Integrated High-Performance Remote Visualization Capability

Digital switching and transport of high-resolution graphics promises enormous advantages over the analog methods used almost exclusively today in collaborative visualization environments. The flexibility inherent in digital technology is particularly evident when implementing broadcast and multicast functions, when accommodating digital and analog video, and when using existing infrastructure to integrate local and wide area networks. In addition to demonstrating the advantages of a purely digital approach for remote visualization, the goal of this development phase is the production of more cost-effective networked visualization hardware. Toward that end we will develop a prototype system integrating several high-resolution transmission channels into a single chassis. By deploying a multi-channel integrated system we believe a cost reduction of 30% is possible when compared to deploying an equivalent number of individual appliances. Pure (proprietary) video extension is another essential function of modern visualization facilities. Hence we will also develop a digital extension technology that can be used where multi-mode fiber infrastructure has been previously deployed.