IPTV Systems, Standards and Architectures: Part II - IPTV Architectures for Cable Systems: An Evolutionary Approach

IPTV systems are beginning to be deployed by telcos, to compete with cable and other television service providers. While cable network spectral bandwidths are larger than their wireline equivalents, bandwidth-consuming services such as HDTV are quickly filling this spectrum, prompting cable operators to consider video switching options as a means to increase programming capacity. This article examines the cable video network architecture, and in particular new emerging technologies that can provide cable networks with the means to transition to an IPTV architecture.