ImNet: a fibre optic LAN for digital image communication

Data communication requirements in computer networks for medical diagnostics cannot be satisfied by existing LANs if digital images are involved because of the volumes of image data and the heterogeneity of data communication tasks. A user-oriented network behaviour requires a data transport rate which is beyond the physical bit rate of currently used LAN data channels. The key to an increased data transport efficiency is the separation of management data communication and image data communication. For the latter ImNet, a novel type of fibre optic network has been developed. Its hyperstar topology, its asynchronous data transport mechanism and its distributed network control make it particularly suited for PACS applications.