Resources for Wireless Intercoms

A wireless intercom system is a network of electronic devices that allow voice communication within a limited area. They will either have no interconnecting wires and will transmit and receive radio waves or they will make use of the existing AC power wires of a building to communicate with other stations on the network.

If you're just getting into the wireless intercom business, there are a number of terms you will need to become familiar with. As with any high-tech gadgetry, wireless intercom systems have their share of associated jargon. The type of wireless intercom system that best suits your requirements depends on the setting or application in which it will be used.

Conference

A conference is a conversation that includes three or more persons. Many wireless intercom systems feature a conference mode, in which any number of people can talk at will from different units in the system.

Channels

A channel is a frequency of transmission. Thus, if a wireless intercom system features multiple channels, that means more than one conversation can take place simultaneously by each conversation group selecting a different frequency of transmission. Purchase a system with as many channels as the maximum number of simultaneous conversations you need the system to be able to support.

Paging

Paging is the initiatory phase of the connecting process whereby one station transmits a series of summoning messages, either until the target station responds or until the process times out. In addition to standard wireless intercom and paging devices, many specific-application pagers are available on the market, such as for restaurant waiters/waitresses, church nurseries, hospital patients and employees of a company operating PCs on the company network.

Station

A station is a wireless intercom unit, from which one party can communicate with other remote parties. For most systems, additional stations can be purchased separately. Wireless intercom stations that use a building's existing electrical wiring for transmission of signals are still considered wireless. With a home intercom system, you can monitor or talk to any number of rooms in your home or small office with however many channels the system has. You can also use an intercom station as a baby monitoring device.

Intercom Profile (ICP)

The K-4 intercom profile is a specification that defines the requirements of Bluetooth devices that are to be used as intercom devices, such as for 3-in-1, walkie-talkie phone operation.

Range

The range is the maximum distance of separation at which two intercom devices can still effectively communicate with each another, including paging and talking. This distance is reduced by obstructions such as walls and floor-ceilings in a building.