Architectures for broadband residential IP services over CATVnetworks

The current state of the art in digital broadband access technologies to support emerging telecommunications services makes imminent the introduction of interactive broadband services-including data, video and the Internet-into the residential market. Over the last few years, much attention has been paid to the development of media access control protocols for cable TV networks that will allow the immediate support of broadband data services as the first step toward enhanced communications services for residential users. We review some of the architectural options that must be carefully considered in order to deliver Internet protocol (IP) services to such users in an efficient yet flexible manner. Future residential cable data services are expected to deliver Internet access, work-at-home applications, small business access, local area network LAN-LAN interconnect, and LAN emulation services over cable (CATV) networks     

Subscriber terminal units for video dial tone systems

The subscriber terminal unit (STU) receives and decodes video signals and provides interactive support for server-based multimedia applications delivered over a video dial tone network. The STU can be a maddening bottleneck or a gateway to the world. Done properly, it is the vital link that exploits the sophisticated capabilities of the broadband network. We describe the service model upon which applications are based and our current understanding of the application requirements. Different STU types, their capabilities, and expected availability are presented. A model of the functionality of a generic STU is presented, as well as several different development scenarios, including our approach to an actual implementation     

Integrated network management and control for interactive videodial tone networks

The emerging interactive video dial tone (VDT) services pose some unique requirements for real-time network monitoring and control. To support the roll-out of VDT-based networks and services, GTE is developing new network management applications on its TONICS (Telephone Operations Network Integrated Control System) platform. TONICS's applications are embedded in a high availability software platform providing distributed processing. The article describes the real-time management requirements of VDT networks, provides an overview of the TONICS integration platform, outlines a network management and control architecture for VDT networks, illustrates example VDT management applications, and discusses the deployment issues     

Signaling challenges in video dial tone networks

Residential broadband networks present new signaling challenges as compared to the more traditional telephony networks. Access signaling protocols such as DSM-CC and Q.2931 for ATM, are evolving to meet these challenges. A desirable outcome will be a solution that supports seamless interworking among the newer video applications and the more traditional applications. First we examine the new requirements that arise when considering control of VDT networks. We then provide a brief review of the capabilities and development status of each protocol. Finally, we examine possible evolution paths for the development of broadband signaling. Our primary objective is to describe a signaling evolution path that integrates the requirements of both business and residential broadband networks, thus allowing partial or total sharing of network resources in support of both types of applications     

A vision for residential broadband services: ATM-to-the-home

The arrival of asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) networks has enabled a wide range of new interactive multimedia applications for the residential market. The article presents a vision for supporting universal residential broadband services based on an ATM-to-the-home (ATTH) network architecture. This network architecture applies to the various residential access network (RAN) architectures being deployed today, such as hybrid fiber/coax (HFC), fiber-to-the-curb (FTTC), fiber-to-the-home (FTTH), and asymmetric digital subscriber loop (ADSL) technologies. The article addresses today's residential networks and applications, to understand why a switched broadband residential network is required to support residential broadband services. After exploring residential broadband application requirements, a new class of service is proposed to support a very important class of residential broadband applications that has been not addressed. Then, the technical and strategic motivations for using the ATTH architecture are discussed in detail. A universal model for residential broadband network architecture based on ATTH is described, which is shown to apply to various RAN architectures. Finally, it discusses the signaling requirements of residential broadband services and explain why the ATM multiconnection per-call model is much more efficient than the digital stored media command and control (DSM-CC) session control protocol approach for the ATTH architecture     

Interactive multimedia services to residential users

Despite the business risks involved in the introduction of digital video and interactive television, vigorous investments made by the telecommunication industries and content owners clearly demonstrate the belief that such services are going to happen. In this paper, a complete scenario for the provision of interactive multimedia services from the residential user's point of view is considered, focusing on software components. Initially, a reference architecture configuration, based on the DAVIC paradigm, suitable for the provision of residential interactive broadband services is presented. In addition to hardware capabilities, the system will be considered successful only if it is easy to learn, worth the time and cost-effective. Consequently, a set of possible service requirements is introduced and a development process for distributed interactive multimedia applications is proposed. Finally, based on experience gained from the implementation of applications in different residential trials throughout Europe, guidelines and methodologies for user interface design are illustrated     

