Archive for December 16th, 2008

SILICON VALLEY, CA–(Marketwire - December 15, 2008) - Proxim Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ: PRXM), a leading provider of end-to-end broadband wireless systems that deliver the quadruple play, today announced that it successfully provided both the indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity as well as point-to-multipoint connectivity for the third annual Commonwealth Youth Games, which were hosted in Pune, India from October 12-18, 2008. IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. selected Proxim’s Tsunami™ MP.11 WiMAX capable products and Proxim’s ORiNOCO® Wi-Fi Mesh to provide Wi-Fi connectivity to over 1,300 athletes and 350 officials across 15 locations.

The 2008 Commonwealth Youth Games were the first to feature athletes from all 71 Commonwealth countries. The wireless network for the games needed to interconnect and cover 10 different stadiums and 5 hostels throughout Pune. In order to ensure consistent, high-performance wireless connectivity for all participants, a single system that could provide seamless integration between WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh technologies was needed. After evaluating competing systems, IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. selected Proxim.

“To prepare for the largest Commonwealth Youth Games to date, a wireless system was needed that could ensure secure, reliable Wi-Fi connectivity for all of the athletes, officials and attendees throughout all of the facilities,” said Mr. Ravi Chillara, CEO of IL&FS Wireless infrastructure and services division of IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. “To interconnect 15 locations and provide connectivity, it was evident we needed a system which incorporated both WiMAX and Wi-Fi mesh seamlessly in one solution. Proxim provided the most cost-effective, easy to use solution, and its unique ability to integrate WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh radios in a single system minimized the number of hops needed in the network.”

To connect the 10 stadiums and 5 hostels with a limited number of radios, IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. selected Proxim’s Tsunami MP.11 WiMAX capable products to connect multiple subscriber units located at each location to a central base station unit. They then utilized Proxim’s ORiNOCO Wi-Fi Mesh series radios to provide both indoor and outdoor Wi-Fi connectivity, which integrated with the Tsunami MP.11 radios, which provided the backhaul to the central backbone. Because all Proxim products (Wi-Fi, Wi-Fi mesh, WiMAX and point-to-point) are designed to work together, IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. was able to deploy the Proxim network easily and efficiently, saving both time and money.

“A lot of people throw around the term ‘end-to-end wireless,’ but at Proxim, we actually make it happen. This deployment at the Commonwealth Youth Games is an ideal example of networks that need more than just one component of wireless,” said Pankaj Manglik, president and CEO of Proxim Wireless. “Rather than purchasing separate WiMAX capable and Wi-Fi mesh solutions that are not designed to work together, Proxim can provide the entire solution, ensuring optimal performance throughout the wireless network. This comprehensive approach is consistent with our focus on meeting the customer’s desired connectivity needs rather than forcing a single product or technology on a customer.”

The Proxim network successfully supported the entire Commonwealth Youth Games from October 12-18. Though the network was originally designed only to support the event, IL&FS Ecosmart Pvt. Ltd. is now considering building a permanent city-wide wireless network to support more than 30 e-services.

About Proxim Wireless

Proxim Wireless Corporation (NASDAQ: PRXM) is a leading provider of end-to-end broadband wireless systems that deliver the quadruple play of voice, video, data and mobility to all organizations today. Our systems enable a variety of wireless applications including security and surveillance, VoIP, last mile access, enterprise LAN connectivity and Point-to-Point backhaul. We have shipped more than 1.8 million wireless devices to more than 235,000 customers in over 65 countries worldwide. Proxim is ISO-9001 certified. Information about Proxim can be found at www.proxim.com. For investor relations information, e-mail ir@proxim.com or call +1 413-584-1425.

Safe Harbor Statement

Statements in this press release that are not statements of historical facts are forward-looking statements that involve risks, uncertainties, and assumptions. Our actual results may differ materially from the results anticipated in these forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements involve risks and uncertainties that could contribute to such differences including difficulties in overcoming the network installation and operational challenges relating to any specific customer or geographical area; factors beyond our control such as weather, geographic, governmental, and interference issues; specific requirements of a given customer in their specific situations; uncertainties as to the extent of any specific equipment deployments or network expansions or any specific types of services available in any specific geographic region; delays or changes in or cancellation of contemplated product deployments; and difficulties or delays in supplying products with the features, performance, compliances, certifications, cost, price, and other characteristics desired by customers. Further information on these and other factors that could affect our actual results is and will be included in filings made by Proxim Wireless from time to time with the Securities and Exchange Commission and in our other public statements.

