Entel & General Dynamics develop digital meshing radio
Posted on May 01, 2013
Entel is pleased to announce its involvement in digital meshing radio technology. This latest enterprise by Entel’s UK-based team is being conducted under a contract with General Dynamics for the Pathmaker™ Network. General Dynamics C4 Systems is a prime contractor and systems integrator with almost 50 years experience in delivering communications solutions for military and government deployment.
Mobile mesh network technology is the revolutionary “next step” in digital radio communications, in that it can provide a defined group of users, in mission-critical applications, the ultimate in reliable connectivity and coverage, without the need for additional infrastructure and support – including situations where conflict or natural disaster has destroyed existing infrastructure.
What is a Meshing?
- Meshing is a method used to provide rapidly scalable radio coverage in the most arduous environments by ‘linking’ all the radios together without the need for any infrastructure (fixed base stations)
- Each radio in a mesh network is also a repeater (relay) dynamically extending the range of the system in any direction, at any time
- By definition, the coverage of a mesh network is ‘self healing’
In effect, with meshing technology, each handheld transceiver is part of a mesh of high-speed data and communications. By becoming a data router-repeater in itself, incorporated into a “virtual” and dynamic infrastructure, each portable device contributes to a self-routing, ad hoc and multi-hop mobile network.
Meshing technology lends itself perfectly to tactical rescue, law enforcement and military applications, but also brings dynamic networking capabilities to challenging civilian environments, such as major civil engineering projects, campus security, on-shore and off-shore oil and gas installations, and others.
Steve Mulka, Entel's Global Product Manager said, “Based on the existing Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) digital platform, this leading-edge meshing technology will deliver resilient and high-capacity communications anywhere, anytime, no matter how difficult the local Radio Frequency environment or physical conditions. The experience of General Dynamics and Entel UK together with their wealth of engineering and manufacturing talent will deliver a mesh-capable radio that is ideal for the most challenging applications.”
Full information including product pages and specifications will be detailed on our website in coming months.
