Multimedia Communication Over Fast Packet Networks

The introduction of Integrated Services Digital Network (ISDN) into the public switched network provides users with telecommunication services not previously possible. The access interface to ISDN supports multiple information carrying channels, allowing a user to communicate with others using multiple information streams of voice and data. The network elements of ISDN though, currently transport voice and data information in two separate networks. Recently, experimental Fast Packet Networks, which use parallel processing and self routing switching elements, have demonstrated the ability to switch packets from access links running at greater than 100 megabits/second each. Thus voice, audio, data, image and even video can be transported in a single network. This technology has the potential of providing users more flexibility in terms of the number and types of information streams and calls a user may deal with at one time. This talk will give an overview of Fast Packet Technology and focus on a multimedia communication system implementation based on this technology.