Radiotext: an application of computer and communication systems in distance teaching

To enhance the way in which the Open University is able to communicate with its students, learning at a distance, this study has involved the design of a system to allow material in the form of computer-coded text and graphics to be transmitted over an unmodified V.H.F. radio broadcast network. In addition to providing a low-cost rapid method of communication for course management, the system can be used for delivery of material such as audio-visual packages and computer software. To enable the unmodified broadcast network and conventional radio receivers to be used, it is intended that Radiotext transmissions will take place at the end of the normal broadcast schedule. This implies that the system should be capable of unattended operation within the student's home. It is achieved by the use of a time-switched radio receiver and interface unit, together with an audio cassette recorder for storage of the received data. The received material may then be displayed on a television or printed out on a low-cost printer at a later, more convenient, time. Each component of the system is described. The major emphasis is placed on the problem areas which sure either unique to this system or not adequately solved elsewhere. These include, choice of a modulation method for the transmission of data and the design of suitable encoder and decoder circuits, provision of a fast reliable method of storage of the received data, and the design of a suitable error correction procedure for use throughout the system. The system design enables data to be transmitted, stored on audio cassette and finally displayed at a minimum data rate of 2400 baud. The error correction procedure reduces the probability of data error to less than 10-8 per transmitted bit, equivalent to an average of one error in every 10,000 low resolution pages, achieved with a code redundancy of 29%

A Project to Design a Steam Train Noise Synthesiser

This note aims to set out the background rather than the technical detail of the project. Jonathan Stewart was first used as a guinea pig by his father who wanted to teach Nuffield circuit boards to 11 year olds, having not taught this age range before. Jonathan was aged 8 and found the subject interesting and easy, and was shortly afterwards given a 'Mykit 50in l' electronics kit for Christmas, followed by the 150 in 1 kit the following year, both of which he had worked through within a week or so of receiving them. At 13 he was making practical projects using simple op. amp. I.C's - e.g. a communication system so that we could hear the telephone ring in the garden, and be told who was ringing if someone answered the phone in the house. (It is perhaps relevant to state that I am his father as well as his 'A' level Electronic Systems master)

NASA Space Engineering Research Center Symposium on VLSI Design

The NASA Space Engineering Research Center (SERC) is proud to offer, at its second symposium on VLSI design, presentations by an outstanding set of individuals from national laboratories and the electronics industry. These featured speakers share insights into next generation advances that will serve as a basis for future VLSI design. Questions of reliability in the space environment along with new directions in CAD and design are addressed by the featured speakers

Terminal configured vehicle program: Test facilities guide

The terminal configured vehicle (TCV) program was established to conduct research and to develop and evaluate aircraft and flight management system technology concepts that will benefit conventional take off and landing operations in the terminal area. Emphasis is placed on the development of operating methods for the highly automated environment anticipated in the future. The program involves analyses, simulation, and flight experiments. Flight experiments are conducted using a modified Boeing 737 airplane equipped with highly flexible display and control equipment and an aft flight deck for research purposes. The experimental systems of the Boeing 737 are described including the flight control computer systems, the navigation/guidance system, the control and command panel, and the electronic display system. The ground based facilities used in the program are described including the visual motion simulator, the fixed base simulator, the verification and validation laboratory, and the radio frequency anechoic facility

Spacelab simulation using a Lear Jet aircraft: Mission no. 4 (ASSESS program)

The fourth ASSESS Spacelab simulation mission utilizing a Lear Jet aircraft featured trained experiment operators (EOs) in place of the participating scientists, to simulate the role and functions of payload specialists in Spacelab who may conduct experiments developed by other scientists. The experiment was a broadband infrared photometer coupled to a 30-cm, open port, IR telescope. No compromises in equipment design or target selection were made to simplify operator tasks; the science goals of the mission were selected to advance the mainline research program of the principle investigator (PI). Training of the EOs was the responsibility of the PI team and consisted of laboratory sessions, on-site training during experiment integration, and integrated mission training using the aircraft as a high-fidelity simulator. The EO permission experience in these several disciplines proved adequate for normal experiment operations, but marginal for the identification and remedy of equipment malfunctions. During the mission, the PI utilized a TV communication system to assist the EOs to overcome equipment difficulties; both science and operations were successfully implemented

Progress of analog-hybrid computation

Review of fast analog/hybrid computer systems, integrated operational amplifiers, electronic mode-control switches, digital attenuators, and packaging technique

Computer managed learning system: annual report no. 1

April 1, 1970.CER69-70RWH-WL-WZS36.AN CMLS - 1 - 70

Space Communications: Theory and Applications. Volume 3: Information Processing and Advanced Techniques. A Bibliography, 1958 - 1963

Annotated bibliography on information processing and advanced communication techniques - theory and applications of space communication

Research on integration of visual and motion cues for flight simulation and ride quality investigation

Vestibular perception and integration of several sensory inputs in simulation were studied. The relationship between tilt sensation induced by moving fields and those produced by actual body tilt is discussed. Linearvection studies were included and the application of the vestibular model for perception of orientation based on motion cues is presented. Other areas of examination includes visual cues in approach to landing, and a comparison of linear and nonlinear wash out filters using a model of the human vestibular system is given

National Educators' Workshop: Update 1989 Standard Experiments in Engineering Materials Science and Technology

Presented here is a collection of experiments presented and demonstrated at the National Educators' Workshop: Update 89, held October 17 to 19, 1989 at the National Aeronautics and Space Administration, Hampton, Virginia. The experiments related to the nature and properties of engineering materials and provided information to assist in teaching about materials in the education community