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WO1997009827A1 - Systeme de distribution - Google Patents

Systeme de distribution Download PDF

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Publication number
WO1997009827A1
WO1997009827A1 PCT/AU1996/000561 AU9600561W WO9709827A1 WO 1997009827 A1 WO1997009827 A1 WO 1997009827A1 AU 9600561 W AU9600561 W AU 9600561W WO 9709827 A1 WO9709827 A1 WO 9709827A1
Authority
WO
WIPO (PCT)
Prior art keywords
units
channel
distribution system
customer
signals
Prior art date
Application number
PCT/AU1996/000561
Other languages
English (en)
Inventor
Puay Kia Sim
John Domenich Del Papa
Erich Stumpf
Alan John Longmuir
Leigh Francis Fiddes
Peter Andrew Burr
Zoran Angelovski
Original Assignee
Nec Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority date (The priority date is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the date listed.)
Filing date
Publication date
Priority claimed from AUPN5262A external-priority patent/AUPN526295A0/en
Priority claimed from AUPO0615A external-priority patent/AUPO061596A0/en
Application filed by Nec Australia Pty. Ltd. filed Critical Nec Australia Pty. Ltd.
Priority to AU67828/96A priority Critical patent/AU717210B2/en
Priority to NZ315992A priority patent/NZ315992A/en
Publication of WO1997009827A1 publication Critical patent/WO1997009827A1/fr

Links

Classifications

    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04H—BROADCAST COMMUNICATION
    • H04H20/00—Arrangements for broadcast or for distribution combined with broadcast
    • H04H20/65—Arrangements characterised by transmission systems for broadcast
    • H04H20/76—Wired systems
    • H04H20/77—Wired systems using carrier waves
    • H04H20/81—Wired systems using carrier waves combined with telephone network over which the broadcast is continuously available
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04M—TELEPHONIC COMMUNICATION
    • H04M11/00—Telephonic communication systems specially adapted for combination with other electrical systems
    • H04M11/06—Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors
    • H04M11/062—Simultaneous speech and data transmission, e.g. telegraphic transmission over the same conductors using different frequency bands for speech and other data
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/20—Servers specifically adapted for the distribution of content, e.g. VOD servers; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/23—Processing of content or additional data; Elementary server operations; Server middleware
    • H04N21/238—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network, e.g. adapting the transmission rate of a video stream to network bandwidth; Processing of multiplex streams
    • H04N21/2381—Adapting the multiplex stream to a specific network, e.g. an Internet Protocol [IP] network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/43—Processing of content or additional data, e.g. demultiplexing additional data from a digital video stream; Elementary client operations, e.g. monitoring of home network or synchronising decoder's clock; Client middleware
    • H04N21/438—Interfacing the downstream path of the transmission network originating from a server, e.g. retrieving encoded video stream packets from an IP network
    • H04N21/4381—Recovering the multiplex stream from a specific network, e.g. recovering MPEG packets from ATM cells
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/472—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content
    • H04N21/47208—End-user interface for requesting content, additional data or services; End-user interface for interacting with content, e.g. for content reservation or setting reminders, for requesting event notification, for manipulating displayed content for requesting near-video-on-demand content
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/61—Network physical structure; Signal processing
    • H04N21/6106—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network
    • H04N21/6137—Network physical structure; Signal processing specially adapted to the downstream path of the transmission network involving transmission via a telephone network, e.g. POTS
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/64—Addressing
    • H04N21/6405—Multicasting
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/643—Communication protocols
    • H04N21/64307—ATM
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/643—Communication protocols
    • H04N21/64322—IP
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/647—Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
    • H04N21/64723—Monitoring of network processes or resources, e.g. monitoring of network load
    • H04N21/64738—Monitoring network characteristics, e.g. bandwidth, congestion level
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/60—Network structure or processes for video distribution between server and client or between remote clients; Control signalling between clients, server and network components; Transmission of management data between server and client, e.g. sending from server to client commands for recording incoming content stream; Communication details between server and client 
    • H04N21/63—Control signaling related to video distribution between client, server and network components; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients or between remote clients, e.g. transmitting basic layer and enhancement layers over different transmission paths, setting up a peer-to-peer communication via Internet between remote STB's; Communication protocols; Addressing
    • H04N21/647—Control signaling between network components and server or clients; Network processes for video distribution between server and clients, e.g. controlling the quality of the video stream, by dropping packets, protecting content from unauthorised alteration within the network, monitoring of network load, bridging between two different networks, e.g. between IP and wireless
    • H04N21/64784—Data processing by the network
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17318—Direct or substantially direct transmission and handling of requests
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N7/00—Television systems
    • H04N7/16—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems
    • H04N7/173—Analogue secrecy systems; Analogue subscription systems with two-way working, e.g. subscriber sending a programme selection signal
    • H04N7/17309—Transmission or handling of upstream communications
    • H04N7/17336—Handling of requests in head-ends
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04Q—SELECTING
    • H04Q11/00—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems
    • H04Q11/04—Selecting arrangements for multiplex systems for time-division multiplexing
    • H04Q11/0428—Integrated services digital network, i.e. systems for transmission of different types of digitised signals, e.g. speech, data, telecentral, television signals
    • H04Q11/0435—Details
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47805—Electronic banking
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/47815—Electronic shopping
    • H—ELECTRICITY
    • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
    • H04N—PICTORIAL COMMUNICATION, e.g. TELEVISION
    • H04N21/00—Selective content distribution, e.g. interactive television or video on demand [VOD]
    • H04N21/40—Client devices specifically adapted for the reception of or interaction with content, e.g. set-top-box [STB]; Operations thereof
    • H04N21/47—End-user applications
    • H04N21/478—Supplemental services, e.g. displaying phone caller identification, shopping application
    • H04N21/4782—Web browsing, e.g. WebTV

Definitions

  • the present invention relates to a distribution system and, in particular, to a system which enables video and/or interactive services to be distributed over a public switched telephone network (PSTN).
  • PSTN public switched telephone network
  • the services include:
  • Video on demand where movies and video programs are transmitted to a customer on request.
  • the video signals may be transmitted immediately or at a time selected by the customer.
  • a communication channel between the video signal provider and the customer may also be used to allow the customer to send control signals to the provider to control transmission functions, such as pause, fast forward and rewind, or in the case of interactive video game, signals which dictate play of a game.
  • This communication channel may also be used to provide interactive capability to other types of services, e.g. educational, home shopping, etc.
  • Pay per view where video programs are scheduled for transmission and a customer is only charged for the programs selected to view.
  • Pay TV where a customer is able to access broadcast scheduled video programs and pays a subscription charge per Pay TV channel.
  • VOD Voice over IP
  • Services such as VOD can also be considered to constitute interactive services as a customer is allowed to generate control signals which dictates how the service is delivered.
  • a range of interactive services can be delivered, such as video games and shopping services.
  • Telecommunications networks can be used to distribute video services.
  • a transmission technology known as asymmetric digital subscriber line (ADSL) technology has been developed to allow the transmission ofhigh bit rate video signals on the existing copper wires of a PSTN.
  • An ADSL line is asymmetric because it allows the transmission of up to 8 to 25 Mb/s or more to customers from a local exchange but only allows low speed (e.g. 16 kbs, 64 kbps or 640 kbps) control signals to be sent to and from the customer and the local exchange.
  • a line carrying ADSL signals also allows simultaneous transmission of plain old telephone system (POTS) services between a customer's telephone and the exchange.
  • POTS plain old telephone system
  • Two modulation techniques available for signal transmission on an access line are known as discrete multi-tone (DMT) and carrierless amplitude phase (CAP) modulation.
  • DMT discrete multi-tone
  • CAP carrierless amplitude phase
  • ADSL technology has been suggested as a suitable platform for providing video on demand services
  • an efficient system architecture is required to distribute video and/or interactive services.
  • a distribution system including: a channel distribution system for receiving content signals from a telecommunications transmission network; and an access system for accessing the content signals received by said channel distribution system and multicasting said content signals to customer units on telecommunications lines.
  • the present invention also provides a distribution system, including: content signal provider equipment having first telecommunications means for providing content signals to at least one local exchange of a telecommunications network; and a distribution switch of said at least one local exchange, said distribution switch having means for receiving said content signals, a plurality of exchange units for transmitting content signals to a plurality of respective customer units, and being adapted to multicast the received content signals to said plurality of exchange units for transmission to said customer units.
  • the present invention further provides a distribution switch for a telecommunications exchange, including: means for receiving content signals; means for multicasting said content signals; and a plurality of exchange units for transmitting the multicast content signals to a plurality of respective customer units.