Contact Information:

Robb Henshaw

Senior Manager, Corporate Communications

Proxim Wireless

Email: rhenshaw@proxim.com

Phone: 408-383-7699

LONDON–(Marketwire - December 15, 2008) - Worldwide sales of wireless radio equipment using microwave signals, or microwave equipment, topped $3.9 billion in 2007 and are forecast by Infonetics Research to grow 83% between 2008 and 2011.

Infonetics’ newest report, Microwave Equipment Market Outlook, states that the fast growing microwave equipment market is being driven by the swelling mobile backhaul market, with mobile operators increasingly opting for Ethernet microwave to serve rising mobile broadband traffic demands. As most cell-sites currently are not fiber-fed (and won’t be for years), microwave is an attractive backhaul solution because it does not incur recurring monthly charges like T1/E1 lines do.

“Mobile operators cannot afford to cap investment in their backhaul networks or they run the risk of losing customers in what are already highly competitive markets. Mobile network usage is not expected to significantly slow during the current recession, so bandwidth demand for mobile backhaul will continue to rise and, in turn, so will demand for microwave equipment, particularly Ethernet microwave equipment,” said Richard Webb, Infonetics Research Directing Analyst for WiMAX, Microwave, and Mobile Devices.

Other highlights from the report:

– Ericsson is the worldwide leader in microwave equipment revenue market

share, while NEC leads in unit market share

– As an increasing proportion of mobile traffic is data-orientated,

mobile operators are migrating their backhaul away from legacy TDM-based

systems to packet-based Ethernet solutions, which deliver more bandwidth

per connection

– Ethernet microwave equipment (hybrid and multi-mode solutions)

accounted for close to half of all microwave equipment sales in 2007,

growing to 83% by 2011

– While backhaul/transport microwave equipment makes up the bulk of

microwave equipment sales, microwave first-mile access equipment is a small

but stable market, driven by several niche, often mission-critical

applications, including emergency response/disaster recovery, back-

up/redundancy and access in remote areas

Infonetics’ report tracks Adtran, Alcatel-Lucent, Cambridge Broadband, Ceragon, DragonWave, Ericsson, Exalt, Harris-Stratex, Huawei, Motorola, NEC, Nokia-Siemens Networks, Nortel, ZTE and others. The report provides vendor market share, vendor and service provider activity, technology roadmaps, market drivers, analysis, and 2007 to 2011 market size and forecasts. The report tracks revenue, units, and average price-per-unit for Ethernet first-mile access and high and low capacity backhaul/transport microwave equipment, and PDH/SDH first-mile access and backhaul/transport microwave equipment.

For report highlights, log in to Infonetics’ portal from www.infonetics.com (see Mobile Backhaul and Microwave). For sales, contact Larry Howard, vice president, at larry@infonetics.com or +1 (408) 583-3335.

Infonetics Research (www.infonetics.com) is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete more effectively.

Press Contact:

Richard Webb

Directing Analyst, WiMAX, Microwave, and Mobile Devices

Infonetics Research

+1 408-583-3369 or +44 (0) 1689-851-618

LONDON–(Marketwire - December 16, 2008) - Communications market research firm Infonetics Research reports the wireless LAN infrastructure market was down in 3Q08 in all world regions except North America, which buoyed the overall market just enough to keep it sequentially flat at $506 million.

Infonetics’ report, Wireless LAN Equipment and Phones, forecasts worldwide wireless LAN equipment manufacturer revenue to end the year up 5% in 2008 but to fall in the double digits in 2009 as the global recession deepens and enterprises and WiFi service providers feel the effects of the downturn.

Because wireless LAN technology is fundamentally useful to a wide user base, the decline in 2009 will not be prolonged, with revenue growth returning by 2010-2011, as end-user demand for future WAN protocols sustains market growth over the long term, the report contends. The now-accelerating adoption of 802.11n is a good example of this, as shown by the increasing number of notebooks and PDAs embedded with 802.11n.

