Classifications

• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/80—Responding to QoS
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
  • H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
  • H04L12/185—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast with management of multicast group membership
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L12/00—Data switching networks
  • H04L12/02—Details
  • H04L12/16—Arrangements for providing special services to substations
  • H04L12/18—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast
  • H04L12/1863—Arrangements for providing special services to substations for broadcast or conference, e.g. multicast comprising mechanisms for improved reliability, e.g. status reports
  • H04L12/1877—Measures taken prior to transmission
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
  • H04L43/50—Testing arrangements
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L43/00—Arrangements for monitoring or testing data switching networks
  • H04L43/50—Testing arrangements
  • H04L43/55—Testing of service level quality, e.g. simulating service usage
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L65/00—Network arrangements, protocols or services for supporting real-time applications in data packet communication
  • H04L65/60—Network streaming of media packets
  • H04L65/61—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio
  • H04L65/611—Network streaming of media packets for supporting one-way streaming services, e.g. Internet radio for multicast or broadcast
• • H—ELECTRICITY
  • H04—ELECTRIC COMMUNICATION TECHNIQUE
  • H04L—TRANSMISSION OF DIGITAL INFORMATION, e.g. TELEGRAPHIC COMMUNICATION
  • H04L41/00—Arrangements for maintenance, administration or management of data switching networks, e.g. of packet switching networks
  • H04L41/50—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements
  • H04L41/5061—Network service management, e.g. ensuring proper service fulfilment according to agreements characterised by the interaction between service providers and their network customers, e.g. customer relationship management
  • H04L41/5067—Customer-centric QoS measurements

Definitions

• IPTV Internet protocol television
• IP internet protocol
• IPTV Internet protocol television
• IPTV Internet protocol television
• IPTV Internet protocol television
• streaming of video channels also known as IP video channels, takes place over the IP based communication network in the form of IP data packets.
• IP video channels typically, such television services are offered to the users on a subscription basis.
• the service providers offer several subscription packages with different services and quality of services, or example, high definition video channels and video on demand features.
• the users may subscribe to any of such television services for enjoying such benefits of IPTV.
• IP internet protocol
• a method for validating internet protocol (IP) video channel comprises, receiving a test message from an optical line terminal (OLT), wherein the test message includes test information pertaining to one or more IP video channels, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames. Further, one or more IP video channels to be validated are identified by an optical network unit based on the test message. Further, a plurality of video frames is received during the test time duration. Further, number of received video frames, for each of the one or more IP video channels, is compared with the reference number of video frames. The method further comprises validating by determining, for each IP video channel, a level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel based on the comparison.
• QoS quality of service
• an Optical Network Unit for validating IP video channels.
• the ONU includes a processor and an identification module coupled to the processor.
• the identification module receives a test message from an Optical Line Terminal (OLT), wherein the test message includes test information pertaining to one or more IP video channels, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames.
• the identification module further identifies the one or more IP video channels to be validated based on the test message.
• the ONU further includes a testing module coupled to the processor.
• the testing module receives, for each of the one or more IP video channels, a plurality of video frames over a connection established between the OLT and the ONU during the test time duration.
• the testing module compares, for each of the one or more IP video channels, number of received video frames with the reference number of video frames.
• the testing module further validates by determining, for each of the one or more IP video channels, a level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel based on the comparison.
• QoS quality of service
• a method for validating IP video channels comprises generating, by an optical line terminal, a test message, where the test message includes test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels to be validated, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames.
• the method further comprises sending the test message to an optical network unit (ONU) for initiating a validation test for validating each of the one or more IP video channels.
• ONU optical network unit
• a plurality of video frames, for each of the one or more IP video channels is transmitted to the ONU for the validation test over a connection established between the OLT and the ONU.
• the method further comprises obtaining, for each of the one or more IP video channels, a level of QoS determined by the ONU (104), wherein the level of QoS is determined based on number of transmitted video frames and the reference number of video frames.
• OLT Optical Line Terminal
• the OLT includes a processor and a a monitoring module coupled to the processor.
• the monitoring module generates a test message, where the test message includes test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels to be validated, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames.
