Qwilt Launches NFV-based Caching and Acceleration for Mobile Video

Qwilt, a provider of online video delivery and analytics solutions, introduced a new software defined networking (SDN)-based open caching and acceleration suite designed to address the unique challenges of over-the-top (OTT) video delivery for mobile service providers.

Qwilt Mobile Video Fabric enables dynamic caching of unmanaged and managed streams of video content on mobile networks. The company said its open caching solution, which can be deployed either at a centralized (Gi/SGi) level or distributed (eNodeB) level, will extract the most value and capacity from existing mobile network infrastructure by improving network effective capacity by up to 35 percent.

The Qwilt Mobile Video Fabric reduces network latency, improves throughput and addresses complicated mobile video RAN and backhaul challenges such as packet loss and congestion. Key attributes:

• Caching efficiency. Based on open caching technology that has been proven in networks worldwide, the Qwilt Mobile Video Fabric now extends Qwilt’s expertise to benefit mobile networks, a necessity in light of proliferation of long-form, professionally produced content such as Netflix and Amazon in mobile networks.
  
• TCP acceleration. Tuned specifically for radio network conditions, the Qwilt Mobile Video Fabric optimizes TCP for accurate and timely mobile video delivery.
  
• Any video format. Qwilt’s QB-Series Video Fabric Controller software is built to cache both video-on-demand (VOD) and live video content on mobile networks.
  
• High performance software. Qwilt’s high performance software can run in a network function virtualization (NFV) environment on any platform as an open cache virtualized network function (VNF) or on dedicated COTS hardware platforms, providing a flexible solution for mobile video caching that can be deployed in various network locations based on operator requirements.

“Mobile network operators (MNOs) now face a strategic challenge as a result of the surge and demand for streaming video. Their networks require an open caching solution designed from the ground up for video,” said Alon Maor, Qwilt CEO.

“Our proven solution delivers substantial bandwidth capacity benefits each day to network operators worldwide. We’re pleased to announce the Qwilt Mobile Video Fabric, an open caching solution tailored for mobile video that MNOs can deploy to improve mobile network capacity while saving significantly as they scale their networks. Most importantly, caching mobile content closer to consumers also delivers improved QoE—a win-win for both operators and consumers alike.”

http://www.qwilt.com

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Lockheed Martin Opens MUOS Radio Terminal Development Center

Lockheed Martin announced the opening of a new radio terminal development and certification facility for the U.S. Navy's Mobile User Objective System (MUOS) communications satellite network.

MUOS is a next-generation narrowband tactical satellite communications system designed to significantly improve beyond-line-of-sight communications for U.S. forces on the move. MUOS will provide military users 10 times more communications capacity over the existing system by leveraging 3G mobile communications technology, and will provide simultaneous voice and data capability. Lockheed Martin, which the prime contractor and integrator for MUOS, said the satellite-based, smart-phone cell network will enable IP-based terminals to transmit and receive clear voice calls and data from almost anywhere in the world.

Lockheed Martin has now opened the $6.5 million Test Radio Access Facility (TRAF) at its Sunnyvale, California campus. More than 55,000 currently fielded terminals can be upgraded to the MUOS Wideband Code Division Multiple Access waveform.

"Lockheed Martin's goal with the TRAF is to help terminal developers and application integrators get MUOS' capabilities deployed to the warfighter as quickly as possible," said Glenn Ladue, MUOS TRAF manager. "Providing a high fidelity, end-to-end test environment during development will dramatically shorten the time it takes to get from a good idea to operational utility."

The company also noted that two satellites, MUOS-1 and MUOS-2, and three of four required ground stations, already are operational. MUOS-3 has been shipped to Cape Canaveral Air Force Station, Florida for its January launch while MUOS-4 is on track to launch later in 2015. The final MUOS ground station also is expected to be operational in early 2015.

http://www.lockheedmartin.com/muos

• A single MUOS satellite will provide four times the capacity of the entire legacy UFO constellation of 10 satellites. The satellites also include a hosted legacy UHF payload that will be fully compatible with the current UFO system and legacy terminals.

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