IPCablecom as transport platform for interactive multimedia services in cable TV networks

With the introduction of cable communication systems such as DOCSIS or Euro-DOCSIS and enhancements by end-to-end platforms like IPCablecom, it became possible to transmit time-critical, IP based, multimedia services across cable TV networks. The paper introduces an architecture that exploits the functionality of IPCablecom as a transport platform, integrating it into the service environment defined by DVB-MHP (digital video broadcasting-multimedia home platform). The resulting system represents a digital platform for multimedia services. The paper details the adaptations applied to IPCablecom in order to accommodate the change in the underlying service scenario. Special focus is given to quality of service (QoS) and signalling aspects. Furthermore, the paper describes a simulation model which allows the performance of the specified transport platform to be analysed and the functionality of the platform's architecture to be verified.