HomeDocsIETF standardsRFCRFC 6500 — 6599
Text version
Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF)
Request for Comments: 6597
Category: Standards Track
ISSN: 2070-1721
J. Downs, Ed.
PAR Government Systems Corp.
J. Arbeiter, Ed.
April 2012

RTP Payload Format for

Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE)

ST 336 Encoded Data

Abstract

This document specifies the payload format for packetization of KLV (Key-Length-Value) Encoded Data, as defined by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in SMPTE ST 336, into the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP).

Status of This Memo

This is an Internet Standards Track document.

This document is a product of the Internet Engineering Task Force (IETF). It represents the consensus of the IETF community. It has received public review and has been approved for publication by the Internet Engineering Steering Group (IESG). Further information on Internet Standards is available in Section 2 of RFC 5741.

Information about the current status of this document, any errata, and how to provide feedback on it may be obtained at http://www.rfc-editor.org/info/rfc6597.

Copyright Notice

Copyright © 2012 IETF Trust and the persons identified as the document authors. All rights reserved.

This document is subject to BCP 78 and the IETF Trust's Legal Provisions Relating to IETF Documents (http://trustee.ietf.org/license-info) in effect on the date of publication of this document. Please review these documents carefully, as they describe your rights and restrictions with respect to this document. Code Components extracted from this document must include Simplified BSD License text as described in Section 4.e of the Trust Legal Provisions and are provided without warranty as described in the Simplified BSD License.

Table of Contents

   1. Introduction ....................................................2
   2. Conventions, Definitions, and Acronyms ..........................3
   3. Media Format Background .........................................3
   4. Payload Format ..................................................4
      4.1. RTP Header Usage ...........................................5
      4.2. Payload Data ...............................................5
           4.2.1. The KLVunit .........................................5
           4.2.2. KLVunit Mapping to RTP Packet Payload ...............6
      4.3. Implementation Considerations ..............................6
           4.3.1. Loss of Data ........................................6
                  4.3.1.1. Damaged KLVunits ...........................7
                  4.3.1.2. Treatment of Damaged KLVunits ..............9
   5. Congestion Control ..............................................9
   6. Payload Format Parameters .......................................9
      6.1. Media Type Definition ......................................9
      6.2. Mapping to SDP ............................................10
           6.2.1. Offer/Answer Model and Declarative Considerations ..10
   7. IANA Considerations ............................................11
   8. Security Considerations ........................................11
   9. References .....................................................12
      9.1. Normative References ......................................12
      9.2. Informative References ....................................12

1. Introduction

This document specifies the payload format for packetization of KLV (Key-Length-Value) Encoded Data, as defined by the Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) in [SMPTE-ST336], into the Real-time Transport Protocol (RTP) [RFC3550].

The payload format is defined in such a way that arbitrary KLV data can be carried. No restrictions are placed on which KLV data keys can be used.

A brief description of SMPTE ST 336, "Data Encoding Protocol Using Key-Length-Value", is given. The payload format itself, including use of the RTP header fields, is specified in Section 4. The media type and IANA considerations are also described. This document concludes with security considerations relevant to this payload format.

2. Conventions, Definitions, and Acronyms

The term "Universal Label Key" is used in this document to refer to a fixed-length, 16-byte SMPTE-administered Universal Label (see [SMPTE-ST298]) that is used as an identifying key in a KLV item.

The term "KLV item" is used in this document to refer to one single Universal Label Key, length, and value triplet encoded as described in [SMPTE-ST336].

The key words "MUST", "MUST NOT", "REQUIRED", "SHALL", "SHALL NOT", "SHOULD", "SHOULD NOT", "RECOMMENDED", "MAY", and "OPTIONAL" in this document are to be interpreted as described in [RFC2119].

3. Media Format Background

[SMPTE-ST336], "Data Encoding Protocol Using Key-Length-Value", defines a byte-level data encoding protocol for representing data items and data groups. This encoding protocol definition is independent of the application or transportation method used.

SMPTE ST 336 data encoding can be applied to a wide variety of binary data. This encoding has been used to provide diverse and rich metadata sets that describe or enhance associated video presentations. Use of SMPTE ST 336 encoded metadata in conjunction with video has enabled improvements in multimedia presentations, content management and distribution, archival and retrieval, and production workflow.