  • the present invention also provides a distribution switch, including: a plurality of exchange units for communicating with respective customer units and for sending content signals to said customer units; means for establishing a telecommunications channel with a content signal provider; and means for multicasting content signals provided by said content signal provider on said telecommunications channel to said exchange units.
  • the present invention also provides an asymmetric distribution switch for a telecommunications exchange, including: a plurality of exchange units for receiving low bit rate data from respective customer units and for sending high bit rate data to said customer units; means for establishing a high bit rate telecommunications channel between a high bit rate data provider and at least one of said exchange units; and means for establishing a low bit rate telecommunications channel between said at least one of said exchange units and said high bit rate data provider.
  • the present invention further provides a distribution switch, including: a plurality of exchange units for communicating with respective customer units and for sending content signals to said customer units; means for establishing a telecommunications channel with a content signal provider to receive applications cyclically broadcast by said video signal provider; and means for establishing a telecommunications channel with at least one of said customer units to provide said applications thereto when requested.
  • a distribution switch including: a plurality of exchange units for communicating with respective customer units and for sending content signals to said customer units; means for establishing a telecommunications channel with a content signal provider to receive applications cyclically broadcast by said video signal provider; and means for establishing a telecommunications channel with at least one of said customer units to provide said applications thereto when requested.
  • the present invention also provides a distribution system, including: means for establishing a telecommunications channel with a content signal provider; and a plurality of exchange units for communicating with a respective plurality of curb units over optical links, said curb units communicating with respective customer units; said exchange units including means for multicasting content signals provided by said content signal provider on said telecommunications channel to said curb units.
  • the present invention further provides a distribution system, including: a plurality of exchange units for receiving low bit rate data from respective remote units and for sending high bit rate data to said remote units; means for establishing a high bit rate telecommunications channel between a high bit rate data provider and at least one of said exchange units; and means for establishing a low bit rate telecommunications channel between at least one of said exchange units and said high bit rate data provider.
  • Figure 1 is a block diagram of a first preferred embodiment of a distribution system
  • Figure 2 is a more detailed block diagram ofthe distribution system of Figure 1
  • Figure 3 is a block diagram of a distribution switch ofthe system
  • Figure 4 is a block diagram of a channel distribution subrack ofthe distribution switch
  • Figure 5 is a block diagram of a channel interface unit ofthe channel distribution subrack
  • Figure 6 is a block diagram of a channel distribution unit of the channel distribution subrack
  • Figure 7 is a block diagram of a channel access subrack ofthe distribution switch
  • Figure 8 is a block diagram of a channel access unit ofthe channel access subrack
  • Figure 9 is a block diagram of an alarm control unit ofthe subracks.
  • Figure 10 is a block diagram ofthe interconnections between the subracks
  • Figure 11 is a schematic diagram illustrating the signalling architecture ofthe distribution system
  • Figures 12, 13, 14, 15 and 16 are message flow diagrams for the system
  • Figure 17 is a block diagram of an alternative dual ring architecture for providing bus protection for the distribution switch
  • Figure 18 is a block diagram of a second preferred embodiment of a distribution system
  • Figure 19 is a block diagram of an enhanced channel distribution subrack of the distribution switch of Figure 18;
  • FIG 20 is a block diagram of a synchronous termination processor (STP) of the channel distribution subrack of Figure 19;
  • STP synchronous termination processor
  • Figure 21 is a block diagram of a synchronous interface unit ofthe STP
  • Figure 22 is a block diagram ofthe arrangement of circuit cards in an STP;
  • Figure 23 is a block diagram of an asynchronous transfer mode termination processor
  • Figure 24 is a block diagram of a circuit processing module ofthe ATP
  • Figure 25 is a block diagram of a channel access subrack ofthe distribution switch of Figure 19;
  • Figure 26 is a block diagram of an integrated gateway unit ofthe channel access subrack of Figure 25;
  • Figure 27 is a block diagram of an ADSL exchange unit ofthe channel access subrack of Figure 25;
  • Figure 28 is a block diagram of an ADSL customer unit ofthe distribution system of Figure 18;
  • Figure 29 is a block diagram of a third preferred embodiment of a distribution system
  • Figure 30 is a block diagram of a fibre to the curb (FTTC) channel access subrack ofthe distribution system of Figure 29;
  • FTTC fibre to the curb
  • Figure 31 is a block diagram of a remote optical channel access unit ofthe FTTC channel access subrack;
  • Figure 32 is a block diagram of a curb access subrack ofthe distribution system of Figure
  • Figure 33 is a block diagram ofthe curb access subrack with an ISDN unit
  • Figure 34 is a block diagram ofthe curb access subrack with a POTS unit
  • Figure 35 is a block diagram ofthe fibre line unit (FLU) ofthe curb access subrack;
  • Figure 36 is a schematic diagram of components interconnected for transmission of
  • FLU fibre line unit
  • Figure 37 is a block diagram of an ADSL customer unit ofthe distribution system of Figure 18 connected to a customer's PC;
  • Figure 38 is a block diagram of an ADSL customer unit ofthe distribution system of Figure 18 connected to a customer's LAN.
  • a video signal distribution system 2 uses an existing PSTN that includes a transmission network 4 which is able to transmit digital data at a high bit rate, such as, but not limited to, 1.5 Mb/s, 2 Mb/s or 6 Mb/s.
  • the PSTN includes a number of local switching exchanges which are used to switch telephone calls to and from customer terminals connected thereto.
  • the customer terminals and the telecommunications lines used to connect the terminals to the respective local exchanges form the customer access network (CAN) ofthe PSTN.
  • the telecommunications lines ofthe CAN may be pairs of copper conductors or optical fibres to respective customers.
  • the system 2 terminates a copper pair with ADSL customer equipment 10 at the customer premises and an ADSL exchange unit 12 at the local exchange for the customer.
  • the local exchange includes a distribution switch 14 which has a plurality ofthe exchange units 12 for respective customers which can be connected to the local exchange.
  • the distribution switch 14 is an integrated gateway and video switch which establishes communications channels between video information provider (VIP) equipment 16 and customers over the PSTN and switches video signals from the equipment 16 to the customer.
  • VIP video information provider
  • the distribution switch 14 is also connected to the telephone switch circuitry 18 ofthe local exchange for the POTS and allows the POTS telephone signals to be transmitted over the copper conductors 8 using the exchange units 12 and customer equipment 10.
  • the ADSL customer equipment 10 is connected to a customer's telephone 20 to receive and transmit POTS signals.
  • the ADSL customer equipment 10 is also connected to a set top unit (STU) 22.
  • the customer equipment 10 is able to transmit video signals to the set top unit 22 for display on a television 24 connected to the STU 22.
  • the STU 22 generates control signals in response to signals received from a remote control unit 26 and the control signals are transmitted to the ADSL customer equipment 10 for further transmission on a copper conductor 8 to an exchange unit 12 ofthe distribution switch 14.
  • the customer equipment 10 and the STU 22 can be integrated into one unit at the customer's premises, if desired.
  • the video signal distribution system 2 includes a plurality ofthe distribution switches 14 located at respective local exchanges.
  • the distribution switches 14 are able to connect to VIP equipment 16 of the system 2 using terminal equipment 28 which are telecommunications multiplexer/demultiplexers that allow a digital communication channel to be established between the VIP equipment 16 and a distribution switch 14 using the transmission network 4.
  • the VIP equipment 16 may include a video server 30, a management and billing system
  • the real-time encoders 36 are used to digitise and compress analogue video programs using a standard compression technology, such as MPEG.
  • the compressed digital video signals for live programs can be broadcast directly from the encoders 36 on communication channels established with distribution switches 14.
  • the video signals can then be multicast to customer equipment 10 via the distribution switches 14 for customers which are authorised to receive the video signals.
  • the real-time encoders 36 can also be used to provide compressed digital video data for storage in the video server 30.
  • the video server 30 is able to communicate with distribution switches 14 via the terminal equipment 28 so as to access and provide stored video programs when requested.
  • the distribution switch 14 of a local exchange communicates with an STU 22 and the VIP equipment 16 to establish a communication channel therethrough between the VIP equipment 16 and the STU 22. Once the channel is established, the STU 22 and the VIP equipment 16 communicate with one another directly, with the STU 22 providing control signals to the VIP equipment 16 and the VIP equipment 16 providing compressed digital video signals in response thereto, the video signals being decoded by the STU 22 for display on the television 24.
  • the distribution switch 14 is able to multicast video signals to a number of selected STUs 22. This is particularly advantageous for Pay TV, PPV and live to air channel services which may need to be sent to a number of customers simultaneously. Both live and prerecorded video signals can be sent to customers, and the distribution switch 14 also allows for fast switching between Pay TV and live channels at the local exchange.
