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Tapping the television cable
Journal of Telemedicine and Telecare
|January 1, 1996
Summary
Doctors can now access patient data remotely using cable TV networks, creating a metropolitan-scale local area network (LAN). This novel solution offers speeds over 500 kbaud, improving clinical decision-making and remote access capabilities.
Area of Science:
- Medical Informatics
- Computer Networking
- Telecommunications
Background:
- Immediate patient data access is crucial for clinical decision-making.
- Current remote access solutions (modems, radio networks) are slow (2-10 kbaud).
- Doctors lack remote access to clinical databases.
Purpose of the Study:
- To propose and evaluate a novel solution for remote access to clinical databases.
- To leverage existing cable television infrastructure for high-speed data networking.
- To establish a metropolitan-scale local area network (LAN) for healthcare professionals.
Main Methods:
- Utilized RF modems to transmit data on reverse (16 MHz) and forward (178 MHz) channels over cable TV networks.
- Implemented a modified CSMA/CD protocol for network access, treating the cable as a multiple access network.
- Developed a standard PC card modem with NDIS driver supporting Novell and TCP/IP.
Main Results:
- Achieved data transmission speeds exceeding 500 kbaud, significantly faster than traditional methods.
- Successfully piloted the HomeWorker network, demonstrating feasibility and performance.
- Identified and addressed security and access control issues for sensitive patient data.
Conclusions:
- Cable TV networks can be effectively repurposed as high-speed metropolitan-scale LANs.
- The proposed system enhances remote access to patient data, supporting clinical practice.
- Further research is needed on network security and impact on working practices.