IPTV Architecture
A typical IPTV architecture is comprised of the following functional blocks:- Super head-end: Where most of the IPTV channels enter the network from national broadcasters
- Core network: Usually an IP/MPLS network transporting traffic to the access network
- Access network: Distributes the IPTV streams to the DSLAMs
- Regional head-end: Where local content is added to the network
- Customer premises: Where the IPTV stream is terminated and viewed
: Typical IPTV System Architecture
For a very large IPTV delivery system, there is often a hierarchy of facilities constructed
to deliver video signals across a large expanse of territory. One Super Head-end can serve
millions of customers by processing the video channels that are common to all subscribers
across the serving area. A Video Serving Office is located in each region as required to handle
local programming and channels are specific to a single city or geographic area. The Remote The terminal can serve as a Regional Head-end that contains the equipment needed to actually
deliver the programming to customers in the local area.
Broadcast information coming from an antenna or a satellite dish at the Super Headend is mainly distributed using the MPEG-2 multi-program transport stream (MPTS) to the video
service node. The distribution of the actual SDTV or HDTV channel content is performed using
various devices on the access network, such as digital subscriber line access multiplexers
(DSLAM) and other technologies like fiber-to-the-home (FTTH) can be used to interface with
the user’s STB. For IPTV, each channel is distributed using a multicast IP address.
