ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)

Technical Report
Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES);
Broadband Satellite Multimedia (BSM);
Connection Control Protocol (C2P) for DVB-RCS;
Background Information
2 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)

Reference
DTR/SES-00295
Keywords
broadband, DVB, multimedia, satellite
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ETSI
3 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
Contents
Intellectual Property Rights . 5
Foreword . 5
1 Scope . 6
2 References . 6
2.1 Normative references . 6
2.2 Informative references . 7
3 Definitions and abbreviations . 8
3.1 Definitions . 8
3.2 Abbreviations . 10
4 DVB-RCS Network Reference Scenarios . 13
4.1 Transparent Satellite Network . 13
4.1.1 Star Transparent . 14
4.1.1.1 Mobility Impact/Continuous Carrier Return Link . 15
4.1.1.2 Single Beam . 15
4.1.1.3 Multi Beam . 16
4.1.2 Mesh Transparent . 16
4.1.2.1 Single Beam . 17
4.1.2.2 Multi Beam . 18
4.2 Regenerative Satellite Network . 18
4.2.1 Star/Mesh Regenerative . 18
4.2.1.1 Single Beam . 20
4.2.1.2 Multi Beam . 22
5 Definitions of C2P Core Elements . . 22
5.1 Channels . 22
5.1.1 Use of Channels for Connectivity . 23
5.1.1.1 Connectivity Channels in the Case of Continuous Carrier Return Links . 23
5.1.2 Use of Channels for QoS . 24
5.2 Route and Route_ID . 24
5.3 IP flows . 24
5.4 Connections and streams . 25
5.4.1 Connections . 25
5.4.1.1 Definition . 25
5.4.1.2 The Class of Service of a Connection . 27
5.4.1.3 Connections in the Context of Continuous Carriers Return Links . 28
5.4.1.4 Connections in the Context of Regenerative Satellite Systems . 29
5.4.2 Streams . 29
5.4.3 Connection Types . 31
5.4.3.1 Star and Mesh Connections . 31
5.4.3.2 Signalling and Traffic Connections . 31
5.4.3.2.1 Signalling Connections . 31
5.4.3.2.2 Traffic Connections . 32
5.4.3.3 NCC Initiated and RCST Initiated Traffic Connections . 32
5.4.3.4 Unicast and Multicast Traffic Connections . 33
5.4.3.5 Unidirectional and Bidirectional (Duplex) Traffic Connections . 33
5.4.4 C2P Connection profile . 34
6 Channel/Connection/Flow Models . 35
6.1 General Model . 35
6.1.1 General Model for Beam-Centric Channels . 35
6.1.2 General Model for RCST-Centric Channels . 39
6.1.3 Cardinality Between C2P Elements . 40
6.2 Particular Models . 43
6.2.1 Model for Mesh/Star Regenerative Networks (RSM-B Example) . 43
6.2.2 Model for Mesh Transparent Networks . 45
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4 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
6.2.2.1 Single Beam . 46
6.2.2.2 Multiple Beam . 48
6.2.3 Model for Star Transparent Networks . 48
7 C2P Network Interworking Aspects . 49
7.1 C2P Triggers . 49
7.2 C2P/QoS/Resource Control Interactions . 50
7.2.1 C2P QoS Models . 50
7.2.1.1 Return Link C2P QoS Model . 50
7.2.1.2 Approach to Forward Link QoS Provisioning. 54
7.2.2 Required Configuration Parameters at IP and MAC Layers . 54
7.2.2.1 General . 54
7.2.2.2 IP Forwarding/Behavioural Rules . 55
7.2.2.3 C2P-Related Configuration Parameters . 55
7.2.3 RCST Data Structures for Dynamic Connectivity . 58
7.2.3.1 Overview . 58
7.2.3.2 Packet Classification Table . 59
7.2.3.3 Connection Profile Mapping Table . 62
7.2.3.4 Active Connection Table . 63
7.2.3.5 PHB/CoS Mapping Table . 66
7.2.3.6 Request Class Table . 67
7.2.3.7 Table Linkage Mechanism for Dynamic Connectivity/RCST Behaviour . 68
7.3 IP Addressing and Routing . 70
7.4 Multicasting . 71
7.4.1 Overview . 71
7.4.2 IGMPv2 Satellite Adaptation . 73
7.4.3 C2P - IP Multicasting by IGMP . 73
Annex A (informative): EN 301 790 mesh networking adaptations. 78
A.1 New clause on Dynamic Connectivity . 78
A.2 Amendments to Common Signalling Channel (CSC) burst format . 79
A.3 Amendments SAC field composition . 80
A.4 Information Elements (IEs) Range . 83
A.5 Mesh Logon Initialize Descriptor . 86
A.6 Network Layer Information Descriptor (NLID) usage. 89
A.7 Timeslot Composition Table (TCT) . 89
A.8 TBTP . 89
A.9 Implementation type descriptor . 90
History . 95

ETSI
5 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
Intellectual Property Rights
IPRs essential or potentially essential to the present document may have been declared to ETSI. The information
pertaining to these essential IPRs, if any, is publicly available for ETSI members and non-members, and can be found
in ETSI SR 000 314: "Intellectual Property Rights (IPRs); Essential, or potentially Essential, IPRs notified to ETSI in
respect of ETSI standards", which is available from the ETSI Secretariat. Latest updates are available on the ETSI Web
server (http://webapp.etsi.org/IPR/home.asp).
