The Future is Digital!
A digital medical alarm can be described as a unit for transmission of voice and data over an IP network using Internet protocol TCP or UDP. This is the same type of communication normally used for the Internet, with all of the features and accessories similar to those of the traditional analogue Medical Alarm dialers. The main difference is that a device that communicates digitally signals constantly online and communicates constantly; alarms and alerts can thus rapidly be transferred to the designated recipient. This is usually done free of call costs for the individual. IP communication also allows other information (data) to be sent in both directions such as services like voice messages, video, medical data, etc. This type of communication is very limited in the traditional analogue medical alarm dialer or phone because the analogue protocols only allow a brief DTMF handshake and then a very simple method of data transfer. The rate of data transfer in an a analogue system is at a much slower rate compared to today’s digital systems. The use of tradition communication methods is a very expensive way to stay in constant contact. Analogue Medical alarm systems linked into an IP-subscription via a so-called ATA-box (analogue to digital converter or filter) is not considered a digital medical alarm. Communication still occurs with DTMF protocol (see Analogue medical alarm) which is converted to digital communications in the ATA box. In addition to uncertainties arising in the conversion, this solution has all the analogue constraints that have been previously mentioned. Units that communicate wirelessly via GPRS or 3G, are considered digital medical alarms because this technique also allows a constant connection to the IP network. The GPRS or 3G solutions should not be confused with the analog medical alarms that communicate via GSM as a converter. The GSM via converter option still communicates by an analogue function and with this comes all the of analogue communication constraints.
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The Future is Digital!
A digital medical alarm can be described as a unit for transmission of voice and data over an IP network using Internet protocol TCP or UDP. This is the same type of communication normally used for the Internet, with all of the features and accessories similar to those of the traditional analogue Medical Alarm dialers. The main difference is that a device that communicates digitally signals constantly online and communicates constantly; alarms and alerts can thus rapidly be transferred to the designated recipient. This is usually done free of call costs for the individual. IP communication also allows other information (data) to be sent in both directions such as services like voice messages, video, medical data, etc. This type of communication is very limited in the traditional analogue medical alarm dialer or phone because the analogue protocols only allow a brief DTMF handshake and then a very simple method of data transfer. The rate of data transfer in an a analogue system is at a much slower rate compared to today’s digital systems. The use of tradition communication methods is a very expensive way to stay in constant contact. Analogue Medical alarm systems linked into an IP-subscription via a so-called ATA-box (analogue to digital converter or filter) is not considered a digital medical alarm. Communication still occurs with DTMF protocol (see Analogue medical alarm) which is converted to digital communications in the ATA box. In addition to uncertainties arising in the conversion, this solution has all the analogue constraints that have been previously mentioned. Units that communicate wirelessly via GPRS or 3G, are considered digital medical alarms because this technique also allows a constant connection to the IP network. The GPRS or 3G solutions should not be confused with the analog medical alarms that communicate via GSM as a converter. The GSM via converter option still communicates by an analogue function and with this comes all the of analogue communication constraints.
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The problem with traditional analogue medical alarms in a digital environment
In 2006 according to the Swedish Association of Local Authorities and Regions, many new buildings in the world are, in principle, only going to use IP-based communications platforms. Traditional analogue medical alarms connected to the digital network require an ATA adapter. This does not always work satisfactorily and has created a variety of incidents with safety. Also, this never fully utilizes the digital network and all its bandwidth features. Unfortunately DTMF (Dual-tone multi-frequency) and Internet Protocol simply do not speak the same language. Although there are adapters that can convert signals from the IP-based communications to a standard telephone jack, only adequate functionality is ever ensured.
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