Available online
Description
The programme examines, in some detail, the TESS 2 experimental telephone exchange in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Essex.
The programme examines, in some detail, the TESS 2 experimental telephone exchange in the Department of Electrical Engineering, University of Essex.
| Module code and title: | T321, Telecommunication systems |
|---|---|
| Item code: | T321; 10 |
| First transmission date: | 03-07-1976 |
| Published: | 1976 |
| Rights Statement: | |
| Restrictions on use: | |
| Duration: | 00:24:00 |
| + Show more... | |
| Producer: | Tony Jolly |
| Contributors: | Malcolm Hamer; G.(Gaby) Smol |
| Publisher: | BBC Open University |
| Keyword(s): | Animated diagrams; Auxiliary control units; Computer; Crossbar switches; Electrical engineering department; Register; Supervisory units; Telephone exchange; University of Essex |
| Footage description: | Malcolm Hamer introduces the programme with a tour of the TESS 2 experimental exchange at Essex University. He points out the various components of the exchange and explains their function. Hamer demonstrates the system by making a straightforward internal call. He explains what is happening in the system with this type of call. Hamer goes on the demonstrate the simple transfer facility of the system. His call from phone A to phone B is transferred to phone C. Hamer next demonstrates the transfer no reply facility in which a call from A to B is transferred to C after B has been rung for 16 seconds. To illustrate what is happening when the computer intervenes in a transfer no reply call, the information stored in the computer memory is displayed on a VDU. Commentary by Hamer. Hamer demonstrates the flexibility of a store programme automatic exchange. He tries dialling an international call but is barred from doing so by the computer. Hainer re-programmes the exchange to allow him to place the call from his phone and the call, to New York, is connected. He next demonstrates how a long telephone number can be placed into memory and retrieved by abbreviated dialling. The call to New York is again connected using only a short code. Gaby Smol, using a systems diagram, explains the interaction of the various functional blocks in the system for a simple A to B call. The diagram includes some animation. Smol next uses the systems diagram to explain the interaction of functional blocks when the simple transfer facility is used and the computer intervenes in setting up the call. Finally Smol looks at the transfer no reply facility using the systems diagram. He then very briefly sums up the programme. Mike Hills, Essex University, briefly discusses the operation of the system in terms of user response. |
| Master spool number: | 6HT/72144 |
| Production number: | 00525_5229 |
| Videofinder number: | 1351 |
| Available to public: | no |
