University of York works with Nortel Networks to revolutionise network traffic management
Posted on 2 November 1999
The Networks and Nonlinear Dynamics Group at York is using modern mathematics, including Chaos Theory, to find innovative ways of controlling and managing all types of traffic, from Internet data to voice.
"The growing use of the Internet has disturbed typical telephone traffic patterns because calls to the Internet are so much longer than traditional personal telephone calls," said Malcolm Carter, a Nortel Networks' product assurance advisor. "This distortion to telephone traffic flows will be further complicated when mobile phones become linked to the Internet. To prevent communications disruptions or slowdowns, Nortel Networks is looking for ways to improve traffic management."
Nortel Networks has commissioned over £300,000 worth of research from the University's Networks and Non-Linear Dynamics Group since 1997.
"The Group applies mathematics to practical, real world problems, studying intermittent and apparently unpredictable variations in the performance of sophisticated communication equipment," said Professor Maurice Dodson.
"The appliance of mathematics to real-world problems yields surprising and very innovative results," said Malcolm Carter. "Nortel Networks is increasingly attempting to recruit mathematicians because their insight complements the practical contribution of our engineers. This is part of our long-term commitment to investing in education, training, research and development."
Notes to editors:
- Nortel Networks is one of Canada's largest communications equipment company, with operations in over 100 countries. The company also funds research in the University of York's Electronics department. In 1998, the company invested Cdn$23 million in over 400 education, training and research projects at universities worldwide.
- Nortel Networks is a global leader in telephony, data, wireless and wireline solutions for the Internet. The Company had 1998 revenues of US$17.6 billion and serves carrier, service provider and enterprise customers globally. Today, Nortel Networks is creating a high-performance Internet that is more reliable and faster than ever before. It is redefining the economics and quality of networking and the Internet through Unified Networks* that promise a new era of collaboration, communications and commerce.
- The 12-strong Networks and Non-Linear Dynamics Group includes Nortel Networks Advisor Dr Yves Giroux, who visits York regularly. Another member of the Group, Dr Otakar Fojt, will visit the world-renowned Fields Institute, centre for wide-ranging mathematical research and education, in Toronto from January to March 2000.
- The research at York will provide important data on currently unpredictable telecommunications traffic which will assist Nortel in the making of sophisticated telecomms equipment.
- * Nortel Networks, the Nortel Networks Globemark, Unified Networks and How the world shares ideas are trademarks of Nortel Networks Corporation.