Sep 1, 2006 12:00 PM

DOD-approved WLAN architecture

Cisco Systems announced its Unified Wireless LAN controllers and access points built with IEEE 802.11i WLAN architecture now meet the cryptographic security standards defined by the Department of Defense.
www.cisco.com

P25 converter

Raytheon JPS has agreed to distribute a solution engineered and manufactured by U.K.-based Etherstack that can convert up to four analog base stations per unit into a Project 25-compliant digital base station. The solution will be marketed in North America under the JPS brand. JPS currently is taking orders for the solution, and deliveries are scheduled to begin in October. Future plans call for an inter-RF subsystem interface (ISSI)-based version to be released in early 2007, with existing solutions software-upgradable to the ISSI version.
www.jps.com
www.etherstack.com

ISSI-based P25 solution

EADS North America introduced a solution that leverages the recently approved inter-RF subsystem interface, or ISSI, protocol to establish interoperable communications between disparate Project 25 devices. The P25 ISSI Interface is unique in that it requires no new hardware or infrastructure and ties together multiple P25-compatible systems without a proprietary gateway, according to the company.
www.eads.com

Multi-band mesh routers

Wireless mesh-networking vendor Tropos Networks announced a new family of MetroMesh routers that represent the company's foray into the multiband market. Traditionally operating in just the 2.4 GHz unlicensed band, the new Tropos 5320 MetroMesh router also includes a 5.8 GHz radio that supports 802.11a connections. Future generations of the router will support wireless technologies such as MIMO, WiMAX, 4.9 GHz and 3G/4G cellular, the company said.
www.tropos.com

4.9 GHz mobile mesh solution

Ad hoc network software vendor PacketHop announced that its Communications System 2.0 adds support for the 4.9 GHz licensed public-safety band and cellular data networks. When used in the 4.9 GHz band, the solution demonstrates greater performance capability, including 10 times the line-of-sight range typically found in the unlicensed bands, according to the company.
www.packethop.com

Time-logging solution

Spectracom unveiled the NetClock 9200 series of master clocks and time servers. The product line offers centralized logging and the NTPv4 protocol, which provides legally traceable time standards to primary and secondary PSAPs, consolidated centers and mobile command vehicles.
www.spectracomcorp.com

Surface acoustic wave filters

MtronPTI launched surface acoustic wave filters and resonators as part of a new line of frequency control and timing products. The devices are designed for custom applications at frequencies from 20 MHz through 2500 MHz, and optionally support signal-processing functions, according to the company.
www.mtronpti.com

Submersible portable

EFJohnson announced that the company's 5100 portables now meet the MIL810C to 810F military standards for immersion. The portables are capable of operating underwater at a depth of 1 meter for 30 minutes, the company said.

In other news, the company upgraded its Network Management System, part of its Trunked IP25 Infrastructure System. It now offers a browser-based graphical user interface, remote radio disable functionality and an optional IP25 viewer application.
www.efjohnson.com

Wideband antenna

The MWV1322HD heavy-duty wideband VHF antenna from PCTEL offers 26 MHz of bandwidth in the 132 MHz to 147 MHz frequencies and promises 2.4 dB of gain when installed on a ground plane. The company also launched its MLPV4900 antenna for wideband coverage in the 4.9 GHz to 5.9 GHz frequencies; the antenna offers a 4 dBi nominal gain, the company said.
www.pctel.com

Expanded P25 portfolio

M/A-COM announced the availability of ISSI and data capability solutions for Project 25 systems. The company's ISSI solution — compliant with the recently approved expected P25 standard — uses IP-based protocols to enable a higher level of interoperability. Also available is the Critical Data Communications solution, which delivers wide-area data coverage at the P25 standard of 9600 bits per second, as well as over-the-air rekeying, which is critical to ensuring that security on radios in a network is updated, the company said.
www.macom.com