  • the distribution switch 14 is also able to provide point to point communication channels for services such as VOD.
  • An example ofthe video signal distribution system 2 is configured to support 300 customers, 100 each at three different local exchanges 40, 42 and 44.
  • the first and third local exchanges 40 and 44 support customers which use DMT modulation and the second local exchange 42 supports customers which use CAP modulation.
  • the VIP equipment 16 is able to provide simultaneously 63 2 Mb/s channels from the video server 30 and seven 2 Mb/s and seven 6 Mb/s channels from the real-time encoders 36 are for live video programs. All ofthe channels are provided to synchronous digital hierarchy (SDH) terminal equipment 28 for transmission on an SDH transmission network 4 ofthe PSTN.
  • SDH synchronous digital hierarchy
  • the seven 6 Mb/s channels are multiplexed before transmission into one 45 Mb/s channel.
  • the 2 Mb/s channels provided by the video server 30 may be divided into 50 VOD simultaneous channels, nine PPV channels, three control channels for signalling and alarm transport to each ofthe distribution switches 14 ofthe local exchanges 40 to 44, and one channel for downloading application control software to a connected STU 22.
  • the VIP equipment 16 includes an alarm monitoring unit (AMU) 46 which collects, stores and reports on errors and conditions associated with the system 2.
  • the alarm monitoring unit 46 monitors the distribution switches 14 ofthe local exchanges 40 to 44, the ADSL equipment 10 and 12, and the STUs 22.
  • the distribution switch 14 of each local exchange 40 to 44 includes at least one channel distribution subrack 50 which establishes a dual bus system for connection to ADSL access subracks 52, which each include ADSL interfaces 54.
  • the DMT interfaces can be drawn schematically in the same manner as the CAP interfaces for the second local exchange 42 where the POTS exchange lines are split off directly from the interfaces 54, as opposed to the separate DMT POTS splitter 55.
  • the ADSL interfaces 54 form the ADSL exchange units 12. In the example shown in Figure 2, for CAP and DMT there are ten ADSL access subracks 52 each including ten ADSL interfaces 54, which can be increased as desired.
  • the channel distribution subrack 50 establishes two high data rate buses which have opposite data flow directions and allow data to be time division multiplex thereon to provide data to the access subracks 52.
  • the subracks 50 and 52 are controlled by an alarm control units (ACUs) 56 which can receive and transmit control signals via the terminal equipment 28 using a router 70.
  • ACUs alarm control units
  • the channel distribution subrack 50 is connected to the terminal equipment 28 to receive the 2 Mb/s channels and the 6 Mb/s channels, the latter being via a demultiplexer 60.
  • the distribution switch 14 is able to broadcast or multicast video signals to the ADSL interfaces 54 from the dual bus established by the channel distribution subrack 50.
  • Channel switching signals received from the STU 22 can be processed and executed by the distribution switch 14 which enables fast response times for channel changing.
  • the broadcast or multicast capability ofthe switch enables many users to be connected to a single video channel received by the distribution switch 14 simultaneously. This provides significant savings in network capacity as a dedicated connection for each customer to the VIP equipment 16 is not required for all services.
  • the distribution switch 14 provides a gateway, referred to as a level one (Ll) gateway, which is used to establish communication between the video signal provider equipment 16 and the STU 22, and to control the switching of video channels to the customer.
  • a control signal information pipe is established between the VIP equipment 16 and the STU 22 after a menu selection provided by the Ll gateway.
  • the distribution switch 14 is an asymmetric switch in that it switches high bit rate video data signals in one direction and low bit rate control signals in both directions.
  • the distribution switch 14, as shown in Figure 3, includes a number of interconnected channel distribution subracks 50 and access subracks 52 which transfer received video signals or data using high speed parallel buses 64 and 66. Control data is transferred using twisted pair Ethernet lines from the subracks 50 and 52 to a 10 baseT hub 68 and then to a multi-protocol router 70 which connects to the terminal equipment 28.
  • the MPEG video data received by the channel distribution subracks 50 is time division multiplexed onto the parallel bus 64 and 66, the first bus 64 travelling in a counter clockwise direction through the access subracks 52 and the second bus 66 travelling in a clockwise direction through the access subracks 52 so as to form a ring structure.
  • the access subracks 52 compare the video data from both directions and choose the higher quality signal for reception.
  • the access subracks 52 regenerate the signals on both parallel buses 64 and 66 and selectively demultiplex the received video data for transmission using the ADSL interfaces 54.
  • the ring structure provides a backup path in the event of a subrack failure.
  • a channel distribution subrack 50 includes a plurality of channel interface units (CIUs) 72 for respective 2 or 6 Mb/s video data lines from the terminal equipment 28, and a channel distribution unit (CDU) 74 which multiplexes data from the channel interface units 72 onto the first and second parallel buses 64 and 66 for distribution to the access subracks 52.
  • An ACU 56 is included to control the CIUs 72 and the CDU 74 using a Motorola serial peripheral interface (SPI) bus 76.
  • SPI serial peripheral interface
  • a 2 Mb/s CIU 72 has 21 channel interfaces 80 for 21 2.048 Mb/s channels.
  • Data received on the channels is decoded by decoders 82, stored in elastic stores 84 and then held in 16 bit shift registers 86 before being multiplexed by multiplexers 88.
  • the 21 channels are synchronised to a 2.1125 MHz clock using bit-stuffing and are then multiplexed into a 32 bit parallel format at a word rate of 33.7 MHz by the multiplexers 88.
  • To each 32 bit word parity and stuffing bits are added so as to produce a 34 bit word output on a 34 bit output bus 90 to the CDU 74.
  • the parity bits are provided by parity generators 87.
  • a monitor channel output 92 can be provided for analysis purposes using a channel selector 94. Control of the monitor channel output 92 and the timing for the CIU 72 is provided by a microprocessor 96 of the CIU which can communicate with the ACU 56 using the SPI bus 76 and can also monitor channel alarms held by an alarm unit 98 connected to the channel interfaces 80.
  • the CDU 74 selects data from the CIU units as blocks of 21 channels. The base address of these blocks is configurable by the ACU via the SPI bus 76.
  • the monitor channel output 92 can be used to provide a 2.048 MHz reference clock for the rest ofthe distribution switch 14.
  • the CDU 74 multiplexes the video data received on the output bus 90 from the CIUs 72 onto the buses 64 and 66.
  • the buses 64 and 66 are each 18 bit data buses operating at 135 Mwords/s, the 18 bits including 16 bits of video data, one parity bit and one sync bit.
  • Data received on the buses 64 and 66 by the CDU 74 is demultiplexed by demultiplexers from 18 bit words into 36 bit words on two 36 bit buses, which are checked using two parity bits.
  • a multiplexer 102 selects one ofthe buses for multiplexing with incoming data on the output bus 90 from the CIUs
  • the received data on the output bus 90 is multiplexed with that on an internal bus 104 from the multiplexer 102 by multiplexers 106 at twice the data rate so as to produce the buses 64 and
  • a locally generated framing signal and clock signal are provided by an internal oscillator 108 which runs at 67.4 MHz and is provided also to the CIUs 72 by a clock driver 110.
  • a control processor 112 of the CDU 74 controls the timing ofthe CDU 74 and uses a timing gate array
  • the control processor 112 is connected to the SPI bus 76 to receive and transmit control signals between the ACU 56.
  • An access subrack 52 includes an ACU 56, ten CAP ADSL interfaces or ten DMT ADSL interfaces 54 and a channel access unit (CAU) 120 which connects to the parallel buses 64 and 66, and the ADSL interfaces 54.
  • Each ADSL interface 54 is able to provide a digital subscriber line 8 to a customer.
  • the CAU 120 acts as a switch which is able to access video data on one ofthe buses 64 or 66 and provide it to a selected ADSL interface 54 for a customer.
  • Control data provided from the STU 22 of a customer is received by an ADSL interface 54, via customer equipment 10, and passed to the ACU 56 together with any operations alarm monitoring and provisioning (OAM&P) data.
  • OAM&P operations alarm monitoring and provisioning
  • the data can then be provided to the VIP equipment 16 using the router 70.
  • the ACU 56 controls the switching performed by the CAU 120 by the SPI bus 76.
  • the ACU 56 is also able to pass STU data to the STUs 22 using a selected ADSL interface 54.
  • the CAU 120 is illustrated in Figure 8 for one ofthe buses 64 for simplicity.
  • the video data on the first bus 64 is regenerated and retimed using a jitter reduction circuit 124 and a retiming circuit 125 is used to account for delay, frequency doubling and jitter based on a clock signal obtained from the bus 64.
