muSwitch Multicast-to-Unicast Converter

Product Overview

muSwitch is a Multicast-to-Unicast stream converter designed to operate in IPTV infrastructure. Within a service provider network, muSwitch sits between the network backbone and the last mile infrastructure. It receives Multicast streams from the network backbone, converts them to Unicast format, and routes them to the set-top-boxes of end-users over the last mile infrastructure. By separating the network backbone from the last mile infrastructure, muSwitch prevents multicast streams from entering and cluttering the last mile.

Multicast-to-Unicast Conversion

muSwitch receives Multicast streams from the network backbone, converts them to Unicast format, and routes them to the set-top-boxes of end-users over the last mile infrastructure (e.g. DSL, Ethernet, WiFi). When an end-user wants to watch a particular IPTV channel, he sends a request to his set-top-box via a remote controller. The set-top-box in turn sends content request to muSwitch via the Internet Group Management Protocol (IGMP). Upon receiving such request, muSwitch captures the requested IPTV Multicast stream, converts it into Unicast format and routes it to the set-top-box of the end-user.

IGMP Snooping Support

muSwitch supports several alternative methods for subscribing end-user devices, such as set-top-boxes, to Multicast streams. One such method is IGMP Snooping, where instead of converting Multicast traffic muSwitch isolates and re-routes it to a specific port of the set-top-box of the end-user. The limitation of IGMP Snooping compared to Multicast–to-Unicast conversion is that the former method requires a dedicated last mile port for each subscriber which limits its applications.

IGMP Subscription Support

IGMP Subscription is another alternative subscription method supported by muSwitch. That method allows each IGMP compatible set-top-box to subscribe to a specific Multicast stream. Limitation of the IGMP protocol is that it requires a Multicast LAN support and a direct connection between the IGMP device and the set-top-box of the end-user.

Remote TCP Subscription Support

muSwitch also supports subscription of remote devices via TCP Subscription method. That method enables remote devices to subscribe to a muSwitch which is physically located outside the range of the local area network or the last mile infrastructure. That functionality is particularly useful in situations where the service provider needs to re-distribute broadcasted content to external networks.