The SMPTE ST 336 standard defines a KLV triplet as a data interchange protocol for data items or data groups where the Key identifies the data, the Length specifies the length of the data, and the Value is the data itself. The KLV protocol provides a common interchange point for all compliant applications irrespective of the method of implementation or transport.

The Key of a KLV triplet (a Universal Label Key) is coded using a fixed-length 16-byte SMPTE-administered Universal Label. [SMPTE-ST298] further details the structure of 16-byte SMPTE- administered Universal Labels. Universal Label Keys are maintained in registries published by SMPTE (see, for example, [SMPTE-ST335] and [SMPTE-RP210]).

The standard also provides methods for combining associated KLV triplets in data sets where the set of KLV triplets is itself coded with the KLV data coding protocol. Such sets can be coded in either full form (Universal Sets) or one of four increasingly bit-efficient forms (Global Sets, Local Sets, Variable Length Packs, and Defined Length Packs). The standard provides a definition of each of these data constructs.

Additionally, the standard defines the use of KLV coding to provide a means to carry information that is registered with a non-SMPTE external agency.

4. Payload Format

The main goal of the payload format design for SMPTE ST 336 data is to provide carriage of SMPTE ST 336 data over RTP in a simple, yet robust manner. All forms of SMPTE ST 336 data can be carried by the payload format. The payload format maintains simplicity by using only the standard RTP headers and not defining any payload headers.

SMPTE ST 336 KLV data is broken into KLVunits. A KLVunit is simply a logical grouping of otherwise unframed KLV data, grouped based on source data timing (see Section 4.2.1). Each KLVunit is then placed into one or more RTP packet payloads. The RTP header marker bit is used to assist receivers in locating the boundaries of KLVunits.

4.1. RTP Header Usage

This payload format uses the RTP packet header fields as described in the table below: 

   +-----------+-------------------------------------------------------+
   | Field     | Usage                                                 |
   +-----------+-------------------------------------------------------+
   | Timestamp | The RTP Timestamp encodes the instant along a         |
   |           | presentation timeline that the entire KLVunit encoded |
   |           | in the packet payload is to be presented.  When one   |
   |           | KLVunit is placed in multiple RTP packets, the RTP    |
   |           | timestamp of all packets comprising that KLVunit MUST |
   |           | be the same.  The timestamp clock frequency is        |
   |           | defined as a parameter to the payload format          |
   |           | (Section 6).                                          |
   |           |                                                       |
   | M-bit     | The RTP header marker bit (M) is used to demarcate    |
   |           | KLVunits.  Senders MUST set the marker bit to '1' for |
   |           | any RTP packet that contains the final byte of a      |
   |           | KLVunit.  For all other packets, senders MUST set the |
   |           | RTP header marker bit to '0'.  This allows receivers  |
   |           | to pass a KLVunit for parsing/decoding immediately    |
   |           | upon receipt of the last RTP packet comprising the    |
   |           | KLVunit.  Without this, a receiver would need to wait |
   |           | for the next RTP packet with a different timestamp to |
   |           | arrive, thus signaling the end of one KLVunit and the |
   |           | start of another.                                     |
   +-----------+-------------------------------------------------------+

The remaining RTP header fields are used as specified in [RFC3550].

4.2. Payload Data

4.2.1. The KLVunit

A KLVunit is a logical collection of all KLV items that are to be presented at a specific time. A KLVunit is comprised of one or more KLV items. Compound items (sets, packs) are allowed as per [SMPTE-ST336], but the contents of a compound item MUST NOT be split across two KLVunits. Multiple KLV items in a KLVunit occur one after another with no padding or stuffing between items.

4.2.2. KLVunit Mapping to RTP Packet Payload

An RTP packet payload SHALL contain one, and only one, KLVunit or a fragment thereof. KLVunits small enough to fit into a single RTP packet (RTP packet size is up to the implementation but should consider underlying transport/network factors such as MTU limitations) are placed directly into the payload of the RTP packet, with the first byte of the KLVunit (which is the first byte of a KLV Universal Label Key) being the first byte of the RTP packet payload.

