Risultati finali
The project has successfully analysed the implications that different SMATV/MATV network topologies have when considering the implementation of the Fleximatv solution. A number of different head end configurations were developed and tested, and these results will form the basis of guidelines for our customers and installers when considering the adoption of the Fleximatv solution. The results will allow us to easily assess the suitability of the Fleximatv solution for a particular network, as well as the recommended head end configuration and FSK frequency.
A standardised control channel opens a whole new range of possibilities to SMATV/MATV user. The capability to control and communicate with head-end devices is very interesting and should be explored to find applications other than FleximaTV. Some applications may be found, for example, in security and head-end remote supervision.
To implement the control channel in SMATV/MATV networks, a set of guidelines was produced. These guidelines permit to install the Control Channel head-end devices (TDT�s) and integrate them with the existing elements of the installation. After the integration is carried out, the frequencies of the control channel are set, depending on whether there is intermediate amplification in the SMATV network.
Implementation of Control Channel Technology hasn't implied, from STB's point of view, a major technology change regarding Hardware concept, due to serial port communication capability present in every MSl's STBs. By the other hand, an important Software development phase has been carried out. A new concept of interactivity has been added to user-control, so a complete Software application has been raised and loaded to STBs.
The tests and measurements carried during the laboratory and field trials verified the correct operation of the prototypes as regards the Control Channel implementation and tested the suitability of the developed equipment for their use in (S)MATV installation.
The major results expecting in terms of a practical implementation of the CC solution from the partner´s point of view is the improvement of the integration level and the enrichment of its product range.
Partners were working on the acquisition of a complete system requirements definition: Convergence with CTIs as well as user requirements, installer requirements, etc what has offered a very valuable information for the efficient production of the prototypes.
The system requirements analysis of the FleximaTV solution (concretely the CCH introduction) in SMATV/MATV networks showed the viability and the economical benefits for the end users in the installation of this new system in old installations. This important result means that FleximaTV is the easiest, cheaper and more intelligent way of distributing the TV signal in community buildings in conformance with the User and Technical Requirements currently analysed during the project.
As previously stated, Hardware concept of Set Top Boxes hasn't suffered a major change, taking into account that serial communication ports were already working in all our STB models.
The main effort that MSL has carried out in this project, and which has significantly improved our STB product line, is based mainly in the implementation of a new use of STBs from the final user, and this directly applies to Software. We have created a new concept of usage, where viewers can access to the complete Digital Television offer just pressing a key of the remote.
Particularly, MSL has developed its tasks inside an IF/IF conversion field. This type of scenario stands for a Head-End conversion of Satellite Digital Television Channels, coming from different satellite operators (like Hispasat, Astra or Eutelsat), so user can access the total European Satellite TV offer. For this purpose, a new Software procedure has been implemented in our STBs product line. It is the control channel application that basically allows users to select the satellite service provider that they want to access, together with video, audio and data channels. Additionally, a complete auto-scan procedure has been performed in order to facilitate channel seek from user point of view.
The execution of FleximaTV project, from MSL's point of view, has significantly driven the Digital Television Project to a new stage. Our STB's technology was prepared to be used in a in-home environment. Complete Hardware solution, together with corresponding Software applications (like User Guide, Autoscan, Satellite Network selection, LNB feeding capability, etc.) fit with un-familiar Digital Television Environment.
After completion of FleximaTV project, MSL technology is now one step beyond. It is ready to reach commercial markets due to a new technology capability. The implementation of Control Channel characteristic in our family of STBs makes them able to be installed in a complex community system, like FleximaTV.
Now, return channel capability is added to STB, so regarding access to Digital Television Services, now user can view whatever he wants with just pressing a key of the remote.
FleximaTV implies a milestone in European Digital Television Deployment, and our company is now ready to provide technological solutions to European end-users regarding Home equipment.
A concrete result of the FleximaTV Control Channel solution is the possibility, for the UNI.COM S.p.A., to enter in the TV distribution networks environment, offering a full cable STB solution.
Further result coming from the FleximaTV project fall out is the possibility to embed the FSK modem in the STB PCB board, improving the platform adapt for a new generation of SMATV/MATV systems, using the Control Channel solution proposed by the project.
This new features of the STB will enable the users to receive the digital television services adding the features of the Control Channel, developed by the FLEXIMATV Project. The STB Control Channel solution has been made to be fully compliant with the standard (Manual and Automatic Installation), representing a very attractive and efficient solution in case of small and medium size installations.
