Technology for data transport in an office environment

The volume of data to be transported in an office environment is growing as more terminals are required to realize office automation systems. Such data can be transported by Private Branch Exchanges (PBX) and/or by Local Area Networks (LANs) . . . With PBX, data from each terminal are typically carried to the PBX on a Digital Subscriber Loop (DSL). With an LSN, data from each terminal are typically carried on a passive bus after being formatted by an interface circuit. . . Initially, panelists will review the present and future technologies available to implement a DSL for a PBX using the 'ping-pong' method of continuous full duplex transmission, an interface circuit for an LAN using a base-band coaxial cable bus, an interface circuit for an LAN using a broadband coaxial cable bus, and an interface circuit for an LAN using an optical fiber bus...In conclusion, the panelists will compare these technologies for availability and costs.