• the monitoring module further sends the test message to an optical network unit (ONU).
• the OLT further comprises a video channel module coupled to the processor to transmit, for each of the one or more IP video channels, a plurality of video frames to the ONU for the validation test over a connection established between the OLT and the ONU.
• a computer-readable medium having embodied thereon a computer program for executing a method of validating IP video channels comprises identifying, by an optical network unit, one or more IP video channels to be validated based on a test message generated by an optical line terminal, wherein the test message includes test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames.
• the method further comprises, receiving, a plurality of video frames during the test time duration. Further, number of received video frames, for each of the one or more IP video channels, is compared with the reference number of video frames.
• the method further comprises determining, for each IP video channel, a level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel to validate the IP video channel for transmitting video frames corresponding to the IP video channel, based on the comparison.
• QoS quality of service
• Figure 1 illustrates a network environment implementation for validating internet protocol (IP) video channels, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter
• Figure 2 illustrates a method for validating IP video channels, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter
• Figure 3 illustrates a method for validating IP video channels, in accordance with an embodiment of the present subject matter.
• IPTV internet protocol television
• DTH packet switched network
• the service providers offering IPTV services typically deploy a passive optical network. Examples of such passive optical network include a Gigabit Passive Optical Network (GPON) based on which such television services are provided to multiple user premises.
• GPON Gigabit Passive Optical Network
• a GPON access network is a well-knit architecture comprising several devices, such as an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) installed at the service provider's end, an Optical Network Unit (ONU) installed at the user premises, optical fibers, and splitters.
• OLT Optical Line Terminal
• ONU Optical Network Unit
• splitters typically, each OLT is connected to several ONU's, which in turn are further connected to customer premises equipment (CPE), commonly referred to as a set top box (STB), for delivering the IP video channels to the user premises.
• CPE customer premises equipment
• STB set top box
• Such devices are typically subjected to routine upgrades, for example, hardware or software upgrades, for ensuring high standards of quality of service to the users.
• the upgrades are typically carried out during a predetermined maintenance window, usually during night time, when user activity is minimal.
• routine upgrades at times may result in upgrade faults, for example, software glitches, hardware compatibility issues, device failures, and the like, resulting in either disruption or degradation in quality of service.
• a glitch in a software upgrade of the devices may result in imparities between television service access rights of a user stored at the OLT and the ONU.
• the user may not be able to view all or few of the IP video channels despite being subscribed to the same, thus resulting in a dissatisfactory television viewing experience for the user.
• reporting of such upgrade faults is performed by the set top box which may prove to be a time consuming process. For instance, on being powered up, the STB may try to connect to the ONU for reception of the IP video channels. However, upon not being able to receive the IP video channels, the STB may start a troubleshooting procedure for identifying the cause of non-reception of the IP video channels. If the issue is determined to be an upgrade fault, the same is reported to the service provider.
• the conventional method may prove to be time consuming and the trouble shooting process itself may involve high utilization of network resources, such as bandwidth as the set top box may repeatedly send data pertaining to the trouble shooting procedure until the fault is isolated.
• network resources such as bandwidth as the set top box may repeatedly send data pertaining to the trouble shooting procedure until the fault is isolated.
• reporting of such upgrade faults is done by the user either through an e-mail or a telephonic call to the service provider, thus resulting in dissatisfactory user experience.
• the losses may increase manifold for the service provider.
• a large number of service provider resources, such as manpower and backup devices are utilized for resolving such issues, thereby resulting in additional monetary loss to the service provider.
• the present subject matter discloses systems and methods for conducting validation tests for IP video channels. According to an embodiment, the present subject matter ensures that the IP video channels being transmitted to a user are of satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS).
• QoS quality of service
• a test message for initiating the validation test for validating one or more IP video channels is initially generated by the OLT. Thereafter, the test message is transmitted to the ONU. Upon receiving the test message, the ONU conducts the validation test for the one or more IP video channels.
• the present subject matter is described with reference to a single ONU associated with the OLT, it may be understood that the OLT may simultaneously conduct the validation test for each of the ONU's for ensuring that a satisfactory level of QoS the IP video channels is delivered to the users.
