Topic 3- Home and Personal Communication Systems

Introduction

• Most computers are connected to networks which usually involves the internet. This means that computer manufacturers incude all the hardware and software that you need for connection when you buy the computer.

Satellite communication

• Used for communication across continents
• Used radio signals to send data
• Data signals from one continent are beamed up to the satellite in orbit and then sent back down to a satellite dish in another continent

Wireless

• Dara travels through air rather than cables
• Users can work where and when they want
• Can access the internet on portable devices such as mobile phones, notebooks, PDAs etc

Advantages of wireless communication:

• You are not restricted to where you can work
• You can work whilst on the move
• Fewer/no trailing wires to trip over#
• It is easier to keep a working area clean if there are not as many wired in the way
• No costs associated with sinking wires

Disadvantages of wireless communication

• The danger of hackers reading messages
• There are areas where you cannon get a wireless network
• There may be a danger to your health

Modems

A device that allows a computer to be conneceted to the internet

• Dial up- slow connection making use of a telephone line
• Cable/Broadband-fast broadband connection

Broadband is much faster than dialup and allows you to:

• Use a phone at the same time
• Download files at high speed
• Watch online video
• Use web cameras
• Listen to online radios
• Watch TV programmes
• Surf the internet very quickly

Router

• Device that enables a network to be connected to the internet
• Enables several computers to share the same internet connection
• Often allows wireless internet connection

Other communication systems

Communication systems are the systems used to enable devices to communicate with each other, in the past this was with the aid of wires now more often than not, it is done wirelessly.

Bluetooth is a method used to transfer data over short distance from fixed and mobile devices

It is used to transfer data between portable devices without the need for wires

Bluetooth

Applications for bluetooth include:

• Wireless keyboard and mice avoid clutter on your desk and make the desk easier to clean
• Wireless headsrts headsets allowing you to use a mobile phone legally when driving
• Sharing data such as voice, music and video wirelessly with others
• Printing a picture from your camera phone
• Listening to music using wireless earphones

Advantages of bluetooth

• No wires are needed- you can connect several devices such as printers, cameras, mobiles phones, PDAs etc without using a cable
• You can synchronize devices
• It is very easy to use

Disadvantages of Bluetooth

• Can only be used over a short ditance
• Relatively small banwidth- this limits its use
• There are health concerns similar to the use of mobile phones

Georgraphical information system (GIS)

• ICT system that is use to capture, manage analyse and display geographically referenced information
• Satellite navigation system are a type of GIS
• Route-finder are an example of GIS

Using a GIS you can:

• Determine how fast it is from onw place to another
• See a bird;s eye view of your house and its surroundings

• Plan the quickest route to school/college

Example of GIS

• Satellite navigation system
• Google Earth
• Multimap
• The AA

Advantages of GIS

• They reduce fuel consumption, which is therefore greener because you do not get lost
• You can arrive at your destination without delay
• You can save money by choosing the shortest route

Disadvantages of GIS

• Satellite navigation systems can send you down very small and windy roads
• Satellite navigation systems are sometime difficult to use
• Sometimes the information is out-of-data