Recent merger and acquisition activity is another sign that wired and wireless LAN convergence is accelerating.

“There have been a couple of significant acquisitions in the wireless LAN space recently, including Belden Networks’ acquisition of Trapeze Networks, and ProCurve’s acquisition of Colubris. It remains to be seen whether Aruba, the highest performing of the wireless LAN switch startups, will continue to go solo or be an acquisition target. This M&A activity shows that wireless LAN has become a more integrated part of the overall LAN environment, and that wired/wireless LAN platform convergence is accelerating, driven by enterprise demand for unified communications and FMC applications,” said Richard Webb, directing analyst for wireless at Infonetics Research.

Other highlights from the report:

– Cisco continues to dominate the worldwide wireless LAN equipment

market, holding the #1 position in enterprise and service provider

segments, with 56% overall market share

– Aruba is solidly in second position for worldwide WLAN revenue share,

followed by Motorola

– The worldwide enterprise single mode WiFi phone market is up 6% in

3Q08

– Polycom and Cisco are neck and neck in the race for WiFi phone unit

share, but Polycom still leads in revenue by a long shot

Infonetics’ report tracks 3Com, Aerohive Networks, Aruba Networks, Belden, Browan, Cisco, Colubris, D-Link, Extreme Networks, Gemtek, HTC, Meru Networks, Motorola, NETGEAR, Polycom, ProCurve, Proxim, Siemens SHC, SMC Networks, Trapeze Networks, Vocera, and others. The report provides market size, market share, and forecasts for service provider and enterprise WLAN equipment (independent access points, dependent access points, WLAN switches and controllers), and enterprise single-mode WiFi phones.

For report highlights, log in to Infonetics’ online portal from www.infonetics.com (see Enterprise Data). For sales, contact Larry Howard, vice president, at larry@infonetics.com or +1 (408) 583-3335.

Infonetics Research (www.infonetics.com) is an international market research and consulting firm serving the communications industry since 1990. A leader in defining and tracking emerging and established technologies in all world regions, Infonetics helps clients plan, strategize, and compete more effectively.

Press Contact

Richard Webb

Directing Analyst, WiMAX, Microwave, Mobile Devices

Infonetics Research

+1 (408) 583-3369 or +44 (0) 1689-851-618

ANNAPOLIS, Md. & MOUNTAIN VIEW, Calif.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–ARINC Incorporated and Impeva Labs, Inc. announced today that the U.S. Army Logistics Innovation Agency (LIA) has awarded the companies a contract to install and demonstrate their satellite-based Next Generation Wireless Communications (NGWC) tracking, security, and monitoring capability on containerized shipments of Arms, Ammunition, and Explosives (AA&E).

The NGWC capability protects shipments by continuously monitoring their locations and cargo conditions, and reporting as necessary over a satellite network (e.g. Iridium) from any point on Earth.

This advanced capability is designed to provide real-time, end-to-end visibility of shipments moving throughout the distribution pipeline. The initial demonstration of this capability will track an outbound shipment originating from a depot in the western United States during the next 30 days. A follow-on demonstration of this capability will track shipments outbound to their final destinations in theater, and will also track retrograde shipments returning from in-theater ammunition supply points back to depots in the U.S.

“This demonstration marks the first time a Department of Defense (DoD) rail shipment has been continuously monitored in real time, by satellite, from origin to destination,” stated Monty Montero, ARINC Vice President, Defense Systems Engineering. “In addition, the ARINC-Impeva NGWC capability is the first continuous satellite tracking solution that is both Hazards of Electromagnetic Radiation to Ordnance (HERO) certified and operates completely within the DoD environment.”

“Secure, global, in-transit visibility of AA&E shipments is only one of many DoD applications for the ARINC-Impeva Labs NGWC capability,” said Tony Moroyan, Chairman and CEO of Impeva Labs. “Our services not only offer reliable security, seamless global operations, and enhanced logistics management capabilities, but also interfaces with logistics command and control capabilities located in the .mil domain, thus providing, real-time responsiveness and operational visibility for global deployments.”

