Objective
The main objectives of HIPERNET are:
- To integrate, install and verify a high performance Gigabit Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) multimedia network which is capable of expansion and meets an operational requirement for distributed language training.
- To assess the performance of the multimedia network through a trial and evaluation by non-specialist users.
A high performance gigabit asynchronous transfer mode (ATM) multimedia network has been specified which is distributed over a metropolitan area, with the capability to be scaleable to large systems and flexible for a wide range of applications. In particular, the network has been designed to meet an operational require
ments for distributed language training. Integration, installation and verification of a trial network has been achieved with performance assessment and user feedback including technical and pedagogical evaluation. The project is firmly applications driven. End users have formulated a requirements specification, describing their need for distributed multimedia language training. Remote access to high quality video material, together with audio and text, is a prerequisite. From this requirements specification, a detailed technical functional specification was prepared, specifying the broadband networked multimedia system including all hardware and software sub systems. A help desk facility and multimedia dictionary were incorporated.
Technical Approach
HIPERNET will install a complete network solution for distributed language training over a metropolitan area addressing all system aspects from multimedia courseware to ATM-based Gigabit optical networking. The sub-system architectures adopted allows expansion and scaleability to support large numbers of users. The general approach is to integrate existing or well-developed technologies into an operational system. The basic building blocks of the system are appropriate for installation in commercial multimedia networks deployable in the short to medium term.
The project is firmly applications-driven. End-users have formulated a requirements specification, describing their need for distributed multimedia language training. Remote access to high quality video material, together with audio and text, is a prerequisite. From this requirements specification, a detailed technical functional specification was prepared, specifying the broadband networked multimedia system including all hardware and software sub-systems. Planning for installation is established. The manufacture and procurement of sub-systems has started.
System integration, installation and verification takes place in Year 2 of the project. User trials and evaluation will be a key feature of the final phase of the project, allowing user feedback to the design and manufacture of networked multimedia systems.
Key Issues
- Definition of operational user requirements for distributed language training.
- Implementation and integration of the application software at the end-systems to include multimedia courseware applications, a help desk facility and a multimedia dictionary.
- Implementation and integration of multimedia servers, databases and workstations, including video/audio compression and communications networking hardware and software.
- Integration of 8 x 8 ATM switches and end-system terminations.
- Development of Gigabit optical networking architectures and implementation of sub-systems, including both high capacity time multiplexing and wavelength multiplexing architectures.
Expected Impact
HIPERNET will offer an integrated solution for multimedia networking, which will be scaleable to large systems and flexible for a wide number of applications beyond distributed language training.
The project will provide contributions to multimedia and compression standardisation activities.
Each partner will exploit the results of the project through the development of commercially viable sub-systems for high performance multimedia networks.
Fields of science
Topic(s)
Data not availableCall for proposal
Data not availableFunding Scheme
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06610 La Gaude
France