KLVunits too large to fit into a single RTP packet payload MAY span multiple RTP packet payloads. When this is done, the KLVunit data MUST be sent in sequential byte order, such that when all RTP packets comprising the KLVunit are arranged in sequence number order, concatenating the payload data together exactly reproduces the original KLVunit.

Additionally, when a KLVunit is fragmented across multiple RTP packets, all RTP packets transporting the fragments of a KLVunit MUST have the same timestamp.

KLVunits are bounded with changes in RTP packet timestamps. The marker (M) bit in the RTP packet headers marks the last RTP packet comprising a KLVunit (see Section 4.1).

4.3. Implementation Considerations

4.3.1. Loss of Data

RTP is generally deployed in network environments where packet loss might occur. RTP header fields enable detection of lost packets, as described in [RFC3550]. When transmitting payload data described by this payload format, packet loss can cause the loss of whole KLVunits or portions thereof.

4.3.1.1. Damaged KLVunits

A damaged KLVunit is any KLVunit that was carried in one or more RTP packets that have been lost. When a lost packet is detected (through use of the sequence number header field), the receiver

  • MUST consider the KLVunit partially received before a lost packet as damaged. This damaged KLVunit includes all packets prior to the lost one (in sequence number order) back to, but not including, the most recent packet in which the M-bit in the RTP header was set to '1'.
  • MUST consider the first KLVunit received after a lost packet as damaged. This damaged KLVunit includes the first packet after the lost one (in sequence number order) and, if the first packet has its M-bit in the RTP header set to '0', all subsequent packets up to and including the next one with the M-bit in the RTP header set to '1'.

The above applies, regardless of the M-bit value in the RTP header of the lost packet itself. This enables very basic receivers to look solely at the M-bit to determine the outer boundaries of damaged KLVunits. For example, when a packet with the M-bit set to '1' is lost, the KLVunit that the lost packet would have terminated is considered damaged, as is the KLVunit comprised of packets received subsequent to the lost packet (up to and including the next received packet with the M-bit set to '1').

The example below illustrates how a receiver would handle a lost packet in another possible packet sequence: 

          +---------+-------------+    +--------------+
          | RTP Hdr | Data        |    |              |
          +---------+-------------+    +--------------+
     .... | ts = 30 | KLV KLV ... |    |              |  >---+
          | M = 1   |             |    |              |      |
          | seq = 5 | ... KLV KLV |    |              |      |
          +---------+-------------+    +--------------+      |
           Last RTP pkt for time 30      Lost RTP Pkt        |
                                           (seq = 6)         |
                                                             |
    +--------------------------------------------------------+
    |
    |     +---------+-------------+    +---------+-------------+
    |     | RTP Hdr |     Data    |    | RTP Hdr |     Data    |
    |     +---------+-------------+    +---------+-------------+
    +-->  | ts = 45 | KLV KLV ... |    | ts = 45 | ... KLV ... | >---+
          | M = 0   |             |    | M = 1   |             |     |
          | seq = 7 | ... KLV ... |    | seq = 8 | ... KLV KLV |     |
          +---------+-------------+    +---------+-------------+     |
             RTP pkt for time 45        Last RTP pkt for time 45     |
              KLVunit carried in these two packets is "damaged"      |
                                                                     |
    +----------------------------------------------------------------+
    |
    |     +---------+-------------+
    |     | RTP Hdr |     Data    |
    |     +---------+-------------+
    +-->  | ts = 55 | KLV KLV ... |   ....
          | M = 1   |             |
          | seq = 9 | ... KLV ... |
          +---------+-------------+
           Last and only RTP pkt
               for time 55

In this example, the packets with sequence numbers 7 and 8 contain portions of a KLVunit with a timestamp of 45. This KLVunit is considered "damaged" due to the missing RTP packet with sequence number 6, which might have been part of this KLVunit. The KLVunit for timestamp 30 (ended in packet with sequence number 5) is unaffected by the missing packet. The KLVunit for timestamp 55, carried in the packet with sequence number 9, is also unaffected by the missing packet and is considered complete and intact.