The companies began their partnership to develop the NGWC capability under a 2006 Army contract. Unlike other cargo monitoring systems, the technology does not require any local infrastructure or personnel support along the route. A battery-powered satellite link inside each container-mounted device continuously relays cargo condition and location data. No fixed or handheld RFID interrogators, or cellular networks, are required for the NGWC capability to provide continuous reporting.

Applied to unit deployments, retrograde unit moves, or sustainment shipments, NGWC technology provides actionable information directly to personnel who can effect change by alerting local authorities to off-route shipments, breached containers, over-temperature frozen foods, or a variety of additional sensor-based criteria.

The NGWC cargo electronics module accepts inputs from any standard sensor and can be tailored to monitor a wide range of factors. Motion and intrusion detectors, impact recorders, temperature and humidity sensors, and refrigeration diagnostic devices can be implemented. All cargo-related data and continuous GPS position reports are encrypted before being sent over the satellite link.

Impeva Labs, Inc. is the leading supplier of continuous global asset visibility (tracking, tracing, monitoring and security). Impeva’s services enable effective asset management and the most efficient transportation of goods by providing a Continuous Chain of Custody (C-3) Shipping SystemTM. Impeva’s customers can view real-time data from any location in the world, receive event alerts, and take corrective action without leaving the office. Impeva Labs is a privately held company based in Mountain View, CA, with offices in Florida, Brazil and Armenia. With Impeva Labs: Whatever, Wherever, Whenever, You’ll KnowTM. For more information, visit the web site at www.impeva.com. The Impeva Labs logo, Global Sentinel, Continuous Chain of Custody (C-3) Shipping System, and Whatever, Wherever, Whenever, You’ll Know and Device Management Center are trademarks or registered trademarks of Impeva Labs, Inc.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2000 certified. For more information, visit the web site at www.arinc.com

WAYNE, Pa.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–AssetWorks, a leading provider of fleet Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software and Automated Fuel Systems, announced today that it has signed a fleet management software, hardware, hosting and implementation services contract with the Department of Central Services for the State of Oklahoma. The Oklahoma Department of Central Services (DCS) is taking advantage of Networkfleet’s telematic solutions for Automatic Vehicle Location (AVL) offered by AssetWorks, which includes Global Positioning System (GPS) tracking, automated odometer reading and integrated diagnostics. AssetWorks’ FleetFocus™ solution, used statewide for fleet asset and maintenance management, integrates out of the box with Networkfleet’s AVL/GPS technology for automated meter readings and updates and to obtain engine fault codes and diagnostic information in real time for maintenance management.

The Oklahoma Department of Central Services utilizes AssetWorks’ FleetFocus to maintain its monthly lease and daily rental fleet that serves many different state agencies. It sought an automated and fully integrated telematics solution to increase its efficiencies and cost savings. DCS is also launching an aggressive FleetFocus expansion project into other state agencies statewide.

After a competitive procurement process that included on-site demonstrations and a full analysis of several solutions, the State of Oklahoma selected the integrated technology offered by AssetWorks and Networkfleet. While there were many factors considered, DCS identified the following key points in selecting AssetWorks and Networkfleet:

Proven AVL-GPS interface experience

Web-based technology

Proven large scale implementation experience

Out of the box, proven, integration

Financial stability

The integrated solution provided by AssetWorks and Networkfleet enables the Department of Central Services and the State of Oklahoma access to real-time location and on-board vehicle information, including meter readings. “Getting real-time odometer readings is a vital component of a successful preventive maintenance program. Telematic devices eliminate the manual and time-consuming process of entering odometer information and can serve as a catalyst for reducing vehicle maintenance costs in state-owned vehicles,” stated Clay Chandler, Certified Public Fleet Professional (CPFP) and Fleet Manager for the Department of Central Services and State of Oklahoma.

Networkfleet’s patented technology communicates with a vehicle’s onboard computer, interprets the data and transmits important information directly into FleetFocus. FleetFocus assimilates this information into a single fleet management database that allows users to proactively manage all maintenance aspects of a fleet with a keen eye on safety and compliance. In addition, FleetFocus provides the technology for fleet operations to manage labor, parts inventory and materials, warranty claims, procurement, availability and equipment utilization. This technology can increase equipment up-time while capturing and analyzing the costs associated with operating a large and diverse fleet.