• the OLT may generate the test message for initiating the validation test for validating one or more IP video channels.
• the test message includes test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels to be tested.
• the test information may be a list of the one or more IP video channels.
• the list may further include a corresponding multi-cast IP address for each of the IP video channel.
• the test information may include a set of instructions for accessing a multi-cast access control list stored with the ONU, where the multi-cast access control list includes IP video channels subscribed by the user.
• the test message may include a test time duration and a reference number of video frames.
• the test time duration may be understood as the time duration for which each of the one or more IP video channels may be tested.
• the reference number of video frames may be defined as a minimum number of video frames desired to be received during the test time duration for achieving the satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel.
• QoS quality of service
• the reference number of video frames may be used for determining a level of QoS for each of the IP video channel to determine whether the IP channel is working with a desired QoS or not. Thereafter, the test message may be transmitted to the ONU.
• the ONU Upon receiving the test message, the ONU analyzes the test information included in the test message for identifying the IP video channels to be tested. Once the IP video channels which are to be tested are identified, the ONU conducts the validation test for validating each of the IP video channels.
• the ONU in order to validate an IP video channel, transmits an Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) join message to the OLT for establishing a connection between the ONU and the OLT. Subsequently the ONU receives from the OLT, a plurality of video frames corresponding to the IP video channel over the connection.
• the connection may be established for the test time duration, upon completion of which, the ONU transmits an IGMP leave message for terminating the connection between the ONU and the OLT. For instance, if the test time duration is of two seconds, the ONU transmits the IGMP leave message for terminating the connection after two seconds from the time of establishment of the connection.
• IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
• the ONU may determine number of received video frames during the test time duration.
• the number of video frames may then be compared with the reference number of video frames for determining the level of QoS of the IP video channel, where the level of QoS is one of an acceptable level and a non-acceptable level.
• the acceptable level may be defined as a high level of quality of service of the IP video channel and is achieved in a case where number of video frames received during the test time duration is greater than the reference number of video frames.
• the non-acceptable level may be defined as a low level of quality of service of the IP video channel and is achieved in a case where number of video frames, corresponding to the IP video channel, received during the test time duration is lower than the reference number of video frames.
• the validation result is ascertained to be of acceptable level. In a case where the number of video frames received is less than the reference number of video frames, the validation result is ascertained to be of non-acceptable level.
• the OLT may obtain the validation result for each of the
• IP video channel for identifying and subsequently reporting the IP video channels with non- acceptable level to the service provider.
• the service provider may then take preemptive measures for ensuring that high quality of service for such IP video channels is maintained.
• each of the one or more IP video channel are tested in a manner as described herein and a corresponding validation result is obtained for each IP video channel.
• the proposed method of preemptive validation of the IP video channels helps in facilitating efficient quality of service to the users as any upgrade fault pertaining to the transmission is detected by the service provider itself, thereby eliminating the need for detection and reporting by the set top box. Further, the self detection of such faults and subsequent rectification of the same ensures satisfactory level of user experience.
• the method may be implemented by the service provider for testing the devices upon completion of the upgrade for ensuring proper working of the devices. Further, the systems and the methods may also be implemented by the service provider for testing of IP video channels based on a user complaint. Additionally, the proposed method may further be implemented for in-house testing of the devices by the service provider in order to ensure proper working of the devices before deployment in the GPON network. Further, apart from validating the IP video channels after the channel up gradation, the method may be used for regular validation of the IP video channels to ensure proper working and high QoS.
• Figure 1 illustrates a network environment 100 for validating IP video channels.
• the network environment 100 includes an Optical Line Terminal (OLT) 102 and a plurality of Optical Network Units (ONU) 104-1 , 104-2, and 104-N, hereinafter collectively referred to as the ONU's 104 and individually referred to as the ONU 104.
• the OLT 102 and the ONU's 104 may communicate with each other, through a network 106, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
• the OLT 102 may be defined as a hardware device implemented by a service provider offering television services using internet protocol television (IPTV).
