April 21, 1999 13:57
-FORE SYSTEMS: Fore and Tektronix solutions deliver full-bandwidth HDTV over high-performance network
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M2 PRESSWIRE-21 April 1999-FORE SYSTEMS: Converged network solutions from Fore Systems and Tektronix deliver full-bandwidth HDTV over high-performance network (C)1994-99 M2 COMMUNICATIONS LTD
In another milestone for digital broadcasting, FORE Systems, Inc. (NASDAQ: FORE), a leading global supplier of Application Aware(tm) networking solutions, and Tektronix, Inc. (NYSE: TEK), a market leader in broadband video communications, today demonstrated the flawless transport of uncompressed High Definition Digital Television (HDTV) signals in real time over an ATM network at the National Association of Broadcasters convention (NAB '99) in Las Vegas. It will also be showcased at NetWorld + Interop '99 in Las Vegas (11-14 May).
As digital television, data and communications converge on a single network infrastructure, the need for reliable and resilient high performance networking technology has never been greater. The presentation highlights potential solutions for broadcasters, post-production professionals, video-related service providers, entertainment firms, and government agencies that seek the benefits of a networked HDTV environment.
For example, HDTV will play an important role in next-generation applications and technological advancements. For example, HDTV technology developed by the U.S. government, FORE Systems and Tektronix is being demonstrated in various U.S. government projects. In particular, the Advanced Technology Development Network, ATDnet, provides a switched network environment linking six government agencies around the Washington, D.C., beltway, supporting the 1.5 Gbps stream generated by HDTV transport. The result is a robust and flexible foundation for mission-critical networks that can provide unparalleled support for companies.
"FORE and Tektronix have shown that a networked HDTV solution is feasible today, complete with the unparalleled benefits of a flexible and resilient multiservice network infrastructure," said Donal Byrne, senior vice president, corporate marketing at FORE Systems. "This demonstration proves that organisations seeking to utilise the most advanced, high-performance video technology to meet their objectives will be able to transport uncompressed HDTV across their mission-critical networks."
The cost, complexity and variability of standards for mezzanine compression or facility interconnection make uncompressed HDTV the most desirable transport format today. The Society of Motion Picture and Television Engineers (SMPTE) standard for transport of this signal requires bandwidth of 1.5 Gbps (SMPTE292M). This means that FORE's OC-48c port represents the only standards-based, single ATM port fast enough to handle the demands of transporting uncompressed HDTV in real time over a single fibre. In addition, ATM is a key network transport mechanism recommended by SMPTE and the European Broadcasting Union (EBU).
The networked HDTV demo combines the industry-leading digital video processing technology of Tektronix and FORE's high-performance ATM switching solutions. This includes FORE's ForeRunner ASX(tm) - 4000 OC-48c (2.488 Gbps) ports, the only single ATM port with enough bandwidth to transport real-time, uncompressed HDTV in the industry-standard 1.5 Gbps stream. The port is paired with the Tektronix HD48 video edge device, a full 10-bit digital video transport device. The result is the successful transport of a 1.5 Gbps HDTV signal.
When transporting HDTV signals with this configuration, the first HD video transport device converts an incoming serial digital video stream into ATM cells, which then are transmitted to the ASX-4000 over a single-mode fibre connection. The ASX-4000 receives the cells and switches them to the second HD video transport device, where the ATM cells are reassembled to produce the outbound 1.5 Gbps HDTV serial digital video stream.
"Tektronix continues its leadership in developing cutting-edge technology to support the burgeoning deployment of digital television solutions," said Tim Thorsteinson, president, video and networking division, Tektronix. "This illustration shows that ATM technology from FORE can provide a standards-based network solution for transporting uncompressed HDTV signals, providing maximum scalability and flexibility."
NOTES TO EDITORS
About the ASX-4000
The ASX-4000 is a groundbreaking backbone switch from FORE Systems that utilises the same proven ForeThought internetworking software as the company's other award-winning switches. The ASX-4000 is currently shipping as a 40 Gbps non-blocking, full duplex-switch, and was also the first switch in the industry with OC-48c ATM ports. The ASX-4000 is specifically designed for the cores of large IP networks and in a recent IP throughput test, it forwarded more than 90 million IP packets per second, proving its industry-leading performance. The switch provides a scalable, reliable, high-speed foundation for building networking solutions that last.
The switch was also honoured with a Product of the Year Award from Network Magazine in the High-Speed Networking category. Network Magazine annually bestows its awards in April to the most significant new networking products that stand out from the thousands introduced during the previous calendar year.
About the Tektronix HD48 Video Edge Device
The Tektronix HD48 video edge is implemented as two PCI-bus cards that perform the functions of video segmentation and reassembly into ATM cells (video interface) and packing of ATM cells into SONET frames (network interface) for transport across public or private networks via optical signals. The two-card design allows additional video interface cards to be coupled to the same NIC to enable transport of additional data on independent ATM channels. The flexible interface design will allow standard definition video, MTS streams, or additional audio to be carried on the same OC-48 link.
About Tektronix
Tektronix is a portfolio of measurement, colour printing and video and networking businesses dedicated to applying technology excellence to customer challenges. Tektronix is headquartered in Wilsonville, Oregon, and has operations in 26 countries outside the United States. Founded in 1946, the company had revenues of $2.1 billion in fiscal 1998.
Visit the Tektronix web site at tek.com or learn more about Tektronix' video networking capabilities at videotele.com.
About FORE Systems
FORE Systems is a leading global supplier of high performance networking solutions. FORE's Networks of Steel(tm) deliver the increased capacity, resiliency and scalability necessary to build networks that last. Thousands of enterprise and service provider customers worldwide have put FORE Systems' solutions at the heart of their networks.
Visit the FORE Systems web site at fore.com.
Additionally, all FORE Systems' editorial information and graphics can be found on NEWSdesk, the high-tech Internet Network at www.newsdesk.com.
This press release contains forward-looking statements with respect to products, customers, future growth and other matters. Please refer to the Annual Report on Form 10-K filed by FORE Systems with the Securities and Exchange Commission in June, 1998, and the Quarterly Reports on Form 10-Q filed by FORE Systems in August, 1998, and November, 1998, and February, 1999, for a discussion of risks that could cause actual results to differ materially from such statements. |
