An integrated multimedia terminal for teleconferencing

We describe the MINT terminal, an experimental broadband ATM-based multimedia teleconferencing terminal, intended for use as a research testbed in exploring some of the challenges and issues associated with future networks and applications. The MINT terminal features an open, modular architecture which caters to our research requirements of easy upgradability (addition of new media application “clients”), flexibility (adaptable to a wide variety of broadband networking experiments), and relative independence from fluctuations in the emerging ATM standards. Our initial set of basic media clients includes a real-time NTSC video client, an Ethernet/IP (Internet Protocol) gateway/router client, and (coming soon) a high-quality echo-cancelling speakerphone audio client. We discuss some of the issues, features, and human factors aspects of the terminal design, as well as the terminal architecture and our results to date