NEXT GENERATION DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TV NETWORKS

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Powerful Digital Terrestrial TV Networks Net Insight’s Nimbra platform features a 100% QoS core with powerful multicasting and an extremely bandwidth-efficient resource management, making it the preferred transport solution for Digital Terrestrial TV networks. The full multiservice support enables contribution applications over the same infrastructure and allows for a smooth and cost-effective extension to mobile TV distribution. The unique Time Transfer functionality eliminates the need for GPS receivers in Single Frequency Networks. WORLDWIDE ANALOGUE SWITCH-OFFS Many countries are shutting down their analogue TV transmissions and migrating to Digital Terrestrial TV (DTT). IMS research anticipates a world-wide annual growth rate of DTT households of more than 43%. At the same time competition for TV customers is becoming fiercer with TV services being provided over satellite, cable, DVB and now also over broadband DSL and fiber networks. This means that the overall solution cost needs to come down to rectify the business case for building out national DTT networks. New multi-service network platforms need to increase network utilization and enable the DVB signals to be sent over the same network as other traffic, reducing the total infrastructure cost.

DIGITAL TV MIGRATION CAN BE A GREAT BUSINESS OPPORTUNITY Building a next generation digital TV network can enable new services, such as video contribution for TV and media companies, mobile TV distribution, digital radio distribution, IPTV distribution and Wimax access, all over the same multi-service network platform. This can sig-

nificantly increase revenue and speed up the return on investment of the network build-out. Analogue TV operators can thus leapfrog many of the competing operators on the converging market by building a national video-enabled multi-service network and by establishing partnerships with local IPTV and CATV operators as well as mobile operators.

PUBLIC TV IS A MATTER OF NATIONAL SECURITY Today’s society is becoming increasingly dependent on GPS timing for many critical everyday services, including synchronization of SFN DTT transmitters. The problem is that it is very easy to jam the reception of the UTC (Coordinated Universal Time) signal via the GPS. The GPS system is also military controlled, which could be a concern to some countries. GPS independence is therefore becoming a key selection criteria for new DTT deployments. An attractive solution would be to be able to distribute the real time information over an optical or microwave network that could also be used to distribute the actual user data.

WHAT IS THE TECHNICAL TREND FOR DIGITAL TERRESTRIAL TV NETWORKS? Traditionally, the early DTT implementations were based on ATM networks with ATM-ASI adapters at the head-end and out at the transmitter antenna sites. ATM is however on the decline and many operators are now looking at more efficient technologies. While IP/MPLS is often viewed as the future technology for core networks, many operators experience QoS issues and multicast scalability problems in using IP/MPLS. It also drives network complexity and thus cost. New multi-service platforms for DTT and mobile TV networks should be capable of switching IP and native video directly on optical and microwave systems for highest quality and efficiency. With experience from digital roll-outs and recent wins in more than 10 of the larger DTT projects, Net Insight can offer not only the best technology but also project know-how and understanding of the overall business case.

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Net Insight’s Nimbra Platform – A video-centric multi-service solution with 100% QoS SINGLE PLATFORM SOLUTION The Nimbra platform transports native ASI over the network eliminating the need for network to ASI adapters at head-ends and antenna transmitter sites. ASI or IP MPEG signals are inserted directly into the Nimbra products at the head-end and are multicast across the network to the transmitter sites connecting directly with ASI into the antennas. TV operators deploying digital terrestrial TV based on Net Insight’s Nimbra platform not only get a DTT network but a multi-service transport infrastructure that opens up new business opportunities. Mobile TV services are easily added whether distributed over ASI, IP MPEG or E1. E1 cards also enable distribution of digital radio. Adding a higher-speed backbone and HD-SDI, SDI, ASI, AES-EBU, and IP/Ethernet interfaces turns the network into a very powerful media contribution platform.

UNIQUE MULTICAST SUPPORT The Nimbra platform supports multicast of any traffic type, including ASI for DTT/DVBH, Ethernet for IPTV, and E1 for DAB radio

and DMB distribution. Multicast is provisioned over any topology, always with full QoS and without affecting other connections. Nodes can easily be added or withdrawn from a multicast tree without affecting the traffic to other nodes. Restoration of a multicast channel only affects the leaf of the multicast tree and is very fast. The Ethernet multicast functionality can work together with IP multicast protocols, such as PIM, but can also be used stand-alone to scale the multicasting of IP traffic to very large networks. The Nimbra platform provides the same 100% QoS whether it be ASI or IP/Ethernet multicast traffic.

