- Email: [email protected]
Fibre-optic link for remote sites
Far East - - UK leased line service A digital leased line service between the UK and Hong Kong has been launched by Mercury Communications. Access in the UK is via the company's national fibreoptic network and the recently commissioned satellite communications centre at Whitehill, Oxfordshire. This links to the Stanley, Hong Kong, satellite communications complex operated by Cable and Wireless (HK), with distribution to all business districts in Hong Kong and the New Territories provided by the Hong KongTelephone Company. Use of the Whitehill centre provides the capability of diverse routing for reliability, plus space for expansion in the future. The Hong Kong service is operated by an 18 m antenna pointed at the
Intelsat Indian Ocean Region satellite; coverage is capable of being extended to Japan, Singapore and Australia as required. The leased line service is a full duplex circuit, and high-speed data links are available at 56 or 64 kbit/s. Data interfaces in the UK may be either X.21 or V.35. The service also provides combined voice and data services using 28.8 and 32 kbit/s CVSD voice encoding techniques, leaving the remainder of the bandwidth for a mix of lower speed synchronous or asynchronous data circuits. Altematively, an all-data or voiceonly service can be provided. (Mercury Communications Ltd., 90 Long Acre, London WC2E 9NP, UK. Tel: 0%836 2449, Telex: 28846) []
LAN for bar code data-capture systems A local area network system designed for low-cost, multipoint data collection by bar code in an industrial environment has been announced by Eyetech Security Print. It is suitable for factories, laboratories, warehousing and other areas with a number of fixed points at which data is recorded for transmission to a central computer. The system comprises a node for each point of data entry, linked to a fixed or portable terminal, which can incorporate key entry or bar code scanning for fast and accurate recording of information. Up to 99 nodes/terminals can be linked
together for interfacing with the central computer. The use of bar codes enables information such as stock levels and goods movements to be captured by shop floor staff without keyboard skills. One of the main advantages claimed for the system is its cost effectiveness in achieving a gateway into an existing computer system. The alternative is for companies to cable every terminal back to a separate computer port, which is expensive (Eyetech Security Print Ltd., Dukes Way, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby, Cleveland TS17 9LT, UK. Tel: (0642) 760306) []
Digital data service for USA The first nonBell digital data service is to be launched in the USA by Microtel. Equipment for the service, known as LaserNet Digital Data Service (LDDS) network, will be supplied by RacaI-Milgo and Teleprocessing Products. The LDDS network is based on Microtel's 405 Mbit/s LaserNet Fibre Optic System, now operational
vol 8 no 4 august 1985
throughout Florida. Because the fibre-optic cable is installed underground, the quality of transmission is not impaired by weather or atmospheric conditions. The network will be compatible with AT&T's Dataphone Digital Service, remote diagnostics and automatic antisteaming on multipoint circuits to isolate system faults.
Fibre-optic link for remote sites A fibre optic RS232C datalink, for use where computer terminals are located up to I km distant and where electrical noise and interference cause problems with cable routing, has been announced by Norbain Electro-Optics. Manufactured by Honeywell and designated the HFM 5000 Series, the new fibre-optic links, which can be plugged directly into 25 pin connectors on computers, provide EMI/RFI resistance and datatransmission security. Additional features include reduced error rate, the elimination of ground loops over long distances and plug compatibility with most 4- and 9-pin hard wire RS232C extension cables. Supporting duplex asynchronous data rates from DC to 56 kbit/s, the modules are capable of operation from -20°C to +85°C with less than £4 gs pulse width distortion over the temperature range. In addition, the fibre optic links are able to reduce the susceptibility to RF radiation and to incorporate a DCE/DTE switch, providing the user with one module type for both DTE and DCE equipment. (Norbain Electro-Optics Ltd., Norbain House, Boulton Road, Readin& Berks RG2 0LT, UK. Tel: (0734) 864411, Telex: 847203) [] Microtel will provide end-user support for this service, including planning, installation, testing and maintenance. RacaI-Milgo is supplying its Omnimux time-division multiplexers for the first phase of the network, and Teleprocessing Products is contributing with its TP-500 series DSU/CSU, Level 1 Controller and remote diagnostic equipment. The LDDS network will be enhanced at the end of 1985 to provide remote diagnostics which include: use of pseudosecondary channels; noninterruptive testing and automatic monitoring of performance characteristics 24 h a day. (Racal Electronics plc, Western Road, Bracknell, Berks RG12 1RG, UK) []
