Multiplexing of packet speech on an experimental wideband satellite network

Packet techniques provide powerful mechanisms for the sharing of communication resources among users with time-varying demands. In particular, significant potential advantages are expected for systems which integrate digital data and digitized voice in a common packet-switched network, including bandwidth savings and improvements in channel utilization and flexibility. An experimental system under development by DARPA, consisting of a wideband demand-assigned satellite network and a variety of local access networks with associated gateways, is being used to explore these expected characteristics. The components of the system are described in detail, and progress and goals in the experimental program are described.