Saturday, 19 July 2014

PacketCable, 3GPP, CableLabs, IMS ??!!!


PacketCable ?? -> Multimedia over Cable internet 

PacketCable is an industry consortium founded by CableLabs with the goal of defining standards for the cable television modem access industry. CableLabs leads this initiative for interoperable interface specifications in order to deliver real-time multimedia services over two-way cable networks. Built on top of the industry’s DOCSIS (Data Over Cable Service Interface Specifications) cable modem infrastructure, PacketCable networks use the Internet Protocol (IP) to enable a wide range of multimedia services, such as Voice over IP (IP telephony), multimedia conferencing, interactive gaming, and general multimedia applications.

A DOCSIS network with PacketCable extensions enables cable operators to deliver data and voice traffic efficiently using a single high-speed, quality-of-service (QoS)-enabled broadband (cable) architecture.

The PacketCable effort dates back to 1997 when cable operators identified the need for a real-time multimedia architecture to support the delivery of advanced multimedia services over the DOCSIS architecture.


PacketCable is a CableLabs specification effort designed to support the convergence of voice, video, data, and mobility technologies. There are tens of millions of cable broadband customers, and the capability of the network to provide innovative services beyond high-speed Internet access is ever-increasing. In particular, real-time communication services based on the IP protocols, such as Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), are rapidly evolving and consumers are embracing a wide-range of client devices and media types. It is expected that new technologies, such as Video over IP communications and the ability to display voice and video mail message notifications on a TV-set, will change the way communication and entertainment services are offered. These cutting edge technologies will present exciting new opportunities for cable operators to offer high-value services to consumers in a cost-effective manner.

PacketCable defines an architecture and a set of open interfaces that leverage emerging communications technologies, such as the IETF Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) [RFC 3261], to support the rapid introduction of new IP-based services onto the cable network. A modular approach allows operators to flexibly deploy network capabilities as required by their specific service offerings, while maintaining interoperability across a variety of devices from multiple suppliers. Intentionally non service-specific, the platform should provide the basic capabilities necessary for operators to deploy services in areas such as:

• Enhanced Residential VoIP and IP Video Communications – Capabilities such as video telephony; call treatment based on presence, device capability, identity; and 'Click to dial' type of features;

• Cross Platform Feature Integration – Capabilities such as caller's name and number identification on the TV and call treatment from the TV;

• Mobility services and Integration with Cellular and Wireless Networks – Capabilities such as call handoff and roaming between PacketCable VoIP over WiFi and wireless-cellular networks; voice-mail integration; and single E.164 number (e.g., telephone number);

• Multimedia Applications – Capabilities such as QoS-enabled audio and video streaming;

• Commercial Services Extensions – Capabilities such as PBX extension; IP Centrex Services to small to medium-sized businesses; and VoIP trunking for enterprise IP-PBXs;

• Residential SIP Telephony Extensions – Capabilities such as traditional telephony features (e.g., call waiting, caller ID), operator services, and emergency services.

3GPP IMS?? -> Multimedia Over Wireless Network (LTE)

The 3rd Generation Partnership Project (3GPP) unites [Six] telecommunications standard development organizations (ARIB, ATIS, CCSA, ETSI, TTA, TTC), known as “Organizational Partners” and provides their members with a stable environment to produce the Reports and Specifications that define 3GPP technologies.

The project covers cellular telecommunications network technologies, including radio access, the core transport network, and service capabilities - including work on codecs, security, quality of service - and thus provides complete system specifications. The specifications also provide hooks for non-radio access to the core network, and for interworking with Wi-Fi networks.
3GPP specifications and studies are contribution-driven, by member companies, in Working Groups and at the Technical Specification Group level.
The Four Technical Specification Groups (TSG) in 3GPP are;
  • Radio Access Networks (RAN),
  • Service & Systems Aspects (SA),
  • Core Network & Terminals (CT) and
  • GSM EDGE Radio Access Networks (GERAN).
CableLabs and 3GPP :

The PacketCable architecture is based on the 3GPP IMS architecture, with some incremental extensions. Extensions include use of additional or alternate functional components compared with the IMS architecture, as well as enhancements to capabilities provided by the IMS functional components. Some of the PacketCable enhancements to the IMS include:

• Support for Quality of Service (QoS) for IMS-based applications on DOCSIS access networks, leveraging thePacketCable Multimedia architecture [MM TR];

• Support for additional access signaling security and UE authentication mechanisms;

• Support for provisioning, activation, configuration, and management of UEs;

• Support for regulatory requirements such as number portability, preferred carrier, and PacketCable lawful interception.

PacketCable IMS Architecture:


 3GPP IMS Architecture:




PacketCable IMS call flow:

1. UE registration with S-CSCF via P-CSCF
2. UE1 calls UE2
3. P-CSCF triggers AAR to PAM and PCRF (Rx Interface )
4. PCRF installs flow in CMTS
5.  ==== RTP data flow  ====
6. End

Aim of PacketCable 2.0:

The general aim of PacketCable 2.0 is to allow cable operators to deliver all manner of IP-based applications (data, video, and voice) seamlessly across its traditional wired and forthcoming wireless infrastructures.

References :
  • Google Kadavul
  • CableLabs
  • 3GPP

No comments:

Post a Comment