• IPTV internet protocol television
• the OLT 102 constitutes a part of a passive optical network PON, such as a gigabit passive optical network (GPON), and is typically deployed at the service provider's end for distribution of the television services, for example, internet protocol (IP) based video channels, herein referred to as IP video channels, to the plurality of ONU's 104 associated with the OLT 102.
• IP internet protocol
• the ONU 104 may be defined as a hardware device implemented by the service provider at a user premises of a user, registered with the service provider, for availing the television services offered by the service provider.
• the network 106 may be an optical network of optical fibers for interconnecting the OLT 102 and the ONU's 104.
• the network 106 may be a point-to- multipoint architecture of optical fibers and splitters, not shown explicitly for the sake of brevity.
• the optical fibers and the splitters may also be collectively hereinafter referred to as optical distribution network.
• the network 106 comprising the optical fibers and the splitters may support transmission of optical signals between the OLT 102 and the ONU's 104 for providing the television services to the users registered with the service provider.
• the OLT 102 and the O U 104 include processors 108-1 and 108-2, respectively.
• the processors 108-1 and 108-2 hereinafter collectively referred to as the processor 108, may be implemented as one or more microprocessors, microcomputers, microcontrollers, digital signal processors, central processing units, state machines, logic circuitries, and/or any devices that manipulate signals based on operational instructions.
• the processor(s) is configured to fetch and execute computer-readable instructions stored in the memory.
• processors may be provided through the use of dedicated hardware as well as hardware capable of executing software in association with appropriate software.
• the functions may be provided by a single dedicated processor, by a single shared processor, or by a plurality of individual processors, some of which may be shared.
• the OLT 102 and the ONU 104 include I/O interface(s) 1 10-1 and 1 10-2, respectively.
• the I/O interfaces 1 10-1 and 1 10-2, collectively referred to as I/O interfaces 1 10 may include a variety of software and hardware interfaces that allow the OLT 102 and the ONU 104 to interact with the network 106, or with each other. Further, the I/O interfaces 1 10 may enable the OLT 102 and the ONU 104 to communicate with other communication and computing devices, such as web servers and external repositories.
• the OLT 102 and the ONU 104 may further include memory 1 12-1 , and 112-2, respectively, collectively referred to as memory 1 12.
• the memory 1 12-1 and 112-2 may be coupled to the processor 108-1 , and the processor 108-2, respectively.
• the memory 1 12 may include any computer-readable medium known in the art including, for example, volatile memory (e.g., RAM), and/or non-volatile memory (e.g., EPROM, flash memory, etc.).
• the OLT 102 and the ONU 104 include modules 1 14-1 , 1 14-2 and data 1 16-1 ,
• modules 1 14 and data 1 16, respectively are collectively referred to as modules 1 14 and data 1 16, respectively.
• the modules 1 14 include routines, programs, objects, components, data structures, and the like, which perform particular tasks or implement particular abstract data types.
• the modules 114 further include modules that supplement applications on the OLT 102 and the ONU 104, for example, modules of an operating system.
• the modules 1 14 can be implemented in hardware, instructions executed by a processing unit, or by a combination thereof.
• the processing unit can comprise a computer, a processor, such as the processor 108, a state machine, a logic array or any other suitable devices capable of processing instructions.
• the processing unit can be a general-purpose processor which executes instructions to cause the general-purpose processor to perform the required tasks or, the processing unit can be dedicated to perform the required functions.
• the modules 1 14 may be machine - readable instructions (software) which, when executed by a processor/processing unit, perform any of the described functionalities.
• the machine-readable instructions may be stored on an electronic memory device, hard disk, optical disk or other machine-readable storage medium or non-transitory medium.
• the machine -readable instructions can be also be downloaded to the storage medium via a network connection.
• the data 1 16 serves, amongst other things, as a repository for storing data that may be fetched, processed, received, or generated by one or more of the modules 1 14.
• the modules 1 14-1 of the OLT 102 include a monitoring module 1 18, a video channel module 120, and other module(s) 122.
• the data 1 16-1 of the OLT 102 includes monitoring data 124, video channel data 126, and other data 128.
• the other module(s) 122 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating system of the OLT 102.
