MIT Bachelor's Thesis, June 1993
Abstract:
This thesis describes the design, construction, testing, and
evaluation of the AVlink, a bridge between Sunshine and VuNet. The
Aurora-VuNet Link (avlink), which consists of ECL and TTL components,
is capable of transmitting ATM cells at a rate of 155 Mb/s.
Aurora is an experimental wide-area network testbed. The main objectives are to explore and evaluate technology for use in a national gigabit network. Two projects currently proceeding within the Aurora testbed are the Sunshine switch and the VuNet. Both projects are exploring the use of Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM). The Sunshine switch, currently being developed at Bellcore, will serve as the basis for a wide-area network. VuNet, on the other hand, is being used to study the implications of high speed networks on a local scale, a so-called desk-area network, or DAN.
Currently, there exists no way to exchange data between the Sunshine switch and the VuNet. This ability is desirable for several reasons. One of the largest predicted uses of gigabit networks is the transmission of real-time video images. The VuNet has the ability to capture and transmit video as ATM cells. The VuNet project gains from an interface by access to Sunshine's long-haul facilities, while Sunshine benefits from the same interface by access to applications, such as video, intended for gigabit networks.
