DVB Interduction/English version

How DVB WORK
To get Free Internet Access
DVB-Scene
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‘UMTS’ : DVB’s Work on the Inter-working of Broadcast
and Mobile Telecomms Networks
By: Professor David Crawford
Chairman, DVB ad hoc Group UMTS
So read And learn here......
1 INTRODUCTION
DVB is undertaking new work directions that are taking its mission outside its original
heartland technology of broadcasting. The focus of this new work will be to ensure that
content is able to move from source providers, across various national, local and inhome
networks, to reach a variety of consumer devices - and this will necessarily
include aspects of local storage and re-formatting of content for different platforms and
receivers. To deliver this mission, DVB has identified a framework of strategic work
areas, with new commercial requirements flowing from the Commercial Module
providing the input for this framework.
One strategic work area is concerned with the inter-working of broadcast systems and
services with 3rd generation (‘3G’) and future mobile cellular networks. In Europe, the
3G mobile standard is known as the Universal Mobile Telecommunications System,
and the Technical Module ad hoc Group ‘UMTS’ has been tasked with developing
technical standards and guidelines for business opportunities and services in this new
arena.
2. BACKGROUND
Value for money is a key requirement for new services from consumers who are
conditioned by “free” Internet services, cheap voice telephony and free-to-air radio and
TV broadcasting. Cellular 3G systems will be capable of delivering many of the
interactive and personalised services that consumers will want; but the cellular
approach does not provide a low cost delivery mechanism for large quantities of data to
large numbers of customers. Conversely broadcast systems can deliver large quantities
of data at relatively low cost, but with limited interactivity or personalisation of content.
Co-operative services which jointly utilise DVB broadcast and UMTS mobile systems,
matching data and application requirements to the best platform, could meet consumer
demands for more powerful interactive and personalised services at low cost.
3. PROGRESS
DVB ad hoc Group UMTS is identifying the development path for co-operative
services utilising UMTS and DVB platforms.
The first specifications that are being written refer to the use of UMTS as a return and
interaction channel, with no real inter-working between the networks. These have
many commonalities with terrestrial broadcasting return channel specifications
DVB-Scene
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previously developed within the DVB Project (eg. RCT-GSM), and cover the needs of
applications such as voting, interactive camera shot selection and electronic ordering of
video and audio content for down-loading off-line.
The second series of specifications will cater for the scenario of fixed/portable
(nomadic) terminals running both MHP (for DVB-T) and Java-based execution
environments (for UMTS), and working as the processing centre for co-operative
applications between the two platforms. This work will support applications such as
carouselled Web pages transmitted via the broadcast platform but complemented by
always-on Internet access via UMTS, enabling interaction and hyperlink jumps to new
Web content, plus multi-user game scenarios etc.
Finally, the specifications required for fully converged applications for integrated
mobile handsets and for terminals in vehicles, will be derived in concert with the work
of other Groups, such as ‘DVB-Mobile’ and ‘MHP-Automotive’.
DVB-T
UMTS
DVB-T
transmitter BSP Mux DTV
broadcast network operator
WSP Core
network
Radio
Access
Network
mobile operator
Mobile
terminal
DVB-UMTS
IMT
IDVB
ISP
IUMTS
Mediation platform
Figure 1: Generalised Scenario for Co-operative Platforms
A generalised network model used to define the interfaces for co-operation between
platforms is given in Figure 1. The upper path shows the ‘broadcasting’ path for
audio/visual content, transported via a multiplex and high power transmitter to the user
terminal. The lower path represents the bi-directional telecomms network over which
users can interact with content (eg. Web pages, IP data) using the ‘UMTS’ functionality
of the combined service terminal. A ‘Mediation Platform’ function will exist between
these two paths to allow the sharing and re-directing of data. Content can be repurposed
and transferred between platforms (eg. DVB content delivered via UMTS),
and opportunities for exciting new applications exist.
The final specifications will include sections on metadata ‘handshaking’ for the setting
up of the co-operation protocols, the identification of billing and charge sharing
mechanisms, and some measurable parameters for Quality of Service requirements.
The specifications will also define the interfaces and processes for the network
‘Mediation Platform’.
The author thanks all members of the UMTS Group for their contributions which have
been absorbed into this article and their commitment to this work.