Fusion of digital television,broadband Internet and mobile communications—Part II: Future service scenarios

This is the second part of the tutorial paper following the previous tutorial paper describing enabling technologies in digital video broadcasting (DVB) system. The paper presents the current and future operational scenarios for DVB via satellite (DVB‐S) system. Review of the current state‐of‐the‐art technologies consisting of integration of broadband Internet and mobile communications and integration of broadband Internet and DVB are given. The future operational scenarios emphasize the fusion of DVB systems with other technologies in terms of network fusion and terminal fusion. For satellite service scenarios, it also takes into consideration mobility management and standard quality‐of‐service mechanism issues, such as integrated services and differentiated services. Several research directions for providing seamless services regardless of network, access technology and terminal in the fusion network are also highlighted in this paper. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

IPv6 networks over DVB‐RCS satellite systems

Satellite plays an important role in global information infrastructure (GII) and next generation networks (NGNs). Similarly, satellite communication systems have great advantages to support IPv6 (Internet Protocol version 6) networks as a technology that allows universal access to broadband e‐services (audio, video, VPN, etc.). In the context of DVB‐S2 (digital video broadcast‐satellite) and DVB‐RCS (digital video broadcast‐return channel via satellite) standards, this paper presents the current SatSix project (satellite‐based communications systems within IPv6 networks) within the European 6th Framework Programme, which is implementing innovative concepts and effective solutions (in relation with the economical cost) for broadband satellite systems and services using the technology presented above. This project is promoting the introduction of the IPv6 protocol into satellite‐based communication systems. Moreover, through SatSix, the industry is addressing the next generation Internet, IPv6. It also enhances its competitive position in satellite broadband multimedia systems by exploiting the common components defined by the European DVB‐S2 and DVB‐RCS satellite broadband standards. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A request control scheme for data recovery in DVB‐IPDC systems with spatial and temporal packet loss

Recently, digital video broadcasting‐handheld (DVB‐H) and IP datacast over DVB‐H (DVB‐IPDC) have been developed to support broadcasting services. DVB‐H is designed to support digital video broadcast for handheld devices, whereas DVB‐IPDC can integrate with an IP‐relay network to complement the data loss problem in DVB‐H. Assuming that WiMAX networks are adopted to support DVB‐IPDC, this paper points out two critical problems: group packet loss (GPL) and broadcast data handover (BDH). GPL occurs when there is a burst of retransmission requests for the same pieces of data with high spatial or temporal correlation. BDH happens when some devices that made the above requests handover to new serving cells. To solve these problems, we propose lazy wait and group acknowledgement schemes to alleviate duplicate requests by exploiting their spatial and temporal correlations. This not only reduces the requests submitted by neighboring devices in both space and time domains but also avoids handovering devices from sending duplicate requests in new cells. Through mathematical analysis, we show how to adaptively adjust the timers of lazy wait and group acknowledgement based on channel quality. Simulation results prove that our schemes can efficiently reduce retransmission requests and retransmission packets, thus alleviating congestion in the IP‐relay network. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Profit‐based exclusive‐or coding algorithm for data retransmission in DVB‐H with a recovery network

The digital video broadcasting‐handheld (DVB‐H) standard is developed by European Telecommunications Standards Institute to broadcast digital videos to handheld devices, but data loss is a critical issue due to the broadcast behavior. On the other hand, DVB‐Internet protocol datacasting (DVB‐IPDC) integrates DVB‐H with an Internet protocol‐based wireless network to provide bidirectional communication. We adopt this wireless network to deal with data retransmission and call it a recovery network. The paper argues that network coding can improve retransmission efficiency of the recovery network because DVB‐H packet loss often exhibits high correlation. In addition, DVB‐H packets may be heterogeneous in the sense that they have different importance. According to these two arguments, the paper considers that DVB‐H packets are associated with different profit depending on their importance and proposes an α‐maximum profit network coding problem. It asks the base station in the recovery network to use no more than α coded packets for handheld devices to retrieve the lost DVB‐H packets such that the overall profit is the maximum. An efficient exclusive‐or coding scheme, namely the profit‐based exclusive‐or network coding (PEN) algorithm, is proposed to solve this problem. Extensive simulation results also verify the effectiveness of the PEN algorithm. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GSE: A flexible,yet efficient,encapsulation for IP over DVB‐S2 continuous generic streams

