Indoor location system
GPS distribution agreement
A
solution from CommScope can make it easier for emergency services personnel to locate mobile phone users inside large buildings. Unlike landline phones that are pinpointed to specific places within large structures such as office buildings and hotels, the specific location of a wireless device often cannot be determined more precisely than the building in which it is in use. In skyscrapers or similar buildings, this can cause great difficulty for rescuers trying to respond to a distress call made via a mobile device when the caller is unable to accurately provide a specific location, such as floor number, room number or other information necessary for emergency personnel.
R
ichardson will continue to make available former Vincotech embedded GPS receiver modules and evaluations boards now part of the Maestro Wireless Solutions product family, including the newly launched SiRFstarIV A2100 GPS receiver module. Richardson has signed a global distribution agreement with Maestro Wireless to offer its range of industrial modems and integration services for the machine-to-machine markets, including the GPS receiver assets of Vincotech which Maestro Wireless acquired in October 2010. Current users of these RF receiver modules will continue to have support for these for
GPS devices, said the company says. The antijamming features of the A-2100, in particular, are generating a lot of interest. The A-2100 GPS modules enable fast acquisition and tracking with the latest SiRFstarIV technology and support either 3.3 or 1.8 V supply. Enhanced low power consumption with SiRFaware makes the device suitable for all telematics and power-sensitive mobile consumer applications. The removal of jammers not only facilitates operation in multiwireless device applications, such as GPS+Cellular trackers, but assures operation even in hostile environments.
ComGroup offers rental option
As an answer to the problem, the company has introduced the GeoLENs Indoor location solution. This location system, part of the Andrew Solutions Network Applications portfolio, integrates with wireless indoor coverage systems including distributed antenna systems, repeaters and other RF equipment. The system can be deployed with existing DAS infrastructure or as a stand-alone indoor location solution and works with existing handsets. Not only will wireless operators be able to offer improved accuracy for callers in-building, they can also use the capability for commercial applications including mobile advertising and social networking applications, among others. The system operates by determining a caller’s proximity to signal detection devices and other network components that are part or independent of the in-building coverage system.
omGroup now offers a rental option on its portable, two-way radio equipment. Short- and long-term renting with an option to buy is also available. To service this, the company has launched a rental department and invested in a fleet of Simoco communications equipment. The company is experienced with rentals, having serviced the rental requirements of companies in the event management, movie/ television production, security, construction and manufacturing sectors for several years. For the past 13 years it has supplied the entire communications system for the Formula 1 Australian Grand Prix. This event requires up to 500 portable radios, accessories and associated infrastructure. Reliability of equipment is essential, so by renting equipment, organisers guarantee they have the most up-to-date technology each year and that their area-wide coverage is secure with crisp, clear reception. They also have access to 24/7 technical support should there be any technical problems.
6 RADIO COMMS - November/December 2011
Š iStockphoto.com/ christian Lagereek
C
In addition to staying up to date with current technology, renting enables users to trial new equipment to see if it meets their needs. Financial benefits of renting include users pay only for equipment when they need it. This may coincide with peak periods, a special project or as a backup service in response to an unexpected breakdown of other equipment. This frees up capital that would have been spent on communications equipment to be invested in other parts of the business. Rental costs are fully tax deductable and can be recovered at the end of the financial year.
www.radiocomms.com.au