  • the retimed and regenerated video data is placed back on the bus 64.
  • the data on the bus 64 is demultiplexed by a demultiplexer 122 into a 32 bit data word
  • parity checker 125 The demultiplexed video data from both buses 64 and 66 is compared and the data ofthe bus having the highest quality is passed on an output 32 bit bus 123 to a gate array 126.
  • the gate array 126 and the other circuitry ofthe CAU 120 is controlled by a microprocessor 130 in response to instructions received on the SPI bus 76 from the ACU 56.
  • the gate array 126 includes an ADSL channel unit 128 for each ADSL interface 54.
  • the ADSL channel units 128 each include a timeslot assignor 132 which is connected to a framing output ofthe demultiplexer 122 forthe demultiplexed video data.
  • the timeslot assignors 132 are all programmable by the microprocessor 130 to access specific timeslots or channels of the
  • a timeslot assignor 132 ensures video data of a timeslot is read into one of three shift registers 134 ofthe ADSL channel unit 128. Video data stored in the shift registers 134 are multiplexed by a multiplexer 136 of the ADSL channel unit 128 and passed to the respective ADSL interface 54 for transmission on the ADSL line 8 to a customer.
  • the CAU 120
  • Video data is provided to gate array
  • each timeslot being available for a respective video channel and including a synchronising signal to distinguish from other timeslots.
  • the selective use ofthe timeslot assignors 132 allows the gate array 126 to pass the same video channels to the ADSL interfaces or a mixture of different channels to the ADSL interfaces, including a different video channel for each interface.
  • the ACU 56 as shown in Figure 9, is resident in both the channel distribution subracks
  • a single ACU 56 is required in each of the subracks 50 and 52 to control information flow between the various components ofthe distribution switch 14.
  • the core component of the ACU 56 is a Motorola MC68360 communications controller 150. All data transfers involving the ADSL interfaces 54, memory
  • a boot ROM 154 is provided to execute startup procedures after reset, which includes data download routines and various other operating system or monitor program tasks.
  • the flash ROM 156 is used to store executable code for the ACU 56 which can be downloaded thereto.
  • a RAM 158 is used for data buffers and other system read/write requirements, and an EEPROM 160 is used to store customer related
  • the controller 150 also establishes the SPI bus 76 which is used, as discussed previously, to control the channel switching of the CAUs 120 and the CDUs 74.
  • the SPI bus 76 is also used to collect alarm
  • the synchronous interfaces may be implemented using five Zilog 85230 serial communication controllers 168.
  • An internal crystal oscillator/PLL circuit allows the controller 150 to operate with 25 MHz system-clock 152.
  • one ACU 56 in each local exchange 40 to 44 can be designated a 'master* with the remaining ACUs 56 in the distribution switch 14 becoming 'slaves'.
  • the master ACU 56 has the additional task of gathering and distributing set top and OAM&P data to the slave ACUs.
  • the ACU 56 operates two reserve interfaces which are not used in the slave mode. The two interfaces are a communications channel 170 to the terminal equipment 28 and an OAM&P 5 RS232 link 172.
  • the ACUs 56 can also all be operated using the same configuration without the master/slave relationship.
  • the communications channel to the terminal equipment 28 for an ACU 56 may be the Ethernet link 171 described previously to the hub 68 and router 58, or alternatively the ACU 56
  • the 10 can provide an SDH 2 Mb/s G.703 interface 170, as shown in Figure 9, which can be connected directly to the terminal equipment 28.
  • the communication channel 170 sends data received from the STUs 22 to the transmission network 4 and is also used to receive response data for the STUs 22 which can be distributed, as required, to the slave ACUs 56.
  • the RS232 link 172 conveys gathered OAM&P information to and from the AMU 46.
  • the 15 interface 172 is provided to convey all set top data and OAM&P information between the slave ACUs and the master ACU.
  • a third link 174 which is the same as the second link, is also provided as a backup should a failure occur on the second link 172.
  • Data is conveyed over the links 170 and 172 using a HDLC protocol.
  • the controller 150 includes an internal HDB3 encoder to encode and decode data packets transmitted on the links 170 to 174. The controller
  • the 20 150 provides an RS485 link 176 to transmit all OAM&P information between the ACU 56 and the ADSL interfaces 54.
  • the controller 150 is able to display alarm conditions using a plurality of alarm LEDs 178 and is able to drive a number of alarm relays 180 to activate other devices when certain alarm conditions occur, such as a non-urgent (NU) condition, an urgent (U) condition or an alarm receiving attention (ARA) condition.
  • NU non-urgent
  • U urgent
  • ARA alarm receiving attention
  • the ACU 56 can further be used to
  • FIG. 10 illustrates the connection ofthe links 172 between the ACUs 56 and the 2 Mb/s link 170 to the VIP equipment 16.
  • the ACU 56 is able to provide instructions to a CAU 120 to connect a customer to a particular video channel. Once placed on the buses 64 and 66 by the CDU 74, the CAU 120 may switch the customer to that channel by selecting the appropriate ADSL channel unit 128 for the correct timeslots, as a result of messages received from the VIP equipment 16 or as a result of video dial tone (VDT) messages received from the STU 22 in response to a customer selecting a channel.
  • VDT video dial tone
  • the customer will only be able to switch between channels using the distribution switch 14 for channels the customer subscribes to and are broadcast to the distribution switches 14.
  • a customer may also use the distribution switch 14 to switch between free-to-air broadcast channels which are broadcast to all of the customers connected to a distribution switch 14.
  • the ACU 56 is configured to provide applications, which can include menus and application software, to selected customers.
  • the video signal provider equipment cyclically broadcasts to the local exchanges 40 to 44, the applications which can then be switched by the distribution switches 14 to the STUs 22 in response to requests from a customer. If required, the ACU 56 stores and generates a menu of available video signal/information providers from which a customer can select a video service. On selecting a video information provider, the ACU 56 establishes a session with the VIP 16 using VDT signalling.
  • the VIP equipment 16, using VDT messages to the ACU 56 can control the switching of channels as per the requirements of an interactive session. The messages are also used to switch the broadcast applications to the STU 22.
  • the configuration ofthe channel distribution and access subracks 50 and 52 also enables more than one STU to receive simultaneously the requested applications which have been broadcast to the local exchanges 40 to 44 by the VIP equipment 16.
  • Signalling between the VIP equipment 16, a distribution switch 14 and a STU 22 is illustrated in Figure 11 which also shows signalling to the alarm monitoring unit 46 ofthe VIP equipment 16.
  • the physical and link layout protocols used are:
  • Manchester Form of line encoding including a clock.
  • G.703 An electrical interface specification (including coding) defined by the international standards body ITU.
  • ISO 8802.3 Ethernet electrical interface specification (including coding).
  • RFC 894 Ethernet II encapsulation of IP.
  • PPP An IP transport protocol for point to point connections.
  • LAP-B Link Access Protocol - Balanced (includes HDLC framing).
  • IP Part of the TCP/TP protocol suite.
  • VDT Video Dial Tone. Generic term for video control signalling.
  • ACUP signalling 201 occurs exclusively between the distribution switch 14 and the VIP 15 equipment 16, VDT signalling 203 and 205 is supported between the VEP equipment 16, the distribution switch 14 and the STU 22, and the same applies for application signalling 207 and 209 between the VIP equipment 16 and the STU 22.
  • the application signalling 207 and 209 is transparent to the distribution switch 14 once an interactive session and video data communication channel has been established between the VDP equipment 16 and the STU 22.
  • 20 A video data channel 211 is effectively transparent to the distribution switch 14 once established between the VIP equipment 16 and the STU 22 so as to download video data to the STU 22.
  • the distribution switch on receiving a channel select signal, as shown in Figure 13, provides a video characteristic signal to the STU
  • the distribution switch 14 then provides a display signal to display the channel number for a brief period which appears over the video signal provided on the broadcast channel. If the user is not authorised, the distribution switch is not switched to the selected channel and instead causes display of a message indicating that the customer is not authorised.
  • the remote control unit 26 for the STU 22 is provided with a VTP button which when depressed, initiates an interactive session with the VIP equipment 16.
  • the distribution switch 14 provides a VIP and service selection menu from which the user can select the VIP equipment 16, and the STU 22 sends a select VIP signal to the distribution switch 14, as shown in Figure 14.
  • the distribution switch 14 then sends a session request signal to the VEP periodically until the
  • VTP sends a session acknowledge message.
  • the VIP equipment 16 may reject the session request by replying with an appropriate error code in the session acknowledge message. If after a number of attempts the session request is not acknowledged, the distribution switch 14 then tears down any resources associated with the request. Once the session acknowledge message is received, the distribution switch 14 then establishes a VEP to STU control channel.