The second‐generation specification for Digital Video Broadcast over Satellite, DVB‐S2, defines an improved and adaptive physical layer. A new framing structure at the link layer, known as the generic stream (GS), is introduced offering an alternative to the well‐known MPEG transport stream (TS). This paper presents the requirements for and the design of an encapsulation protocol to transport IPv4 and IPv6 datagrams and other network protocol packets directly over DVB‐S2 using this GS profile. The resulting generic stream encapsulation (GSE) is a novel method that provides flexible encapsulation with support for fragmentation. A flexible extension header format allows GSE to carry additional header information, suitable for enhanced features, such as link layer encryption and IP header compression. The paper assesses GSE performance by simulation using realistic traffic profiles and attenuation fading. This demonstrates considerable improvement in efficiency compared with the MPE/MPEG‐2 TS, especially when used with adaptive coding and modulation (ACM). Although designed for DVB‐S2 systems, the new encapsulation is suitable for other second‐generation physical layer standards. Copyright © 2008 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

The economics of integration of DVB‐S with terrestrial technologies and the role of dynamic bandwidth management

This paper presents the technoeconomic aspects of network solutions based on integration of satellite and terrestrial, based on ADSL, WLAN and DVB‐T technologies, architectures. Following a discussion of the general deployment context, the business case framework is described in terms of areas served, services offered, tariffs, demand assumptions, as well as network architecture and dimensioning rules. The key cost items are presented and economic estimations are provided in the case of telecom operators, which integrate satellite bandwidth with terrestrial technologies in different area types. The evaluated business cases have shown that the satellite rental cost (airtime cost) level is one of the most critical parameter for the economic indicator of present value. Therefore, agreements with satellite operators for spectrum usage will give operators space for business opportunities and acceptable profit margins. In addition, dynamic bandwidth allocation schemes can exploit the aggregated traffic within satellite transmission, which can benefit satellite, telecom and cable operators offering entertainment on broadband business as well as new entrants in broadband business, equipment vendors, broadcasters and TV companies. Copyright © 2007 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Dynamic satellite system QoS architecture integrated with IP Multimedia Subsystem core network

Convergence is one of the most important challenges for Next Generation Networks (NGN). This includes service convergence as well as fixed‐mobile convergence. The integration of satellite telecommunication system into NGN is a key to increasing the coverage of future networks and opening satellite access networks to a wider range of terrestrial solutions. Digital Video Broadcast (DVB) Return Channel via Satellite system (DVB‐RCS) and its evolution (DVB‐RCS2) are widely used European standards that are specified for broadband satellite systems using dynamic capacity assignment and multifrequency TDMA. This paper introduces a new QoS architecture derived from terrestrial IP Multimedia Subsystem solutions to provide advanced end‐to‐end QoS support, and defines cross‐layer optimization paths suited to the satellite context and in particular using DVB standards. Copyright © 2014 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

GSSTP: a signalling transport protocol for DVB‐S2 GSE‐only transmission systems

The current signalling framework for Digital Video Broadcasting systems is based on MPEG‐2 encoded Program Specific Information and System Information tables that rely on the transport stream. It is expected that in the near future, this architecture will be replaced by one based on the Generic Stream Encapsulation protocol, paving the way for the convergence of DVB‐S2 broadcast transmission networks and IP infrastructure. This paper presents a new lightweight Generic Stream Signalling Transport Protocol, which can be used to realise a transmission system based only on the Generic Stream Encapsulation and that efficiently supports filtering of Program Specific Information and System Information tables. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Adaptive Coding and Modulation‐enabled satellite triple play over DVB‐S2 (Digital Video Broadcasting ‐ Satellite ‐ Second Generation): a techno‐economic study

