Multipoint control unit

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The Multipoint Control Unit , just MCU , is a central star hub for video conferencing . An MCU can be implemented in hardware or software .

The data streams from several conference participants are received via an MCU and, depending on the configuration, processed and sent back to all participants. The data streams can be processed in the following ways:

• Continuous Presence : All video data streams are combined and sent back to all participants so that the participants can see each other at the same time.
• Voice Switching : In this operating mode, only the video stream of the currently speaking participant is sent to all other participants.

In addition, an MCU can also add the video streams from some or all of the participants to a new stream, for example the current speaker can fill most of the picture while the other participants can be seen as miniature views on the edge of the screen.

An MCU always works with a gatekeeper who is responsible for managing the incoming connections that can be established from the IP or telephone network .