  • the VIP 15 14 then connects the appropriate video data channel to the customer and provides a video setup acknowledge signal to the VEP to advise that the channel is available for transmission.
  • the VIP 16 informs the STU 22 ofthe connection by providing a VTP connected message to the STU 22, which prompts the STU 22 to prepare for an application boot sequence. All signalling then occurs between the VEP equipment 16 and the STU 22 so as to begin an application boot 0 process.
  • the applications are downloaded from the VDP equipment 16 to the STU 22 on the video data channel.
  • application software and menus are broadcast to the distribution switch 14 so these applications can be downloaded on the video channel directly from the switch 14 to the STU 22.
  • the VTP and the STU 22 enter the interactive session where the VTP can provide video data as requested by the STU 22.
  • the VIP can change the video port to which the STU is connected by sending video setup request signals to the distribution switch 14.
  • the distribution switch 14 provides the VIP with a video setup acknowledge message once the video port change has been completed.
  • the application signalling and video data streams are transparent to the distribution switch 14.
  • the interactive session can be terminated on a request issued by the video server or the STU 22 and the resources associated with the session are then torn down by the distribution switch 14.
  • the VIP 16 initiates the boot sequence, as described previously, by sending the connected message to notify the STU 22 to also begin the boot sequence.
  • the connected message which is a layer 2 (L2) message, nominates that the boot method is broadcast as opposed to pointcast.
  • the STU 22 responds with a boot message identifying the type and configuration of the STU 22.
  • the VIP 16 then responds with a size message indicating the size ofthe application to be downloaded.
  • the size message is sent either as a specific message on the low speed bidirectional channel or by embedding the size message periodically in packets ofthe broadcast application such that the STU 22 can access the packet via the high speed video channel without receiving the application at that time.
  • the STU 22 will forward a ready message if the size indicated by the size message is acceptable or an error message, which results in the session being torn down.
  • the STU 22 monitors its video channel port for the application.
  • the application is one which is cyclically broadcast by the VEP 16, as described previously.
  • the STU 22 receives the application in memory, determines if it is an executable application for that STU and then responds with an acknowledgement signal if successful.
  • the STU 22 will continue to attempt to receive the application if enors occur, but after a number of attempts, an error message will be sent to end the session. After sending an acknowledgement message, the STU 22 executes the downloaded application and the VIP 16 and the STU 22 enter into an interactive session.
  • an STU 22 downloads an application only for itself.
  • the STU 22 responds with a boot message which, in addition to identifying its configuration and type, specifies that the boot sequence is to be pointcast.
  • the VIP 16 responds with a size message, then the STU 22 will respond with a ready or enor message, as described previously.
  • the STU monitors its video report after sending a ready message for data packets. After receipt of each valid data packet, the STU sends an acknowledgement message. The VIP 16 resends data packets if an acknowledgement message is not received.
  • the STU 22 After receipt ofthe last data packet, the STU 22 builds an application from the payload of data packets received and checks that the application is valid and executable. If the latter is true, the STU 22 responds with an acknowledgement for the last data packet. After sending the final acknowledgement message, the STU 22 executes the downloaded application and the VIP 16 and the STU 22 enter into an interactive session.
  • signalling protocols such as the MPEG standard DSM-CC (Digital Storage Media - Command and Control) as described in ISO Standard ISO CD 13818-6 can be employed.
  • Efficiency is achieved by enabling multicast video signals to be provided to a plurality of customers. Also control signals are processed by a distributed network of processing units, which alleviates congestion normally experienced by centralised systems during peak demand periods. Furthermore, efficient processing of channel switching commands is performed locally at the exchange units to provide fast response times from the customer's perspective.
  • the buses 64 and 66 can to some extent be protected by providing two distribution subracks 50 to establish the buses 60 and 64, as shown in Figure 17.
  • One bus 64 is established using one distribution subrack 50, whereas the bus 66 travelling in the opposite direction is established using the other distribution subrack 50. This provides some redundancy in the distribution switch 14 which would allow the buses 64 and 66 to still be maintained if one ofthe two distribution subracks 50 fails.
  • a second distribution system 200 is based on the provision of distribution switches 202 which are an enhanced form ofthe previously described distribution switch 14.
  • the distribution switch 202 has the same architecture and features as the distribution switch 14 but includes enhanced distribution subracks 250 and enhanced access subracks 252 to provide additional interfaces and services.
  • a distribution subrack 250 is able to connect to more than one transmission network 4 in that it can connect to a 155 Mb/s link from an SDH network or an asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) network.
  • the access subrack 252 is enhanced, together with the customer units 210, to support more than one set top box 22 per customer unit 210 and to provide computer services for a personal computer connected to the customer unit 210.
  • the access subrack 252 is able to support Internet traffic for a customer unit 5 210 at a rate of at least 640 Kb/s. Examples ofthe services which the distribution system 200 can provide include:
  • NVOD Near video on demand
  • VOD Video on Demand
  • Indirect Internet Access e.g. World Wide Web Browsing using a display screen 15 or TV connected to a STU 22
  • Billing for access is undertaken by external traffic monitoring devices, or based on the rates of access provided to the customer premises (i.e. subscription levels based on nominated bandwidth available).
  • a level of traffic metering can be provided in the system 200 20 for monitoring traffic.
  • the distribution subrack 250 ofthe distribution switch 202 is the same as the distribution subrack 50 of Figure 4, except it further includes an ATM termination processor (ATP) 260 and/or a synchronous termination processor (STP) 262 for receiving video
  • ATP ATM termination processor
  • STP synchronous termination processor
  • the ATP 260 handles data streams encapsulated by the ATM protocol, whereas the STP 262 handles streams encapsulated by the SDH protocol.
  • the ATP and STP 260 and 262 handle video data streams received at 155 Mb/s.
  • An ATP 260 can terminate up to 60 ATM adaption layer one (AAL-1) video channels.
  • the data received on the optical link 264 is multiplexed by the ATP
  • the STP 262 includes a synchronous processor module (SPM) 266 and a plurality of synchronous interface units (SIUs) 268 and 270 for different data rates.
  • the SIUs 268 and 270 are similar to the channel interface units 72.
  • An STP 262, as shown in Figure 20, receives a 155 Mb/s video data bit stream encapsulated by the SDH protocol in the STM-1 format.
  • a fibre optic interface module 272 ofthe SPM 266 recovers clock and data from the 155 Mb/s serial data stream.
  • the serial data is then processed by a line interface unit (LIU) 274 which converts the data and clock information to byte data and clock signals and detects the frame ofthe incoming signal.
  • the line interface unit 274 also descrambles the received data and scrambles the transmitted data and provides process monitoring via an interface 276 to a microprocessor 277 of the SPM 266.
  • Parallel byte information is passed over to an SDH transmitter/receiver 278 where it is framed or deframed according to the SDH specifications.
  • Octet alignment is also provided for all data rates up to 155 Mb/s, and idle octets are generated or screened as required.
  • An interface 280 allows the microprocessor 277 to access control registers for insertion of selected header fields by the transmitter 278.
  • An El framer 284 is used for both receive and transmit operations and is solely dedicated for ETHERNET STM-1 framing of control and management systems for both upstream and downstream data transfers.
  • a STM-1 signal is output by the SDH transceiver 278 and is demultiplexed into three tributary unit groups (TUG-3) signals by a TUG-3 demultiplexer 282. Each ofthe TUG-3 signals are further demultiplexed to DS2 (6.312 Mbit/s) and El (2.048 Mbit/s) data streams by selecting appropriate SIU modules 268 or 270.
  • TUG-3 signals are further demultiplexed to DS2 (6.312 Mbit/s) and El (2.048 Mbit/s) data streams by selecting appropriate SIU modules 268 or 270.
  • TUG-3, DS2, El, DS3, STM-1, SDH and ATM formats are all defined by International Telecommunications Union (ITU) specifications, as is the G.703 and G.704 formats.
  • the SIUs 268 and 270 are used to process DS2 6 Mbit/s and El 2 Mbit/s data streams, respectively.
  • the SIUs 268 and 270 as shown in Figure 21, have the same components and architecture as a CIU 72, as shown in Figure 5, except the interface 80 and HDB3 decoder 82 ofthe CIU 72 are replaced by a DS2 demultiplexer 286 or El demultiplexer 288, respectively.
  • the DS2 (6.312 Mbit/s) demultiplexing is done using a DS3 (44.736 Mbit/s) multiplexing structure.
  • Each ofthe demultiplexed E1/DS2 data streams is converted to NRZ (Non-Return Zero) 34 bit parallel words for output to the CDU 74 on the output bus 90.