The FleetFocus solution also provides the State of Oklahoma with the ability to access engine trouble codes and diagnostic data in real time. FleetFocus can use this information to automatically generate work orders and service requests. The integration between these two products gives fleet managers the tools and data to better manage both routine and unscheduled maintenance.

“AssetWorks has a strong history of success in serving State agencies and we currently serve 29 of the 50 States. We have been pleased to play a part in the State of Oklahoma’s fleet management successes. In addition, we are excited to implement our integrated telematics solutions with Networkfleet. Networkfleet’s technology has proven to integrate very well with FleetFocus and we look forward to a successful deployment with Oklahoma,” stated John Hines, President of AssetWorks.

About AssetWorks

AssetWorks is a leading supplier of fleet Enterprise Asset Management (EAM) software and implementation services and Automated Fueling Systems provider in North America, with more than 450 fleet software customers and more than 75 Automated Fuel System Customers. AssetWorks solutions enable organizations to improve fleet maintenance practices, streamline operations, and improve accountability for mission-critical transportation assets. For more information, please visit www.assetworks.com.

WOBURN, Mass.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Skyworks Solutions, Inc. (NASDAQ:SWKS), an innovator of high performance analog and mixed signal semiconductors enabling mobile connectivity, today introduced the industry’s first multi-mode and multi-band frequency division duplex (FDD)/time division duplex (TDD) power amplifier module (PAM) for fourth generation (4G) long term evolution (LTE) applications.

Skyworks’ PAM is also the first product available specifically targeting LTE-TDD bands 38 and 40. LTE TDD is expected to become the dominant 4G standard mobile operators utilize in China and other parts of the world. According to Strategy Analytics, the global LTE handset market is expected to reach 150 million units by 2013.

“Skyworks’ new multi-mode, multi-band LTE power amplifier enables enhanced talk, viewing and broadcast times, while complying with the stringent linearity requirements across wide frequency ranges,” said Dr. Gene A. Tkachenko, senior director of engineering responsible for LTE development at Skyworks. “With this latest product offering, we continue to demonstrate our leadership position in 4G and our commitment to providing innovative, cost-effective wireless solutions to our customers.”

About the SKY77441

The SKY77441 is a fully matched 16-pin surface mount module developed for LTE FDD (Band 7) and TDD (Bands 38 and 40) applications and covering the 2.3 to 2.7 gigahertz (GHz) range. It delivers over 26 decibels (dBm) of linear power output with full LTE resource block allocation under either quadrature phase-shift keying (QPSK), or 16 quadrature amplitude modulations (QAM), and over 28 dBm of linear output power under wideband code division multiple access (WCDMA) modulation. Small and efficient, the LTE FEM integrates the input and output matching networks, the power amplification stages, and the power detection in a single 4 x 4 x 0.85 millimeter (mm) package.

Integration of the PAM simplifies the design of the 4G-compatible handset radios and data cards, as all the active radio frequency (RF) circuitry is optimized within the single module component. Using Skyworks’ advanced indium gallium phosphide (InGaP) bipolar field effect transistor (BiFET) design and Skyworks GreenTM packaging solutions, the SKY77441 also supports low-operating voltage down to 3 volts (V) with high power added efficiency, high reliability and quality.

Pricing and Availability

Samples of the SKY77441 PA are currently available, with volume production scheduled to begin in 2009. For customized pricing, please contact sales@skyworksinc.com.

About Skyworks

Skyworks Solutions, Inc. is an innovator of high performance analog and mixed signal semiconductors enabling mobile connectivity. The company’s power amplifiers, front-end modules and direct conversion radios are at the heart of many of today’s leading-edge multimedia handsets. Leveraging core technologies, Skyworks also offers a diverse portfolio of linear products that support automotive, broadband, cellular infrastructure, industrial and medical applications.

Headquartered in Woburn, Mass., Skyworks is worldwide with engineering, manufacturing, sales and service facilities throughout Asia, Europe and North America. For more information, please visit Skyworks’ Web site at: www.skyworksinc.com.

