The iPOINT research includes design and analysis of hardware and software components for high-speed ATM computer networks. In our laboratory, we have designed and built a high-performance, Asynchronous Transfer Mode (ATM) switch with input queue modues. The switch supports multicast multicast as the general model of communication,

Our fully functional prototype is implemented by Field Programmable Gate Arrays (FPGAs). A Xilinx XC4013 is currently used for the switch module, and a XC4005 is used for each queue module. A high-speed, 2nd-generation ATM Queueing module is implemented using Xilinx two XC4025 devices.

Fiber-optic links are used to connect our prototype switch to Sun SPARCstations in our laboratory. One fiber pair connects our prototype ATM switch to our campus ATM backbone. The input buffering of the switch makes the design well suited for hybrid optoelectronic ATM switching. Both native-mode and IP-over-ATM traffic is transmitted on the links.

The current testbed uses discrete optical and electronic components for the optical-to-electronic conversion. We are currently designing a high-performance (1 Gbps) trunk port that uses GaAs Optical-Electronic Integrated circuits fabricated within the UIUC microelectronics laboratory for improved integration and performance.

The group has developed native mode ATM applications for audio and video conferencing over ATM. A native-mode MPEG-over-ATM system has been developed to transfer full-motion video.