Open Broadcast Networking

Abstract

Broadcast networking describes the interconnections between autonomous systems that function as a whole to form the delivery chain of traditional broadcast services, such as television programming. The broadcast industry is in the midst of revolutionary changes that range from the adoption of digital content and transmission systems, to the delivery of a broader range of highly integrated and targeted multi-media services. This migration is occurring against a backdrop of major technological breakthroughs that will result in unprecedented system and component price/performance ratios, enhanced functionality and broader choice in equipment providers. The operational models employed by broadcast content providers and service operators will need to change in order to deliver these new services. The present day broadcast networks will prove to be inadequate to meet the new levels of connectivity, functionality, scalability, performance, reliability and security necessary to facilitate the emerging operational models. Open broadcast networking combines existing and emerging digital video and data broadcast standards with new developments in computer data networking to bring a new approach to building a scalable broadcast network. — In this paper, we will: • Examine the characteristics and limitations of present day broadcast networks • Discuss the elements of Open Broadcast Networks—a fully networked broadcast content acquisition, distribution, re-purposing and delivery system • Describe a new approach to service provider head-end architecture and introduce the notion of the “virtual head-end” • Endorse applicable digital video and data broadcast, and networking standards