Method and system for transforming video streams using a multi-channel flow-bonded traffic stream
A flow bonder at a CMTS and another at a cable modem distribute packets of a service flow over multiple channels and collect them in the downstream direction respectively; vice versa in the upstream direction. The service flow may include video and data streams that are provided to the CMTS via an IP network. IP header information is stripped form video packets and remultiplexed with packets of other video streams. The remultiplexed video stream packets are combined into a composite stream, which is transported using multiple bonded-flow RF channels over an HFC. A set top box receives the composite stream and separates data from video packets based on IP information. Video packets are assembled according to information from a multiple program transport stream table based on a program selected by a user.
1. A system for delivering a plurality of digitally encoded video program streams as a composite video traffic stream flow over multiple channels of a distribution communication network that connects equipment at a central location to user equipment at user locations, comprising:
an IP filter that filters IP packets, wherein the IP packets include digitally encoded video program packets and non-video data packets;
means for multiplexing a plurality of digitally encoded video program packets corresponding to a plurality of single program transport streams into a plurality of multiplexed program streams, the means for multiplexing coupled to the IP filter;
means for transmitting the plurality of multiplexed program streams over a plurality of bonded channels as a composite stream; and
one or more variable bit rate encoders for generating the plurality of digitally encoded video program packets, the one or more variable bit rate encoders coupled to the IP filter;
wherein the one or more variable bit rate encoders are MPEG-2 encoders;
the means for multiplexing comprising a channel-bonding CMTS configured to multiplex the IP packets with the digitally encoded video program streams into the composite stream; and the IP filter configured to determine whether each one of the IP packets is one of the nonvideo data packets or one of the digitally encoded video program packets, and if the one of the IP packets is one of the digitally encoded video program packets, to strip IP header information and IP addresses from the one of the IP packets, and if the one of the IP packets is one of the non-video data packets, to forward the one of the IP packets to the means for transmitting without stripping the IP header information or the IP addresses from the one of the IP packets.
2. The system of claim 1 wherein the digitally encoded video program packets and the non-video data packets are provided to the IP filter and the channel-bonding CMTS via a wide area network.
3. The system of claim 2 wherein the wide area network is an IP network.
4. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for multiplexing generates a multiple program transport stream table based on information of a plurality of single program transport streams.
5. The system of claim 1 further comprising data servers that are coupled to the means for transmitting, wherein data may be transmitted in the distribution communication network using bandwidth that is unused by the composite stream.
6. The system of claim 1 wherein the means for multiplexing is configured to form the plurality of multiplexed program streams according to a communication protocol.
7. The system of claim 1 wherein the MPEG-2 encoders are configured to combine the digitally encoded video program packets corresponding to a plurality of single program transport streams into an MPEG-2-compliant multiple program transport stream.
8. A method for delivering a plurality of digitally encoded video program streams as a composite video traffic stream flow over multiple channels of a distribution communication network that connects equipment at a central location to user equipment at user locations, comprising:
operating an IP filter that filters IP packets, wherein the IP packets include digitally encoded video program packets and non-video data packets;
operating a channel-bonding CMTS to multiplex an output of the IP filter comprising a plurality of digitally encoded video program packets corresponding to a plurality of single program transport streams into a plurality of multiplexed program streams;
operating one or more variable bit rate encoders for generating the plurality of digitally encoded video program packets, the one or more variable bit rate encoders coupled to the IP filter;
wherein the one or more variable bit rate encoders are MPEG-2 encoders;
transmitting the plurality of multiplexed program streams over a plurality of bonded channels as a composite stream; and
operating the IP filter to determine whether each one of the IP packets is one of the nonvideo data packets or one of the digitally encoded video program packets, and if the one of the IP packets is one of the digitally encoded video program packets, stripping IP header information and IP addresses from the one of the IP packets, and if the one of the IP packets is one of the non-video data packets, transmitting the one of the IP packets without stripping the IP header information or the IP addresses from the one of the IP packets.
9. The method of claim 8 wherein the digitally encoded video program packets and the non-video data packets are provided to the IP filter and the channel-bonding CMTS via a wide area network.
10. The method of claim 9 wherein the wide area network is an IP network.
11. The method of claim 8 wherein a multiple program transport stream table is generated based on information of a plurality of single program transport streams.
12. The method of claim 8 further comprising data servers transmitting data in the distribution communication network using bandwidth that is unused by the composite stream.
13. The method of claim 8 wherein the plurality of multiplexed program streams are formed according to a communication protocol.
14. The method of claim 8 wherein the MPEG-2 encoders combine the digitally encoded video program packets corresponding to a plurality of single program transport streams into an MPEG-2-compliant multiple program transport stream.