GROTON, Conn.–(BUSINESS WIRE)–MysticMD Inc. today announced that the company has been awarded a Phase I Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) grant from the National Science Foundation (NSF). MysticMD will use the $98,622 grant to develop a screen printable conductive ink for Radio Frequency Identification (RFID) antenna applications, teaming with Identica Holdings Corporation, a leader in next-generation biometric identification and security solutions.

“Identica’s know-how and experience in the RFID marketplace helped us command a competitive advantage in the pursuit of this award,” said Heidi Douglas co-founder and CEO of MysticMD. “Winning this grant will enable us to pursue more technology development and increase our company’s market presence. We are very proud to win this SBIR grant particularly because this was our first time proposing to this pre-eminent agency.”

These bendable RFID antennas are expected to cost about 90 percent less than comparable copper antennas, improving reliability and encouraging expansion of this technology for a wide variety of identification and tracking applications.

“MysticMD’s nanotechnology has impressed us from the outset and we were eager to find an opportunity to integrate our RFID knowledge with their methods,” said Terry Wheeler, president of Identica. “The SBIR grant allows both of our companies a unique opportunity to explore ways to expand a ground-breaking technology into a number of different marketplaces.”

SBIR Phase I research is intended to establish feasibility of technical innovations. MysticMD will develop and print a conductive ink, forming an antenna for an ISO 15693 compliant system that Identica will specify and test. Based on positive Phase I results, MysticMD will seek SBIR Phase II funding to build prototypes for target commercial applications in situations where low cost and reliability are critical.

The NSF SBIR program was established in 1982 to increase the participation of small businesses in federal research and development. NSF grants over $100 million annually to small businesses to stimulate our nation’s innovation leadership and contribute to our economy and society.

About MysticMD

MysticMD is an advanced materials company developing proprietary nanocoatings and nanofilms to dramatically improve products, making them better, less expensive and easier to manufacture. Their intellectual property portfolio of conductive polymer solutions includes Nanolite®, their lightweight, low cost material for lithium ion batteries. For more information, please visit www.mysticmd.com.

About Identica Holdings Corporation

Identica Holdings Corporation is the premier provider of next-generation biometric security solutions. Identica’s superior vascular pattern recognition technology verifies and recognizes human users by utilizing a near infrared camera and proprietary algorithms to capture images of veins, arteries and capillaries found on the back of the human hand. The identity security solutions offered by Identica’s operating subsidiaries are provided by resellers and security integrators throughout the Americas, Western and Eastern Europe, and portions of the Middle East. Identica is currently privately held. Major Investors include eRoomSystems Technologies, Inc. (OTCBB:ERMS). Please visit Identica at http://www.identicacorp.com.

SAN FRANCISCO–(BUSINESS WIRE)–Arch Rock’s PhyNet wireless sensor network (WSN) has been selected by HITEC Luxembourg S.A. for use in its Nomadic Satellite Communication System (NoSaCo), developed for natural disasters and other public safety situations. NoSaCo with PhyNet underwent a “dress rehearsal” in May 2008 at the ING europe-marathon Luxembourg, an annual event attended by some 4,000 runners and close to 100,000 spectators.

NoSaCo, part of HITEC Luxembourg’s Public Safety Suite, was designed as a rapidly deployable ad hoc, high-performance communication system for use in emergency scenarios where existing infrastructure has been destroyed or rendered unreliable. The system uses various wireless technologies, such as satellite, Wi-Fi and short-range radio, as well as video and voice communication and sensor networks that can monitor critical information on-site and transmit it quickly over the Internet to those in charge of rescue operations.

The NoSaCo system was already well into the definition phase when, in the fall of 2007, the development team learned about PhyNet. The PhyNet architecture appealed to the NoSaCo team because it was low-power, easy to deploy and based entirely on the ubiquitous Internet Protocol (IP) – and specifically on IPv6, the newest and most scalable version of IP. Furthermore, PhyNet was the first multi-tier WSN to address large, geographically dispersed applications by forming multiple highly resilient IP-based sensor networks that users could manage centrally as part of the overall IP infrastructure. The key to this architecture was a new kind of router that formed an internetworking backbone between an individual WSN and its server-hosted applications, allowing information to be monitored miles – or even thousands of miles – away from their control and management functions.

