University Daily Kansan
Page 3
Thursday, May 21, 1964
SPACE AGE COMMUNICATIONS—Light conversation would be a cinch with this gadget. Disclosed last month by the National Aeronautics and Space Agency, it is called a "retrometer" and
allows communications on a beam of ordinary light. It was devised to fill the communications gap caused by radio blackout during the re-entry of a space vehicle or during space rendezvous.
NASA Reveals New System Transmits Voice With Light
The National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA) announced last month the invention of a new system of voice communications transmitted on a beam of light. The NASA pamphlet describing the device in detail says it differs from prior systems in that the originating station requires no power other than that of the human voice, and called it a simple means of transmitting speech on a beam of ordinary light.
The device, called a "retrometer," was invented at NASA's Langley Research Center in Hampton, Virginia. The pamphlet announcing the invention was printed under NASA's technology utilization program "for the rapid dissemination of information . . . on technological developments . . . which appear to be useful for general industrial application."
During the investigation of optical methods that might be applied to communications between ground and a re-entry vehicle during the radio-blackout period, and between rendezvousing space vehicles, Numa E. Thomas, of the Langley Research Center devised the novel communications system, NASA said.
"This system appears to have applications other than in space, and indeed could be used for applications other than in space, and indeed could be used for applications other than voice," the agency said.
WITH A FOCUSED light beam, a special arrangement of mirrors and a photo-cell amplifier and speaker, one may communicate with another person as far away as the light from the "retrometer" can be seen.
The device is suggested for use in ship to ship, ship to shore, air to ground and space to ground communications. It could be used at
conventions to give someone in the back of the hall a chance to be heard.
NASA suggested it could be used also on construction sites instead of radios where electric interference is high, in steel mills where the noise level is high, and in baseball and football games where bulky communication equipment is nearly useless.
The device is so easy to build that practically any high school student with a mechanical or scientific bent can put a retrometer together, with little special equipment.
THIS IS THE WAY it works:
First, there is a light source, with a means of focusing the light into a narrow beam. For short distances, a good flashlight might do.
Next, there is a corner reflector which consists of mirrors. There are two rigid mirrors and a flexible, light-reflecting surface that acts like a speaker diaphragm. The corner mirrors reflect the light to its source. The diaphragm is the microphone.
All the speaker does is pick up the light beam with the corner mirror and speak into the diaphragm portion.
From there on, the principle is the same as in a telephone receiver or radio speaker. The current vibrates the speaker diaphragm and the speaker's voice is heard.
THE MODULATED BEAM is returned to its source by the mirrors. It is collected by a photocell, which converts it into electrical current.
His voice modulates, or shakes, the light beam by causing the diaphragm to vibrate.
meter have not been fully explored, but it has decided to offer the invention for commercial manufacture, royalty free. NASA holds the patent on the device, but warns that patents on similar devices of earlier origin may be in effect.
In order to have two-way communications, it would be necessary to have two retrometers. But even at the present stage of development, the device can be made small and portable.
In its present form, the retrometer system consists of a battery case, the source-receiver unit and the corner reflector unit.
NASA states that the major performance characteristics of the retro-
WHILE ITS USE may be limited by smoke or fog, even a small amount of light getting through will carry the voice signal, NASA said.
Circulating publicity and information about People-to-People will be the job of KU's People-to-People this summer.
Publicity, Hospitality Head P-t-P Summer Plans
Lance Burr, Salina junior and chairman of the P-t-P executive committee, described the summer plans of the group in an interview last night.
"Members will be working on feature layouts for newspapers in cities in Kansas, such as Topeka and Kansas City," Burr said.
Metropolitan Life Insurance Co.
Seventy foreign students applied for jobs through the People-to-People Job Placement Service this semester, and Burr said that 50 jobs are available.
"Since not all the students will accept the jobs that are available, we anticipate having little trouble getting those jobs who want them," Burr said.
"THESE LAYOUTS WILL include pictures and articles explaining the People-to-People organization and aims." he said.
"I will be speaking to various groups throughout the state this summer, explaining People-to-People, and looking for possible jobs for the Placement Service's files," he said.
LOOKING AHEAD to the fall, Burr said that plans were already being made for meeting the new foreign students as they come to KU in August.
R. Keith Liggett, Rep.
BOYD'S CAFE
LIFE INSURANCE PROGRAMMING For Appointment Call VI 2-2641
at 109 W.6th St. is ready to serve you
Tues.-Sun. till 4 a.m.
"Voters to be used next fall, and plans for the Activities Carnival are to be made this summer," Burr said.
September 30 will be the membership meeting for People-to-People next semester.
"We are also planning a more intensive membership drive for People-to-People next year.
Patronize Your Kansan Advertisers
QUALITY AND STYLEI
Why buy ordinary rings when a prize-winning Artecved cost no more? Starting at $8.00.
JASMINE SET
Groom's Ring $29.50
Bride's Ring $27.50
Just one of our 300 Different Styles!
Different Styles!