BigBand Networks has demonstrated a PacketCable Multimedia (PCMM) solution integrating its digital video and cable modem termination system (CMTS) platforms. The demonstration sourced standard digital video feeds delivered via satellite, allocated them guaranteed bandwidth using CableMatrix’s PCMM-compliant On Demand Service Platform (ODSP), and modified the contents for distribution to PCs and IP set-top boxes.
The PCMM specification uses dynamic QoS signalling mechanisms that allow different applications to request and obtain bandwidth from the DOCSIS 1.1 or 2.0 data link layer. In the demonstration, a BigBand BMR(R) accessed variable bit rate digital video, set it to constant bit rate to comply with client device tolerance, and provided it via an Ethernet connection to a BigBand Cuda CMTS. The Cuda interoperated with the CableMatrix ODSP’s Policy Server and Bandwidth on Demand (BoD) Application Manager to guarantee the required bandwidth for proper delivery of the video stream. The content was then forwarded over DOCSIS to a cable modem for provisioning to a WiFi gateway that wirelessly fed video to a PC, or to an IP set-top box connected to a television, with the dynamic QoS assuring high video quality.
BigBand Networks conducted its demonstration at this week’s CableLabs Summer Conference in Keystone, Colorado. http://www.bigbandnet.com
- In June 2004, BigBand Networks closed its acquisition of the IP Cable Business Unit of ADC Telecommunications, including the Cuda and FastFlow product lines. The company also announced that it had completed a $25 million funding round.