This article looks at the techno‐economic perspectives of the use of DVB‐S2 (Digital Video Broadcasting ‐ Satellite ‐ Second Generation) and its unique feature, Adaptive Coding and Modulation (ACM) in the provision of satellite triple play. For this study, current market economic data were used, in conjunction with technical results derived within the European Union‐funded IST IMOSAN project. IMOSAN (Integrated Multi‐Layer Optimisation in DVB‐S2 Satellite Networks) succeeded in realising the provision of satellite triple play over an interactive DVB‐S2/DVB‐RCS (Return Channel via Satellite) platform. The ACM feature of DVB‐S2 was exploited, yielding increased spectrum efficiency and thus decreasing service cost. One‐user‐per‐terminal scenarios are examined, as well as terrestrial redistribution of satellite services to a group of users via WiMAX. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

A performance study for IPv4–IPv6 translation in IP multimedia core network subsystem

A Next Generation Network (NGN) is an advanced, packet‐based network that exploits broadband and QoS‐enabled transport technologies for enabling multimedia services. In NGNs, the principles and requirements of IP Multimedia Sub‐system (IMS), which are used to deliver the desired benefits, should be carefully examined and studied. Internet Protocol version 6 (IPv6) is adopted by Third‐generation Partnership Project (3GPP) to solve address storage problem and provide new features (e.g. plug‐and‐play and mobility) for IMS. However, in the early stage of IPv6 deployment, the existing Voice‐over‐IP (VoIP) networks support Internet Protocol version 4 (IPv4) only. For IPv4–IPv6 interworking between IMS and the existing VoIP networks, the IMS‐Application Level Gateway (IMS‐ALG) and the Transition Gateway (TrGW) are proposed to translate Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and Real‐time Transport Protocol (RTP) packets, respectively. In this paper, we focus on the IPv4–IPv6 translation for RTP packets, which is the bottleneck of VoIP performance. Specifically, we developed a TrGW called National Information and Communications Initiative (NICI)‐TrGW. In NICI‐TrGW, we perform IPv4–IPv6 translation at the Linux kernel and adjust the header room of kernel‐level packet buffer for each packet to reduce memory‐copy operations. We evaluate the performance of NICI‐TrGW and the existing solutions by using the SmartBits. Our study indicates that NICI‐TrGW outperforms the existing solutions in terms of three different output measures including packet loss rate, maximum throughput, and average latency. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Physical layer DVB‐SH performance prediction based on mutual information

Digital Video Broadcasting‐Satellite Handled (DVB‐SH) is a hybrid satellite terrestrial broadcasting standard dedicated to provide video or audio services for handheld terminals. On the satellite part, this standard can make use of interleaving mechanisms to mitigate the effects of the Land Mobile Satellite channel. As a result, these mechanisms enable the in‐time distribution of a codeword over a duration ranging from 100 ms to about 30 s, depending on their parameters. This mechanism significantly improves the error recovery performance of the code; however in the literature, a theoretical evaluation at system level of this improvement is missing. Moreover, carrying out Monte‐Carlo simulations implementing real decoding processes on significant traveled distances is time prohibitive. We propose hereafter a prediction method compatible with fast simulations to quantitatively evaluate the system performance in terms of Rate, Erroneous Second Ratio, and zapping time. This method is based on the computation of the mutual information between emitted and received symbols for QPSK modulation and turbo coding. We demonstrate that our method reaches a prediction precision of the order of 0.1 dB, which is significantly better than two classical prediction methods. Moreover, our solution reduces the simulation time by a factor of 500 compared with Monte‐Carlo. Beyond DVB‐SH application, the presented approach can be applied in a large panel of satellite mobile systems and is completely new for the satellite community. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Cross‐layer packet scheduler for QoS support over Digital Video Broadcasting‐Second Generation broadband satellite systems

This article presents a cross‐layer packet scheduler to provide end‐to‐end QoS guarantees for Digital Video Broadcasting‐Second Generation (DVB‐S2) broadband satellite systems. The scheduler design is based on a cross‐layer mechanism defined between the physical and the network layer. It includes an algorithm to guarantee the required QoS specifications established in the service level agreement. The algorithm calculation depends basically on two parameters: the available bandwidth present in a DVB‐S2 satellite link and the QoS requirements of each traffic class defined by the satellite operator. The cross‐layer scheduler's operation is demonstrated using the NS‐2 simulator tool. The results show that the proposed mechanism maximizes the bandwidth utilization while enforcing the priority level of each service class when an extreme reduction of bandwidth caused by rain events is experienced. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Admission control and handover management for high‐speed trains in vehicular geostationary satellite networks with terrestrial gap‐filling