• the other data 128 comprise data corresponding to one or more other module(s) 122.
• the modules 1 14-2 of the ONU 104 include an identification module 130, a testing module 132, and other module(s) 134.
• the data 1 16-2 of the ONU 104 includes identification data 136, testing data data 138, and other data 140.
• the other module(s) 134 may include programs or coded instructions that supplement applications and functions, for example, programs in the operating system of the ONU 104.
• the other data 140 comprise data corresponding to one or more other module(s) 134.
• a service provider offering television services to one or more users may seek to validate IP video channels being provided to the users.
• Validation of an IP video channel may be defined as determining whether the IP video channel, upon transmission to a user, achieves a satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) or not.
• the service provider may seek to validate the IP video channels for varied reasons, for example, for ensuring proper quality of service of IP video channels being transmitted following an upgrade, validation of IP video channels following a complaint from a user, and in-house testing for ensuring proper working of hardware devices, such as the OLT 102 and the ONU 104.
• the service provider may transmit a validation request message to the OLT 102 thereby indicating to the OLT 102 to validate the IP video channels.
• the monitoring module 1 18 may generate a test message for initiating a validation test for validating one or more IP video channels.
• the test message may include test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels which are to be tested.
• the test information may be a list of the one or more IP video channels which are to be tested.
• the test information may be a set of instructions for accessing a multi-cast access control list stored in the ONU 104, where the multi-cast access control list is a list of IP video channels subscribed by the users.
• each of the IP video channels subscribed by the users may be tested for validation.
• an ONU-104-1 installed at a first user's premises may have a multi-cast access control list stored in its memory, where the multi-cast access control list is a list of the IP video channels subscribed by the first user.
• the test message may include a test time duration and a reference number of video frames.
• the test time duration may be defined as a time duration for which each IP video channel is tested for validation.
• the reference number of video frames may be defined as a minimum number of video frames desired to be received during the test time duration for achieving the satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel.
• QoS quality of service
• the reference value of video frames may be used for determining a level of QoS for each of the IP video channel which will be explained in greater detail in the description below.
• the test message may further include a flag, where the flag indicates instructions to drop, for the test time duration, Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP) messages originating from a set top box associated with a user account of the user.
• IGMP Internet Group Management Protocol
• the IGMP messages may include both, the IGMP join messages and the IGMP leave messages.
• the service provider may seek to validate the IP video channels for varied reasons.
• the test message may be transmitted only to the ONU 104-1 associated with the first user.
• the service provider may seek to validate the transmission of IP video channels following an upgrade, the test message may be transmitted to all the ONU's 104 associated with the OLT 102.
• the OLT 102 may simultaneously perform the validation of IP video channels for all the ONUs 104 associated with the OLT 102.
• the monitoring module 118 may transmit the test message to the ONU 104 for initiating the validation test.
• the OLT 102 transmits the test message using known ONT management and control interface (OMCI) protocol.
• OMCI ONT management and control interface
• the test message will be in a format as mentioned in Table 1 below:
• MSCI Subscriber Config Info
• Multicast Operations Profile entity class.
• the Channels to be tested (Group IP, Source IP) can be picked up from the DACL in random order.
• Host IP address to be used is specified in bytes 13-16.
• the number of Channels to test is specified by byte-10.
• Range is 0 - 25.5secs.
• Test for a Multicast Channel shall be declared FAIL, if the downstream Multicast Stream is not received within this time.
• the buffer shall accommodate a maximum of 255 such rows (inline with byte-10 of Message Contents).
• the OMCI test message includes data indicative of the IP video channels to be tested, the test time duration, the reference number of video frames, and other relevant fields.
• the identification module 130 of the ONU 104 may receive the test message. Upon receiving the test message, the identification module 130 may initially identify the IP video channels to be tested. For the purpose, the identification module 130 may analyze the test information. In an implementation where the test information is a list of the IP video channels to be tested, the identification module 130 may identify the IP video channels based on the list. In another implementation, where the test message is a set of instructions for accessing a multi-cast access control list, the identification module 130 may analyze the instructions and subsequently access the multi-cast access control list based on the analysis. Thereafter, the identification module may identify the IP video channels which are to be tested based on the multi-cast access control list. In said implementation, each IP video channel included in the list may be tested for validation. In one example, the multi-cast list may be stored in the identification data 136 during setup or registration of the user for availing the television services offered by the service provider.
