POCSAG stands for "Post Office Code Standardisation Advisory Group." It is a widely used paging protocol for transmitting alphanumeric messages to pagers or paging systems.
The POCSAG protocol was developed in the 1970s by a group of telecommunications experts who sought to standardize the codes used in paging systems. It quickly gained popularity due to its simplicity and efficiency, making it one of the most commonly used protocols for pager communication worldwide.
POCSAG employs a two-level frequency shift keying (FSK) modulation technique to encode messages. It divides each message into individual characters and transmits them sequentially. Each character is represented by a unique combination of two audio tones, one for marking and another for spacing. The duration of each tone represents a binary digit (0 or 1) in the character's code.
The transmission range of POCSAG signals typically depends on the frequency and power output of the paging system. However, it can often cover wide areas, making it suitable for applications such as public safety, emergency response, and message delivery for individuals or groups.
As technology evolved, newer paging protocols like FLEX and GOLAY became more prevalent. Nevertheless, due to its widespread use, many paging systems still support the POCSAG protocol alongside newer standards.
In summary, POCSAG is a paging protocol that enables the transmission of alphanumeric messages to pagers and paging systems. It represents characters using two audio tones and has been widely used for reliable and efficient communication in various industries for several decades.
