IP Encapsulator

MD IPE is the core equipment required for providing Internet services (in broader term Data services) over digital TV networks such as a DVB or ATSC (MPEG-2 based). It is entry equipment which in conjunction with other MD technologies allows provisioning of Internet browsing, 1-way File downloads, 1-way e-mails delivery, Distance Education. It can be used in satellite DVB-S, cable DVB-C as well as in the terrestrial DVB-T or ATSC systems.

IPE Mandatory functionality is IP packets encapsulation into DVB Transport Stream, using MPE encapsulation (EN 301 192). IPE automatically generates associated PSI/SI tables required for identifying data services inside DVB TS Stream (PAT, PMT, SDT tables). IPE has built in null packet generation. Output of IPE is Transport Stream (ISO 13818-1) via DVB-ASI interface (EN 300 468). Important IPE feature is generation of precise PCR (Program clock reference). There are 2 alternatives of PCR precision < 5 ppm for broadcast systems, or more precise < 5 ppm - required for 2-way VSAT type networks like DVB RCS.

IPE on top of encapsulation provides sophisticated Dynamic Multiplexing Capability with QoS on per IP route basis (in opposite to only PID based equipments). Built-in multiplexor re-allocates bandwidth to all IP Routes and channels in real-time. It is possible to configure 64.000 channels inside one PID. It provides most optimized system for bandwidth usage optimization thus providing significant operational costs savings to service provider. It allows define Minimum, Maximum Bandwidth and Priority for each IP route/channel.

Advanced IPE version allows Remultiplexing of another TS stream, so acts as well as DVB multiplexor.

MD IPE has also integrated handshaking mechanism with Mediacast Server, PUSH Server (and TCP/IP Accelerator), allowing service provider to operate these services over unused capacity by other services (when lowest priority is defined for Mediacast services.

MD IPE has integrated NAT allowing Network address translation without a need of external equipment.

Normally IPE has to be accompanied with either Proxy or VPN mechanism for 2-way services (combine forward DVB link with e.g. dial-up return link). MD DVBIP GW is the only equipment with integrated HYBRID-NET GW - which enables combination of various return links (dial-up, GPRS, VSAT etc.) with a broadband DVB forward link, so operator is not faced to the the need to workout solution for integrating return channel via Proxy or VPN. It performs also automatic authentication of end-users.

HYBRID-NET GW supports 100 % of IP protocols (in other words it is "IP transparent" solution or "full IP") as it is processing IP packets and not TCP connections. In consequence it is more user friendly as end-users do not have to configure each applications (e.g. internet explorer, ftp client) to use proxy server. Along with a HYBRID-NET GW "S" MAINDATA provides also end-user SW HYBRID-NET GW "R" and IP Connection Manager under MS Windows and Linux OS for single user or LAN configurations, thus providing complete end-to-end solution for a service providers.

HYBRID-NET supports private (built in NAT) or legal IP addresses allocation to end-users.

MD IPE generates statistics of IP routes / channels usage, and per end-users to Statistics & Billing System.