Multipoint Control Unit SIGI GAVISH CTO and CoFounder Accord Networks

Multipoint Control Unit Network entity providing capability for multipoint conferences –Consist of MC (Multipoint Controller) and zero or more MPs (Multipoint Processors) MCU defined in H.323.

Multipoint Controller The entity that control the multipoint conferences Provides capability negotiation with terminals and decide on the conference common mode during the conference Control and allocate the conference resources

Multipoint Processor Provides central processing of Video, Audio and Data stream Provides switching, mixing or transcoding of media streams Controlled by the MC

Multipoint Conference Conference between three or more terminals Conference types –Centralized conferences. –Decentralized conferences – using multicast. –Hybrid Conferences – centralized audio. –Mixed conferences.

Multipoint Conference Conference modes –Video switching conference Voice activated Lecture Mode –Continuous presence – video mixing conferences Different layouts

Rich Media Displays (21 Layout Options)

MCU types Software MCU –Includes MC –Audio mixing (G.711) –Video switching –4 QCIf to CIF H way continuous presence

MCU types MCU with Audio MP –Includes MC –Audio mixing using DSPs –Audio transcoding –Video Switching –4 QCIf to CIF H.261 video mixing

MCU types MCU with audio and video MPs –Includes MC –Audio mixing –Video switching or mixing –Full continuous presence. –Full transcoding – video and audio

Conference management Out of band, Web browser is used for conference setup and control of on going conference. In-band, using H.243 for conference control Reservation based conferences.

Conference setup End-point call conference alias or MCU dial out. Master-slave determination & capabilities exchange MC controls conference mode using H.245 CommunicationModeCommand. MC manages media rates and algorithms using H.245 RequestModeCommand and flowControlCommand