Convergence sublayer for use in a wireless broadcasting system

Abstract

A method of encapsulating data and a single frequency network configured to perform the method are disclosed. A content stream of data packets is received, and the data packets in the content stream are formatted in accordance with a first protocol. Information identifying a container size established for the content stream is received. The data packets formatted in accordance with the first protocol are fragmented and packed to form data units formatted in accordance with a second protocol, and the data units are sized based on the container size. The data units formatted in accordance with the second protocol are encapsulated to form second protocol data packets. The second protocol data packets are provided to a transmitter that is synchronized to one or more transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the single frequency network broadcasts a same signal that includes the second protocol data packets.

What is claimed is: 
     
         1 . A method of encapsulating data, the method comprising:
 receiving a content stream of data packets that are formatted in accordance with a first protocol;   receiving information identifying a container size established for the content stream;   fragmenting and packing the data packets that are formatted in accordance with the first protocol to form data units formatted in accordance with a second protocol, the data units being sized based on the container size;   encapsulating the data units that are formatted in accordance with the second protocol to form second protocol data packets; and   providing the second protocol data packets to a transmitter that is synchronized to one or more transmitters in a single frequency network so that each transmitter in the single frequency network broadcasts a same signal that includes the second protocol data packets.