ALTERATIVE COMMUNICATION NETWORK DESIGNS FOR AN OPERATIONAL PLATO Ⅵ CAI SYSTEM

摘要

This memorandum designs and compares the cost of alternative communications networks for the dissemination of PLATO IV computer-aided instruction. Four communication techniques are compared: leased telephone lines, satellite communication, UHF TV, and low-power microwave radio. For each network design, costs per student contact hour are computed. These costs are derived as functions of student population density, a parameter which can be calculated from census data for one potential market for CAT, the public primary and secondary schools. Thus, calculating costs in this way allows us to determine which of the four communications alternatives can serve this market least expensively for any given area in the U.S. The analysis indicates that radio distribution techniques are cost optimum over a wide range of conditions.