|
 |
 |
 |
 |
The
Mobile Wireless Gateway (MoWiG) |
Block
diagram of the Socrates system |
A
demonstration of the MoWiG |
A
demonstration during Project Socrates |
| Despite
the many advantages of DAB (Digital Audio Broadcasting), it is usually perceived
as a passive medium with only a one-way transmission and does not have a
return path for interactivity. On Friday, 31st October 2003, MediaCorp Radio
Singapore, together with our technology development partners, had successfully
demonstrated the integration of GPRS (General Packet Radio Service) technology
as the back-channel return path with DAB for education application. The technology behind Socrates is an extension of an earlier project called RDM (Radio-Digital Mobile). First showcased at Broadcast Asia 2001, RDM demonstrated an efficient wireless data transmission platform using DAB with a wide bandwidth of up to 1.2Mbits/s. Socrates brings learning out of the classroom by providing students with an easy-to-use tool in field trips using MoWiG (Mobile Wireless Gateway) and notebook computers. The MoWiG acts as an integrated DAB gateway and has a DAB receiver card and a GPRS card installed. The MoWiG is a portable battery-operated device which communicates with the notebook computers or any other handheld device such as PDAs via the IEEE 802.11b wireless LAN connection. Students and teachers can communicate in real-time using web chat with their notebook computers and also to those who are logged onto PCs in school or at home. Bulky information such as report document or JPEG files can be transmitted via DAB. Unlike using Bluetooth or wireless LAN, students are not restricted to within the vicinity of their school compounds. With Socrates, students in Singapore can access information almost anywhere on their outdoor trips. 3G could have easily served as the transmission platform for Socrates. This is especially true since 3G is a two-way transmission system. Furthermore, it has been reported that 3G can provide a bandwidth at up to 2Mbits/s. However, this is only true for stationary reception. For mobile reception, 3G falls to below 300kbits/s. And unlike GPRS or 3G, there is also no download charges via the DAB network. Socrates was funded by the Media Development Authority (MDA) of Singapore under the Digital Technology Development Fund (DTDF). For more information, please contact Roland Tan, Senior Manager (Technology), MediaCorp Radio at tel: +65-6359-7746 or email: Roland Tan. |
|||
 |
|
 |
Intempo Intempo PG-01 is a new dual band kitchen radio offering DAB and FM in stereo sound. Available in the UK at £119.99. More info at http://www.intempo-digital.co.uk/ |
 |
Grundig The Grundig GRD300 is a portable, hand-held DAB radio priced around £99.99. This portable product combines DAB and FM into one product and has 6 presets on each band. It runs off 3 x AA batteries giving approximately 16 hours usage. The aerial is integrated into the headphones. More info at the Dixon website at http://www.dixons.co.uk/ |
 |
The
Grundig Opus The Grundig Opus is a mains operated stereo DAB kitchen radio, priced around £74.99. A small, neat DAB digital radio, this product is a mains operated DAB digital radio with stereo speakers. It has been styled in wood and silver/grey and has a blue display screen. More info at the Dixon website at http://www.dixons.co.uk/ |
| For
a complete list of DAB radios that are available in Singapore, visit our
Digital Radio website at http://www.DigitalRadio.sg/getdab.htm For more information on the many DAB receivers available worldwide, visit the World DAB Forum website at http://www.worlddab.org |
|
 |
|
 |
Send
us your answer to the following question via SMS and two winners would walk away with a MediaCorp Radio station premiums containing rucksack, t-shirt, baseball cap, Ralph Lauren, Dove & Biore gifts worth a total of $98 each. |
| Here's
this week's question: True or False? You can see the song titles with Digital Radio. |
|
| Send
us your answer now: Type DR followed by <T or F> and SMS to 72346 Each SMS is 30 cents |
|
| Closing
Date: Monday, 12 January 2004 Winners will be notified via their mobile phone. The names and correct answer will be posted via our Digital Radio DLS service which can be seen as scrolling text display on DAB radio and on our Digital Radio website at http://www.digitalradio.sg Do come visit our Digital Radio website regularly for our next quiz... |
|
 |
||
| Join
us as a member now! Subscribe to our Digital Radio eNewsLetter and you stand a chance to win a gift worth $28 from our lucky draw. For full details on how to subscribe, simply logon to our Digital Radio website at http://www.digitalradio.sg Only subscribers residing in Singapore are eligible to take part in the lucky draw. The name of the winner will be announced in the January 2004 issue of the Digital Radio eNewsLetter. |
||
| From
the Editor, Roland K. C. Tan |
||
|
||