Spectrum-efficient P25 solution

Motorola announced an extension of its IP-based ASTRO 25 system that lets customers use their spectrum more efficiently. In addition to operating in the P25 standard FDMA mode utilizing 12.5 kHz channels, the enhanced platform also supports TDMA, which only needs 6.25 kHz of spectrum for each voice channel, although the control channel remains at 12.5 kHz. Unlike other TDMA offerings using 6.25 kHz channels, Motorola's TDMA solution will track the pending P25 standard, a company spokesman said.
www.motorola.com/government.jsp

In-vehicle, touch-screen monitor

Planar Systems entered the LMR market with the LX1200, an in-vehicle, touch-screen monitor built for emergency-response and fleet vehicles. The monitor's display can be activated by a gloved finger or stylus. Other features include a rugged magnesium enclosure, transflective display for sunlight readability and a video-blanking capability for data security and privacy, according to the company.
www.planar.com

Mobile communications unit promises encryption, integration

Avaya unveiled its Mobile Communications System, which offers encryption and optional VPN tunneling while integrating command center communications with private WANs. The system includes telephones, an uninterruptible power supply and rugged case, according to the company.
www.avaya.com

Compact on-board computer

AMREL Systems launched its Rocky Mobile Junior, a fixed, on-board mobile computer developed for compact spaces. It weighs less than 4 lbs. with a 9.8 × 7.4-inch form factor and has a rugged, 12.1-inch, touch-screen display. It meets MIL-STD 810F military standards for resistance to extreme temperatures.
www.amrel.com

Bluetooth fingerprint scanner

Cogent Systems' BlueCheck is a 3-oz., Bluetooth-enabled mobile fingerprint scanner equipped with an LCD display and a 500 dpi fingerprint sensor. The captured data is encrypted and can be transferred to any Bluetooth-capable PDA, laptop or cell phone, according to the company.
www.cogentsystems.com

RF measurement tools

Agilent Technologies released its Connected Solutions Workbench, a new test platform for system-level testing of wireless networking and cellular communications systems that lets users measure prototype RF hardware. The solution measures the swept error vector magnitude, complementary cumulative density function and bit-error rate, the company said. It also includes pre-configured test setups supporting Mobile WiMAX, WLAN (802.11 a/b/g) and ultrawideband.
www.agilent.com

Licensing worksheet

The Enterprise Wireless Alliance is offering a new licensing worksheet, available for download, which has been designed for “mobile-only” use, a designation that covers compact onsite radios and pagers.
www.enterprisewireless.org

Improved client software, call loggers

Eventide launched the MediaWorks client software for its Linux-based product line. The software offers upgraded GUI features, including right-click functionality, column sorting, tabbed workspace navigation and the ability to resize windows to fit multiple displays. The company also upgraded its VR series of call loggers by adding VoIP compatibility and a MediaAgent client that offers an instant recall capability for viewing portions of incoming calls in real time. It is capable of record-on-demand, live monitoring and configurable alarms and alerts, according to the company.
www.eventide.com

UHF digital repeater

Dekolink Wireless released the Deko4304D, a UHF digital, channel-selective repeater for in-building, tunnel and outdoor signal-coverage applications. The repeater offers digital signal processing-based filtering technology, which enables software-controlled programming of up to 12 independent digital filters that support up to 160 channels in the UHF band, according to the company.
www.dekolink.com

Low-profile antenna

Astron Wireless released the GPS/Cellular Low-Profile antenna, which measures 4.65 inches in diameter and 1.6 inches in height, and offers a 3 dBi gain. The company also unveiled the HESA Direction Finding Platform for configuring multiple antenna elements in a small form factor.
www.astronwireless.com

Mobile base station antenna

KMW Communications' Air Interface Products Division unveiled a mobile base station antenna that operates in the iDEN, PCS and advanced wireless services (AWS) frequency bands. It is designed for operators tasked with reducing the number of antennas and cables at co-location sites, according to the company.
www.kmwcomm.com

Data-retrieval system

Xwave unveiled the OnPatrol, a wireless software system used in conjunction with the BlackBerry handheld. The system lets first responders remotely access data from multiple agencies, including state departments of motor vehicles databases. It also uses GPS to track the location of the user and interfaces with a computer-aided dispatch system to receive dispatch information, according to the company.
www.xwave.com

