So how do we manage to broadcast text messages from the
jungle? It works like this -
The explorers connect to the Internet (world-wide-web)
using a laptop computer connected to a satellite phone.
They can then initiate an SMS broadcast to JUNGLETXT subscribers
from a web site. The web site is the ProjectSMS
Messaging Centre, developed by Interactive Solutions.
The Messaging Centre can also receive questions from pupils
direct from their mobile phones. The explorers can see the
questions on a web page and can reply to individual questions.
All communications are collected in a database and the results
will be displayed on this web site, on the JungleTxt
page.
The satellite phone communicates with a satellite on the
Iridium network, which provides global coverage - see www.iridium.com.
From the satellite, a connection is made with an Iridium
Apollo ground station server, which then connects to the
ProjectSMS web server via the internet. The ProjectSMS server
then generates SMS messages through a Gateway server in
Switzerland. The messages then make their way through the
European cellular phone networks and finally arrive at your
mobile. All clear? If not take a look at this
animation, which illustrates the process.
The whole process usually takes about 7 seconds from clicking
the SEND button on the laptop in the jungle to receiving
the message on your mobile phone in the UK. Pretty quick!!
If you ask the explorers a question from your mobile phone
(click here to find out how),
it basically works the same but in reverse. The only difference
is that the explorers only see your questions when they
next log-on to the ProjectSMS web site. They are not sent
directly to the satellite phone.
The
satellite phone is a Motorola 9500 using the Iridium satellite
network. The laptop is a Sony Vaio with in-built video and
stills camera. The system will be charged from "expedition
duty" solar panels, which the explorers will strap
to their rucksacks to charge the equipment batteries as
they move. They are also taking two Digital Video cameras,
a 35mm still camera (not digital) a Global Positioning System
(GPS) to help keep them on course.
To find out more about SMS text messaging visit the ProjectSMS
web site.
The
satellite phone is a Motorola 9500 using the Iridium satellite
network. The laptop is a Sony Vaio with in-built video and
stills camera. The system will be charged from "expedition
duty" solar panels, which the explorers will strap
to their rucksacks to charge the equipment batteries as
they move. They are also taking two Digital Video cameras,
a 35mm still camera (not digital) a Global Positioning System
(GPS) to help keep them on course.
