By John Amaral and Paul Pilotte, Artel Video Systems
This paper focuses on packet network architectures that are optimized for the delivery of next generation Video-on- Demand and Switched Broadcast. The paper explores the behavior of switched video delivery networks that satisfy the growing user demands for unique orthogonal sessions. A detailed analysis of video delivery infrastructure composition is undertaken. The paper discusses packet switching systems, optical transport, Layer 2 forwarding, QAM modulation and storage. A hypothetical 300,000-subscriber VoD network is employed as the basis for describing network behavior under several scenarios. The analysis culminates in a cost effective, extremely high capacity network that dramatically increases bandwidth resource utilization and provides dynamic and agile program delivery. The disclosed topologies possess effective redundancy and resiliency. Several practical examples are considered with regard to the disclosed topologies; the examples include “Everything on Demand” (EoD) and Switched Broadcast Services. The analysis is predicated by the feasibility and practicality of the described topologies. Considerations such as interoperability, cost, ability to deploy, and ease of use is taken into account as important factors when describing the topologies.