  • NRZ Non-Return Zero
  • the distribution subrack 250 operates by multiplexing up to 1024 MPEG TV channels
  • An STP 262 includes a number of combinations of SIU cards (2M 6M) 268 and 270, as shown in Figure 22.
  • the STP 262 allows the following combinations to be achieved by demultiplexing using the TUG-3 signals and the DS3 format, such as:
  • the maximum throughput per El card 270 is 21 2M channels and per DS2 card 268 is 7 x 6M channels. Each ofthe channels is converted into a 32 bit parallel format, and multiplexed onto the output bus 90 at a word rate of 33.7 MHz, with parity and stuffing bits added to the 32 bit word, giving a total of 34 bits. Once per frame, each El SIU 270 in turn outputs twenty-one 32 bit parallel data words. Although all SIU units 368 and 370 operate off a 33.7 MHz system- clock, the clocks to pairs of units are staggered by 180°.
  • the CDU 74 reads data from one SIU 368 or 370 ofthe pair during the first half of the 33.7 MHz cycle, and from the other SIU 370 or 368 during the second half of the cycle. In this way a word rate of 67.4 MHz is obtained at the CDU 74, while each SIU operates at 33.7 MHz.
  • the El slots 270 are bidirectional, and a 2M or 6M signal can be switched into any channel in the upstream direction and looped back inside the El SIU 270. A test signal 92 is then produced by the El SIU 270.
  • the ATP 260 has a similar structure to the STP 262 in that it includes an ATM processor module (APM) 290 for performing initial demultiplexing of the received 155 Mbit s data stream, and two circuit processing modules (CPM) 292 which can both process 2 Mbit and/or 6 Mbit channels.
  • APM ATM processor module
  • CPM circuit processing modules
  • An ATP 260 receives a 155 Mb/s video data bit stream encapsulated by the ATM protocol in the STM-1 format.
  • a fibre optic interface module 296 ofthe APM recovers clock and data from the 155 Mb/s serial data stream.
  • the serial data is then processed by a LIU 290 which converts the data and clock information to byte data and clock signals and detects the frame ofthe incoming signal.
  • the LIU 298 also descrambles the received data and scrambles the transmitted data and provides process monitoring via an interface 299 to a microprocessor 300 ofthe APM.
  • Parallel byte information is passed to an ATM transmitter/receiver 302 where it is framed or deframed according to the ATM forum specifications.
  • a UTOPIA interface as specified by ATM Forum Level 1, Version 2.0, 1994, is implemented for the physical layer interface at the output 306 ofthe transceiver 302 which is connected to a UTOPIA demultiplexer 308.
  • the UTOPIA demultiplexer 308 receives cells and passes them to appropriate ATM adaptation layers (AAL-1/5). There are fifteen AAL-1 layers and one AAL-5 layer. Each of the fifteen AAL-1 layers implement four channels with all the functions needed for circuit emulation over ATM.
  • the AAL-1 devices reside on the two circuit processing modules (CPM) 292 and are connected to the output ofthe UTOPIA demultiplexer 308.
  • the CPM cards 292 can process up to thirty 2 Mb/s streams or ten 6 Mb/s.
  • the line outputs from the AAL-1 layer devices are a positive/negative rail NRZ signals which are converted to 34 bit parallel words for the CDU bus 90.
  • the one AAL-5 layer device 310 is used for both receive and transmit operations. It is solely dedicated for ETHERNET ATM framing of control and management signals for both upstream and downstream data transfers.
  • the remaining components and architecture ofthe CPM 292 are the same as that for the CIU 72 described previously.
  • the decoders 312 are based on COBRA chips, produced by Transwitch Corporation of Shelton, Connecticut, USA, such as CBR-AAL 1 TXC-05427.
  • the decoders 312 decode received ATM cells into four channels ofdata, which can be individually chosen to be either 2.048 Mb/s (El), 4.096 Mb/s or 6.312 Mb/s (T2). Each 4.096 or 6.312 Mb/s channel is split into two or three 2.048 Mb/s channels, using the switches 314, which also synchronise the channels onto a common 2.10625 MHz clock, using bit-stuffing.
  • the maximum throughput per CPM card is 30 2M channels or equivalent, for example 10 6M or 4 6M + 9 4M or 5 6M + 7 x 4M + 1 x 2M, etc.
  • the combinations are formed by the switches 314.
  • the 30-channel CPM card 292 is divided into two 15-channel halves, one handling channels 1-15 and the other handling channels 16-30.
  • Each incoming 2M channel (which might form part of a 4M or 6M channel) can be routed to any vacant position in the same half of the CPM. This allows isolated 2M channels (in the same half) to be used to make up 4M or 6M channels, and minimises waste of resources when handling a varying mix of 2, 4 and 6M video programs.
  • Each ofthe resulting 2.10625 Mb/s channels is converted into a 32 bit parallel format, and the thirty 2M channels are then multiplexed onto the 34 bit bus 90 at a word rate of 33.7 MHz, with parity and stuffing bits added.
  • each CPM outputs thirty 32 bit parallel data words, one from each of its thirty input channels.
  • the CDU 74 reads data from one CPM 242 ofthe pair during the first half of the 33.7 MHz cycle, and from the other subrack during the second half of the cycle. In this way a word rate of 67.4 MHz is obtained at the CDU 74, while each CPM 292 operates at 33.7 MHz.
  • the CPM decoders 312 and switches 314 are bidirectional, and a 2M, 4M or 6M signal can be switched into any channel in the upstream direction and looped back inside the CPM 292. A test signal 92 then comes out ofthe CPM 292.
  • the distribution subrack 250 can also include a range of other optional input units, such as: (i) a CIU-45 unit, which receives video data streams at 45 Mbit/s, G.703 based on a PDH hierarchy of 7 x 6.312 Mbit/s steams, (ii) a CIU-34/DVB unit, which accepts 34 Mbit/s Digital Video Broadcasting
  • An access subrack 252 ofthe distribution system 200 differs from the access subrack 52 of Figure 7 in that the ACU 56 is replaced by an integrated gateway unit (IGU) 256, which inco ⁇ orates all ofthe functions ofthe ACU 56, and the ADSL interfaces 54 are replaced by ADSL exchange units (EU) 254, which incorporate the features ofthe interfaces 54.
  • the new units 256 and 254 are included to provide for a bidirectional channel to customers of 640 Kbit s instead of 16 Kbit/s, to support two set top units (STUs) at the customer premises, and to provide TCP/EP network (i.e. Internet) and ISDN Basic Rate Access for customers.
  • the CAU 120 is the same but has its capacity expanded to support 20 ADSL channels, instead of 10, by providing additional ADSL channel units 128.
  • the access subrack 252 includes ten 6 Mb/s ADSL EUs 254 which each support two ADSL customer units 210.
  • the IGU 256 includes a master Motorola MC68EN360 communications controller 340 and two slave communications controllers 342 and 344, which are controlled by the master controller 340 using a common CPU bus 348.
  • the slave controllers 342 and 344 are also Motorola MC68EN360 controllers.
  • the IGU 256 supports essentially the same functions as the ACU 56 ofthe access subrack of Figure 7.
  • the IGU includes the boot PROM 154, the flash ROM 156 and RAM 158, in addition to non-volatile RAM 159, connected to the 33 MHz controller 340 by the CPU bus 348, and which are used to store and execute control software for the controllers 340, 342 and 344.
  • the controllers each include communications ports 360, 361 and 363 to send and receive STU and OAM&P control data on the bidirectional ADSL channels established by the ADSL EUs 254.
  • the ports 360 ofthe master controller 340 are connected to the first four ADSL EUs 254, the ports 360 ofthe first slave controller 342 are connected to the fifth, sixth and seventh ADSL EUs 254 and the communications ports 363 ofthe second slave 344 are connected to the eighth, ninth and tenth ADSL EUs 254, respectively.
  • Each port 360, 361 and 363 is able to transmit and receive data to and from a respective ADSL EU 254 at a rate of 1.28 Mb/s, being the data for two 640 Kb/s bidirectional channels established by an ADSL EU 254 for two respective customer units 210.
  • An ethernet communications port 328 ofthe first slave controller 342 and a serial line interface adaptor (SIA) 330 connected to the port 328 provide the terminal 171 for receiving and transmitting the STU and OAM&P data to and from the terminal equipment 28 at the head end ofthe distribution switch 202.
  • the master controller 340 establishes the SPI bus 76 which is linked to the CAU 120, and a UART port of the master controller 340 provides the local terminal 173 for the download of applications.
