DVBDVB--RCS InteroperabilityRCS InteroperabilityThe true benefit of DVBThe true benefit of DVB--RCSRCS

1st SatLabs Middle-East DVB-RCS SymposiumCABSAT 2006

9th March 2006

Xavier LobaoSatLabs Group ChairmanFuture Programmes Manager, Telecommunications Department, ESA

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Outline• DVB-RCS background

– Open standard– Interoperability

• SatLabs introduction• SatLabs support to DVB-RCS

– Interoperability – Support to commercial development

• Relationship with ESA• Conclusions

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DVB-RCS background• DVB-RCS defines a return

channel over satellite for broadband systems based on DVB-S

• Specification initially defined by satellite operators working under the auspices of ESA

• Work taken over by DVB Project, which is responsible for standard maintenance

• ETSI approves its publication as EN 301 790, according to their defined procedures

• Definition started in Sept 1997• Editions

– 1st (v1.2.2)12/00– 2nd (v1.3.1) 03/03: RSAT– 3rd (v1.4.1) 09/05: DVB-S2

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What does an Open Standard require?• Principles of Open Standards

(close to ANSI & WTO’s “Code of Good Practice” for international standards)Krechmer, K., The Principles of Open Standards, Standards Engineering, Vol.50, No.6, Nov/Dec,1998

– Openness - all stakeholders may participate in the standards development process. – Consensus - all interests are discussed and agreement found, no domination. – Due Process - balloting and an appeals process may be used to find resolution.– Open IPR - holders of Intellectual Property Rights (IPR) must identify themselves during

the standards development process. – Open World - same standard for the same function, world-wide.– Open Access - all may access committee documents, drafts and completed standards. – Open Meeting - all may participate in standards development meetings – On-going Support - standards are supported until user interest ceases rather than

when provider interest declines. – Open Interfaces - interfaces allow additional functions, public or proprietary. – Open Use - low or no charge for IPR necessary to implement an accredited standard.

• Multiple implementations– Validation of specification– Possibility of interoperability

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The case of DVB-RCS• Open standard

– Defined by group of interested companies • Scrutinised, optimised, built by consensus

– Based on commercial requirements– Broad range of services and applications supported– Future-proof (e.g. DVB-S2) – Based on successful DVB-S

• Availability of mass market low cost satellite TV receivers

• Multiple implementations– Several system integrators– Several terminal-only suppliers– Different choices of options and parameters– Several generations of system implementations

• Cost & feature optimised

Enables interoperability between products

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Definition of interoperability• Networks accept user terminals from several suppliers• User terminal operates in different networks

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Benefits of open standards & interoperability• Choice

– End user has choice of Service provider– Service provider has choice of Supplier

• Competition among suppliers and service providers– Lower prices– Better features/performance

• Different business models possible– User ownership of terminal

• Continuous innovation/optimisation

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But...• DVB-RCS is a complex standard

– Many options and possible values for parameters

Interoperability difficult to verify spontaneously

Need for specific action

• Initial implementations selected different options– Different customers’ requirements / user scenarios– Different choices of parameters

• DVB-RCS is an air interface specification– Aimed at specifying the terminal– Loosely defined– Lots of freedom in the definition of systems/networks

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SatLabs Group basics• Association set up to bring the DVB-RCS standard to

large-scale adoption– Foster availability of interoperable products– Ensure availability of solutions for interoperability testing

and certification

• Membership open to all organizations worldwide interested in the DVB-RCS standard

• Main emphasis on interoperability but addressing other aspects related to DVB-RCS implementation

• Creation: October 2001

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SatLabs Membership

Service+ AccessProvider

SatelliteOperator

SatelliteSupplier

SystemSupplier

EquipmentSupplier

TechnoSupplier

AvantiAramiskaFranceTelecomMonacoTelecomSatlynx

EutelsatHellasSatHispasatJSATNewSkiesSESAstraTelesat

AlcatelAstrium

AlcatelEMSGilatHNSNeraNewtecPentamediaShironViaSat

Alcatel BellNDSatcomThomson

AASKIInvacomSkywareSpacebridgeSTMicroVerisatVisiosat

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Interoperability objectives• Prove that DVB-RCS is a true open standard

– Verify interoperability between different implementations

• Ensure independent testing & certification– Qualification test plan– Independent test equipment– Independent test laboratory

SatLabs Certification Programme foundations

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Interoperability Phase 0

• Publication of SatLabs System Recommendations– Narrow down the number of options and parameter ranges

• Terminal profiles– Resolve ambiguities that might lead to interop problems

• Short-term interoperability action– Involved manufacturers with DVB-RCS systems in market

