REALIZING CONVERGENCE

Convergence -- or the ability to bring all communication functions onto a single platform -- is the ultimate goal. While true convergence remains elusive, few doubt that one day a massive, worldwide fiber or wireless network of essentially infinite bandwidth will be created. In the meantime, many are seeking convergence by pushing existing tools to new performance levels; hence the rise of Gigabit Ethernet. But if you take a closer look at the reasons behind these new high-speed networks you find that most of their rationale stems from the perceived need to digitize massive amounts of moving images (video, film, animation, simulations, etc.) so they can be displayed in full-motion on demand.     Simply stated, this is a very impractical use of today's still-limited network bandwidth. Of course there are mission-critical needs for digital video, such as analyzing or editing images. But many business networks are being asked to handle what is really "disposable video" - news, entertainment, announcements, and so on. Given the short useful life of this material, should it be on the network where it is wasting limited resources? Even many valuable and useful videos that do not change and are infrequently viewed - such as training or informational resources - don't belong on today's data network.     Transporting the disposable video over the Z-Band system is a cost-effective, practical, and technical advancement. To the end user it looks the same; it arrives on the PC, TV, or monitor when needed. (In fact, it even looks better because it arrives uncompressed, full-size, and full-motion.) To the network administrator it means fewer LAN-clogging applications and better network performance. To the telecommunications manager it's an elegant and cost-effective solution that requires no special coax runs; it simply puts video on an unused portion of the building's structured wiring system. To the facilities/security manager it offers what is essentially a parallel LAN that can be used for security cameras, remote sensor monitoring (fire, intrusion) and building control (lighting, HVAC). For the executive or business manager - indeed for everyone in an organization - it is a way to use today's infrastructure to deliver all communication tools to every user. By any reasonable definition, Z-Band's system advances communications convergence.