WP7: Backbone

Work Package 7

Backbone Aspects

The network architecture that will form the platform for field tests and user trials in INSTINCT, can be divided into two principal segments: the backbone segment and the radio access segment. In WP7, which addresses the backbone segment, the fixed network infrastructure for accessing and delivering rich multimedia services and applications via the various radio access networks, is set-up and validated.

This work package is broken down into five tasks:

Task 7.1: Fixed Network Architecture (led by SAG)

A comprehensive survey of the available equipment for a full IP backbone architecture for broadcast services will be carried out, including an assessment of the hardware used by telecom operators (microwave links, cross-connects, etc.). Suitable devices will be selected and tested in the field to verify that they can be smoothly integrated in a traditional broadcast architecture part of the INSTINCT system. The partners will also investigate the mechanisms that are necessary to provide DVB services over telecom/ IP networks. This investigation will be carried out in close collaboration with WP 2. The aim is to define and specify the mechanisms that are needed to interconnect the required pieces of equipment for different fixed network domains.

Task 7.2 Protocol Engineering and Network Management (led by FTR&D)

An architecture of cooperating networks will be defined for this project. Existing and newly developed tools for seamless delivery of multimedia services as specified in other WPs will be validated and integrated into the fixed support infrastructure. This includes the evaluation of the potential of IPv6 on the fixed network, and the evaluation of return channels performance as influenced by the fixed networks. This investigation will be carried out in close collaboration with WP 2 where the conditions for DVB over mobile broadcast bearers are defined.

Providing DVB services over small and medium bandwidth IP networks require mechanisms for “remote service selection” and adaptation (i.e. the matching of the service profile to the usage context), an operation which will reside at the network service provider’s premise will be developed. Furthermore, for the inter-working of both types of networks, rules need to be defined for session management (including handover when changing cells or even interfaces/ networks). Contributions will focus on the implementation of protocols required for the backbone structure for smooth handover between 3G/ UMTS and DVB-T/ DVB-H platforms, and on the evaluation of IPv6 as a secure protocol for mobility, and on the evaluation of return channels performance (proposed enhancement to UDLR) as another component in a scenario of cooperating networks. They will also work on the definition of solutions for mobility management and the implementation of prototypes.

Task 7.3: QoS Management Toolbox (led by R&S)

For all parts of the infrastructure used in this project, QoS tools will be selected and/ or developed and implemented that will provide relevant information to a management system in charge of allocating appropriate capacity to applications and users. In this task, software and interfaces will be created and these components will be integrated into the INSTINCT system. One of the major objectives is to integrate error protection mechanisms for IP over DVB at head end.
The partners will work towards the definition, implementation and verification of new QoS parameters that are best suited to describe the characteristics of the services developed in this project.
For this purpose, several layers of the protocol stack need to be addressed:

o Physical layer test probes for DVB-T, DVB-H and possibly other signals,
o Protocol layer test probes for MPEG2-ES, -TS or similar and IP transport layers,
o Application layer test probes for objective quality measurements of audio-visual content,
o Performance related parameters of new services based on middleware platforms such as MHP.

The contributions will e.g. target the definition of requirements for QoS management, and the design and implementation of QoS monitoring tools. As a contribution to a multi-functional supervision tool for the INSTINCT system, supervision software and debugging tools for supervision of the overall platforms will be designed and implemented. One of the goals of this task will be to investigate QoS for the system and services to be developed in this project. To this goal, the QoS that should be provided to the users in order to guarantee their satisfaction will be studied.

Task 7.4: DVB/ IP Head-end for Mobile (led by MLAB)

In this task, the DVB/ IP head-end will be specified, implemented and validated. This head-end represents the borderline between the fixed support infrastructure and the radio networks as provided by WP6. Communication between quality test probes and a network management system via standardised interfaces and protocols will be established across the borders of fixed and radio networks, especially for probes located at future combined base stations (DVB-T, -H and UMTS).
Mechanisms will be developed for the communication of quality test probes via standardised interfaces and protocols.

Task 7.5: The QoS Convergent Network Evaluation Tool (led by PUSP)

In this task a first version QoS Convergent Network Evaluation Tool will be developed. This tool will enable customised solutions for network analysis and optimisation. The proposed application level tool will, in its final version, permit the evaluation of consumer acceptance where no infrastructure is available.

Task 7.6: Backbone Aspects for Brazilian Environment (led by PUSP)

This task will provide the specific evaluations, analysis, proposals and definitions for the implementation of INSTINCT in the Brazilian environment. It includes surveys of the equipment available for a full IP backbone architecture for collaborating broadcast radio networks in Brazil, specifically assessing the suitability of the hardware used by Latin American telecom operators for the delivery of IP services. The potential of IPv6, naming, addressing, provisioning in the Brazilian context will be evaluated.



