The Technology KTLN uses interactive video, audio and data to link the university hubs sites to networks of sites throughout the Commonwealth of Kentucky using what is normally referred to as a wheel and spoke configuration. Each individual site is attached to and associated with one of the hubs and those hubs are then connected to each other through a central hub located in Frankfort - the state capital at the Department of Information Systems. KTLN is based on VTEL developed compressed digital video conferencing systems generally communicating at approximately 30 frames per second over high speed telephone lines.
Sites can talk to one or more other sites at the same time using simultaneous audio and video .
This system is ideal when there is a strong need for two or more sites to communicate real-time with a high level of interaction. Conferences connecting more than 5 or 6 sites at the same time do require some degree of control or management otherwise communication becomes difficult and confusing to the user - much as a meeting where too many people speak at the same time. With proper controls, it is relatively easy to have 2 to 3 times as many sites online and still have reasonable interaction. For most distance learning applications, it has been found that quarter T-1 bandwidth is more than sufficient with the current technology and makes maximum use of relatively limited state resources. While the telemedicine sites have traditionally been separate from KTLN activities - we hope to see that relationship created and developed in the future.