Following a recent upgrade, the Digital Video Broadcasting—Return Channel Satellite (DVB‐RCS) standard sets up to support terminal mobility. In this scenario, integration with terrestrial systems becomes a primary concern to ensure network connectivity in urban areas. This article proposes an integrated satellite–terrestrial architecture for the provision of broadband services onboard high‐speed trains, in which terrestrial cellular networks are seen as viable gap‐fillers for discontinuous satellite coverage. We derive an analytical model of the hybrid DVB‐RCS‐cellular system by exploiting analogies between the mobility pattern predictability of LEO constellations and that of high‐speed trains. Terminals whose QoS cannot be guaranteed by the satellite segment are proposed to temporarily divert the connections towards the terrestrial infrastructure, where available. Using an iterative approach based on the Erlang fixed‐point approximation, we show performance improvements with respect to stand‐alone satellite systems in terms of handover failure probability and overall resource utilization. The analytical model is also validated via our ns2‐based DVB‐RCS packet‐level simulator. Detailed modelling of synchronization and signalling mechanisms confirms the accuracy of the analytical results, and shows that topology and mobility information can contribute to refine radio resource utilization optimality when used jointly. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Evolution of satellite communications: Integration of ETSI BSM and DVB‐RCS for future satellite terminals

The main added value of the European Telecommunications Standards Institute broadband satellite multimedia (ETSI BSM) architecture is the definition of the Satellite Independent‐Service Access Point (SI‐SAP) protocol interface, which formally separates Satellite Dependent (SD) from SI layers, thus enabling the implementation of powerful vertical QoS mapping strategies. On the other hand, DVB‐S2/RCS satellite standard is considered the driving technology to integrate satellite with terrestrial infrastructure and provide up‐to‐date services. This paper focuses on the integration of ETSI BSM architecture and DVB‐RCS technology, by analysing the adaptations needed on real DVB‐RCS terminals to be interoperable with the SI‐SAP interface. To this end, the detailed design of an underlying architecture taking into account required adaptations and new functionalities is proposed. The possible further evolutions of the BSM specification are also highlighted, showing the potential for the development of future devices integrating both DVB‐RCS and ETSI BSM architectures also in view of the recent upgrade to the DVB‐RCS2 standard. The paper also validates the SI‐SAP QoS functionalities and proves the performance benefits in terms of QoS and quality of experience of Web‐browsing by means of a satellite emulator developed fors this aim. Copyright © 2015 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Transport layer enhancements on a satellite‐based mobile broadband system for high‐speed trains

The great diffusion of wireless portable and handheld devices, along with the growing availability of applications on the Internet, led to a significant increase in the demand of access. Users require to continue business or private activities when moving, with performance at least comparable with that experienced over fixed networks. A very interesting scenario encompasses broadband and uninterrupted access over high‐speed trains. Developments of new telecommunication standards as well as innovative network architectures give the potential to fully match the aforementioned requirements. Nevertheless, there is a significant number of issues, especially related to system integration, mobility management, and propagation channel conditions, that need a careful analysis with the aim to support the design of real systems. This paper deals with this challenging scenario proposing a satellite‐based architecture in which DVB‐S2 and DVB‐RCS standards, MIPv6 at layer 3 (for handover management), and an enhanced TCP version at layer 4, named TCP Noordwijk, allow to achieve good performance. An NS‐2 enhanced simulator has supported the whole analysis. Results show the effectiveness of the proposed scheme against different modulation and coding configurations and compared with a selected set of TCP‐enhanced versions. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Performance evaluation of TCP‐based applications over DVB‐RCS DAMA schemes

