First we had tape cassette programs, then stringy discs, floppy discs and mini-discs, telephones, phonograph records and now the radio. Microperipheral Corporation has developed a receive only modem that operates at 4,800 baud rate designed to receive computer data from commercial radio systems.
According to the company, the device is simple to install. One cable plugs into the audio output jack of the radio. Another, terminated in a DB-25 connector, plugs into the serial port of the computer. The power comes from a regular nine volt radio battery.
One pilot station, KMPS in Seattle, has been using the system since March. The station uses low listener times to broadcast computer data. The end user can either record the data on a tape for later use or take the information directly into the computer using the new modem. Why this need? Mike Oarland, president of Microperiphal says, “The advantage of the system is that anyone with a radio, our high-speed downloader and a computer may receive the transmissions. The system eliminates the need for telephone lines and main frame host computers.”
Data is broadcast on AM
Radio is only the start. Obviously cable television is next. A commercial cable operator would not have to wait for down times. The operator could use an open FM channel location and continuously send data out into subscribers’ homes.
For more information write to Microperipheral Corporation, 2565 152nd Avenue N.E., Redmond, Virginia 98052 or circle 31 on the reader service card.