Working on TIMS gives the student a sense of accomplishment as well as being enjoyable.

The student builds the experiment themselves at a 'systems level' and in accordance with the block diagram, which is the universal language of Telecommunications.

This brings the textbook alive for the student, as the students manipulate real electrical signals in real time.

By building telecommunications systems with fundamental building blocks, students learn to use actual equipment to measure, interpret and adjust real signals: amplitude, phase , frequency, synchronization, alignment issues, aliasing, etc.

• With no scale markings on control knobs students are prevented from using a 'cookbook' approach to setting up experiments.
• Students must make measurements to check their theoretical calculations.
• The experiments they build closely match textbook theory and any differences must and can be accounted for by the student as part of the learning process.
• Using a carrier at 100khz allow students to see the carrier and message simultaneously, thus enhancing their understanding of the modulation process.

"With TIMS you are able to convey reality: I have seen conceptual difficulties virtually vaporize within seconds of a demonstration ..."

TIMS is not a ready-made, set n' forget box, but expects students to actually construct the experiment while taking systematic measurements using real instruments throughout the process.

The front panel of each and every module adheres to a simple and consistent protocol of inputs on the left and outputs on the right.

Color coding of connectors also means that students can easily patch up their experiments without continual reference to User manuals and other supplied documentation.

TIMS easily fits into existing curriculums as the professor dictates via their lab notes as to the level of complexity he wishes the students to go to. The experiment manuals supplied with TIMS provide a rich source of teaching resources, from introductory to advanced laboratory coursework.