	Work Package 7 Backbone Aspects The network architecture that will form the platform for field tests and user trials in INSTINCT, can be divided into two principal segments: the backbone segment and the radio access segment. In WP7, which addresses the backbone segment, the fixed network infrastructure for accessing and delivering rich multimedia services and applications via the various radio access networks, is set-up and validated. This work package is broken down into five tasks: Task 7.1: Fixed Network Architecture (led by SAG) A comprehensive survey of the available equipment for a full IP backbone architecture for broadcast services will be carried out, including an assessment of the hardware used by telecom operators (microwave links, cross-connects, etc.). Suitable devices will be selected and tested in the field to verify that they can be smoothly integrated in a traditional broadcast architecture part of the INSTINCT system. The partners will also investigate the mechanisms that are necessary to provide DVB services over telecom/ IP networks. This investigation will be carried out in close collaboration with WP 2. The aim is to define and specify the mechanisms that are needed to interconnect the required pieces of equipment for different fixed network domains. Task 7.2 Protocol Engineering and Network Management (led by FTR&D) An architecture of cooperating networks will be defined for this project. Existing and newly developed tools for seamless delivery of multimedia services as specified in other WPs will be validated and integrated into the fixed support infrastructure. This includes the evaluation of the potential of IPv6 on the fixed network, and the evaluation of return channels performance as influenced by the fixed networks. This investigation will be carried out in close collaboration with WP 2 where the conditions for DVB over mobile broadcast bearers are defined. Providing DVB services over small and medium bandwidth IP networks require mechanisms for “remote service selection” and adaptation (i.e. the matching of the service profile to the usage context), an operation which will reside at the network service provider’s premise will be developed. Furthermore, for the inter-working of both types of networks, rules need to be defined for session management (including handover when changing cells or even interfaces/ networks). Contributions will focus on the implementation of protocols required for the backbone structure for smooth handover between 3G/ UMTS and DVB-T/ DVB-H platforms, and on the evaluation of IPv6 as a secure protocol for mobility, and on the evaluation of return channels performance (proposed enhancement to UDLR) as another component in a scenario of cooperating networks. They will also work on the definition of solutions for mobility management and the implementation of prototypes. Task 7.3: QoS Management Toolbox (led by R&S) For all parts of the infrastructure used in this project, QoS tools will be selected and/ or developed and implemented that will provide relevant information to a management system in charge of allocating appropriate capacity to applications and users. In this task, software and interfaces will be created and these components will be integrated into the INSTINCT system. One of the major objectives is to integrate error protection mechanisms for IP over DVB at head end. The partners will work towards the definition, implementation and verification of new QoS parameters that are best suited to describe the characteristics of the services developed in this project. For this purpose, several layers of the protocol stack need to be addressed: o Physical layer test probes for DVB-T, DVB-H and possibly other signals, o Protocol layer test probes for MPEG2-ES, -TS or similar and IP transport layers, o Application layer test probes for objective quality measurements of audio-visual content, o Performance related parameters of new services based on middleware platforms such as MHP. The contributions will e.g. target the definition of requirements for QoS management, and the design and implementation of QoS monitoring tools. As a contribution to a multi-functional supervision tool for the INSTINCT system, supervision software and debugging tools for supervision of the overall platforms will be designed and implemented. One of the goals of this task will be to investigate QoS for the system and services to be developed in this project. To this goal, the QoS that should be provided to the users in order to guarantee their satisfaction will be studied. Task 7.4: DVB/ IP Head-end for Mobile (led by MLAB) In this task, the DVB/ IP head-end will be specified, implemented and validated. This head-end represents the borderline between the fixed support infrastructure and the radio networks as provided by WP6. Communication between quality test probes and a network management system via standardised interfaces and protocols will be established across the borders of fixed and radio networks, especially for probes located at future combined base stations (DVB-T, -H and UMTS). Mechanisms will be developed for the communication of quality test probes via standardised interfaces and protocols. Task 7.5: The QoS Convergent Network Evaluation Tool (led by PUSP) In this task a first version QoS Convergent Network Evaluation Tool will be developed. This tool will enable customised solutions for network analysis and optimisation. The proposed application level tool will, in its final version, permit the evaluation of consumer acceptance where no infrastructure is available. Task 7.6: Backbone Aspects for Brazilian Environment (led by PUSP) This task will provide the specific evaluations, analysis, proposals and definitions for the implementation of INSTINCT in the Brazilian environment. It includes surveys of the equipment available for a full IP backbone architecture for collaborating broadcast radio networks in Brazil, specifically assessing the suitability of the hardware used by Latin American telecom operators for the delivery of IP services. The potential of IPv6, naming, addressing, provisioning in the Brazilian context will be evaluated.