4.3.1.2. Treatment of Damaged KLVunits

SMPTE ST 336 KLV data streams are built in such a way that it is possible to partially recover from errors or missing data in a stream. Exact specifics of how damaged KLVunits are handled are left to each implementation, as different implementations can have differing capabilities and robustness in their downstream KLV payload processing. Because some implementations can be particularly limited in their capacity to handle damaged KLVunits, receivers MAY drop damaged KLVunits entirely.

5. Congestion Control

The general congestion control considerations for transporting RTP data apply; see RTP [RFC3550] and any applicable RTP profile, like AVP [RFC3551].

Further, SMPTE ST 336 data can be encoded in different schemes that reduce the overhead associated with individual data items within the overall stream. SMPTE ST 336 grouping constructs, such as local sets and data packs, provide a mechanism to reduce bandwidth requirements.

6. Payload Format Parameters

This RTP payload format is identified using the application/smpte336m media type, which is registered in accordance with [RFC4855], and using the template of [RFC4288].

6.1. Media Type Definition

   Type name: application
   
   Subtype name: smpte336m

Required parameters:

rate: RTP timestamp clock rate. Typically chosen based on

sampling rate of metadata being transmitted, but other rates can be specified. 

   Optional parameters: None

Encoding considerations: This media type is framed and binary; see

Section 4.8 of [RFC4288].

Security considerations: See Section 8 of RFC 6597.

Interoperability considerations: Data items in smpte336m can be very

diverse. Receivers might only be capable of interpreting a subset of the possible data items; unrecognized items are skipped. Agreement on data items to be used out of band, via application profile or similar, is typical.

Published specification: RFC 6597

Applications that use this media type: Streaming of metadata 

      associated with simultaneously streamed video and transmission of
      [SMPTE-ST336]-based media formats (e.g., Material Exchange Format
      (MXF) [SMPTE-ST377]).
   
   Additional Information: none

Person & email address to contact for further information: J. Downs 

      <jeff_downs@partech.com>; IETF Payload Working Group
      <payload@ietf.org>
   
   Intended usage: COMMON

Restrictions on usage: This media type depends on RTP framing, and

hence is only defined for transfer via RTP ([RFC3550]). Transport within other framing protocols is not defined at this time.

Author: 

      J. Downs <jeff_downs@partech.com>
      
      J. Arbeiter <jimsgti@gmail.com>

Change controller: IETF Payload working group delegated from the

IESG.

6.2. Mapping to SDP

The mapping of the above defined payload format media type and its parameters SHALL be done according to Section 3 of [RFC4855].

6.2.1. Offer/Answer Model and Declarative Considerations

This payload format has no configuration or optional format parameters. Thus, when offering SMPTE ST 336 Encoded Data over RTP using the Session Description Protocol (SDP) in an Offer/Answer model [RFC3264] or in a declarative manner (e.g., SDP in the Real-Time Streaming Protocol (RTSP) [RFC2326] or the Session Announcement Protocol (SAP) [RFC2974]), there are no specific considerations.

7. IANA Considerations

IANA has registered application/smpte336m as specified in Section 6.1. The media type has been added to the IANA registry for "RTP Payload Format media types" (http://www.iana.org/assignments/rtp-parameters).

8. Security Considerations

RTP packets using the payload format defined in this specification are subject to the security considerations discussed in the RTP specification [RFC3550], and in any applicable RTP profile. The main security considerations for the RTP packet carrying the RTP payload format defined within this memo are confidentiality, integrity, and source authenticity. Confidentiality is achieved by encryption of the RTP payload. Integrity of the RTP packets is achieved through a suitable cryptographic integrity protection mechanism. Cryptographic systems may also allow the authentication of the source of the payload. A suitable security mechanism for this RTP payload format should provide confidentiality, integrity protection, and at least source authentication capable of determining whether or not an RTP packet is from a member of the RTP session.

Note that the appropriate mechanism to provide security to RTP and payloads following this memo may vary. It is dependent on the application, the transport, and the signaling protocol employed. Therefore, a single mechanism is not sufficient, although if suitable the usage of the Secure Real-time Transport Protocol (SRTP) [RFC3711] is recommended. Other mechanisms that may be used are IPsec [RFC4301] and Transport Layer Security (TLS) [RFC5246] (RTP over TCP), but other alternatives may exist as well.