  • the IGU 256 ofthe access subrack 252 is able to receive traffic from a TCP/IP network, such as the Internet, and pass it to the ADSL EUs 254 using a shared ethernet bus 368 ofthe subrack 252, as shown in Figure 25.
  • the IGU includes a second serial interface adaptor 356 providing an ethernet terminal 354 which can handle TCP/IP traffic direct from a transmission network 4.
  • the traffic is placed on the shared ethernet bus 368 by a collision detector 357 ofthe IGU 256.
  • An ADSL EU 254 collects traffic designated for the EU 254 on the basis of addressing information contained in the packets on the shared bus 368.
  • An ADSL EU 254, as shown in Figure 27 supports two customer units 210 and therefore includes two ADSL transceiver modems 370 and 372 for the units 210, respectively.
  • Each transceivers 370 and 372 is connected via a POTS splitter 374 to a copper line 8 for connection to the respective customer unit 210.
  • the POTS splitter 374 is connected to the local exchange, via a line 375, for POTS signals for the customer.
  • An ADSL transceivers 370 and 372 establishes a download' channel of up to 6 Mb/s and a bidirectional channel of 640 Kb/s over the copper line 8 to a customer unit 210.
  • the ADSL transceivers 370 and 372 are preferably AT&T Paradyne CAP ADSL transceivers.
  • the ADSL EU 254 includes two video interfaces 376 for receiving video data from the CAU 120 for each customer.
  • the video interfaces 376 each split the video data into video channels 378 for two set top units and the channels are passed to switches 380, which are connected to downstream inputs for the transceivers 370 and 372, and a bidirectional channel input transceivers 370 and 372.
  • the ADSL EU 254 has a Motorola 68EN360 communications controller 382 for handling control data on a 1.28 Mb/s control channel 362, 364 or 368 and network data on the shared ethernet bus 368 connected to the IGU 256.
  • the shared ethernet bus 368 is connected to one SCC port 384 ofthe controller 382 and the 1.28 Mb/s control channel 362, 364 or 368 for the EU 254 is connected to a second SCC port 386 ofthe controller 382.
  • a third SCC port ofthe controller 382 supports a first 6 Mb/s to 640 kb/s downstream line 388 to the first switch 380 and a 640 kb/s upstream line 390 from the first transceiver 370.
  • a fourth SCC port 392 supports a second 6 Mb/s to 640 K downstream line 394 to the second switch 380 and a 640 K downstream line 396 from the second transceiver 372.
  • the controller 382 controls how the downstream and bidirectional channels established by the transceivers 370 and 372 are used. Control software for the controller 382 is held and executed using a flash PROM 398 and RAM 401 connected to the controller 382 by a CPU bus 403 which is also connected to the transceivers 370 and 372.
  • the high bit rate downstream channels are used to transmit video data on the channels 378 when video data is present for the set top units. STU and OAM&P control data on the 1.28 Mb/s control channel 362, 364 or 368 for the EU 254 has priority to the two 640 K bidirectional channels.
  • Internet traffic on the bus 368 for the ADSL EU 254 is transmitted on the 640 K bidirectional channels, but can be transmitted at rates of up 6 Mb/s on the downstream channels ifthe downstream channels are not being used to transmit video data.
  • the speed at which the internet traffic for the ADSL EU 254 is transmitted depends on the speed at which it can be transmitted on the shared 10 Mb/s ethernet bus 368 and the level of usage ofthe downloaded bidirectional channels on the lines 8 for the transmission of video programs.
  • Internet traffic can be routed directly to an ADSL EU 254 on a 10 base T line 403 and 405 connected to the first SCC port 384 ofthe controller 382.
  • the ADSL EU 254 can further include two ISDN interfaces 407 for the two customers supported by the unit 254, which are provided by two ISDN basic access boards 409 connected to the controller 382 by the CPU bus 403.
  • the boards 409 support two ISDN channels 411 connected to second bidirectional channel ports ofthe first and second transceivers 370 and 372, respectively.
  • the ISDN channels 411 run at the ISDN basic rate of 160 Kb/s and any ISDN traffic on the channels 411 use the 640 kb/s bidirectional channels on the lines 8.
  • An ADSL customer unit 210 as shown in Figure 28, has a similar structure to an ADSL
  • the EU 254 in that it includes a Motorola MC68EN360 communications controller 600, flash PROM 602, RAM 604, an ADSL CAP transceiver 606, and, if desired, an ISDN basic access board 608 all connected by a CPU bus 610.
  • the ADSL transceiver 606 is connected to a copper line 8 by a POTS splitter 612.
  • the splitter 612 splits and combines POTS signals on a line 613 for the customer's telephone.
  • the ADSL transceiver 606 is able to complete a downstream channel of up to 6 Mb/s and a bidirectional channel of up to 640 Kb/s over a copper line 8 to a local exchange.
  • the microcontroller 600 has a first SCC port 614 with a 640 kb/s upstream channel 616 connected to a bidirectional port ofthe transceiver 606, and a 6 Mb/s to 640 kb/s downstream channel 618 which can be connected to the same bidirectional channel port or to a downstream channel port using a switch 620, depending on the data rate for which TCP/TP traffic is forwarded to the transceiver 606.
  • the switch 620 is also able to switch the video data streams from downstream channel ports ofthe transceiver 606 to codec and RS422 interface units 622 for two set top units connected to the customer unit 210.
  • the RS422 interfaces 622 are connected to respective ports 624 for each set top unit.
  • the STU port 624 in addition to receiving respective video data streams are connected to respective 640 K bidirectional control channels 626 via respective second codec and RS422 interface units 628.
  • the controller 600 has a second SCC port 630 connected to one bidirectional channel 626 for the first STU port 624 and a second SCC port 632 for the second bidirectional channel 626 for the second STU port 624.
  • the microcontroller 600 has a fourth SCC port 634 which is connected to a driver circuit 636 to provide a bidirectional ethernet port 638 which can be connected to an ethernet port of a customer's computer for receipt and transmission of TCPTP traffic.
  • An ISDN port 640 is supported by the ISDN board 608 to provide ISDN Basic Rate Access.
  • a second bidirectional port ofthe transceiver 606 is connected to the ISDN board 608 by a line 642 for ISDN traffic.
  • the ISDN board 608 in the ADSL customer unit 210 can be replaced by an auxiliary POTS interface unit in order to provide an additional one or two POTS circuits at 1 x 64 kbit/s or 2 x 64 kbit/s operating over an ADSL bidirectional channel on a line 8.
  • an auxiliary POTS concentrator unit is included in the access subrack 252.
  • the concentrator unit is connected to the IGU 256 ofthe access subrack 252 in order to concentrate the multiple POTS 64 kbit/s circuits, carried on the bidirectional channels connected to the IGU 256, into a 2 Mbit/s channel for connection to the PSTN using the ETSI V5.2 protocol.
  • ADSL channels cunently have a maximum travel distance which may be anywhere between 2.7 to 3.6 km. Whilst 80 or 90% ofthe population in an urban area may be within 2 or 3 km of a local exchange which holds a distribution switch 14 or 202, in order to reach customers outside ofthe distance limitation a fibre to the curb (FTTC) distribution system 400, as shown in Figure 29, is required.
  • the system 400 includes an FTTC distribution switch 401 which is the same as the distribution switch 202, except that it has at least one FTTC access subrack 452 which can be connected by optical fibre links 456 to up to ten respective curb units 410 which may be located near customers, i.e. within 2 km of customer's premises.
  • the curb units 454 connect to customer units 210 over copper pairs 8.
  • the FTTC access subrack 452 includes a CDU 74 and a modified form ofthe CAU 120.
  • the curb units 454 include up to eight ADSL EUs 254 and therefore each support up to 16 customer units 210.
  • An FTTC access subrack 452 includes an IGU 256, a CDU 74 and 10 remote channel access units (CAU-Rs) 420 connected to respective curb units 454 by respective optical fibre pairs 456.
  • the CDU 74 is connected to the dual distribution buses 64 and 66 and transfers video signals on the buses 64 and 66 to the CAU-Rs 420 via an internal 34 bit subrack bus 458.
  • the IGU 256 is connected to the hub 68 and to each ofthe CAU-Rs 420 for the transmission of STU and OAM&P data on the bidirectional control channels 362, 364 and 368 ofthe IGU 256.
  • the IGU 256 is also connected to the CDU 74 by the SPI bus 76.
  • the CAU-R 420 includes the components ofthe CAU 120 to demultiplex video data on the internal bus 458 and passes it to the timeslot assignors 132 of 16 ADSL channel units 128.
  • the timeslot video channels selected by a unit 128 are multiplexed onto a download ADSL channel by an optical multiplexer 422 for transmission on an optical link.
