Digital Communication Systems – Interview with the Vice President of Okayo Electronics Ltd.

Our customers are increasingly asking us which communication system to choose – analog or digital? To resolve doubts about selecting the right model tailored to user needs, we asked for a statement from Kanter Huang, a representative of Okayo Electronics Ltd.

Why do the new tourguide system models from Okayo use digital transmission?

Kanter Huang: Tourguide systems operate on radio frequencies. They typically use the UHF band and/or the globally license-free 2.4 GHz band. However, the challenge nowadays is that increasingly larger portions of the spectrum are being reserved and allocated to the telecommunications industry due to growing demand. Naturally, less spectrum remains for our industry. Our real challenge is how Okayo can make less (frequency spectrum) achieve more (functions, options, performance). Digitalization is the way to achieve these goals. Okayo has been working on this for years, offering various solutions to meet diverse customer expectations. We have less, but we achieve more! By the way, analog and digital systems operating on the same frequency band are not compatible at all due to different transmission methods.

What are the differences between analog and digital systems for users? Does digital mean better?

KH: Those who regularly use tourguide systems will easily notice the differences offered by digital systems. For example, in the same group, there can be more than one speaker (guide) – even 2 or 3! This way, digital systems can be used in cases that analog versions cannot handle. Another example: some tourguide systems are designed to encourage group members (listeners) to be active during the tour. Group members have a Talkback function to say something or ask others, including the guide. Analog systems cannot do this. Moreover, using digital transmission, we can better manage channels to obtain as many “clean” channels as possible in the limited frequency spectrum. This means that even
in a crowd where many tourguide systems are operating, all groups will get better sound quality, less interference, and longer wireless communication distances. What else? Oh yes, we haven’t mentioned that digital transmission is more energy-efficient, which all users will appreciate. Additionally, there is no crosstalk phenomenon, meaning cross-interference between channels or groups. Thanks to digital technology, tourguide systems will be more secure, providing more privacy for the channel being used. Does digital mean better? You probably already have the answer.

Why are analog models now more expensive than some digital ones?

KH: Well, that’s not entirely the case. Remember the first question? Okayo always does more (work) for less (money). After the COVID epidemic, the world has changed significantly. Entire supply chains cannot remain as healthy as before. More and more vendors, suppliers
and manufacturers are closing due to declining demand, leading to unstable material supplies and unpredictable lead times. To cope with this situation, manufacturers like us either stockpile more inventory or buy more expensive materials just enough to secure our commitments to customers. All this causes production costs to rise, which ultimately affects finished products. Newly developed digital tourguide systems use components from different supply chains, allowing these problems to be avoided in the production process.

If someone is buying a new tourguide system now – would you recommend digital or analog?

KH: For users who have never used such systems, we recommend trying digital – why not have more for less?
Some users may already be using digital systems and know how to use them. Buying the same system to maintain daily operations or expand services is certainly the right solution. However, a digital system offering additional options can create new application areas, enable new services, and improve group engagement. This is the right time to choose the most advanced systems to explore new possibilities and services.

What benefits do digital tourguide systems offer compared to analog ones?

KH: In the same sound quality class, a digital tourguide system opens up the possibility for more people in the group to speak, gives participants the chance to address the entire group, provides greater communication security, better interference resistance, longer wireless communication distances and longer battery life, and much more. All these benefits will make the tour experience completely different from before.

Will analog models still be offered, and if so – for how long?

KH: Of course, we will supply analog models as long as they are needed. Unless our suppliers stop supplying us with components, which can be expected in the coming years.

As stated by the Vice President of Okayo Electronics Ltd.: