Introduction to Selected Communication Systems

Walking through an airport you hear them in the background. There are announcements about watching your bags, gate changes, and getting ready to board. In some cases, the gate agent makes the announcements. Other times the announcements are pre-recorded or are generated from other synthesized computer voices.

Where are these announcements coming from? You probably remember the paging systems of the past, like when you were in grade school. There was a big microphone with switches, relays, buttons, and dials that looked like a the bridge of a WWII battleship. Everything was manual. You picked up the microphone, selected the classroom and make an announcement. 

Things have changed a lot since then. In 1978, AtlasIED revolutionized paging and announcements with the first computer controlled paging systems. Norcon is an authorized dealer/contractor for the full line of AtlasIED products. Norcon is one of the few AtlasIED partners certified to install and service the critical transportation hubs like airports, train stations, and bus terminals. We also install these systems in sports stadiums, hospitals, and houses of worship.

These systems offer many advantages beyond the old analog systems to ensure that announcements are clear and understandable. Some of the features are:

• Automatic level control: The ambient noise level changes significantly throughout the day. At 6AM an airport is quiet as the world starts waking up so announcements can be fairly low. Later in the day, announcements need to be significantly louder to overcome the noise of mid-day travelers. With automatic level controls, visitors hear their announcements at exactly the right level.

• Unified Integrated Announcements: Large venues need to merge safety alerts, pre-recorded messages, and live voice announcements into a queue for public announcements. The system automatically schedules these messages to ensure optimal playback. 

• Zone Based Paging: These systems provide the ability to page specific areas, whether it’s a gate, terminal, or a whole building, in the most effective way.

These systems also support multi-lingual paging, flight information support (FIDS), and ADA compliance. AtlasIED is used all over the world and can be serviced in person or remotely.

Norcon has a worked with AtlasIED since the beginning. We will partner with your organization along with consultants, engineers, and architects to ensure that you can use these systems to meet the needs of your end customers. We have over 65 years of experience ensuring quality sound.

Case Study: World Trade Center Transportation Hub

Contact us to talk more about your requirements and how we can build you the system your customers and employees deserve.

As companies move to open floor plans, shared workspaces, or private offices with thin walls, sounds can pervade the workspace. This leads to employees who are distracted from their jobs and to sensitive information being inadvertently shared as workers overhear each other's calls. This is especially applicable when dealing with sensitive financial or medical information.

Sound masking technology can make workplaces more comfortable, private, and productive. Sound masking is the addition of background sounds so that conversations aren't as easily overheard. This makes conversations less distracting and improves privacy, as people don't have others constantly listening to them. Without sound masking, rooms can feel like everyone is talking at the same time. With sound masking, all these conversations merge into the background.

Sound masking is a more cost effective and flexible way to reduce noise and increase privacy than constructing walls or installing sound absorbing materials. In the past, companies would pump noise, like white noise or pink noise, into a room to improve privacy. Sound masking is a superior method as it covers up more conversations and is more pleasant to listen to.

These systems are complex, requiring hundreds if not thousands of speakers for a large installation. They also require careful management of sound levels. If the sound masking is too loud, people will try to speak over it, making the sound masking system less useful.

Norcon is the industry expert in sound masking, having installed these systems in many of the largest corporations in the Tri-State Area. They are using these systems to create more comfortable, private, and productive environments.

Case Study: Sound Masking at Financial Services HQ

Contact us to talk more about your requirements and how we can build you the system your customers and employees deserve.