Deutsche Telekom AG and Texas Instruments are conducting a worldwide field trial of desktop PC-based video-conferencing systems.
The trial system is based TI's TMS320C80 digital signal processor. With its 2-billion-operations-per-second performance, the 'C80 is a cost-effective single-chip solution capable of replacing multiple processors in a system.
The two companies will use the system for day-to-day operations at their worldwide locations. Selected customers also can test the system. After one year, Deutsche Telekom plans to incorporate the results into future system specifications and TI will use the information for possible new chip and software developments to meet end-user requirements.
The videoconferencing systems will be based on the MFKS (Multifunctional Communication System) of Deutsche Telekom, allowing video communication via ISDN lines, file transfer and application sharing. Communication also will be possible with H.320-compatible systems.
"The result of this project should also provide us with a higher level of confidence as to the suitability of the applied technology for ISDN Video Phones," said Hartmut Penz, director of Video, Audio and Multimedia Terminals and Services at Deutsche Telekom.
Wolfgang Gloeckle, vice president of TI Semiconductor Group and director of semiconductor marketing in Europe, said, "Our objective is to apply our leadership in digital signal processing technology in the most optimized way to the development of high-quality and easy-to-use desktop videoconferencing systems."
February 1996, vol. 13, no. 1