Pursuant to the ETSI IPR Policy, no investigation, including IPR searches, has been carried out by ETSI. No guarantee
can be given as to the existence of other IPRs not referenced in ETSI SR 000 314 (or the updates on the ETSI Web
server) which are, or may be, or may become, essential to the present document.
Foreword
This Technical Report (TR) has been produced by ETSI Technical Committee Satellite Earth Stations and Systems
(SES).
ETSI
6 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
1 Scope
The present BSM document provides background information for the specification of a Connection Control Protocol
(C2P) for DVB-RCS networks [i.11], relying on specific DVB-RCS signalling.
C2P (and any other connection control protocol) is part of the control plane functionality and is generally used to
establish connections with adequate resources in order to satisfy the service requirements of various multimedia
applications. In this context, it can be seen as one component of the QoS end-to-end architecture, e.g. as defined in [i.3].
Recommendations for QoS specifications for DVB-RCS networks have been proposed by the SatLabs Group [i.4]; they
will be considered in the definition of C2P. Moreover, SatLabs Group has also provided recommendations for the
Harmonized Management and Control Plane Specifications in DVB-RCS networks [i.7]; some of the specified data
structures (with enhancements) will be used in the definition of C2P specification [i.11].
To facilitate the definition of C2P, the present document provides and overview of the following aspects:
• Reference scenarios for DVB-RCS networks.
• C2P core elements and their inter-relationships, captured in various C2P models.
• Internetworking issues relevant to C2P, including the QoS models adopted for C2P and various terminal data
structures (tables) for dynamic connectivity support.
The intension is to identify those elements common to all network reference scenarios, in order to define a basic
framework for the specification of a connection protocol applicable to all scenarios.
2 References
References are either specific (identified by date of publication and/or edition number or version number) or
non-specific.
• For a specific reference, subsequent revisions do not apply.
• Non-specific reference may be made only to a complete document or a part thereof and only in the following
cases:
- if it is accepted that it will be possible to use all future changes of the referenced document for the
purposes of the referring document;
- for informative references.
Referenced documents which are not found to be publicly available in the expected location might be found at
http://docbox.etsi.org/Reference.
For online referenced documents, information sufficient to identify and locate the source shall be provided. Preferably,
the primary source of the referenced document should be cited, in order to ensure traceability. Furthermore, the
reference should, as far as possible, remain valid for the expected life of the document. The reference shall include the
method of access to the referenced document and the full network address, with the same punctuation and use of upper
case and lower case letters.
NOTE: While any hyperlinks included in this clause were valid at the time of publication ETSI cannot guarantee
their long term validity.
2.1 Normative references
The following referenced documents are indispensable for the application of the present document. For dated
references, only the edition cited applies. For non-specific references, the latest edition of the referenced document
(including any amendments) applies.
Not applicable.
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7 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
2.2 Informative references
The following referenced documents are not essential to the use of the present document but they assist the user with
regard to a particular subject area. For non-specific references, the latest version of the referenced document (including
any amendments) applies.
[i.1] ETSI EN 301 790 (V1.4.1): "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Interaction channel for satellite
distribution systems".
[i.2] DVB-RCS 305 (06/03/01): Final Report of the AHG-RSAT Group.
[i.3] ETSI TS 102 462 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Broadband Satellite
Multimedia (BSM); QoS Functional Architecture".
[i.4] SatLabs System Recommendations - Quality of Service Specifications, v1.
