PCBIT - Personal Computer Based ISDN Terminal

The PCBIT (Personal Computer Based ISDN terminal) is a multifunctional ISDN terminal for voice and data based on a personal computer (PC) where is inserted a PCB with processing capacity and has a basic interface for interconnection to the ISDN S0 line. The PCBIT was developed under contract with Portugal Telecom (1990-93). Mário Nunes was the technical responsible for the project.

The first boards had interface with PC AT IDE, nowadays the versions marketed by Portugal Telecom provide RS 232 and USB interfaces. The PCBIT™ product is marketed by OCTAL, of the NOVABASE group.

PCBIT allows circuit switching calls using one or two B channels for phone service and other teleservices, as well as packet switching calls, using the channels B or D. Several access points have been identified, differentiated by the level of protocols that they perform, depending on the needs and characteristics of the application. Exemples are the transparent access to a channel B, access to a level 2 or LAPB LAPD, or access via X.25 PLP (packet level). This project won a "Praise the Jury" in the contest of "ANIMEE Awards for Innovation and Creativity" sponsored by the National Association of Industries of Electrical and Electronic Equipment. The project ran from October 1990 to December 1993.

PCBIT Brochure

PCBIT (“2B+D”) Voice+Data

PCBIT-D (PCBIT for Data)

References:

Lourenço, J.; Casaca, A.; Jesus, J.; Nunes, M. S.; "Terminal Multifuncional para Redes Digitais com Integração de Serviços" ENDIEL 89, Porto, April 1989.
Lourenço, J. A.; Nunes, M. S.; Casaca, A. J.; "PCBIT - Personal Computer Based ISDN Terminal", INTELIS - Workshop para o Desenvolvimento de Produtos para a RDIS, Lisbon, April 1990.
Casaca, A.; Lourenço, J.; Nunes, M. S.; "A Personal Computer Based ISDN Terminal", Telemática 90 - Simpósio Internacional de Redes de Computadores e suas Aplicações, pp. 24 - 33, IFIP TC-6, Porto Alegre - Brasil, September 1990.
Nunes, M. S.; Lourenço, J,; Casaca, A. J.; "PCBIT - Personal Computer Based ISDN Terminal", The INESC Journal of Research & Development, pp. 33-53, Vol. 4, Nº2, December 1993.

Related references:

Sousa, P. F.; Nunes, M. S.; Jesus, J. C.; "Comutador Automático para Redes Digitais com Integração de Serviços" ENDIEL 89, Porto, April 1989.
Sousa, P.; Nunes, M. S.; "CARDIS - Comutador Automático para Redes Digitais com Integração de Serviços", INTELIS - Workshop para o Desenvolvimento de Produtos para a RDIS, Lisboa, April 1990.