• EMS, Nera & Newtec– Completed mid 2003– Network logon + basic IP traffic/application testing– Tested all combinations of hub & terminals– Witnessed by independent test lab (Cetecom)– Main conclusions

• Interoperability was successfully verified• No major changes in implementations required• Valuable information about standard ambiguities fed back

to SatLabs/DVB-RCS

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Test LaboratoryTest Laboratory

Test BedTest Bed

Test PlanTest Plan Publicly available

Independent equipment

Independent laboratory

Started in July’05

Interoperability Phase 1Qualification/Certification Programme

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Qualification/Certification Programme details• SQP is accessible to members of the SatLabs EEIG• Membership is open to any organization worldwide

• The Test Plan contains 100+ test cases to thoroughly verify that a terminal complies with the DVB-RCS standard and is compatible with networks based on the SatLabs System Recommendations

• CETECOM ICT Services is the appointed test laboratory to carry out Qualification Testing for SatLabs http://www.cetecom-ict.de

• Requests for Qualification testing can be made at SatLabs@ict.cetecom.de

• Another test laboratory (Nemko Comlab) is acquiring competence as an alternative test laboratory for SatLabs

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Certification Test Bed• Independent equipment

– Developed by Verisat under ESA contract• Compact• Easily reproducible• Fully validated with real terminals

Link Emulator (Erzia) with control software

Burst demodulator (Alcatel)

Test Controller(VeriSat, SkySoft)

DVB-S Modulator

Terminal

Ethernet (IP) switch

Forward Link Encapsulatorwith Burst Configuration

Tool (Alcatel)

Application client

Application server =procurred

GPSReference

DVB-S Receiver

DVB ASI monitor port

Test Bed Manager

Link Emulator (Erzia) with control software

Burst demodulator (Alcatel)

Test Controller(VeriSat, SkySoft)

DVB-S Modulator

Terminal

Ethernet (IP) switch

Forward Link Encapsulatorwith Burst Configuration

Tool (Alcatel)

Application client

Application server =procurred

GPSReference

DVB-S Receiver

DVB ASI monitor port

Test Bed Manager

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Qualification/Certification Programme status• 1st Certificate issued in

August 2005

• Since then 4 other terminal vendors obtained a certificate

• Others under preparation to start Qualification testing

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Achievements & Future challenges• SatLabs has achieved a remarkable milestone

– First satcom access technology that allows interoperability among multiple vendors

• Interoperability Phase 0– Confidence that interoperability was feasible

• Interoperability Phase 1– Basic interoperability: DVB-RCS specification – Ensures hardware compatibility

• Next milestone is Interoperability Phase 2:– Extend the level of interoperability

beyond the DVB-RCS specification to cover areas such as:• Management & control• Quality of Service• TCP/IP – HTTP acceleration

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SatLabs Work Domains

Interoperability

Low cost service provision

Marketdevelopment

support

Competence centre

Short-term action

Qualification / Certification Pgm

Terminal

Installation

Satellite capacity

Applications

Networking

Standard evolution

System improvements

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SatLabs Objectives• Interoperability

– Demonstrate interoperability– Set-up an independent test house

• Low cost service provision– Minimise cost of user terminals– Minimise user terminal installation costs– Minimise cost of satellite bandwidth

• Market development support– Ensure business applications run efficiently over DVB-RCS– Ensure seamless integration with global IP networks– Optimise performance over DVB-RCS

• Competence centre for DVB-RCS– Raise awareness about DVB-RCS capabilities through

white papers,...• Standard evolution

– Complement standardisation bodies’ task with industrial/cialexperience

– Issue recommendations on practical implementation guidelines

– Propose enhancements to the standard

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ESA/SatLabs cooperation

Short TermInterop.Action

Compliance TestProfiles

Test Plan

Test BedDevelopment

ComponentSpecs

TechnologyDevelopments

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Conclusions• Interoperability is key to achieve the benefits associated

to an open standard– Choice, competition lower prices, quality, innovation

• DVB-RCS is a truly open standard– Published specifications– Several interoperable implementations

• The SatLabs Group is being instrumental for the commercial success of DVB-RCS– Independent Qualification / Certification programme for

compliance / interoperability verification– Optimizations (cost, functionality, performance, operational

support) ensure optimal DVB-RCS commercial offerings – Knowledge base for DVB-RCS capabilities

• The first important milestones have been achieved:– Interoperability Qualification/Certification Programme running– 5 Certificates issued to terminal vendors

• More to follow... Watch your screens !!!!

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www.SatLabs.orgwww.SatLabs.org

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