Physical Layer Multicast Switch for IP-TV Signal Distribution
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Solution Overview
Problem
Conventional IP-TV broadcasting systems face difficulties in implementing multicasting across multiple channels in IP networks due to complex protocols and issues with delay, jitter, and packet loss, making it challenging to provide high-quality visual signals.
Innovation Solution
An IP-TV broadcasting system utilizing a physical layer multicast switch that converts Ethernet signals to SDH/SONET VCG signals, multicasts them, and restores them to Ethernet signals through an STM-N optical link, ensuring no delay, jitter, or packet loss, while also functioning as a unicast switch and enabling self-healing in UPSR networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If MPLS technology is used to multicast signals in IP network, then multi-channel signal bundling is achieved, but implementation difficulty increases and protocol complexity increases
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a physical layer multicast switch as an intermediary device between the head end and tail end. This switch operates at the physical layer (Layer 1) rather than using complex IP layer protocols, thereby achieving multi-channel signal bundling while simplifying the overall system architecture and reducing protocol complexity.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent replaces the conventional IP network mechanical system with a physical layer-based system using SDH/SONET technology. By substituting the complex IP multicast mechanism with physical layer switching and SDH/SONET virtual concatenation, the system achieves signal bundling without the associated protocol complexity.
2Productivity
If conventional IP multicast protocol is used, then signal transmission is achieved, but delay, jitter, and packet loss occur
Solution Approach 1:
The patent segments the signal transmission path into distinct functional components: head end for Ethernet to VCG conversion, physical layer multicast switch for signal distribution, and tail end for VCG to Ethernet restoration. This segmentation allows each component to optimize for its specific function, ensuring reliable transmission with minimal delay and jitter.
Solution Approach 2:
The patent changes the operating parameters by transitioning from IP layer multicast to physical layer multicast using SDH/SONET technology. This parameter change fundamentally alters how signals are routed and transmitted, eliminating the delay, jitter, and packet loss issues inherent in conventional IP multicast protocols.
3Reliability
If physical layer multicast switch is used, then signal transmission quality is improved, but device complexity changes
Solution Approach 1:
The physical layer multicast switch is designed to perform multiple functions: it acts as a unicast switch for single signal transmission and as a multicast switch for multiple signal distribution. This multi-functionality reduces the need for separate specialized devices, thereby improving signal transmission quality while actually simplifying the overall system architecture.
Data Source
AI summary
An Internet Protocol Television (IP-TV) broadcasting service system and method using a physical layer multicast switch are provided. The system comprises: a head end which converts an Ethernet signal to a virtual concatenation group (VCG) signal of a synchronous digital hierarchy/synchronous optical network (SDH/SONET); a multicast switch which multicasts the VCG signal in a physical layer; and a tail end which receives the multicasted VCG signal through a Synchronous Transmission Module level n (STM-N) optical link and restores the VCG signal to the Ethernet signal. Therefore, high quality TV broadcasting can be provided in an IP multicast network.