Connection Types

CATV connection types include satellite connections, leased lines, virtual networks, microwave, mobile data and public data networks (e.g. Internet).

Satellite communication is the use of orbiting satellites to relay communications signals from one station to many others. A satellite communication link includes a communication link that passes through several types of systems. These connections include the transmission electronics and antenna, uplink path, satellite reception and transmission equipment (transponder), downlink path, and reception electronics and antenna. Because satellite systems provide signal coverage to a wide geographic area, the high cost of satellites can be shared by many broadcasting companies. 

Satellite content distributors that provide television programming to CATV networks via satellite lease some or all of the transponder capacity of the satellite. Satellite content providers combine multiple programs (channels) for distribution to broadcasters. 

Leased lines are telecommunication lines or links that have part or all of their transmission capacity dedicated (reserved) for the exclusive use of a single customer or company. Leased lines often come with a guaranteed level of performance for connections between two points. Leased lines may be used to guarantee the transfer of media at specific times.

Virtual private networks are private communication path(s) that transfer data or information through one or more data network that is dedicated between two or more points. VPN connections allow data to 

In additional to gathering content through communication links, content may be gathered through the use of stored media. Examples of stored media include magnetic tapes (VHS or Beta) and optical disks (CD or DVDs).

When content is delivered through the content network, its' descriptive information (metadata) is also delivered. The metadata information may be embedded within the media file(s) or it may be sent as in separate data files. Some of the descriptive data may include text that is used for closed captioning compliance.

Figure 1.5 shows a contribution network that is used with a CATV system. This example shows that programming that is gathered through a contribution network can come from a variety of sources and that include satellite connections, leased lines, virtual networks, microwave links, mobile data, public data networks (e.g. Internet) and the use of stored media (tapes and DVDs).

Program transfer scheduling is the setup and management of times and connection types that media will be transported to the CATV system. CATV systems have a limited amount of media storage for television programs so they typically schedule the transfer programming a short time (possibly several days) before it will be broadcasted in their system.

The cost of transferring content can vary based on the connection type (e.g. satellite versus Internet) and the data transfer speed. In general, the faster the data transfer speed, the higher the transfer cost. The scheduling of program transfer during low network capacity usage periods and at lower speed can result in significant reduction in transfer cost.

Figure 1.6 shows how a CATV system may use transfer scheduling to obtain programs reliably and cost effectively. This example shows that the CATV system may select multiple connection types and transfer speeds. This example shows that the selection can depend on the program type (live versus scheduled) and transfer cost.

Figure 1.5., Contribution Network