WORLD CONFERENCE ON RECORDS AND GENEALOGICAL SEMINAR LONG DISTANCE RECORDS TRANSMISSION BY ELECTRONICS

• Document Type: CREST
• Collection: General CIA Records
• Document Number (FOIA) /ESDN (CREST): CIA-RDP73-00402R000100140016-2
• Release Decision: RIFPUB
• Original Classification: K
• Document Page Count: 4
• Document Creation Date: December 19, 2016
• Document Release Date: July 19, 2006
• Sequence Number: 16
• Publication Date: August 5, 1969
• Content Type: REPORT

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WORLD CONFERENCE
ON RECORDS
AND.GENEALOGICAL SEMINAR
Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S.A.
5-8 August 1969
LONG DISTANCE RECORDS TRANSMISSION
BY ELECTRONICS
Part II
Problems Encountered With Data Transmission
By
James D. Babcock
"Record Protection in
an Uncertain World"
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LONG DISTANCE RECORDS TRANSMISSION
BY ELECTRONICS
Part II
Problems Encountered With Data Transmission
By
James D. Babcock
Time-sharing systems have exacted a certain strain on the common carrier industry in the
United States. Time-sharing computers in universities during the early 60s demanded an
increase in the manufacture of data modems. Also, the traffic increase in certain telephone
exchanges prompted AT&T to undertake several studies as to the long range effects
time-sharing systems were to have in the next five to ten years on the switched voice network.
Commercial time-sharing systems made even greater demands on the carriers because of the
vital part communications play in the commerical system's future. Faster baud rates were
asked for as well as a whole range of new ways to attach noncarrier equipment to the
networks.
Computer manufacturers also were impacted by the new user demand for adequate
interface equipment for data transmission from remote devices to a central computer. A large
gap is still noticed in the meeting of the technologies of the carriers and the computer
manufacturers.
Since most carriers are federally regulated, a new concern arose within the Federal
Government regarding the interdependence of the nation's communication facilities and the
emergence of computer networks.
if. Effects of Current Time-Sharing Systems
More and more computer systems are being installed with communication interfaces for
transmission of data to terminals and to other computers. Very few of these computers have
been designed to meet the communication interfaces adequately. For example, the
communication channels available on an IBM System/360 are not transparent to the many
speeds of the data transfer available from common carriers. One must segregate the "ports",
physically, for Telex, TWX, voice, and graphic data speeds. Thus, the programming and
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operation is more complicated and passed on as a burden to the computer user.
Tarriffs cause, the commercial time-sharing entrepreneur a further burden.
Voice/DATA-PHONE calls are much too high for areas within a 100 mile radius of a
computer. The time-sharing company must use leased circuits if he wishes to multiplex his
remote terminals to reduce costs and thus loses the flexibility of the switched networks.
However, by using long-distance leased lines, he can reach remote areas at a reasonable cost by
attaching noncarrier multiplexing units and then use the switched networks into the
multiplexing unit.
Ill. New Advances in Communication Technology
Several announcements have been made recently by AT&T concerning equipment that
has been developed as a direct consequence of the computer industry.
(1) Data Concentrator - essentially a means by which the time-sharing company can
make use of Bell Equipment for accessing remote terminals more economical.
Instead of private networks linked via noncarrier multiplexors, the concentrators will
allow 16 to 128 input lines and from 16 to 32 output lines with speeds up to 300
baud. Output can be to another concentrator, a computer, or into the DDD
network. Busy signals will automatically queue the call and the computer can
"busy-out" any port. Costs are further reduced by use of DC power and availability
in the 3rd/4th quarter of 1969.
(2) Acoustic Couplers - two models compatible with current 103s with speeds to 300
baud. Cost reduction to about 1/3 of current 103s, full- or half-duplex. Models are
the 112 and 113 to be available in 1st quarter 1969.
(3) 202G - A compatible model to 202 with speeds of 1200 baud and battery powered;
available 2nd quarter of 1969.
(4) 203 - High speed DATA-PHONE with switched speeds of 3600 and 4800 baud and
leased line speeds of 7200 - 9600 - 10800 baud. Data rates are adjustable manually
or from the computer and feature a fully automatic equalizer for signal quality
control.
(5) 303/304 - Wideband data sets from 18.75 k bps to 460.8 K bps with and without
automatic error correction and with and without programmable bit rate.
These devices would not yet be available if the time-sharing industry were undeveloped.
The needs are current but the hardware is still to be delivered next year. New computer
generations will undoubtedly require even more concentrated effort by AT&T to develop a
wider range of data handling equipment. These computers will all have the capability to
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connect to one another and to the communication networks of the country. Many new
time-sharing companies in the business arena will continue to press for better ways for
switching and routing of data messages.
The Federal Government will play an increasingly important role in the interdependence
of computers and common carriers. The gap between the two industries' technologies will
gradually disappear with the Government watching all parties with interest. A possible
outcome of the current inquiry within the FCC may be a liberalization of current carrier
policies concerning the mating of computers and the nation's networks, wire and high
frequency. Look for users to investigate new ways to use the TV networks for computer data
transfers. A serious problem today is concerned with networking and load-sharing of regionally
installed computers, master file computers, etc. Government regulation of certain segments of
the computer industry seems to be inevitable and the effect on both industries unpredictable.
If it is indeed true that total transmission across the AT&T network will consist of 80%
data and 20% voice by 1975, then dramatic changes in the government, computer and carrier
sectors and their interdependence can be easily predicted.
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