Telepresence services are future communication services that were originally planned to be implemented in 2030 networks, but the need for these services in a pandemic dictates their accelerated implementation. Telepresence services include, for example, holographic copies of a person, a variety of augmented reality applications, network remote control of robots. Such services can only be implemented with the required quality of service and quality of experience parameters on base of the transmission systems operating at Tb/s rates
At the Department of Communications and Data Transmission of St. Petersburg State University of Telecommunications we create the telepresence services model network. It is equipped with HP and Mikrotik switches with SDN support, Russian-developed DWDM system “Volga”, DseeLab holographic fan for displaying holographic images, Epson augmented reality glasses, Microsoft Kinect and Intel RealSense RGB-D cameras. Also, model network includes Arduino-based sensing gloves and robotic arms, as well as a multifunctional robotic arm “Dobot Magician”. All equipment that makes up the model network is available for free sale and has a relatively low cost. All developments and research results have been published or are planned for publication.
The telepresence services model network is intended for scientific and education purposes. We hope that the research and development results that we are obtaining with our model network will help to create affordable and efficient telepresence systems that allows people from the remote areas get access to the wide variety of services, including distant health care, education, and employment. Also, our model network will help to educate a new generation of specialists who will know firsthand what telepresence services are and how to provide them in the best possible way to users.