LOWEST COST-PER-BIT SWITCHING High performance capacity combined with 512 kbps switching granularity gives outstanding flexibility and utlilization to a market-leading price. The Nimbra family provides savings of up to 80%, as compared to legacy equipment. Operating expenditure is the main cost component for the operators. Net Insight has been a pioneer in using an automated optical control plane, which according to

analysts can drive down operating cost with more than 60%.

RELIABLE, EASY-TO-USE OPERATIONS The Nimbra platform lends all of its plug-and-play features from the data networks. However, while packet data networks become extremely difficult to operate when video QoS and multicast need to be handled, the Nimbra platform offers a reliable and deterministic control plane always offering end-to-end QoS. The network restoration solution can be tailored to the individual demands on service availability. The Net Insight solution supports any mix of 1+1 protection, predefined source routing, or hop-by-hop fast rerouting in any network topology. Similarly, service provisioning is done using dynamic routing of the network or by specifying a source route, loose by only specifying one or two nodes the path should traverse, or strict defining all ports on the path. The choice is done per service channel, offering complete flexibility.

Integrated Time Transfer for SFN networks Transmitter stations in Single Frequency Networks (SFN) need to be time synchronized with an accuracy of about 1 µs. This is typically done via a 10 MHz and a 1 PPS signal from a GPS receiver. However, the GPS signal may easily be jammed and there is also sometimes a desire to not be too dependent on the GPS signal as it is militarily controlled. Net Insight has developed a unique scheme for integrating the distribution of the 10 MHz and the 1 PPS signals over the same infrastructure that is used for transport of video and other services. This solution is secure, resilient, cost-effective and delivers the high accuracy needed for SFNs, which has previously not been possible with traditional time transfer methods.

INTEGRATED TWO-WAY TIME AND FREQUENCY TRANSFER

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Network Architecture DTT AND MOBILE TV NETWORKS

Originally built to handle demanding realtime video services, the Net Insight Nimbra platform is the perfect fit for Digital Terrestrial networks. The Nimbra solution integrates Ethernet and ASI in a seamless onebox solution for both contribution and distribution. Only the payload of the ASI signals are sent over the network for highest utilization. The platform accepts ASI signals from 1 to 200 Mbps and both 188 and 204 byte packets. In packet-switched networks, operators are forced to decentralize content to reduce the number of packet hops. In a Net Insight Nimbra network, the delay is short and the QoS is always guaranteed over any number of hops. This makes it possible to centralize the TV head-end and content servers. However, the flexible network

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architecture allows for regional insertion anywhere in the network. The Nimbra 360, which is especially optimized for DTT and mobile TV networks, also features integrated time transfer ports to eliminate the need for costly and potentially insecure GPS receivers in the network. The Nimbra platform is a true multiservice platform optimized for video-centric applications. Over the same network used for the DVB distribution it is possible to transport data and voice traffic. Since the platform also performs E1 multicast, it is especially suited to also provide DAB radio and DMB distribution. All services on Net Insight’s platform are delivered on separate channels. This means that bursty Internet traffic will never interfere with bandwidth allocated for TV

distribution or voice. Consequently, all services always get the bandwidth allocated and 100% quality of service is guaranteed even at full network utilization. The overhead is very low in comparison with e.g. ATM networks. Over an OC3/STM-1 network this means that up to 20% more TV channels can be sent, resulting in increased revenue potential. The Nimbra platform runs over any network topology and at capacities ranging from DS3/E3 microwave links all the way up to OC-192/STM-64 optical links with built-in CWDM/DWDM lasers. Over OC3/STM-1 radio links, there is an optional FEC (Forward Error Correction) that can be used if the signal gets too distorted. It can typically handle BER of 2x10-4.