NOTE: Available at satlabs.org.
[i.5] ETSI EN 300 421: "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB): Framing structure, channel coding and
modulation for 11/12 GHz satellite services".
[i.6] ETSI EN 302 307 (V1.1.1): "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Second generation framing
structure, channel coding and modulation systems for Broadcasting, Interactive Services, News
Gathering and other broadband satellite applications".
[i.7] SatLabs System Recommendations - Management & Control Planes Specifications, v1.
NOTE: Available at satlabs.org.
[i.8] ETSI TS 102 429-1 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Broadband Satellite
Multimedia (BSM); Regenerative Satellite Mesh - B (RSM-B); DVB-S/DVB-RCS family for
regenerative satellites; Part 1: System overview".
[i.9] ETSI TS 102 293 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Broadband Satellite
Multimedia (BSM) services and architectures; IP Interworking over satellite; Multicast group
management; IGMP adaptation".
[i.10] ETSI TS 102 294 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Broadband Satellite
Multimedia (BSM) services and architectures; IP interworking via satellite; Multicast functional
architecture".
[i.11] ETSI TS 102 602 (V1.1.1): "Satellite Earth Stations and Systems (SES); Broadband Satellite
Multimedia; Connection Control Protocol (C2P) for DVB-RCS; Specifications".
[i.12] ETSI EN 301 192 (V1.4.2): "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); DVB specification for data
broadcasting".
[i.13] ETSI TS 102 606 (V1.1.1): "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Generic Stream
Encapsulation (GSE) Protocol".
[i.14] IETF RFC 2474: "Definition of the Differentiated Services Field (DS Field) in the IPv4 and IPv6
Headers".
[i.15] IETF RFC 2475: " An Architecture for Differentiated Service".
[i.16] IETF RFC 1633: "Integrated Services in the Internet Architecture: an Overview".
[i.17] IETF RFC 2212: "Specification of Guaranteed Quality of Service".
[i.18] IETF RFC 2215: "General Characterization Parameters for Integrated Service Network Elements".
[i.19] IETF RFC 2205: "Resource ReSerVation Protocol (RSVP) -- Version 1 Functional Specification".
[i.20] IETF RFC 4609: "Protocol Independent Multicast - Sparse Mode (PIM-SM) Multicast Routing
Security Issues and Enhancements".
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8 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
[i.21] IETF RFC 826: "Ethernet Address Resolution Protocol: Or Converting Network Protocol
Addressed to 48.bit Ethernet Address for Transmission on Ethernet Hardware".
[i.22] IETF RFC 2237: "Japanese Character Encoding for Internet Messages".
[i.23] IETF RFC 4080: "Next Steps in Signalling (NSIS): Framework".
[i.24] IETF RFC 2362: "Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode (PIM-SM): Protocol
Specification".
[i.25] IETF RFC 2236: "Internet Group Management Protocol version 2 (IGMPv2)".
[i.26] IETF RFC 3376: "Internet Group Management Protocol version 3 (IGMPv3)".
[i.27] AmerHis System, Interactive Broadband DVB-RCS/S OBP Communication System.
NOTE: Available at telecom.esa.int.
[i.28] SkyplexNet System.
NOTE: Available at telecom.esa.int.
[i.29] SpaceMux.
NOTE: Available at space.gc.ca or telesat.ca.
[i.30] B. Le Stradic, M. Vaissiere, 0. Bowles, Matra Marconi Space, United Kingdom "The WEST
Project: exploiting the Ka-band spectrum to develop the Global Information Infrastructure"
September 15 - 18, 1997 Sorrento, Italy, 3rd Ka-Band Utilization Conference.
[i.31] IETF RFC 2774: "An HTTP Extension Framework".
[i.32] IETF RFC 2211: "Specification of the Controlled-Load Network Element Service".
[i.33] IETF RFC 2597: "Assured Forwarding PHB Group".
[i.34] IETF RFC 3246: "An Expedited Forwarding PHB (Per-Hop Behavior)".
[i.35] ETSI TR 101 790 (V1.3.1): "Digital Video Broadcasting (DVB); Interaction channel for satellite
distribution systems; Guidelines for the use of EN 301 790".
[i.36] IETF RFC 1518: " An Architecture for IP Address Allocation with CIDR".
[i.37] IETF RFC 1519: "Classless Inter-Domain Routing (CIDR); an Address Assignment and
Aggregation Strategy".
