On-Demand Network Transport Architecture
On-Demand Network Transport Architecture Louis D. Williamson Sr. Project Engineer, Advanced Engineering Time Warner Cable Abstract each of these services is optimized to satisfy The paper explores the architectural their delivery requirements. All must be layered upon the existing HFC plant that has requirements to support an on-demand interactive digital network within the hierarchy been optimized for the delivery of broadcast analog television channels. This paper will of a hybrid fiber coax network. A traditional discuss how the on-demand interactive entertainment network is fundamentally a entertainment signals are added to an existing broadcast network. As new services, such as HFC plant. telephony, high speed modems and interactive televisions are introduced, can the same GOALS physical transport support them? What are The traditional cable television system the differences in their requirements? What has been a broadcast network. The headend are the behavioral differences of a broadcast was the origination point for all services network versus an on-demand network? The delivered throughout system. All of the paper reviews the current distribution hub services flowed from this point to all master hub based HFC network and discusses subscribers. Occasionally there maybe some available options to accommodate new digital local signals that were inserted at different switched services. areas to fulfill franchise requirements, but for the most part all customers receive that same INTRODUCTION channels. In addition, most of the services All HFC networks are not created delivered were analog. Lately, digital services equal. Time Warner Cable's Master Headend, such as video game download channels, and Transport Hub, Distribution Hub digital music services have been deployed, but architectures were designed to accommodate they remain as broadcast service.
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