Government Technology - June 2008 - (Page GD2)

and techniques, plus insight into how to benefit from emerging technologies. For instance, the advent of IPv6 networks, allowing peerto-peer data transmission among mobile devices, could greatly reduce infrastructure costs for public safety agencies. “They need to make sure their vendors or systems integrators are looking at that type of network,” Howard said. General Dynamics also can help agencies navigate the challenges and opportunities posed by newly available spectrum in the 700 MHz band and by 800 MHz rebanding initiatives. Along with this work on the commercial side, General Dynamics draws on years of experience serving customers in the U.S. Department of Defense (DoD). “We’ve traditionally delivered very complex DoD solutions with heavy requirements analysis and very detailed traceability on how the system performs,” Howard said. Through these projects, General Dynamics has developed expertise in cutting-edge military communications technologies combined with best-in-class commercial applications. These also hold great promise for public safety agencies. Those years of combined experience — planning and executing large-scale deployments for the DoD, and quickly rolling out infrastructure for commercial wireless carriers — give General Dynamics exactly the knowhow required to serve as a partner in the public safety arena. One key to General Dynamics’ outstanding performance is its Wireless Engineering Lab. In this facility, General Dynamics develops new wireless services for the future while also conducting analyses to enhance deployments for the company’s commercial and government customers. To take just one example, using advanced RF modeling tools, lab engineers test alternative designs for a customer’s radio network. Results in hand, they can lay out the pros and cons of specific decisions on site location, signal strength and other factors. “We can give them a good idea of what challenges they’ll encounter, in terms of both finance and the deployment timeline,” Howard said. “We can give them a preview without going into the field and spending a lot of money.” In-Building Coverage, Wireless Video The lab also is where General Dynamics’ researchers work on solutions to meet emerging demands in public safety, such as in-building coverage and wireless video monitoring. When a customer requires wireless coverage inside a building, for example, General Dynamics’ engineers support the agency through every phase of the project life cycle, from defining coverage and capacity requirements and determining the building’s propagation characteristics, to testing and fine-tuning the completed system for optimum performance. For the growing number of agencies interested in wireless video, General Dynamics can help take maximum advantage of 700 MHz or 4.9 GHz spectrum recently allocated for public safety broadband applications. Wireless networks offer an economical alternative to cable, fiber or T1 lines for transmitting video from the field. Currently many General Dynamics customers are testing wireless video as a backup to hard-wired cameras. “There are trials going on to make sure the solutions are robust and meet all their requirements,” Howard said.“As soon as they’re satisfied that the wireless video systems are secure and foolproof, they’ll cut over to allwireless systems.” Whether they’re exploring how to employ newly available spectrum or working to take maximum advantage of capacity they already have, emergency management and public safety agencies look to General Dynamics because of the company’s real-world experience meeting the needs of federal, state and local agencies. One notable example is the U.S. Coast Guard’s Rescue 21 program. As a major subcontractor, General Dynamics Wireless Services is constructing sites and installing equipment for more than 200 communications towers for this system. Rescue 21 supports search and rescue operations along the nation’s coasts and inland waterways. In the National Capital Region, General Dynamics deployed a turnkey digital, wide-area trunked radio network to serve nine military installations. Employing equipment from multiple vendors, this offers interoperable communications for both military and civilian responders when they react to emergencies in and around Washington, D.C. For the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, General Dynamics provided systems integration services, including program management and engineering, for a new 800 MHz conventional and trunked LMR system. From network architecture and site acquisition to RF engineering and site construction, from exploration of future technologies to testing, operation and maintenance for current deployments, General Dynamics is a trusted partner in government’s critical efforts to keep the public safe. To find out how our wireless services can meet your public safety needs, contact General Dynamics today. 800-733-7745 www.gdwireless.com This Government Technology Thought Leadership Profile was sponsored by General Dynamics © 2008 e.Republic Inc. All rights reserved. Printed in the U.S.A. http://www.gdwireless.com http://www.gdwireless.com

Table of Contents Feed for the Digital Edition of Government Technology - June 2008

Government Technology - June 2008 Contents Point of View The Last Mile Big Picture On the Scene Four Questions For... 3 Technologies That May Change Your Job ...And Your Life Loosening Medicaid's Grip Better Living Through Technology Immersive Itineraries Help Yourself Taking the Bait Shared Connection Up Close Spectrum Products Personal Computing signal:noise Digital Communities Contents Digital Tactics for a U.S. Recession E-Dilemma Stifling Community Innovation Leadership Interview Estonia Becomes E-Stonia If It Were Up to Me …

Government Technology - June 2008

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