Enhancement and Demonstration of Video Conference Services

In close cooperation with the Institute of Applied Systems Technology (Graz) and industrial partners (Vistacom,Finland and Dyning, Sweden) several new subsystems for multi-point satellite video conferencing were studied and developed. The Department of Communications and Wave Propagation investigated various encryption algorithms suitable for point-to-multipoint communications links. Due to the broadcast nature of the satellite encryption is vital for video conference services. Tests and demonstrations of the system implemented by the industrial partner were successfully performed in Graz under laboratory conditions and via satellite links. Furthermore, concepts for integrating the existing DICE (Direct Inter-Establishment Communications in Europe) satellite video conference system with facilities for LAN integration were developed. The results provided important inputs for the implementation of a tele-medicine network initiated by ESA.