[i.38] ITU-T Recommendation Q.2931: "Digital Subscriber Signalling System No. 2 - User-Network
Interface (UNI) layer 3 specification for basic call/connection control; Modified by ITU-T Q.2971
(10/1995)".
3 Definitions and abbreviations
3.1 Definitions
For the purposes of the present document, the following terms and definitions apply.
Class of Service (CoS): specific behaviour regarding traffic handling/forwarding
NOTE: Can be used to categorize the traffic into different classes.
connection: layer 2 logical association between two or more network entities characterized by a C2P Class of Service
(C2P CoS)
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9 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
Connection Control Protocol (C2P): protocol that provides the interaction between RCSTs and NCC to support the
set-up, modification and release of connections
control plane: the control plane in a layered protocol architecture; it performs, among others, connection control
functions, including the signalling necessary to set up, supervise and release connections
Digital Video Broadcasting Return Channel by Satellite (DVB-RCS): protocol for an interaction (or return) channel
in satellite links
Digital Video Broadcasting via Satellite (DVB-S): protocol for broadcasting TV signals and, by extension, data over
satellite
gateway: general term to identify both the TSGW and the RSGW
interactive network: group of terminals serviced by an NCC
IP flow: sequence of IP packets from an IP source to an IP destination
NOTE: An IP flow may be identified based on the following attributes: IP source and destination address, layer 4
protocol type, source and destination ports, class of service, router or switch interface.
management plane: in a layered protocol architecture, it provides two types of functions, namely layer management
and plane management functions
Management Station (MS): network element that manages all the elements of the system of one satellite interactive
network (IN); it also controls the sessions, resources and connections of the ground terminals; it is composed of the
NMC and the NCC
mesh connection: direct connection established between two RCSTs
multicast: communication capability, which denotes unidirectional distribution from a single source access point to a
number of specified destination access points
Network Control Centre (NCC): network element that provide real time control of the IN (e.g. session control,
connection control, routing, terminals' access control to satellite resources, etc.)
Network Management Centre (NMC): network element in charge of the management of all the system elements in
the IN
Network Operation Centre (NOC): is responsible for the centralized management and control functions in systems
supporting multiple interactive networks, each controlled by its own NCC; NOC provides service and network
(bandwidth) provisioning to the interactive network, co-ordination between NCCs, etc.
NOTE: In case of single interactive network the NOC and NCC functionality are merged.
On-Board Processor (OBP): router or switch or multiplexer in the sky; it can decouple the uplink and downlink air
interface formats (modulation, coding, framing, etc.)
Quality of Service (QoS): network ability to provide service differentiation/guarantees and thus influence the
perceived quality of communications with regard to a number of parameters (including delay, jitter, packet loss) that
packets sent by the application experience when being transferred by the network
Return Channel Satellite Terminal (RCST): network element that provides the interface between the satellite system
and external users
Regenerative Satellite Gateway (RSGW): network element in a regenerative satellite system that provides
interconnection with terrestrial networks (Internet, ISDN/POTS and Intranet)
star connections: connections involving a gateway (TSGW in a transparent system or RSGW in a regenerative
system).
NOTE: Star connections can involve one hop or double hop.
stream: logical flow of layer 2 data from one network reference point into the satellite network, resulting from the
encapsulation of IP datagrams into MAC packets
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10 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
Transparent Satellite Gateway (GW/TSGW): network element in a transparent satellite system that provides
interfaces with terrestrial networks (Internet, ISDN/POTS and Intranet)
NOTE: The GW is typically integrated with the NCC in a single network element denoted as Hub.
user plane: user plane in a layered protocol architecture that provides the transfer of user data, along with associated
controls (e.g. flow control, recovery from errors, etc.)
