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In the last edition of this page, we indicated we were doing more telecom projects associated with security and surveillance, and homeland defense. The reason for this is that broadband systems are increasingly being used as the communications backbone in modern security and surveillance systems. The reality is that security sensors, including RFID readers, ultimately have to be connected to a larger network and ultimately an Operations or Security Command Center (OCC/SCC), and this requires an extensive communications network. In many instances, especially at airports, seaports, electric utilities, and other installations associated with critical infrastructure, broadband communications facilities are not available at all of the sensor locations. To date, most broadband infrastructure has been placed to serve commercial customers, government agencies, and educational institutions. PCN Professionals has deployed a number of systems using digital radio to extend the reach of existing broadband communications systems, closing the gap between sensor locations and the wired network. We are also seeing considerable interest in RFID technologies and Local Positioning Systems (LPS) for security applications. These, as well as a number of other solutions are described briefly below.
RF Systems for Airport Security If you are interested in knowing more about these projects, or have similar needs, please contact us. RF Systems for Airport Security One of the most exciting projects we worked on the past year is one using RF technologies as part of a comprehensive security upgrade for domestic airports. Specifically, the application used RFID technologies and Local Positioning Systems (LPS) to improve operational processes and security. Due to the nature of the project, it cannot be discussed publicly, so for more information, please contact us. Feasibility Study for an Electric Utility Microwave System Upgrade Faced with increasing difficulty in obtaining spare parts and maintenance support, a large Midwestern electric and gas provider needed an analysis of the options available to replacing the communications capabilities provided by their aging analog MW radio system. Under contract to a large international power industry consulting firm, PCN Professionals participated in the study, handling the radio aspects of the project. During the study, our staff evaluated the existing MW radio system from the RF channels all the way down to the individual circuits using the radio system. The key tasks completed during this study included:
The study also considered the impact of proposed Federal standards regarding the reliability of communications systems used to monitor, control and protect power systems. MW Radio Backbone Design for the Port of Corpus Christi Earlier this year, PCN Professionals developed the microwave radio backbone design parameters for the surveillance and security system at the Port. Surveillance locations and equipment were identified, along traffic capacity from each location. Our task was to develop a radio system topology and to size the antennas and towers as part of the RFP development effort. This project involved:
The result was a design for a radio system capable of multiple OC-3 or Ethernet links, with some parts of the system using multiple RF channels to carry the traffic. All of this information was provided to the client in a comprehensive technical report, signed and sealed according to the Texas Engineering Practices Act. Microwave Radio System in Puerto Rico In Puerto Rico, PCN Professionals assisted a controls system supplier in developing a multi-site radio communications system by providing the radio system engineering and path verification. The system was located on the eastern end of the Island of Puerto Rico, and is used to relay status and control information between a central control facility and multiple pumping stations for the waste-water treatment system. This work involved:
All of this information was provided to the client in a comprehensive technical report. Wireless Video Link for ITS for LA DOT Increasingly, digital radio systems are being used to extend the reach of fiber and broadband links. This application was part of a field trial of a new generation of surveillance cameras and demonstrated the use of high-speed Non-Line-Of-Sight (NLOS) digital radio equipment to carry streaming video from a camera location at the intersection to a point of access on the LA-DOT fiber network. The video signal was digitized using high-quality MPEG-4 encoders and carried by high-speed point-to-point unlicensed digital radios to an ATM switch on the existing LA-DOT fiber network. This link had the capacity for up to six simultaneous video streams, and was installed and operational within 4 hours, blocking only one lane of traffic for 2 hours during the installation process. A short white paper describing this demonstration project is available on request. Wide Area Radio Network for ITS for LA-DOT PCN Professionals also developed and demonstrated the means to bring low-speed communications to intersection controllers not currently connected to the fiber optic communications network operated by the City of Los Angles Department of Transportation. This project was done as part of a larger project upgrading the Intelligent Transportation System (ITS) capabilities by the prime contractor. In this project we performed the following tasks:
This was a major project and a white paper describing the application and results is available on request. PCN Professionals has several projects in the pipeline which it hopes to be starting work on shortly. These include: Additional RF-Related Security Projects PCN PROFESSIONALS anticipates continuing its work in RF-related security projects in 2005. For more information on this area, please contact us. Private Digital Two-way Radio System Implementation Support The FCC has mandated narrow-banding for two-way radio systems. PCN Professionals is currently discussing replacement studies with several utilities. With over 10 years experience in digital land-mobile systems, we are uniquely qualified to plan and manage these migrations. Additional Microwave Radio System Upgrades Utilities are increasingly looking to upgrading their communications networks to improve access to information, enhance monitor and control capabilities, improve communications system reliability and migrate to greater levels of work-force automation. This is pushing towards Wide Area Networks (WANs) capable of covering the entire service area. PCN Professionals currently has bids submitted or is discussing system upgrades with a number of electric and water utilities. Wide Area Radio Networking PCN PROFESSIONALS is currently discussing providing the design services for wide area radio networks from the campus to metropolitan size. We began providing consulting services in this area for Metricom and their Ricochet network in 1999, and are using our experience in designing systems using current-generation systems. Version 1.0 Revised
2/07/2005 |
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