SyTech Corporation and communication interoperability, I
from one radio system and rebroadcasting it on another radio system (typically on a different, normally incompatible, frequency) — there are three ways to go here: console interface, audio baseband switch, or multisystem controller
The SyTech interoperability approach and solution
SyTech was founded in 1991 and offers a range of products, solutions, and services to serve the law enforcement, first response, and military communities. Here, in the first of two articles about the company, we will discuss the company’s Radio Interoperability Systems (RIOS). The next article will discuss the company’s comprehensive to interoperability planning and preparations. We do so because what caught our eye was not only the innovative hardware and software the company is offering, but rather the comprehensive, all-encompassing, methodical approach the company takes toward interoperability. Owing to space limitations we cannot do much more here than briefly highlights some of the advanced and useful features of SyTech’s (RIOS), but f you are interested in or involved in communication interoperability, you should go the SyTech’s Web site not only to learn more about the RIOS, but to read the papers available on the site.
SyTech’s approach firmly belongs in the third category - that is, deploying a gateway device that establishes an interface between radio systems. The RIOS combines computer architecture and software design to offer a turn-key solution which interconnects HF, VHF, UHF, 700/800 MHz, PSTN, Cellular, VoIP, PCs, Nextel, SIP, and competing gateways to deliver P25-compliant, IP, meshed-network interoperability to first responders, law enforcement, and the military. SyTech’s RIOS, a net-centric communication system, has been certified by the Joint Interoperability Test Command (JITC).
The RIOS consists of the RIOS gateway, dispatch station(s), and the owner’s gateway radios. Three configurations are available - tactical, mobile, and fixed site systems.
- The tactical system is small enough to be carried on a commercial airliner as checked baggage and can be configured in a vehicle such as a Suburban or any SUV. The all-in-one system provides for a DC input from the vehicle 12-volt system. The tactical unit is typically used with portable hand-held radios.
- The rack-mounted mobile system is typically used with land mobile radios (LMRs) for command vehicles. LMRs may be controlled on screen from the RIOS Graphical User Interface allowing the operator to remotely control the frequency, zone, or dial pad of any radio or device. Remote radio control allows RIOS to have the frequency of the gateway radio match the frequency