This RTP payload format presents the possibility for significant non-uniformity in the receiver-side computational complexity during processing of SMPTE ST 336 payload data. Because the length of SMPTE ST 336 encoded data items is essentially unbounded, receivers must take care when allocating resources used in processing. It is easy to construct pathological data that would cause a naive decoder to allocate large amounts of resources, resulting in denial-of-service threats. Receivers SHOULD place limits on resource allocation that are within the bounds set forth by any application profile in use.

This RTP payload format does not contain any inherently active content. However, individual SMPTE ST 336 KLV items could be defined to convey active content in a particular application. Therefore, receivers capable of decoding and interpreting such data items should use appropriate caution and security practices. In particular, accepting active content from streams that lack authenticity or integrity protection mechanisms places a receiver at risk of attacks using spoofed packets. Receivers not capable of decoding such data items are not at risk; unknown data items are skipped over and discarded according to SMPTE ST 336 processing rules.

9. References

9.1. Normative References

   [RFC2119]      Bradner, S., "Key words for use in RFCs to Indicate
                  Requirement Levels", BCP 14, RFC 2119, March 1997.
   
   [RFC3550]      Schulzrinne, H., Casner, S., Frederick, R., and V.
                  Jacobson, "RTP: A Transport Protocol for Real-Time
                  Applications", STD 64, RFC 3550, July 2003.
   
   [RFC3551]      Schulzrinne, H. and S. Casner, "RTP Profile for Audio
                  and Video Conferences with Minimal Control", STD 65,
                  RFC 3551, July 2003.
   
   [RFC4288]      Freed, N. and J. Klensin, "Media Type Specifications
                  and Registration Procedures", BCP 13, RFC 4288,
                  December 2005.
   
   [RFC4855]      Casner, S., "Media Type Registration of RTP Payload
                  Formats", RFC 4855, February 2007.

9.2. Informative References

   [RFC2326]      Schulzrinne, H., Rao, A., and R. Lanphier, "Real Time
                  Streaming Protocol (RTSP)", RFC 2326, April 1998.
   
   [RFC2974]      Handley, M., Perkins, C., and E. Whelan, "Session
                  Announcement Protocol", RFC 2974, October 2000.
   
   [RFC3264]      Rosenberg, J. and H. Schulzrinne, "An Offer/Answer
                  Model with Session Description Protocol (SDP)",
                  RFC 3264, June 2002.
   
   [RFC3711]      Baugher, M., McGrew, D., Naslund, M., Carrara, E., and
                  K. Norrman, "The Secure Real-time Transport Protocol
                  (SRTP)", RFC 3711, March 2004.
   
   [RFC4301]      Kent, S. and K. Seo, "Security Architecture for the
                  Internet Protocol", RFC 4301, December 2005.
   
   [RFC5246]      Dierks, T. and E. Rescorla, "The Transport Layer
                  Security (TLS) Protocol Version 1.2", RFC 5246,
                  August 2008.
   
   [SMPTE-RP210]  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
                  "SMPTE RP 210v12:2010 Data Element Dictionary", 2010,
                  <http://www.smpte-ra.org/mdd/>.
   
   [SMPTE-ST298]  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
                  "SMPTE ST 298:2009 Universal Labels for Unique
                  Identification of Digital Data", 2009,
                  <http://www.smpte.org>.
   
   [SMPTE-ST335]  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
                  "SMPTE ST 335:2012 Metadata Element Dictionary
                  Structure", 2012, <http://www.smpte.org>.
   
   [SMPTE-ST336]  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
                  "SMPTE ST 336:2007 Data Encoding Protocol Using Key-
                  Length-Value", 2007, <http://www.smpte.org>.
   
   [SMPTE-ST377]  Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers,
                  "SMPTE ST 377-1:2011 Material Exchange Format (MXF) -
                  File Format Specification", 2011,
                  <http://www.smpte.org>.

Authors' Addresses

J. Downs (editor)
PAR Government Systems Corp.
US

EMail: 

          jeff_downs@partech.com

J. Arbeiter (editor)
US

EMail: 

          jimsgti@gmail.com