The possibility to program the TDT's by means of a control bus gives this product an added value. The TDT developed is backwards compatible, so it can be used both in FLEXIMATV environment and normal environment, receiving in this latter case the programming parameters by means of an external programmer. The solution adopted in FLEXIMATV Project, implementing the FSK modem outside the TDT in the so-called HeCD, slightly increases the price of the TDT only in a very small quantity, which is the price of implementing the programming by means of the RS485 bus. This bus is a very known bus, so the IC's, which are used to implement it have low prices and the hardware complexity is very low. On the other hand, the software of the TDT has to be refined very carefully, particularly in what locking time concerns, to keep it as minimum as possible.
There are a number of aspects of the Fleximatv developments, which will be used to enhance the head-end product line in future. Firstly, the use of the RS485 common bus means that our head-end products can now be potentially used in the Fleximatv configuration, since new versions of our products are all being fitted with an RS485 interface and micro-processors with sufficient spare memory for the inclusion of the Fleximatv protocol. A software upgrade, implementing the functions already realised during this project, will thus enable our head-end devices to be controlled remotely. In addition, the FSK and 22 kHz modem prototypes developed during the project can now be optimised for production in a very short time span, since the tests carried out have shown them to be working well.
The development of a QAM-QAM transmodulator has been an interesting addition to the CATV catalogue. This device may be used as an interface between an MMDS/LMDS network and a CATV network. Current solutions are simple amplifiers or channel converters, while the transmodulator has an intrinsic signal regenerating capability, which has an immediate application in some markets.
FLEXIMATV project has prepared and submitted to DVB the contribution on the "Guidelines for Implementation and Use of the Control Channel for SMATV/MATV distribution systems" (doc. TM 2453 Rev.2).
In the contribution submitted to DVB, FLEXIMATV Project has provided a considerable amount of recommendations on the practical ways to implement a control channel in SMATV/MATV based on the experience achieved by the project.
Consequently the base for a harmonised European solution has been achieved thanks to FLEXIMATV. The signalling, remote control and flexibility of MATV/SMATV head-ends, installed in condominium buildings has been developed thanks to FLEXIMATV. It will facilitate enormously a faster penetration of advanced digital television systems, either via satellite of via terrestrial means.
As a brief report of the submitted contribution to DVB by FLEXIMATV, the fruitful inputs given by FLEXIMATV to enhance the implementation matters of control channel solutions provided have been:
- FLEXIMATV Project has implement several prototypes based on the DVB Control Channel specification. These prototypes have used both a bi-directional and a mono-directional control channel. Both alternatives have been considered during tests that have confirmed the proper functioning of both;
- FLEXIMATV has implemented in the prototypes a flexible range rather than a fixed set of frequencies in order to test the most appropriate frequencies depending on the real installation status. The frequency range covers from 10-70MHz, and this is the solution recommended by the project in spite of a set of fixed frequencies;
- FLEXIMATV has implemented a solution based on the development of a Controller option which allows for a centralised control channel management at the head-end. This is an important contribution as it is based on an innovative option. FLEXIMATV Project recommends the use of this architecture as it is backwards and future compatible;
- FLEXIMATV has also studied the situation of SMATV/MATV installations using intermediate re-amplification, and has implemented the control channel using two different frequencies in uplink and downlink to avoid the technical problems;
- FLEXIMATV as a Consortium has contributed and recommended the interfaces to be used in order to have interoperable devices from different manufacturers. Proposals for interconnection and inter-working of several future products from several manufacturers if they wanted so were endorsed;
- The codification in base-band has been further analysed considering the potential use of Manchester coding as there are some practical cases that could recommend the use of it. Tests of this alternative and the one covered in the specification have confirmed the scenarios in which this option would be more convenient or not;
- Installation and maintenance procedures. FLEXIMATV has developed two installations procedures (manual and automatic) that have been implemented during the tests confirming their appropriate behaviour and consequently incorporated in the contribution to DVB;
- FLEXIMATV prepared the test phase with a detail definition of a test plan for laboratory tests with several scenarios that have offered a complete analysis on the interoperability and installation matters. After the laboratory tests, tests in real installations have been carried out in Turin, Madrid and Pontevedra all them involving end users and real installations and confirming once again the suitability of the prototypes.
As conclusion, the results of the tests have demonstrated that all the previous technical work and development efforts were properly analysed, and hence, the contribution to the DVB on the practical ways to implement the control channel solution in SMATV/MATV installations should be considered relevant and mature offering to the European industry the recommendations to facilitate the production and deployment of solutions in SMATV/MATV scenarios.
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