  • the 5 optical multiplexer 422 receives the multiplexed ADSL channels from each ofthe units 128.
  • Control ofthe CAU-R 420 is provided by a Motorola 68360 microcontroller 424 which receives control signals from the IGU 256 via the SPI bus 76.
  • the microcontroller 424 has a first SCC port connected to an Ethernet line 464 to receive and transmit Internet traffic.
  • the Internet traffic is transmitted by the microcontroller 424 via a second SCC port to the optical multiplexer
  • a third SCC port of the microcontroller 424 is used to transmit STU and OAM&P control data between the IGU 256 to the optical multiplexer 422 and demultiplexer 430 on 1.2 Mb/s downstream and upstream lines 428 and 429, respectively.
  • the ISDN traffic on the 2 Mb/s line 462 is passed to a 2 Mb FIFO
  • the optical multiplexer 422 multiplexes the received 10 Mb/s TCP/TP data, the 2 Mb/s ISDN data and 1.2 Mb/s control data into a TS 4 format and then multiplexes this with the multiplexed video signals from the units 128 for output to an optical transmitter.
  • Multiplexed data received by the optical transmitter is transmitted on an optical link 456 to a 0 curb unit 454.
  • TCP/IP, ISDN and control data received by an optical receiver connected to the optical link 456 is demultiplexed by the demultiplexer 430 and outputted to the respective lines 427, 462 and 429.
  • a curb unit, or subrack, 454, as shown in Figure 32 includes a fibre line unit (FLU) 470 5 connected to an optical fibre pair 456 from the local exchange, an IGU 256 and eight CAP ADSL EUs 254 which each support two customers and each have a tap connection to two copper lines 8 ofthe PSTN.
  • the copper lines 8 are connected to respective customer units 210.
  • the FLU 470 as shown in Figure 35, is used to multiplex and demultiplex data for the 134.8 Mbit/s optical link 456.
  • the FLU 470 includes an optical demultiplexer 480 for demultiplexing 0 the 134.8 Mbit/s stream received from a CAU-R 420 at an optical receiver into a video data stream 482 for the ADSL EUs 254, a 10 Mbit/s stream 484 for internet traffic and a 1.2 Mbit/s data stream 486 for the STU and OAM&P control data.
  • the 10 Mbit/s and control data streams 484 and 486 are passed via drivers 488 to the shared Ethernet bus 368 ofthe IGU 256.
  • the IGU 256 uses the ethernet communications port ofthe second slave controller 344 to extract the STU and OAM&P control data from the shared ethernet bus 368 for the control channels 362, 364 and 368 connected to the ADSL EUs 254.
  • the ADSL EUs 254 ofthe curb unit 454 are able to transmit and receive control data on respective control channels 362, 364 and 368 ofthe IGU 256, and transmit and receive TCP/IP traffic on the shared ethernet bus 368, as described previously.
  • the optical demultiplexer 480 ofthe FLU 470 also demultiplexes a 2 Mbit/s stream 492 and buffers it in a FIFO unit 494 for ISDN and POTS traffic, as discussed hereinafter.
  • the FLU 470 includes an optical multiplexer 482 for multiplexing on the return path a 10 Mbit/s ethernet stream 496 and 1.2 Mbit/s control data stream 498 from the IGU 256.
  • a return 2 Mb/s stream 500 is also multiplexed by the optical multiplexer 482.
  • the multiplexed data is fed to an optical transceiver for transmission on the optical link 456.
  • ISDN BMUX equipment 502 is connected to the FLU 470 to convert between Primary Rate Access at 2 Mbit/s on the lines 492 and 500 ofthe FLU 470 and Basic Rate Access provided on lines 404 to each ADSL unit 254 with an ISDN Basic Rate Access interface 407.
  • the 2 Mbit/s lines 492 and 500 of the FLU 40 can be used to support POTS services, as shown in Figure 34.
  • the lines 8 can be terminated at the curb unit 454 and connected to a POTS multiplexer 510.
  • the POTS multiplexer 510 multiplexes all ofthe traffic on the 16 lines 8 so that traffic can be transmitted on the 2 Mb/s channels 492 and 500, and then connected to the exchange by the FLU 470 on the optical link 456.
  • Use ofthe POTS multiplexer 510 and the curb unit 454, as shown in Figure 34, is advantageous for new installations or situations where the lines 8 from the exchange to the location of the curb unit 454 are inadequate.
  • the signalling protocol used by the distribution switch 202 for video signal applications is the same as that described for the distribution switch 14 with reference to Figures 11 to 16, where the VIP is the service provider 16.
  • the traffic is passed directly from the network 4 to the IGUs 256 ofthe access subracks 252 via a signal 10 Mbit/s Ethemet line 354, passed by the router 70 and the hub 68, for each subrack 252.
  • the customers connected to a subrack 252 share the bandwidth provided by the line 354.
  • a 10 Mbit/s Ethemet line 355 can be fed directly into an ADSL EU 254 to provide this bandwidth to two ADSL customer units 210.
  • Internet traffic is multiplexed onto a low speed upstream ADSL channel using addresses in the HDLC framing protocol. This keeps the Internet traffic logically separate from the VDT control signals sharing the channel.
  • the Internet traffic is either:
  • Table 1 below lists the protocol specifications used for the respective layers of the interfaces between the customer's PC and the customer unit 210, and between the router 70, hub 68 and the distribution switch 202.
  • the ADSL customer unit 210 proxies ARP on behalf of all the elements 5 that supply the Internet traffic on the network 4, which requires only one Ethemet interface to exist at the customer premises.
  • the Ethemet interface at the customer premises can be connected to one computer 520, as shown in Figure 37, or to a sub-network, such as a LAN 522, where more than one address is required.
  • a router 524 with a firewall is connected to the Ethemet interface ofthe customer premises ofthe ADSL customer unit 210, as shown in Figure
  • the ADSL EU 254 proxies ARP on behalf of all ofthe elements at the customer premises.
  • the distribution switch 202 provides security by discarding upstream packets with source addresses which do not match an expected address (or range). This prevents IP address "spoofing". Only IP and Internet Control Message Protocol (ICMP) traffic is allowed to pass.
  • the ADSL EU 254 also blocks all packets where the destination is a broadcast address.

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  • Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
  • Signal Processing (AREA)
  • Multimedia (AREA)
  • Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
  • Computer Security & Cryptography (AREA)
  • Databases & Information Systems (AREA)
  • Human Computer Interaction (AREA)
  • Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

Abstract

Cette invention concerne un système de distribution comportant un dispositif de répartition des voies qui permet de recevoir des signaux de contenu d'un réseau de télécommunications et un dispositif d'accès qui permet d'accéder aux signaux de contenu reçus par le dispositif de répartition des voies, et qui permet de transmettre, sur des lignes de télécommunications, les signaux de contenu à plusieurs unités d'abonnés destinataires. Ledit dispositif d'accès comporte des unités modulantes, du type unités de ligne d'abonné numérique asymétrique (ADSL), qui modulent les signaux de contenu en vue de leur transmission sur les lignes de télécommunications, et une unité d'accès aux voies qui permet d'accéder et de transmettre les signaux de contenu à plusieurs unités modulantes destinataires. Les unités modulantes établissent avec les unités d'abonnés une voie de transmission de données bidirectionnelle et une voie pour signaux de contenu descendante. Les signaux de contenu transmis sur la voie descendante peuvent être des signaux de télévision payante, de télévision à péage par émission, de télévision traditionnelle, des signaux de diffusion vidéo à la demande, et même des signaux de réseau à protocole TCP/IP (Internet). Ledit système peut distribuer un certain nombre de services vidéos et/ou interactifs par l'établissement de connections avec les abonnés sur les lignes de télécommunications et, si nécessaire, de connections avec des fournisseurs de services sur un réseau de télécommunications. La commutation des voies de services peut être effectuée par le dispositif d'accès en réponse à des signaux de commande en provenance des unités d'abonnés.
PCT/AU1996/000561 1995-09-07 1996-09-06 Systeme de distribution WO1997009827A1 (fr)

Priority Applications (2)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AU67828/96A AU717210B2 (en) 1995-09-07 1996-09-06 A distribution system
NZ315992A NZ315992A (en) 1995-09-07 1996-09-06 A distribution system to enable video and interactive services to be distributed over a public switched telephone network

Applications Claiming Priority (4)

Application Number Priority Date Filing Date Title
AUPN5262A AUPN526295A0 (en) 1995-09-07 1995-09-07 A video signal distribution system
AUPN5262 1995-09-07
AUPO0615 1996-06-21
AUPO0615A AUPO061596A0 (en) 1996-06-21 1996-06-21 A distribution system

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