An Experimental Telecommunications Test Bed

Although the computer and telecommunications industries have traditionally represented two very different cultures, recent advances in circuit and system technology have blurred many of their past distinctions. A digital system test bed environment has been implemented that not only supports but encourages the use of terminal, switching, and processing capabilities for both computing and communicating. One of our major goals was to provide a test bed environment for conducting telecommunications terminal (teleterminal) experiments in the context of work, school, home, and play. Model scenarios for each environment are briefly described. Physically, the experimental environment is a blend of model shop and commercial systems and components. Adaptability and versatility have been given higher priority than manufacturability. The testing of concepts is deemed more relevant than the testing of components. The resulting environment does not model all of the application areas but has provided a wealth of illustrative data and insights that are described in companion papers.