3.2 Abbreviations
For the purposes of the present document, the following abbreviations apply:
ActiveCnx Entry Active Connection (Table) Entry
ActiveCnx Index Active Connection (Table) Index
ADC Analogue-to-Digital Conversion
ADR Average Data Rate
AF Assured Forwarding (DiffServ PHB)
ARP Address Resolution Protocol
ATM Asynchronous Transfer Mode
AVBDC Absolute Volume Based Dynamic Capacity
AVBDCRepTime AVBDC Repetition Time
BE Best Effort (DiffServ PHB)
BoD Bandwidth on Demand
BSM Broadband Satellite Multimedia
C2P CoS C2P Class of Service
C2P PDR C2P Peak Data Rate (used in C2P request messages)
C2P SDR C2P Sustainable Data Rate (used in C2P request messages)
C2P Connection Control Protocol
Channel_ID Channel Identifier
Channel_ID_NCC Channel Identifier at NCC
Channel_IDxy Channel identifier for MAC CoS y in the connectivity channel x
CL Controlled Load (IntServ Class of Service)
CMT Correction Map Table
Cnx PDR' (Admitted) Connection Peak Data Rate (used in C2P response messages)
Cnx SDR' (Admitted) Connection Sustainable Data Rate (used in C2P response messages)
Cnx Connection
CnxProfile Entry Connection Profile (Mapping Table) Entry
CnxProfile Index Connection Profile (Mapping Table) Index
CnxRef ID Connection Reference Identifier (used in the Active Connection Table)
CoS Class of Service
CPU Computer Processing Unit
CR Capacity Request
CRA Constant Rate Assignment
CRC Cyclic Redundancy Check
CSC Common Signalling Channel
DAC Digital-to-Analogue Conversion
DAMA Demand Assignment Multiple Access
DiffServ Differentiated Services
DL Down Link
DR Designated Router
DRM Digital Rights Management (for security)
DSCP Differentiated Service Code Point
DSM-CC Digital Storage Medium - Command and Control
DULM Data Unit Label Method
DVB Digital Video Broadcasting
DVB-RCS Digital Video Broadcasting Return Channel Satellite
DVB-S Digital Video Broadcasting by Satellite
nd
DVB-S2 Digital Video Broadcasting by Satellite Transmission 2 Generation
EF Expedited Forwarding (DiffServ PHB)
ETSI European Telecommunications Standards Institute
FCA Free Capacity Assignment
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11 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
FL Forward Link
Group_ID Group IDentifier
GS Guaranteed Service (IntServ Class of Service)
GSE Generic Stream Encapsulation
GW GateWay
ID IDentifier
IE Information Element
IETF Internet Engineering Task Force
IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
IMUX Input MUltipleXer
IN Interactive Network
INM Inter-Network Management
IntServ Integrated Services
IP CoS IP class of service
IP PDR IP Peak Data Rate (of an IP flow/flow aggregate)
IP SDR IP Sustainable Data Rate (of an IP flow/flow aggregate)
IP Internet Protocol
IP@ IP address
IPv4 Internet Protocol version 4
IPv6 Internet Protocol version 6
ISDN Integrated Services Digital Network
ISP Internet Service Provider
ITU International Telecommunications Union
Kbps Kilo bits per second (thousands of bits per second)
LAN Local Area Network
LNM Local Network Management
Logon_ID Logon IDentifier
M&C Management and Control
MAC CoS MAC Class of Service
MAC Medium Access Control
MAC@ MAC address
MAC@dst MAC address of the destination
MAC@src MAC address of the source
Mbps Mega bits per second (millions of bits per second)
MCD Multi-Carrier Demodulator
MCU Multi-Conference Unit
MDR Minimum Data Rate
MF-TDMA Multiple-Frequency Time-Division Multiple Access
MIB Management Information Base
MPE Multi-Protocol Encapsulation
MPEG Moving Picture Experts Group
MS Management Station
NCC Network Control Centre
NMC Network Management Centre
NOC Network Operation Centre
NSIS Next Step In Signalling (protocol)
OAM Operation, Administration and Maintenance
OBP On Board Processor
OMUX Output Multiplexer
OSI Open System Interconnection
PDR Peak Data Rate
Phb Entry PHB (Mapping Table) Entry
Phb Index PHB (Mapping Table) Index
Phb PDR' PHB Peak Data Rate (admitted rate; used for the configuration of IP mechanisms)
Phb SDR' PHB Sustainable Data Rate (admitted rate; used for the configuration of IP mechanisms)
PHB Per Hop Behaviour
PID Program IDentifier
PIM-SIM Protocol Independent Multicast-Sparse Mode (routing protocol)
PktClass Entry Packet Classification (Table) Entry
PktClass Index Packet Classification (Table) Index
PSTN Public Switched Telephone Network
PTM Point-To-Multipoint
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12 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
PTP Point-To-Point
PVC Permanent Virtual Circuit
QID Queue IDentifier
QoS Quality of Service
R1 First Rate (of a token bucket)
R2 Second rate (of a token bucket)
