast signal to the speaker to output a sound corresponding to the synthesized broadcast signals.

Methods, systems, and devices are described for communicating data from multiple data terminals to an aggregator terminal over a communication link having changing link conditions. In some embodiments, source data is received at multiple data terminals, each in communication with an aggregator terminal over a communication link. For example, during a live newscast, one mobile camera may receive live video of an event from a first position while another mobile camera receives live video of the event from a second position. For various reasons (e.g., as the cameras move) each communication link may experience independently changing link conditions. Each data terminal encodes the source data (or store source data for later encoding) as a function of its respective link conditions and transmits encoded source data over its respective communication link to the aggregator terminal.

A pay television satellite broadcast includes validation data that can be used to validate authenticity of live global positioning system (GPS) data. The validation data may be included within entitlement messages and encrypted for security and selective reception by authorized receivers. A navigation system may compute checksums of received live GPS data and compare with the validation data for a match. A decision about whether or not to use the live GPS data may be taken based on whether or not the computed checksums match the validation data received via the pay television satellite broadcast signals.

An apparatus for determining a set of transmit parameters capable of improving and/or optimizing data throughput to a destination device. The apparatus includes an input circuit that receives a signal containing a plurality of data blocks for use by a plurality of devices. At least one of the data blocks is associated with the apparatus and encoded using a first set of transmit parameters. A transmit parameter processor determines a signal to noise ratio value for the received signal and a block error rate value for the at least one data block and at least one other data block encoded using a different set of transmit parameters. A processor generates a request for encoding subsequent data blocks destined to the apparatus using a second set of transmit parameters. A method and system are also disclosed.

A pay television satellite broadcast includes validation data that can be used to validate authenticity of live global positioning system (GPS) data. The validation data may be included within entitlement messages and encrypted for security and selective reception by authorized receivers. A navigation system may compute checksums of received live GPS data and compare with the validation data for a match. A decision about whether or not to use the live GPS data may be taken based on whether or not the computed checksums match the validation data received via the pay television satellite broadcast signals.

Embodiments are related to faster provisioning of targeted advertisements at a set-top box (STB) via an Internet Protocol (IP) connection between the STB and a remote server. The disclosed IP-based advertisement distribution system enables targeted advertisements to be pulled from the remote server efficiently, causing the advertisements to be made available within a short time frame (e.g., less than one day from the time when the advertisements are available). The disclosed methods enables a STB to determine whether to retain existing targeted advertisements, discard them, or provision newly-available advertisements. The targeted advertisements can depend on various factors such as demographic information of an owner of the STB, lifestyle information of the owner of the STB, etc.

A vehicle includes a plurality of broadcast reception antennae; a speaker; and an audio-video-navigation (AVN) device electrically connected to the plurality of broadcast reception antennae and the speaker; wherein the AVN device is configured to receive broadcast signals of a plurality of different frequencies from the plurality of broadcast reception antennae, synthesize the broadcast signals of different frequencies, and provide the synthesized broadcast signal to the speaker to output a sound corresponding to the synthesized broadcast signals.