• the testing module 132 may conduct the validation test for validating each of the IP video channels.
• the validation test may be performed for validating each IP video channel, from amongst the one or more IP video channels, in a manner as described below.
• the testing module 132 may transmit an internet group management protocol (IGMP) join message to the video channel module 120 for establishing a connection between the testing module 132 and the video channel module 120.
• IGMP internet group management protocol
• the testing module 132 may receive a plurality of video frames, transmitted by the video channel module 120, corresponding to the IP video channel over the connection.
• the testing module 132 may establish the connection for the test time duration specified in the test message.
• the testing module 132 may transmit an IGMP leave message to the video channel module 120 upon completion of the test time duration, from the time of establishment of the connection, for terminating the connection. Subsequent to the transmission of the IGMP leave message, the connection may be terminated.
• the testing module 132 may determine a number of received video frames received during the test time duration based on the plurality of frames.
• the number of video frames is the total number of video frames received during the test time duration.
• the number of frames received may then be compared with the reference number of video frames for determining a level of QoS of the IP video channel.
• the level of QoS may indicate whether the IP video channel is of the satisfactory level of QoS or not.
• the level of QoS may be one of an acceptable level and a non-acceptable level.
• the acceptable level may be defined as a high level of quality of service of the IP video channel and is achieved in a case where number of video frames received during the test time duration is greater than the reference number of video frames.
• the non-acceptable level may be defined as a low level of quality of service of the IP video channel and is achieved in a case where number of video frames, corresponding to the IP video channel, received during the test time duration is lower than the reference number of video frames.
• the level of QoS is ascertained to be acceptable level. In a case where the number of video frames received is less than the reference number of video frames, the level of QoS is ascertained to be non-acceptable level.
• each of the one or more IP video channels is tested in a manner as described above and subsequently a level of QoS corresponding to the IP video channel is obtained in a similar manner.
• the testing module 132 may store the level of QoS for each of the IP video channel as validation report in the testing data 138.
• the monitoring module 1 18 of the OLT 102 may obtain the validation report stored in the testing data 138.
• the monitoring module 118 may periodically communicate with the testing module 132 for obtaining the validation results.
• the monitoring module 1 18 may obtain the validation results in a manner as defined in the OMCI protocol.
• the monitoring module 1 18 subsequently identifies and reports the IP video channels having non- acceptable level of QoS to the service provider. The service provider may then take necessary actions for ensuring high QoS for such IP video channels.
• Figure 2 illustrates a method 200 for validating IP video channels, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
• Figure 3 illustrates a method 300 for validating IP video channels, according to an embodiment of the present subject matter.
• program storage devices can be, for example, digital memories, magnetic storage media, such as a magnetic disks and magnetic tapes, hard drives, or optically readable digital data storage media.
• a test message for initiating a validation test for validating one or more IP video channels is generated.
• the test message may include test information pertaining to the one or more IP video channels which are to be tested.
• the test information may be a list of the one or more IP video channels.
• the test information may be instructions for accessing a multi-cast access control list, wherein the multi-cast is a list of IP video channels subscribed by a user.
• the test message may include a test time duration and a reference number of video frames.
• the test message for validating the one or more IP video channels may be generated by an optical line transmission (OLT) 102.
• OLT optical line transmission
• the test message is transmitted to an optical network unit (ONU) for initiating the validation test.
• OLT 102 may transmit the test message to the ONU 104, associated with the OLT 102, to initiate the validation test.
• Validation of an IP video channel may be defined as determining whether the IP video channel, upon transmission to a user, achieves a satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) or not.
• QoS quality of service
• a plurality of video frames, for each of the one or more IP video channels, is transmitted to the ONU.
• the ONU validates each IP video channel by establishing a connection for receiving the plurality of video frames. The number of received video frames is compared with the reference number of video frames.
