Multipoint conferencing for mobile communications network

A global multipoint multimedia conference for the future mobile communications network is discussed in this paper. A Distributed Multipoint Network (DMN) connection to support long distance, real time interaction among multiparties through conference media is introduced. The multicast channel of a conference could be efficiently realized by the cellular packet switch and the broadcast property of radio channels. Different multiplexing and access techniques are compared by considering the special requirements of multipoint multimedia communications. The authors outline the issues of multipoint network set-up and dynamic adjustment of the network during a conference. The handover of radio channels (when a mobile user crosses the border of cells) introduces a new challenge to the multipoint network management system. Again, cellular packet switch plays an important role in this adjustment