Apparatus and method for processing signals selected from multiple data streams received from terrestrial transmitters or satellites

摘要

An apparatus (10) for receiving multiple data streams comprises: (a) a first switch (31) connected to a first input (11), the first switch has a first switch output, the first switch adapted to be selectively enabled for passing a first stream of data signals from the first input to the first switch output, the first stream of data signals includes first channel data; (b) a second switch (32) connected to a second input (12), the second switch has a second switch output, the second switch adapted to be selectively enabled for passing a second stream of data signals from the second input to the second switch output, the second stream of data signals includes second channel data different from the first channel data; (c) a data stream junction (36) connected to the first switch output and the second switch output, the data stream junction has a junction output; (d) a controller (43) for receiving a channel select input related to a desired channel output to be formed from one of the first channel data or second channel data, and, in response to the channel select input, the controller enables one of the first switch or the second switch which receives the stream of data including the channel data from which the desired channel output is to be formed; and (e) a memory device (47) operatively connected to the controller, the memory device stores first signal input information indicating the respective switch through which the first channel data is received and further the memory device stores second signal input information indicating the respective switch through which the second channel data is received. The apparatus described above further includes: (a) a signal processor (14) to receive data signals from the data stream junction, the controller controls the operation of the signal processor to produce the desired channel output from data signals received from the data stream junction, and/or (b) a satellite receiving antenna (21) oriented to receive signals transmitted directly from a satellite transmitter, the first stream of data signals includes data received through the satellite receiving antenna, and/or (c) a terrestrial receiving antenna (22) oriented to receive signals transmitted directly from a terrestrial transmitter, the second stream of data signals includes data received through the terrestrial receiving antenna.