Residential broadband Internet services and applicationsrequirements

Consumer interest in accessing the Internet for browsing the World Wide Web has exploded in the past two years. The current narrowband residential Internet access infrastructure using dial-up through the PSTN not only is too slow, but also leads to high service blocking probability. Hence, providing an “always-on” high-speed Internet access service has been viewed as the new killer application for residential broadband networks. Residential broadband Internet service design requires understanding of the networking requirements of broadband Internet applications. This article provides a framework for characterizing applications requirements in general, with special emphasis on Internet applications such as Web browsing. The author presents a classification of applications based on their networking requirements, and discusses the traffic and quality of service requirements for each application class     

An outlook on the evolution of mobile terminals: from monolithic to modular multiradio, multiapplication platforms

Terminals, including traditional cellular phones, have historically been optimized for a small number of services over a specific network. With the convergence of consumer electronics and Internet-based services, voice and video are now being offered on a variety of access networks, and many functions are being combined into single devices. In addition to new sophisticated audio/video coding and graphics capabilities, there is a growing demand for cheap and ubiquitous broadband wireless Internet access. This demand is driving the need for multiradio platforms that include new licensed and unlicensed air interface technologies, such as WLAN, UWB and Wimax. The proliferation of new applications and wireless standards has created the need for a dramatic change in the portable/mobile terminal architecture. This paper presents an overview of the evolution of mobile terminal architectures, from monolithic to flexible, modular, and capable of meeting the increasing demand for an ever larger number of features at the right cost and time to market.     

Will video caching remain energy efficient in future core optical networks?

Optical networks are expected to cater for the future Internet due to the high speed and capacity that they offer. Caching in the core network has proven to reduce power usage for various video services in current optical networks. This paper investigates whether video caching will still remain power efficient in future optical networks. The study compares the power consumption of caching in a current IP over WDM core network to a future network. The study considers a number of features to exemplify future networks. Future optical networks are considered where: (1) network devices consume less power, (2) network devices have sleep-mode capabilities, (3) IP over WDM implements lightpath bypass, and (4) the demand for video content significantly increases and high definition video dominates. Results show that video caching in future optical networks saves up to 42% of power consumption even when the power consumption of transport reduces. These results suggest that video caching is expected to remain a green option in video services in the future Internet.     

Cable access beyond the hype: on residential broadband dataservices over HFC networks

Current efforts in digital data transmission over hybrid fiber coaxial (HFC) networks will provide an efficient data transport mechanism for the “last mile” to residential users and will enable a very large number of services to the home. Provision of these services requires a complete end-to-end network architecture that provides an efficient connection between the server and the end user. Thus, it is necessary for the currently isolated HFC islands to gradually evolve into an efficient, highly connected, high-speed network. In this article, the authors review HFC networks and establish that they provide a more attractive and promising solution than the alternatives for “last mile” connectivity to the home, such as telephone connections. A list of broadband services are listed that are enabled by the high-speed data capabilities of HFC networks, and the necessary end-to-end infrastructure to support these applications is described, as well as possible evolution and migration paths for developing these end-to-end network architectures     

Broadband communications: the commercial impact

The impact of broadband ISDN (integrated services digital network) is assessed. It is pointed out that the key step in its introduction, i.e. the replacement of the copper wire infrastructure by optical fiber, is already taking place. Two alternative routes for the introduction of broadband services are described: the market-driven route and the investment-led route. The market-driven route entails carriers responding to the demands currently being made of them. In the investment-led route, carriers lead the market and create demands by substantial investment in fiber residential networks. Carrier costs and rewards and anticipated market growth are examined. Broadband applications, the role of video communications, and the technology that will be used are briefly examined     

A look at the video dial-tone network

As organisations with information to sell implement an array of multimedia services for the home, others, too, are hard at work. Telephone companies, as well as cable operators, are busy developing broadband intelligent networks to underpin those broadcast and interactive offerings. The phone companies define their network as a common-carrier transport service, in that it grants equal access to all information providers, including themselves, and enables consumers to "dial up" video or multimedia applications offered by third parties. This kind of service has become known as a video dial-tone network. The user first gets a menu from the network provider. He or she then picks an information provider, which sends its own interactive menu of services to the customer     