Active RFID tag adds sensors

AeroScout has enhanced its T2 Tag, an active, Wi-Fi-based tag for asset tracking and management applications. It now includes a built-in temperature monitor and motion sensor.
www.aeroscout.com

Access solution adds wireless telemetry

GE Healthcare's Enterprise Access solution now will be available with MobileAccess Networks' Wireless Medical Telemetry Service, which lets hospitals consolidate a portfolio of wireless services and applications under a single infrastructure. Enterprise Access offers 802.11 a/b/g with encryption, VoIP, two-way radio, Wi-Fi, paging, public-safety radio and fire-safety communications, according to GE.
www.ge.com
www.mobileaccess.com

Enhanced in-building repeaters

Spotwave launched a new version of its SpotCel products for intelligent in-building repeaters for private radio networks, including a PC-based application for the configuration of up to 10 channels for local trunking frequencies. In addition, the 167/267 adaptive repeaters also have been upgraded to operate in private trunked 800 MHz networks, according to the company.
www.spotwave.com

Rugged terminal offers encryption

TeleCommunication Systems released its SwiftLink2510 SLICK portable communications terminal. The device offers IPSEC encryption, remote location networking, and global area networking. It operates from -40° to +60° C, and supports VoIP, data and video.
www.telecomsys.com

GPS recorder tracks location

Telespial Systems launched the Trackstick Pro, the latest addition to its line of GPS location recorders. It can record its own location, speed, and direction, as well as other data, according to the company.
www.trackstick.com

Mobile and portable command centers

New Communications Solutions unveiled its newest mobile and portable command centers. The mobile command center features a mini-dispatch console that connects up to four radios, one microphone and two speakers, and can cross-band to iDEN handsets and satellite phones. The portable command center offers power management, battery power with up to eight hours of operation, and the NCS-C250 mobile multi-switcher.
www.ncsradio.com

Vehicle location and tracking solution

IDA's web-based Trakit nationwide vehicle location and tracking product line has added an expanded online database for the identification of customers, vendors and landmarks; an over-the-air option to change options and settings; and a sleep mode to conserve battery power when the vehicle ignition is turned off. It also offers updated management and information reports.
www.idaco.com

Software bridges information gap

VisionTEK launched its Unity Information Sharing Portal software solution built for the public-safety and criminal justice community. The software lets agencies capture, store, access and analyze data with other departments and jurisdictions across local, state and federal boundaries, according to the company.
www.visiontekinc.com

Clustering technology increases coverage area

Nova Engineering announced the beta phase of its NovaRoam Clustering Technology, which increases network capacity, scalability and geographical reach of mobile mesh networks, and supports multiple gateways across disparate areas. It will be available in Q1 2007.
www.nova-eng.com

M2M chip offers Wi-Fi connectivity

Connect One launched the iChipSec CO711AG, a secure IP coprocessor chip that adds encrypted Wi-Fi connectivity capabilities for machine-to-machine applications. The solution lets a host processor use 802.11 b/g wireless networks to send and receive data, and features a drop-in, system-on-a-chip (SoC) that frees up processing time on the host processor by offloading cryptography, network security and TCP/IP tasks, according to the company.
www.connectone.com

Monitoring system tracks cryogenic containers

Praxair unveiled a monitoring system for cryogenic containers that detects liquid level, temperature and pressure data to ensure optimal cryogenic properties during shipment. The container information is housed in an on-board computer database that transmits data through wireless communication modems back to logistic planners, the company said.
www.praxair.com

Wi-Fi network management tool

Aruba Networks and AirWave launched an end-to end management tool for Wi-Fi networks. The tool provides enterprises currently using a distributed WLAN architecture consisting of several stand-alone access points with a migration path to Mobile Edge, a WLAN architecture for enterprise mobility across the LAN, WAN and Internet, the companies said.
www.arubanetworks.com
www.airwave.com

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