Compact telex communicator

Compact telex communicator Format Communications has introduced a compact telex communicator, the CTC, which is an eight-bit parallel microprocessor, with a cycle time of 1 ms. It incorporates 72 instructions, with an average instruction time of 3 ~ s . The system is aimed at the smaller one-or two-line user, and the company is confident that it will capture a big slice of the telexreplacement market. The system has three internal and 12 directly addressable working registers. Designed and manufactured by Format, the central processor has proved extremely reliable in service and has a meantime between failure rate in excess of 25 000 hours. The system CTC uses 64 000 byte of static semiconductor random access memory, plus a 'bootstrap' loader, consisting of 1 000 byte read only memory. Two telex lines are standard on the system with an option to add two more if required. The system also provides four lines as standard for connection to printers, teleprinters, word processors or computer systems. A further four lines, as well as extra disc storage space can be added if, for example, an internal 'electronic mail' network is required. The standard system incorporates a floppy disc store of 250 000 byte capacity; this can be used for messages, as well as a large library of address codes. Byoperatingat 300 bit/s between terminals rather than the normal 50 bit/s teleprinter speeds, the system can be connected to the British Telecom Datel Service, which uses the public telephone network. It can also be connected to leased lines in private telegraph networks. According to the company, CTC can streamline message preparation and speed traffic flow because of the following inherent advantages. • The need for paper tape is eliminated. Messages are prepared, corrected and edited on

vol 6 no 3 june 1983

simple-to-operate VDUs. • Operator dialling is no longer necessary; all connections are made automatically, freeing operators for more productive work. • Line costs can be reduced by using'telex batching', and ensuring that call periods are fully utilized by the transmission of messages. • A store-and-forward facility enables messages to be sent and received on a 24-hour basis, even when the office is

unattended. Best times of the day or night can be selected for transmission to overseas destinations. • At relatively low cost, organizations can establish an intercompany network with independent CTC units working into each other to provide an'internal mail' and memo service. • Links to word processors, or central computers, can eliminate the duplication of message copying.

(Format Communications Ltd, Longbridge Way, Cowley Mill Road, Uxbridge, Middlesex, UK. Tel: 0895 30678) []

Desktop facsimile terminal A desktop digital facsimile system from Interscan for businesses and offices, sends computer printouts, balance sheets, graphics and documents in as little as 15 s using an ordinarytelephone line. The Dex 3600 conforms to Group 3 (the digital facsimile standard), transmits and receives high quality copies of handwriting, diagrams, printed matter or urgent information and provides printed proof of how, when and where documents were sent. The Dex 3600 is claimed to offer the most comprehensive capabilities (automatic operation, checking and reporting) and the highest speed (down to 15 s) of any desktop digital facsimile terminal on the market. The terminal automatically corrects for resolution and cvntrast variations within the original document. Compact enough for a desk or small worktop, the 3600 needs no supervision, has an automatic document feeder for up to 30 documents and an automatic cutter that cuts received documents to the size of originals. The activity reporting system provides users with proof of individual transmissions (with detailed send and receive reports) as well as daily summary reports giving the machine's overall activity.

Small or large documents (up to 11.5×118in) can be sent or received and copies greater than 8.5 in wide are reduced. The digital Dex 3600 transmits at a rate of 9 600 bit/s with automatic fall-back to 7 200, 4 800 or 2 400 bit/s, depending on the line conditions or the capability of the remote terminal. It also transmits automatically with Group 2 machines using the slower (three minute) analogue mode. (Interscan

Communication Systems Ltd, 39 Montrose Avenue, Slough, Berkshire, SL1 6BS, UK. Tel: 0753 70821)

15 s document transmission

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