MPEG-2 over ATM for video dial tone networks: issues and strategies

Market growth for PC multimedia and digital video owes largely to the rapid adoption of ISO compression standards by the industry. For video dial tone (VDT) services, the MPEG-2 set of standards have clearly emerged as the preferred coding method for VDT networks. For point-to-point switched video or multimedia connections, ATM has emerged as the technology of choice for switching and transport. This article describes how compressed digital video is transported over a VDT network, what some of the issues are, and how they are being addressed by the industry. It describes a generic VDT reference architecture, and the delivery method of video and multimedia information over such a network     

Traffic shaping, bandwidth allocation, and quality assessment forMPEG video distribution over broadband networks

This article provides an overview of residential video delivery systems and presents the applications, benefits, and challenges of using VBR MPEG video encoding in broadband video distribution networks. The network resources required to transmit stored variable-rate MPEG can be reduced by properly analyzing and smoothing the video stream before transmission. A scheduling technique is presented which selects a traffic contract for a pre-encoded MPEG video stream with the criteria of minimizing network resources and maintaining video quality. Several effective bandwidth metrics are discussed and used to model the potential savings in network resources for the shaped streams     

走向宽带化的VSAT卫星通信

受数据音频视频广播、计算机卫星宽带交互接入和音视频会议等业务的推动,VSAT卫星通信网向宽带业务发展巳成为必然趋势。分别对应以上业务的VSAT卫星通信网也日益趋于融合成一个统一的宽带VSAT通信网。发展宽带VSAT通信网的关键技术涉及到宽带数据广播、宽带多址接入、卫星通信规程、网络综合管理和宽带虚拟子网等。     

IP-based access networks for broadband multimedia services

The increasing demands of new services and applications are pushing for drastic changes in the design of access networks for residential and SOHO users. Future access networks will provide full service integration, resource sharing at the packet level, and QoS support. It is expected that using IP as the base technology, the ideal plug-and-play scenario, where the management actions of the access network operator are kept to a minimum, will be achieved easily. In this article we start by giving a historical perspective of the evolution of access networks. We then describe an IP-based architecture targeted for integrated support of broadband multimedia services, designed to be low-cost and easily manageable. We illustrate the different phases of a multimedia Internet access session, when using SIP for session initiation, COPS and DIAMETER for QoS policy management, and AAA and RSVP for resource reservation.     

Parametric methodology for analyzing implementation strategies ofresidential broadband networks: the incremental cost of integratedaccess

An engineering framework for estimating the investment cost of two implementation strategies intended to provide broadband (video services) access to residential customers in new construction areas is described. One strategy is the deployment of a single (digital and fiber) integrated network, and the other is the codeployment of dual, separate networks (one for narrowband and the others for TV distribution). The methodology derives the investment per subscriber as a function of network element's costs and demographical, topological, and service penetration parameters. The methodology is applied to TELEFONICA's network. The incremental cost of the integrated network (compared with dual networks codeployment) is estimated to be around $700 per customer. The results highlight the importance of broadband services that would not be fully provided by conventional cable TV distribution networks     

Broadband communication and its realization with broadband ISDN

In addition to narrowband services, future broadband networks will also include broadband services for applications like: high-speed communication of data, text and graphics person-to-person video communication, access to video information as well as broadcast of programs and data. Low terminal costs and service charges are essential with respect to a growing demand for new services, especially in the home. Broadband ISDN, to be developed on the basis of ISDN and using glass-fiber subscriber lines, will enable a wide range of applications satisfying the needs and requirements of the business and private sectors. The best technical solution from the aspect of user-friendliness and economy is to implement this broadband ISDN for all services with an evolutionary and flexible design. The broadband ISDN concept is not restricted to the public network and terminal equipment but also comprises private networks, information and program centers, etc. Many countries are pursuing the goal of this universal network for the future "information society". However, the approaches for setting up the broadband ISDN differ from country to country, depending on the particular technical and political situation. Standardization plays an important role with regard to "open broadband telecommunication", the worldwide trouble-free communication and information exchange of one party with any other.     

Integrated network and service management for the NCIH

To support the North Carolina Information Highway network and its services, GTE has developed new capabilities for the integrated management of broadband networks. These include: functionally integrated network management, enabling GTE to monitor and control ATM, SONET, and other related networks in real time, these capabilities are provided by the TelOps Network Integrated Control System (TONICS); and automated service management, enabling GTE to provide service-level configuration and fault management for new broadband services, these capabilities are provided by the broadband service management system (BSMS). Together, TONICS and BSMS provide a complete and integrated solution for managing broadband networks such as the NCIH