This Recommendation describes objectives, requirements and functional architecture for a residential gateway (RG) supporting broadcast and IP-based interactive services over cable television networks. The RG is supposed to be used with a hybrid set-top box (H-STB) composed of RF TV reception capability and IPTV terminal device (IPTV-TD) functions as well as other devices within a home network environment [ITU-T J.190]. The RG device provides a bridging and/or terminating capability between a cable access network (i.e., WAN) and a home network (i.e., LAN) in every layer. The RG has functionalities for network interface, network control, content delivery, service control and applications to exchange control signal and media flow between WAN and LAN. Each functionality has several functional components. This Recommendation describes the requirements for the functional components which form logical entities of RG.

The RG is assumed to be a home gateway for the reception of enhanced broadcast services over cable television networks defined by [ITU-T J.700], consisting of quality of service (QoS), priority mechanisms, management and provisioning functions.