RBDC Rate Based Dynamic Capacity
RBDCMax RBDC Maximum (parameter)
RBDCTimeout RBDC Timeout (parameter)
RC Entry Request Class (Table) Entry
RC Index Request Class (Table) Index
RC Request Class
RCST Return Channel Satellite Terminal
RF Radio Frequency
RFC (IETF) Request For Comments
RL Return Link
Route_ID Route IDentifier
RSAT Regenerative SATellite
RSGW Regenerative Satellite GateWay
RSM-B Regenerative Satellite Multimedia system Family B
RSPEC Request SPECification
RSVP Resource reSerVation Protocol
Rx Receive
SatLabs Satellite Laboratories
SCD Single Carrier Demodulator
SCPC Single Channel Per Carrier
SDP Session Description Protocol
SDR Sustainable Data Rate
SIAF Satellite Independent Access Function
S-IGMP Satellite Internet Group Management Protocol
SIP Session Initiation Protocol
SI-SAP Satellite Independent Service Access Point
SLA Service Level Agreements
SNMP Simple Network Management Protocol
SP Service Provider
SSR SatLabs Systems Recommendations
ST Satellite Terminal (e.g. in BSM)
Stream_ID Stream IDentifier
SYNC SYNChronization (burst type)
TBTP Terminal Burst Time Plan
TCA Traffic Conditioning Agreement
TCP Transmission Control Protocol
TDM Time Division Multiplex
TIM Terminal Information Message
TIMb TIM broadcast
TIMu TIM unicast
TOS Type Of Service
TRF TRaFic (burst)
TS Transport Stream
TSGW Transparent Satellite GateWay
TSPEC Traffic SPECification
Tx Transmit
UDP User Datagram Protocol
uimsbf unsigned integer most significant bit first
UL UpLink
VBDC Volume Based Dynamic Capacity
VBDCMax VBDC Maximum (parameter)
VBDCMaxBacklog VBDC Maximum Backlog (parameter)
VBDCTimeout VBDC Timeout (parameter)
VCC Virtual Channel Connection
VCI Virtual Connection Identifier
VLAN Virtual LAN
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13 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
VoIP Voice over IP
VPI Virtual Path Identifier
VSN Virtual Satellite Network
4 DVB-RCS Network Reference Scenarios
Network reference scenarios are defined on the basis of a well-defined set of driver factors concerning satellite network
architecture, satellite network topology and satellite payload features. In particular, the reference scenarios considered
in the present document are classified with regard to the following criteria:
• Number of spot beams (network architecture):
- single-beam;
- multi-beam.
• Network topology:
- star;
- mesh.
• Satellite payload architecture:
- transparent (or transponded);
- regenerative.
Based on the above criteria, the following network reference scenarios are identified:
• single-beam/multi-beam, star transparent;
• single-beam/multi-beam, mesh transparent;
• single-beam/multi-beam, star/mesh regenerative.
In the above list the term "transparent" refers both to a pure transparent satellite transponder (bent-pipe) and also to a
satellite transponder which does not perform any demodulation, but is able to perform some form of physical layer
switching, e.g.:
• by switching uplink carriers in a beam to different downlink beams, by means of an Input Multiplexer (IMUX)
and an Output Multiplexer (OMUX); or
• by performing Analogue-to-Digital Conversion (ADC) on the uplink carriers, followed by digital switching
and Digital-to-Analogue Conversion (DAC).
The network reference scenarios described in this clause apply primarily to the DVB-RCS networks - a particular
implementation of the Broadband Multimedia Satellite (BSM) networks. Many architectural/topological aspects of the
reference scenarios also apply to the BSM networks in general; however, the description of scenarios in the present
document is in terms of DVB-RCS specifics (especially with regard to the satellite air interface/waveforms).
4.1 Transparent Satellite Network
Two different transparent scenarios can be considered based on the network topology: star or mesh. They will be
reviewed in the next sub-clauses. The main features of each topology will be described for both single-beam and
multi-beam network architectures and the differences between them will be identified.
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14 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)
4.1.1 Star Transparent
In a star transparent network the communication between Return Channel Satellite Terminals (RCSTs) and Network
Control Centre (NCC)/Gateway (GW) is based on a transparent (transponded) satellite. The Gateway operating in a
transparent satellite network is sometimes referred to as Transparent Satellite Gateway (TSGW). The overall
architecture for the star transparent network, as applicable to an Interactive Network (IN), is depicted in figure 4.1.