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Intelsat Indian Ocean Region satellite; coverage is capable of being extended to Japan, Singapore and Australia as required. The leased line service is a full duplex circuit, and high-speed data links are available at 56 or 64 kbit/s. Data interfaces in the UK may be either X.21 or V.35. The service also provides combined voice and data services using 28.8 and 32 kbit/s CVSD voice encoding techniques, leaving the remainder of the bandwidth for a mix of lower speed synchronous or asynchronous data circuits. Altematively, an all-data or voiceonly service can be provided. (Mercury Communications Ltd., 90 Long Acre, London WC2E 9NP, UK. Tel: 0%836 2449, Telex: 28846) []
LAN for bar code data-capture systems A local area network system designed for low-cost, multipoint data collection by bar code in an industrial environment has been announced by Eyetech Security Print. It is suitable for factories, laboratories, warehousing and other areas with a number of fixed points at which data is recorded for transmission to a central computer. The system comprises a node for each point of data entry, linked to a fixed or portable terminal, which can incorporate key entry or bar code scanning for fast and accurate recording of information. Up to 99 nodes/terminals can be linked
together for interfacing with the central computer. The use of bar codes enables information such as stock levels and goods movements to be captured by shop floor staff without keyboard skills. One of the main advantages claimed for the system is its cost effectiveness in achieving a gateway into an existing computer system. The alternative is for companies to cable every terminal back to a separate computer port, which is expensive (Eyetech Security Print Ltd., Dukes Way, Teesside Industrial Estate, Thornaby, Cleveland TS17 9LT, UK. Tel: (0642) 760306) []
Digital data service for USA The first nonBell digital data service is to be launched in the USA by Microtel. Equipment for the service, known as LaserNet Digital Data Service (LDDS) network, will be supplied by RacaI-Milgo and Teleprocessing Products. The LDDS network is based on Microtel's 405 Mbit/s LaserNet Fibre Optic System, now operational
vol 8 no 4 august 1985
throughout Florida. Because the fibre-optic cable is installed underground, the quality of transmission is not impaired by weather or atmospheric conditions. The network will be compatible with AT&T's Dataphone Digital Service, remote diagnostics and automatic antisteaming on multipoint circuits to isolate system faults.
Fibre-optic link for remote sites A fibre optic RS232C datalink, for use where computer terminals are located up to I km distant and where electrical noise and interference cause problems with cable routing, has been announced by Norbain Electro-Optics. Manufactured by Honeywell and designated the HFM 5000 Series, the new fibre-optic links, which can be plugged directly into 25 pin connectors on computers, provide EMI/RFI resistance and datatransmission security. Additional features include reduced error rate, the elimination of ground loops over long distances and plug compatibility with most 4- and 9-pin hard wire RS232C extension cables. Supporting duplex asynchronous data rates from DC to 56 kbit/s, the modules are capable of operation from -20°C to +85°C with less than £4 gs pulse width distortion over the temperature range. In addition, the fibre optic links are able to reduce the susceptibility to RF radiation and to incorporate a DCE/DTE switch, providing the user with one module type for both DTE and DCE equipment. (Norbain Electro-Optics Ltd., Norbain House, Boulton Road, Readin& Berks RG2 0LT, UK. Tel: (0734) 864411, Telex: 847203) [] Microtel will provide end-user support for this service, including planning, installation, testing and maintenance. RacaI-Milgo is supplying its Omnimux time-division multiplexers for the first phase of the network, and Teleprocessing Products is contributing with its TP-500 series DSU/CSU, Level 1 Controller and remote diagnostic equipment. The LDDS network will be enhanced at the end of 1985 to provide remote diagnostics which include: use of pseudosecondary channels; noninterruptive testing and automatic monitoring of performance characteristics 24 h a day. (Racal Electronics plc, Western Road, Bracknell, Berks RG12 1RG, UK) []
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