Setting up an Emergency Infrastructure – Fast

“Good communication at an emergency site is essential but extremely difficult because the first responders – police, firemen, doctors – don’t know what they will need in terms of helping the victims and minimizing their own risks,” said Benjamin Hourte, NoSaCo project manager for HITEC Luxembourg’s Intelligent Infrastructures Solutions group. “At a major fire or highway accident there must be a way to set up new infrastructure and quickly get vital information to a central location so the right resources can be deployed fast.”

The first test of the NoSaCo system took place at the May 2008 running of the annual ING europe-marathon Luxembourg. Though the marathon didn’t constitute an emergency situation per se, runners were potentially subject to health problems from sun and heat exposure, requiring a mechanism for providing remote command centers with access to video and sensor information.

“These are not professional runners, but people who do this once a year,” Hourte said. “There is risk of dehydration, heatstroke, heart attack. We want to know where there’s the highest concentration of spectators, the most direct sun with the least shade. Above 30 degrees Celsius [86 degrees Fahrenheit], the risk factors get much higher.”

Distributed PhyNet Architecture Allows Remote Control/Management of Sensor Networks

PhyNet system was deployed at the four sites associated with the NoSaCo system. At three of the sites – a Mobile Command Center and two mobile Intervention Teams (first responder vehicles) – a PhyNet Router was connected using the IETF 6LoWPAN (IPv6 Low-power wireless personal-area network) standard to communicate over IEEE 802.15.4 low-power radio links to Arch Rock sensor nodes that measured heat, humidity and light. The WSNs at the two Intervention Team sites also used an Arch Rock IPserial node connected to a global positioning system (GPS) to obtain location information.

Forty kilometers away, at the headquarters of satellite hosting company SES ASTRA, sat the PhyNet Server, whose function was to collectively manage the various WSNs and display the collected data on a web-based console for management and control. The hosting site, command center and two intervention sites were connected using IPv6 communication over a combination of satellite and Wi-Fi links. In addition to the PhyNet WSN, the NoSaCo system provided IP-based video and voice links between the sites.

Full integration of the sensor data into the NoSaCo monitoring portal was easily accomplished using the PhyNet server’s web services capabilities.

“From the sensor information plus our knowledge of the numbers of people at various sites over time, we were able to make correlations, analyze the risk factors for dehydration, heart attacks and other conditions, and determine where best to send the emergency workers and ambulances during the race and other post-race events,” Hourte said. “The GPS sensor data then told us exactly where the mobile team was at any moment.”

“Our goal was to prove NoSaCo’s efficiency in a real-world, high-profile event. Arch Rock PhyNet was a key element of this operation and perfectly fit our requirements. It could be deployed in minutes by a non-network professional and without any existing communication infrastructure. Getting the sensors on the right network was as easy as pushing a button, and PhyNet worked immediately over the satellite links. This event served as an excellent model for what NoSaCo will be able to accomplish in major emergency situations.”

In addition to public safety applications, HITEC Luxembourg expects NoSaCo will be used in traffic monitoring and pollution control. In the latter case, sensors will gather data on the presence of toxic substances and send it to a central monitoring system for analysis.

About HITEC Luxembourg S.A.

HITEC Luxembourg S.A., a 100% owned Luxembourg company, was incepted in 1986 and has developed its business activities in the field of innovative and quality products and services. The company is ISO 9001:2000 certified for engineering, analyses, consulting, manufacturing and sales of systems in mechanics, electronics, physical measuring techniques, microprocessors and data processing. HITEC Luxembourg offers high technology solutions covering different business areas: satellite ground segment technology; customer specific and standard equipment for testing and measuring of physical properties; engineering; consulting; software & ICT development and project management. For more information, visit http://www.hitec.lu.

To address the needs of public safety regarding communication in situations without having terrestrial ICT infrastructures available, HITEC Luxembourg has invented as part of the Public Safety Suite the Nomadic Communication System, or NomadicCom. NomadicCom provides easy to install communication independent from terrestrial infrastructures.