A5 Communications
Section 1: Introduction – the communication business
Activity AA5.3 Non-visual communication
- www.screenreader.co.uk/index.htm
The Choice Technology website. - http://onlineshop.rnib.org.uk/
Printed cards ‘This is braille’ are available free from RNIB. Follow the links to Publications, Braille, education.
Activity AA5.6 Baby breathing monitor
- www.groupferraris.com/ferrarisrespiratory/europe/products/
See details of the respiration monitor RE-200 shown in the video clip. - www.dhsspsni.gov.uk/niaic-mdea(ni)2003_30.pdf
Download a Medical Device Alert about a possible failure mode of this respiration monitor, issued by the Northern Ireland Adverse Incident Centre in October 2003.
Section 5: Radio links
Activity AA5.18 Radio links
- www.stelar.org.uk
The educational charity STELAR promotes interest in the science and technology of wireless communications and also provides free training for teachers.
Section 6: Your mobile phone
Activity AA5.22 The mobile phone network
- www.sitefinder.radio.gov.uk
If they have not already found the base station nearest the school in GCSE Science Module P2 Radiation and life, students can do so using this website. - http://maps.vodafone.co.uk/coverageviewer/web/default.aspx
They could find out how coverage (signal strength) varies around the UK using the Vodaphone network map.
Activity AA5.23 Leicester’s Startrack system
- www.trimble.com/gps/index.html
A comprehensive guide to how the GPS system works. It describes a very complex system using a minimum of technical language and will be accessible to some teachers – but very few students.
Section 8: Global communications
Activity AA5.29 Access to the Internet
- www.ofcom.org.uk
You can obtain recent information about telecommunications in the UK from news releases and research documents on the Ofcom website .
Activity AA5.31 Communication is big business
- Ericsson: www.ericsson.com/
- Alcatel: www.alcatel.com/
- Nokia: www.nokia.com/
- Sony: www.sony.co.uk/
The websites of big telecommunications firms carry trade news. Some also provide careers information. - www.theiet.org/
The Institution of Engineering and Technology (IET) provides careers information. Three kinds of engineers are recognized: Engineering Technician, Incorporated Engineer, and Chartered Engineer. Routes into engineering include modern apprenticeships, vocational qualifications, and academic qualifications. The IEE also has a Communications Sector Panel, which aims to identify policy issues applicable to its UK, European, and international contexts. - www.jobsite.co.uk/career/advice/telecommunications.html
This website provides a useful profile of the UK telecoms industry. - www.ofcom.org.uk
You can obtain recent information about telecommunications in the UK from news releases and research documents on the Ofcom website.
Activity AA5.33 Global news coverage
Internet searches using key words such as ‘communications satellites’ can lead to millions of commercial sites. Students should be cautioned against wasting time with this.
- http://samadhi.jpl.nasa.gov/msl/Programs/intelsat.html
The International Telecommunications Satellite Organization (ITSO) is the world’s largest commercial satellite communications services provider. Started in 1964, this international consortium now operates a network of 20 Intelsat communications satellites. They serve telecommunications companies, corporations, and broadcasters in about 150 countries. - www.panamsat.com/
- www.loralskynet.com/
- www.ses-astra.com/landingPage/
- www.eutelsat.org/home/index.html
- www.arabsat.com/
Other companies offering satellite communications.
- www.geocities.com/CapeCanaveral/Launchpad/4857/geosat.html
A general listing of geostationary satellites. - www.carl-chapman.com/articles/archives/satcomoverview.pdf
This website describes in detail how satellite communications work.