In-vehicle systems and mounts
Data 911
Data 911 plans to roll out an updated version of its M5 in-vehicle mobile data system during the third quarter in anticipation of the migration to digital video by police departments. The M5 debuted in mid-2002, and its processor replicates speeds offered by consumer processors, up to 1.6 GHz, according to Scott Beisner, director of marketing for Data 911. That wasn’t always the case, Beisner said.
“Processors used to be slower because of the heat that is generated in a mobile environment,” Beisner said.
Data 911 engineers solved that problem by developing the M5, which contains a processor that “idles” at 600 MHz then “throttles up” to 1.6 GHz when data flows.
The migration to digital video created another problem: where to store the data. Developing a processor capable of storing the large files associated with digital video would result in a form factor too large to be mounted in the vehicle’s glove box, where the M5 currently is mounted, Beisner said. The company’s engineers decided to create a separate video processing unit (VPU) to compress and store the video data. The VPU, which links to the M5’s central processing unit via an Ethernet connection, is small enough to be mounted in the vehicle’s trunk or passenger compartment, Beisner said.
The VPU encodes both video and audio, which Beisner, a former police officer, believes is a real plus “There’s nothing more powerful than that in a courtroom.”
Motorola
The Mobile Video Enforcer consists of a Mobile Digital Video Recorder (MDVR) mounted in an officer’s vehicle and a Digital Video Management Solution (DVMS) located at the police department. The MDVR captures full-motion, DVD-quality video using MPEG-2 video, features pre-event and automatic event-triggered recording capabilities, and stores incident and criminal profile information with each video. The MDVR functions as a standalone unit or can be interfaced with Motorola’s MW800T or ML900, to provide full control of the MDVR through the mobile data terminal display.
EFJohnson
The Ascend analog/digital mobile radio provides Project 25 compatibility, supports the company’s SmartNet and SmartZone trunking protocols and provides the same features found in handheld radios in an in-vehicle configuration, according to the company. Among the advanced features offered are forward compatibility, which allows new features and capabilities to be integrated into the existing radio platform; the ability to switch from analog to digital with the touch of a button; and the ability to create user-editable group scan lists of up to 32 channels.
Microwave Data Systems
Developed for public-safety and field-force automation markets, the company’s mobile-data kit provides wireless connectivity for various applications. The kit includes the MDS iNET 900 — a router that transmits data 10 times faster than traditional networks, according to MDS — the MDS NETview MS software and middleware for link optimization, data compression, roaming, application session persistence, and network management.
Jotto Desk
The Console and Computer Mount places 16 inches of equipment and a computer in a Crown Victoria with little intrusion between seats. The Contour Console Step Console secures equipment while providing an evacuation route across both seats.
Power Products
The LMR Mobile Mount Charger from Power Products makes it possible to charge a mobile radio in a vehicle. The radio rests in a custom-designed cradle and is fully operational while charging.