• a level of QoS, for each of the one or more IP video channels, determined based on the validation test is obtained. Based on the comparison, the level of QoS for the IP video channel is determined. In a case where it is identified that the number of received video frames is greater than the reference number of video frames, the level of QoS is ascertained to be acceptable level. In a case, where it is identified that the number of received video frames is less than the reference number of video frames, the level of QoS is ascertained to be non-acceptable level.
• the ONU 104 may determined the level of QoS for the IP video channel based on the comparison.
• the OLT 102 may obtain the level of QoS. Subsequently the OLT 102 may notify a service provider of the IP video channels. The service provider may subsequently take necessary steps to ensure satisfactory level of QoS for all such IP video channels is restored.
• a test message generated by an optical line terminal is received.
• the test message includes test information, a test time duration, and a reference number of video frames.
• the test information pertains to one or more IP video channels to be tested for validation. Validation of an IP video channel may be defined as determining whether the IP video channel, upon transmission to a user, achieves a satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) or not.
• the test time duration may be defined as a time period for which an IP video channel may be tested for validation.
• the reference number of video frames may be defined as a minimum number of video frames desired to be received during the test time duration for achieving the satisfactory level of quality of service (QoS) of the IP video channel.
• the test message may further include a flag.
• the flag is indicative of instructions to drop internet group management protocol (IGMP) messages, i.e., either one of an IGMP join message or an IGMP leave message, received from a customer premises equipment, such as a set top box.
• IGMP internet group management protocol
• the one or more IP video channels are identified based on the test information.
• the test information may be a list of the one or more IP video channels.
• the IP video channels which are to be tested are identified based on the list.
• the test information may be instructions to access a multi-cast access control list, where the multi-cast access control list comprises the IP video channels subscribed by a user.
• the IP video channels may be identified based on the multi-cast access control list.
• the ONU 104 may access the multi-cast access control list stored in its memory for identifying the IP video channels to be tested.
• a connection for each of the one or more IP video channel, is established with the OLT.
• an IGMP join message may be transmitted to the OLT for establishing the connection.
• the ONU 104 may send the IGMP join message to the OLT 102 for establishing the connection.
• a plurality of video frames, for each of the one or more IP video channels is received over the connection.
• a plurality of video frames corresponding to the IP video channel are received from the OLT over the connection.
• the connection is established only for the test time duration, upon completion of which, an IGMP leave message is transmitted to the OLT 102 for terminating the connection.
• the ONU 104 may receive the plurality of video frames.
• number of video frames received, for each of the one or more IP video channels are compared with the reference number of video frames.
• the number of received video frames of the IP video channel is compared with the reference number of video frames.
• a level of QoS, for each of the one or more IP video channel is determined based on the comparison.
• the number of received video frames are compared with the reference number of video frames.
• the level of QoS for the IP video channel is determined.
• the level of QoS is ascertained to be acceptable level.
• the acceptable level may be defined as a level equal to or greater than the satisfactory level of QoS.
• the level of QoS is ascertained to be non-acceptable level.
• the non-acceptable level may be defined as a level lower than the satisfactory level of QoS.
• the ONU 104 may determined the level of QoS for the IP video channel based on the comparison.
• the ONU 104 may generate a validation report comprising of the IP video channels, from amongst the one or more IP video channels, which are of non-acceptable level of QoS.
• the OLT 102 may obtain the validation list.
• the ONU 104 may transmit the validation report to the OLT 102. Subsequently the OLT 102 may notify a service provider of the IP video channels. The service provider may subsequently take necessary steps to ensure satisfactory level of QoS for all such IP video channels is restored.

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• Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
• Computer Networks & Wireless Communication (AREA)
• Signal Processing (AREA)
• Multimedia (AREA)
• Quality & Reliability (AREA)
• Data Exchanges In Wide-Area Networks (AREA)

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• 2014
  • 2014-10-03 IN IN3001DE2013 patent/IN2013DE03001A/en unknown
  • 2014-10-03 WO PCT/EP2014/071237 patent/WO2015052089A1/en active Application Filing
  • 2014-10-07 TW TW103134899A patent/TWI565259B/zh not_active IP Right Cessation

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