Researchers and engineers at Alabama A&M University's (AAMU) School of Agricultural and Environmental Sciences (SAES) and the Alabama Cooperative Extension System (ACES) recently demonstrated its first testing of a customized transportable satellite unit. The unit provided Internet2 connection for H.320 presentations at AAMU's Faculty and Staff Winter Conference. A wireless access point in a minivan connecting the dish provided satellite Internet2 connectivity for computer presentations during the conference. The transportable satellite dish, two fixed-site satellite dishes, a mobile interactive video van, and a communication tower are part of a multi-technology and wireless communication network for providing low-cost Internet access for rural/urban distance teaching, research, and outreach programs.
Equipment, training and satellite time for the transportable satellite unit along with two fixed-site units were purchased and provided as part of a National Science Foundation grant awarded to the American Distance Learning Consortium (ADEC) that utilizes Tachyon technology. SAES and ACES provided additional funds for equipment, fabrication, and technical support. The transportable and fixed-site units are now part of AAMU, ADEC, and the Advanced Internet Satellite Extension Project (AISEP).
Project Director Dr. Taylor Byrd said that ADEC has 65 members, including 1862, 1890, and 1994 land-grant institutions. The first transportable satellite unit completed on AISEP was built by Ohio State University and demonstrated at the 18th Annual Conference on Distance Teaching and Learning at Madison, Wisconsin in August 2002. The second transportable unit completed was built for Prairie View A&M University by Turtle Top Industries in Goshen, Indiana and demonstrated in Orlando, Florida for the Sloan-C ALN Conference held in November 2002. The third transportable unit was built by AAMU (trailer and mount fabricated by Built Rite Manufacturing in Huntsville, Alabama) in cooperation with the ADEC Advanced Internet Satellite Expansion Project. Engineering Technician Oliver Dillard calibrated the location for the satellite's signal strength (10.5) for the H.320 test. The unit will also be tested at the national conference level.
Black Belt Fixed-Site Satellite Dish AAMU's USDA-funded project "Distance Instruction for Adult Learning (DIAL) in Rural Alabama" for the Micro-Venture Incubation Center (M-VIC) headquartered at Greene/Sumter Enterprise Community (EC) in Livingston, Alabama, recently began testing a fixed-site dish satellite Internet2 link for an Alabama Industrial Development Training (AIDT) job training class. "A major benefit of this technology is its ability to provide rural and limited resource communities low-cost Internet access without the use of a local Internet service provider," said Dr. Byrd.
The USDA distance-learning equipment grant focused on job creation, increasing income levels, welfare-to-work training, and regional job-related skills. The M-VIC's facilities and staffing were made available in cooperation with the Greene/Sumter EC and the Sumter County Commission. The second fixed-site satellite unit is located at the Federation of Southern Cooperative-Land Assistance Fund Training Center in Epes, Alabama. This unit will provide satellite Internet2 connection for small farmer information and management programs, seminars and the Federation's literacy training program. Fixed-Dish Serves the AIDT Fast Tract Job Training Class The Greene/Sumter EC in cooperation with the AIDT have developed an Alabama Workforce Development Plan for the local EC area. EC Director Ms. Herlecia Hampton reported that 11 EC area students are enrolled for a 10-week Fast Tract course that provides trainees with entry-level skills needed in most Alabama industries and businesses. Trainees who pass a final comprehensive examination earn an "AIDT Certified Worker" status. Certificates are awarded to those individuals who have proven work skills and abilities to show how they met employment standards. Fast Tract graduates may choose to go directly to work or to pursue advanced skill development and certification in manufacturing technology and information technology through additional Alabama Works training. They also have the option of pursuing an academic degree from a partner institution in the Alabama College System. Steve Marlowe, AIDT special projects coordinator, reported that Fast Tract Training is currently available in Montgomery, Montgomery County; Anniston, in Calhoun County; Eutaw, in Green County; Greensboro, in Hale County; and Selma, in Dallas County (starts this fall).