The Nimbra Product Platform Net Insight's Nimbra product portfolio includes a complete range of video-centric transport equipment enabling a seamless network solution from the core backbone to the customer premises or antenna transmitter site. NIMBRA ONE is a multiservice access and edge switch with a wide selection of access and trunk interfaces. 7 slots are available for traffic boards including OC-3/STM-1, OC-12/STM-4, OC-48/STM-16, Fast and Gigabit Ethernet, DVB-ASI, SDI, E1/DS1 and AES/EBU. Optical interface options include CWDM and DWDM. To be used in head-end and larger transmitter sites, alternatively in combined DTT/DAB and contribution sites, with ASI, E1 and potentially GbE and SDI access. NIMBRA 680 is a high-capacity carrier class switch that may form the core of larger DTT networks. The 160 Gbps 6 RU chassis can be equipped in various configurations including redundant 40 or 80 Gbps bidirectional switch planes. 8 slots are available for traffic boards including OC-3/STM-1 to OC-192/STM-64 SDH/SONET and high-density Gigabit Ethernet and HD/SD-SDI modules. The NIMBRA 300 SERIES is a family of compact multiservice access devices. Nimbra 340 and Nimbra 360 are specifically designed for DTT and mobile TV networks to be placed out at the transmitter stations. The 2 RU chassis has a switching capacity of 5 Gbps and comes with a built-in Gigabit Ethernet port and either two bidirectional DVB-ASI ports (340) or 4 multirate SDH/SONET ports (360). In addition two slots are available for plug-in modules with the same set of interfaces supported as for Nimbra One. Nimbra 360 also features the 1 PPS and 10 MHz ports for SFN synchronization. NIMBRA VISION is is a comprehensive network management system for Nimbra networks. Full FCAPS functionality is supported over standard SNMP interfaces. Nimbra Vision continuously monitors the network for faults and performance degradation and displays status in a centralized network view. Services are easily provisioned by clicking on the end nodes in the Nimbra Vision map. Integration of 3rd party equipment is easily achieved.

KEY FEATURES • Low overhead results in up to 20% more TV channels sent over the same link capacity. • Low CAPEX and OPEX. The high utilization in combination with the unique switching granularity offers very low CAPEX. The deterministic behavior of the network combined with the leading-edge optical control plane can lower OPEX with up to 2/3 compared to other solutions. • Unsurpassed switching granularity. The Nimbra platform is the only one on the market with sub lower-order granularity for all connections.

• End-to-end Provisioning and Restoration. The integrated optical control plane enables services, both unicast and multicast, to be provisioned in a simple one step process. Services are automatically rerouted in case of failures. • Multi-service platform enabling contribution, local insertion, mobile TV and DAB radio distribution over the same platform used for DTT. • Unique Multicast support. The Nimbra platform supports multicast of any traffic types over any topology, always with full QoS and without affecting other connections. Nodes can easily be added or withdrawn from a multicast tree without affecting the traffic to other nodes.

• Efficient Ethernet functionality. The Nimbra platform combines efficient Ethernet functionality with QoS transport enabling a zero packet loss network. Channel granularity is Nx0.5 Mbps and features include 802.1Q VLAN separation, 802.1p user priorities, and Metro Ethernet Forum E-Line and E-LAN support. • Extensive management options. The Nimbra platform can be managed by CLI, Web GUI, optional Nimbra Vision™ or 3rd party NMS through SNMP. • Unique SFN synchronization. The integrated Time Transfer mechanism provides a phase accuracy of approximately 1 µs.

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AUGUST 2007

Net Insight AB • Box 42093 • SE-126 14 Stockholm • Sweden Phone +46 (0)8 685 04 00 • Fax +46 (0)8 685 04 20 • [email protected] Net Insight Inc. • 1050 Winter Street • Suite 1000 • Waltham, MA 02451 • US Phone +1-781-530-3742 • [email protected] Net Insight • Penthouse Level • Suntec Tower Three • 8 Temasek Boulevard • Singapore 038988 Phone: + 65-6866-3830 • Fax: + 65-6866-3838 www.netinsight.net

About Net Insight Net Insight delivers the world’s most efficient and scaleable optical transport solution for Broadcast and Media, Digital Terrestrial TV, Mobile TV and IPTV/CATV networks. Net Insight products truly deliver 100 percent Quality of Service with three times improvement in utilization of bandwidth for a converged transport infrastructure. Net Insight’s Nimbra™ platform is the industry solution for video, voice and data, reducing operational costs by 50 percent and enhancing competitiveness in delivery of existing and new media services. World class customers run mission critical video services over Net Insight products for more than 100 million people in more than 25 countries. Net Insight is quoted on the Stockholm Stock Exchange. For more information, visit www.netinsight.net