The network configuration includes the following elements.
• The Network Control Centre (NCC), which controls the DVB-RCS Interactive Network. It provides the unique
reference for the system clock and generates control and timing signals for the operation of the satellite
Interactive Network, to be transmitted by one or several Feeder Stations. The NCC also serves the satellite
access requests from RCSTs, via management and control plane functions.
• The Feeder, that transmits a standard digital video broadcast signal (DVB-S [i.5] or DVB-S2 [i.6]) on the
uplink forward link. The signal carries control and timing signalling needed for the operation of the satellite
Interactive Network, possibly multiplexed with user data. The Feeder is customarily a functional building
block of the NCC, therefore within the current document the Feeder (Feeders in the case of multi-beam
architectures) will be considered part of the NCC.
• Traffic Gateway (GW), that provides user plane transport functions for the satellite network, i.e. it transmits
user data and signalling on the forward link in DVB-S/S2 formats and receives return channel user data and
signalling in DVB-RCS format. The GW also provides interfaces with the external networks, thus enabling the
internetworking (via the backbone) primarily with Internet and Internet Service Provider (SP) networks, but
also with the telephony oriented networks such as PSTN or ISDN.
DVB-RCS defines an Interactive Network as a group of RCSTs, an NCC, several GWs and a Feeder. There will be one
unique NCC per Interactive Network, but there could be several GWs, all controlled by the same NCC; each GW will
provide external access to different RCST populations (groups) within the Interactive Network. Typically there is just
one GW per Interactive Network, co-located with the NCC, and this is the case considered in the present document. If
several GWs are present in the satellite system, they are customarily associated with different interactive networks. In
order to simplify the description and better concentrate on the network control aspects, the NCC and the GW will be
considered in the following clauses of the document as one network element (NCC/GW, also referred to as Hub), with
two collocated functional building blocks - the NCC and the GW. The NCC is in charge of executing control and
management plane functions for the interactive network, while the GW is in charge of executing user plane functions.
As a further refinement, the NCC is often more precisely defined as one part of the Management Station (MS) which
can be logically divided into two modules:
• the Network Control Centre, that provides the real time control of the interactive network, as described above
(i.e. control plane functions); and the
• the Network Management Centre (NMC), in charge of element and network management functions
(management plane functions).
It is expected that the NCC/GW is able to provide service differentiation/guarantees to subscribers based on a defined
Quality of Service (QoS) model (e.g. DiffServ-based). This implies user plane functions (i.e. traffic
conditioning/forwarding) and M&C plane functions (e.g. the configuration/control of the DiffServ mechanisms and
other QoS-aware components) [i.3] and [i.4].
• The DVB-RCS Terminals (RCSTs), which provide the interface with the end users equipment. The RCSTs
transmit bursts according to the DVB-RCS air interface standard [i.1] and receive a forward link based on the
DVB-S/S2 air interface standard [i.5] and [i.6]. It is expected that the RCSTs are also able to provide service
differentiation/guarantees based on the same QoS model (e.g. DiffServ) envisaged for the NCC/GW, and
consequently the NCC will have to configure/control the DiffServ mechanisms (and MAC mechanisms) in
RCSTs as well.
ETSI
15 ETSI TR 102 603 V1.1.1 (2009-01)

Figure 4.1: Star Transparent Network Reference Scenario
If the satellite system supports multiple Interactive Networks, each of them is under the control of its own NCC and will
have its own GW. The co-ordination between NCCs is a task associated with the Network Operations Centre (NOC),
which is responsible for the centralized management and control functions, such as service and network resources
(bandwidth) provisioning to the interactive network providers through the NOC-NCC interface, and for the satellite
configuration via the interface with the Satellite Operation Centre (SOC). In the case of a single interactive network the
NOC and NCC functionality are merged.
4.1.1.1 Mobility Impact/Continuous Carrier Return Link
The DVB-RCS standard is currently being changed to provide support for mobility. For some mobile scenarios,
implying many users per terminal (e.g. airplanes, ships, fast trains), the Continuous Carrier (CC) operation (also
referred to as Single Channel Per Carrier (SCPC) operation) has proved to be a viable alternative to the standard
MF-TDMA based return link. The last (draft) version of the DVB-RCS standard (V1.5.1) therefore includes provisions
for a CC-based return link, to be supported by terminals along with the MF-TDMA return link. A reference to
DVB-RCS return link could therefore imply an MF-TDMA return
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