An Integrated Multimedia Terminal for Teleconferencing

We describe the MINT terminal, an experimental broadband ATM- based multimedia terminal, intended for use as a research testbed in exploring the challenges, bottlenecks and issues associated with future networks and applications. The MINT terminal features an open, modular architecture which cater to the 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 small 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.