A new synchronous watermark data insertion method for ATSC transmission systems

In this paper, a new synchronous insertion method of the uniquely assigned RF watermark data into ATSC transmitters and translators is proposed. Watermark data is generated, VSB filtered and up-converted to the same IF or RF frequency with the target transmission system. Frequency and timing of the generated RF watermark data are synchronized with the target system by extracting synchronization information from the exciter module of the target system. The generated synchronized RF watermark signal is combined with the output signal of the exciter of target transmitter at the level of the designated bury ratio. Performance of the proposed method is evaluated and compared with the conventional RF watermark insertion method through computer simulations.