SDV Traffic Control with ABR to QAM Conversion
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Solution Overview
Problem
Service providers face bandwidth issues in delivering both QAM video and IP-based over-the-top services, necessitating the maintenance of two distinct content distribution networks, while seeking to transition from legacy QAM systems to adaptive bit rate (ABR) networks for more efficient bandwidth management.
Innovation Solution
A method is introduced for transmitting media content over access networks by selecting an ABR profile, transforming the ABR stream into a prescribed transport stream, and modulating it according to a specified modulation technique, allowing for dynamic bandwidth allocation and adjustment to optimize video delivery quality and capacity on QAM-based networks.
Engineering Contradictions & Design Principles
Engineering Contradiction Analysis
1Adaptability or versatility
If service providers maintain two distinct content distribution networks (QAM-based and ABR-based), then both legacy QAM video services and IP-based over-the-top services can be delivered, but device complexity and operational overhead increase significantly
Solution Approach 1:
The patent merges QAM-based SDV delivery and ABR-based IP streaming into a single unified network infrastructure. The system uses a common packet-switched network to carry both traditional QAM video streams and modern ABR content, eliminating the need for separate distribution networks while maintaining support for both legacy and contemporary service types
Solution Approach 2:
The unified network infrastructure is designed to perform multiple functions simultaneously: it can deliver traditional QAM video services to set-top boxes, provide ABR streaming to IP devices, and dynamically allocate bandwidth between different service types based on demand, making the network universally capable of supporting diverse service requirements
2Productivity
If service providers transition from legacy QAM systems to ABR networks, then bandwidth management efficiency improves, but compatibility with existing QAM set-top boxes is lost
Solution Approach 1:
The patent introduces a unified network infrastructure that acts as an intermediary between content sources and diverse client devices. This intermediary can process and deliver content in multiple formats (QAM and ABR) over a single packet-switched network, enabling efficient bandwidth utilization while maintaining compatibility with both legacy QAM set-top boxes and modern IP-based devices through appropriate protocol translation and format conversion
3Loss of energy
If rate-capped video content is used in SDV systems, then bandwidth utilization is efficient and economic, but flexibility to accommodate network bandwidth variations is limited
Solution Approach 1:
The patent implements dynamic bandwidth allocation within the unified network, where bandwidth caps are not fixed but can be adjusted in real-time based on network conditions and service requirements. The system dynamically routes QAM and ABR traffic, adjusts allocation between different service types, and adapts to bandwidth variations without requiring rigid rate caps, thereby maintaining efficiency while gaining flexibility
Data Source
AI summary
A system for delivering content is provided that uses switched digital video (SDV), adaptive bit rate (ABR) streaming techniques and an ABR to Legacy Transport Stream (ALTS) converter for converting the ABR streams to a QAM-based transport stream, all under control of the SDV session manager. In operation, the SDV system can be used to select an ABR profile for a service that is destined for a QAM set top terminal based on the currently available bandwidth. Moreover, the ABR profile may be changed upward (i.e., a profile requiring a greater bandwidth) or downward (i.e., a profile requiring less bandwidth) on a dynamic basis as the number of requested services changes.