Developments in home networks
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StandardsTechnical standards are an important factor in the coordination and delivery of end-to-end services in the home network environment. For devices in the home to provide the interface for users and services, they need to conform to sets of rules for reliable and predictable operation, and to ensure interoperability of those devices and services. Both local and international standards developments are part of the ecosystem that supports services in IP-based home networks. Technical standards provide for an enhanced user experience by facilitating plug and play connectivity and reduced complexity of home network equipment, and permitting customer choice, of both devices and standardised services from different retail service providers. Figure 6 shows the bridging role of standards or of specifications developed by industry consortia in the home environment.
In Australia, industry representatives develop local technical standards through industry bodies such as Communications Alliance or Standards Australia.40, 41 While the ACMA also has the power to make technical standards, it gives effect to industry standards by mandating in part, or completely, elements of industry-developed and agreed technical standards.42 In September 2009, the Institute of Electrical and Electronic Engineers (IEEE) ratified the IEEE802.11n WiFi standard. The 802.11n standard provides for up to 160 Mbps data rates over short distances as well as improved QoS. This QoS tagging of packets enables priority data to be delivered continuously, providing more reliable transmission supporting HD video over WiFi, something not possible before. The 802.11n wireless Ethernet standard is considered in certain circumstances as a replacement for wired Ethernet, because of its ease of deployment and ability to handle video applications.43 Planned advances in the methods outlined in 802.11n provide support for spatial data streams and meshing nodes via the 802.11s standard, enabling higher speed and more reliable transmissions via multiple wireless paths, within the WiFi network.44 BPL technology allows existing home mains power wiring to be used as a data network. The IEEE P1901 standardisation effort should help see BPL technology receive wider acceptance and use in the home network segment of smart grids.45 In June 2010, the ITU ratified the G.hn standard, the next generation home network standard set by the Homegrid Forum. ITU-G.hn provides for theoretical gigabit per second access speeds over legacy infrastructure and is beneficial for provisioning NGN systems using cables in existing homes where new wiring is difficult to install.46 Some of the stated aims of ITU-G.hn are that:
Standardisation work is underway in the International Telecommunications Union—Telecommunications standardisation sector (ITU-T), which involves the interfaces between service and network layers to support the delivery of IPTV over heterogeneous networks. A focus group to coordinate and promote the development of global IPTV standards has produced a comprehensive proceedings document based on existing output of ITU study groups, other standards development organisations and industry fora and consortia. The ITU-T has ratified a number of standards containing high-level architectures and framework specifications that will allow manufacturers to start implementing the specifications in their products. Recommendation ITU-T Y.1901, ‘Requirements for the support of IPTV services’, addresses IPTV service requirements, network aspects, QoS and QoE, content protection, end system, middleware and content.48 ITU-T H.770 enables users to locate and subscribe to content from different service providers.49 It provides a degree of interoperability as consumers may use an IPTV set-top box to subscribe to a range of services from independent service providers by using the IPTV service discovery standard.50 Hybrid Broadcast Broadband TV (HbbTV) is a European initiative aimed at creating one standard for broadcast and broadband delivery of content through connected televisions and set-top boxes.51 The intention of HbbTV is to provide terrestrial televisions sets with a converged capability for IPTV and web developments. It is based on using existing standards and web technologies, and covers the Open IPTV forum, World Wide Web Consortium (W3C) and the Digital Video Broadcasting project (DVB). HbbTV specification, version 1.1.1, was approved by ETSI on 1 July 2010. Standardisation in VoIP is well established and based on the Session Initiation Protocol (SIP) and many other companion standards, which aim to replicate legacy telephony functions using IP-based networks and promote the interoperability of telephony between legacy and IP-based networks.52 One IETF standard attempts to itemise all RFC standards related to SIP and is titled A Hitchhiker’s Guide to the Session Initiation Protocol.53 Non-proprietary voice digitisation is generally governed by the ITU-T G729 or G711 standards.54 Device standards development is increasingly important to ensure the range of services and features can expand beyond the triple play offerings. The Digital Living Network Alliance (DLNA) is a global group whose goal is to achieve product compatibility and interoperability by using open standards and widely available industry specifications. The DLNA ‘connected home’ environment will use home network infrastructure and devices that are able communicate seamlessly and exchange content.55 Directory: media media -> Applications to Drill media -> Unicef voices of Youth Chat Theme: Children and aids nigeria and Zimbabwe 13 October 2006 Background media -> Tsunami Terror Alert: Voices of Youth media -> Biblical Eschatology Presentation by: D. Paul Beck May 4, 2016 Ground Rules media -> Guide to completing the collection using the Omnibus system media -> The milk carton kids media -> Events Date and Location media -> The Gilded Age: The First Generation of Historians by H. Wayne Morgan University of Oklahoma, April 18, 1997 media -> Analysis of Law in the United Kingdom pertaining to Cross-Border Disaster Relief Prepared by: For the 30 June 2010 Foreword media -> Cuba fieldcourse 2010 Download 171.08 Kb. Share with your friends:
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