What is telemetry?

Telemetry is remote measurement or the remote collection of data. Telemetered data can be physical, environmental or biological data. Telemetry is typically used to gather data from distant, inaccessible locations, or when data collection would be dangerous or difficult for a variety of reasons. Telemetry can also mean radio signals from a spacecraft used to encode and transmit data to a ground station.

Telemetry is a technology which allows the remote measurement and reporting of information of interest to the system designer or operator. The word is derived from Greek roots tele = remote, and metron = to measure.

Telemetry equipment, such as RelayPage can be used to remotely turn on or off third party devices such as lighting and reticulation. The RelayPage telemetry device is a POCSAG paging receiver which means that it can be used with most onsite paging systems as well as public paging networks.

RelayPage telemetry systems provide the ability to remotely control relay outputs via a paging system. The RelayPage telemetry device consists of a highly sensitive receiver and eight relays capable of switching up to 10Amp at 240V (1Amp at 24V relays are provided as standard). This enables messages to be sent to a RelayPage telemetry device to control any combination of outputs. The RelayPage telemetry system can be connected to a myriad of devices such as lighting controls, reticulation systems or even process control systems.

What are medical telemetry devices?

Hospitals and other health care facilities use medical telemetry devices monitor patients' vital signs and other important parameters and transmit this information via radio to a remote location such as a nurses' station. For example, wireless cardiac monitors are often used to monitor patients following surgery. Certain types of medical telemetry devices may be used in the home.

How can DTV stations interfere with medical telemetry devices?

The FCC has developed a plan where each existing analog TV station is assigned a vacant TV channel to use for digital television service. In some areas of the country, this new DTV assignment may be on a formerly vacant channel that a telemetry device user had chosen for its operations. If the medical telemetry device user continues to operate on this channel, it can receive interference from new DTV transmissions on the same channel.

What should medical telemetry device users do about this?

they need to learn what DTV channels are being assigned in their market so they can continue to pick a vacant channel for their transmissions. If a medical telemetry device is using a television channel that will not be used for DTV, no further action should be required. If, however, a medical telemetry device is using a television channel that has been assigned for DTV, the user will need to work with their manufacturer and switch to a channel that will not be used for DTV in their area. In those limited instances in which a user has equipment that cannot be retuned, new devices would have to be obtained to ensure interference-free operation.