Transmission Control Protocol (TCP) performance over Digital Video Broadcasting—Return Channel via Satellite (DVB‐RCS) standard is greatly affected by the total delay, which is mainly due to two components, propagation delay and access delay. Both are significant because they are dependent on the long propagation path of the satellite link. The former is intrinsic and due to radio wave propagation over the satellite channel for both TCP packets and acknowledgements. It is regulated by the control loop that governs TCP. The latter is due to the control loop that governs the demand assignment multiple access (DAMA) signalling exchange between satellite terminals and the network control center, necessary to manage return link resources. DAMA is adopted in DVB‐RCS standard to achieve flexible and efficient use of the shared resources. Therefore, performance of TCP over DVB‐RCS may degrade due to the exploitation of two nested control loops also depending on both the selected DAMA algorithm and the traffic profile. This paper analyses the impact of basic DAMA implementation on TCP‐based applications over a DVB‐RCS link for a large set of study cases. To provide a detailed overview of TCP performance in DVB‐RCS environment, the analysis includes both theoretical approach and simulation campaign. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

卫星通信的技术发展及应用

简要回顾了卫星通信的发展历程，介绍了一些正在发展的技术，并对卫星通信在未来中的主要应用进行了阐述。卫星通信的重要技术发展包括基于数字视频广播（DVB）的标准的建立、星载开关（On-Board Switching）的应用。其他的技术包括多协议标记交换（MPLS）在卫星网络上的应用及卫星间和平台间光学连接的应用。     

On the fairness of return channel capacity allocation in DVB‐RCS‐based satellite networks

Broadband satellite access (BSA) systems can form an alternative path for the provision of Internet access in areas with poor network infrastructure. The DVB‐RCS standard introduced the specifications of an interaction channel for two‐way BSA networks. In this study, a new dynamic scheduling strategy for the interaction channel of GEO satellite networks is proposed, evaluated and compared with a typical Round Robin scheme. The main idea of the proposed strategy is to change, prior to each allocation, the sequence according to which bandwidth is assigned to the satellite terminals. The new sequence is fully specified by a set of fairness indices, each one related to a unique terminal and updated after each allocation. Along with the examined scheduling strategies, two capacity request calculation techniques found in the literature are also evaluated and compared through a series of simulations. Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

ND++ – an extended IPv6 Neighbor Discovery protocol for enhanced stateless address autoconfiguration in MANETs

Recent trends in information and communications technologies are oriented toward the design of the Future Internet and the Internet of Things. While IPv6‐based mobile ad hoc networks (MANETs) are emerging as an important building block of these new technologies, it is necessary to come up with adequate self‐configuration capabilities allowing for seamless and automated configuration of addresses in mobile environment. The mechanisms of stateless address autoconfiguration proposed for IPv6 networks are supposed to automate some configuration steps; however, they would need to be aligned with the requirements imposed by MANET networks. Therefore, in this article, we present Neighbor Discovery ++ – an extended IPv6 Neighbor Discovery protocol for enhanced duplicate address detection in MANETs, which provides increased coverage of network nodes, while minimizing protocol overhead. It exploits efficient flooding mechanism on the basis of the multipoint relay concept, which makes it an interesting approach also for large‐scale networks. Trials performed on the designated real‐world testbed platform indicate that ND++ is a promising solution to support efficient address autoconfiguration in MANETs. Copyright © 2012 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.     

Seamless Support for Mobile Internet Protocol Based Cellular Environments

Cellular is the inevitable architecture for the Personal Communication Service system (PCS) in the coming future. Access to the Internet via cellular networks is expected to become an essential portion of future wireless service offerings. Providing seamless support for IP based packet switched services has become an important issue.The Internet Engineering Task Force's (IETF's) mobile IP protocol offers a standard solution for wide-area mobility at the IP layer. However, Mobile IP does not solve all of the problems involved in providing mobile Internet access to cellular users, especially during handoff period. Thus, IPv6 might be a good candidate to solve this problem.IPv6 is a new version of the Internet Protocol that was standardized by the IETF. It supports mobility and is presently being standardized by the IETF Mobile IP Working Group. At the same time, cellular is an inevitable architecture for the Personal Communication Service system (PCS).This paper introduces the current cellular support based on the Mobile Internet Protocol version 6. We will point out the short-falls using Mobile IP and try to emphasize protocols especially for mobile management schemes that can optimize a high speed mobile station moving among small wireless cells. A comparison between those schemes and future work will be presented.