PAGE CONTENTS
Objectives
Satellite communications have a role in the provision of broadband corporate services, mainly those with inherent multicasting characteristics.
In this framework, the VERDI project aimed at delivering a comprehensive solution, demonstrating the value-added brought to corporate applications and working on the improvement of both the cost-effectiveness of the service provision and the perceived quality of the service.
Challenges
3D applications have simultaneously used the two main modes of operation of a satellite multimedia platform:
- Access to IP Unicast data allowing final customers to use high-speed Intranet / Internet resources via satellite
- Access to IP Multicast data allowing clients to distribute -and final customers to receive- data in “Push” mode (file transfer and multimedia streaming)
IP Multicasting was used for updating shared database content and avatars position & attitude.
Plan
The project was streamlined into 3 phases:
- The Users Requirements and Overall System definition.
This phase aimed at defining the operational and technical demonstrator environment. It consisted in the analysis of the proposed pilot applications scenarios and in the identification of the functions at user level to be supported by the demonstrator The main outputs of this phase are the final Pilot Utilisation Plan (PilUP) and Pilot System Architecture (PSA).
- The Design, Development and Content Integration phase.
This phase aimed at designing, developing and integrating the applications on the Eutelsat platform. Silicon Worlds developed the 3D graphical environments and the client server: the communications software (VRSAT) which will be implemented on the Eutelsat multimedia platform. The applications providers (INSEAD, INPIX and NETTUNO) integrated their specific contents. The phase was completed by the operational test of the VERDI Demonstrator.
- The Operational and Evaluation phase.
This phase aimed at evaluating and validating the Pilot applications implemented in the project. These tests involved a wide community of users in the different applications. Specific methodology and protocols have been used for each application.
Current Status
The project has been successfully closed with the Final Review held in ESTEC on February 7, 2004.
The global VERDI concept has been validated for the two market segments:
- Satcoms have been successfully integrated with the targeted applications;
- Conclusions from the trials showed that the VERDI platform brought real added value to e-learning and e-marketing applications thanks to:
– Multi-users and distributed environment (collaborative work);
– Virtual reality;
– Low costs user equipment;
– High-quality Broadband Service delivery.
For more details on the project results and conclusion please refer to the final report.
