Duquesne Light ordered 11,600 Raven CDMA modems for the Verizon Wireless Network

CANDID CAMERAS TO HELP POLICE RECORD EVIDENCE

AirLink Modems Now Certified On The Verizon Wireless EV-DO Rev. A Network

Duquesne Light ordered 11,600 Raven CDMA modems for the Verizon Wireless Network to replace their analog systems an upgrade to digital wireless technology.

Duquesne Light Company-BusinessChallenge

Previously, Duquesne Light had relied on its own communications infrastructure for all its critical
applications. The company’s distribution system was centrally operated from the Distribution
Operations Center (DOC), which needed to be manned 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. The DOC
supervisors were responsible for monitoring and managing the 700 sectionalizers and reclosers
within the company’s distribution system.

The company’s main protection scheme uses pole-mounted sectionalizers and reclosers on feeders to
divide circuits into distinct load blocks of about 1,000 customers. Varying load growth constantly
affects the distribution system, forcing DOC supervisors to add or relocate the devices. These devices,
however, cannot be fully utilized until they are remotely controllable from the DOC, a process that
would take three to 12 months to install using a conventional wired backhaul solution.
Because protection devices were not being fully utilized, Duquesne Light found that when a problem occurred, such as a vehicle hitting a pole and downing wires, the protection devices locked up near the problem and shut down the electricity distribution to all customers in the surrounding load block areas. This created a disruption that was more far-reaching than those customers in the immediate surrounding area. Although its existing field equipment was performing within design standards and met all government regulations, Duquesne Light also found an increase in failure rates as its core infrastructure aged, impacting distribution reliability and overall customer satisfaction. Duquesne needed a solution that would immediately improve its ability to monitor and control its vast network and infrastructure equipment.

AirLinkSolution

Duquesne Light started researching a wireless communications method that would be cost-effective while
improving their distribution system reliability. It believed that distribution automation would benefit
greatly if a wireless technology was available to supplement or replace existing hard-wired
communications. Also, a wireless solution would enable additional devices and substations to be remotely
automated at locations where it was previously cost-prohibitive.

A wireless solution powered by AirLink’s Raven modem on Verizon Wireless’ network using CDMA 1x
technology was the most efficient, capable and cost-effective answer. Equipped with the AirLink
Embedded Operating System (ALEOS), the Raven modem is a powerful and versatile communications
device enabling pervasive and reliable connectivity to fixed and mobile assets. With extensive capabilities like remote monitoring and configuration, packet-level diagnostics and over-the-air firmware updates, ALEOS embedded intelligence simplifies integration, installation, operation and maintenance of any wireless data solution. ALEOS provides the “always-on” and “always aware” connection management required for today’s mission-critical applications.

AirLink Raven modems were installed into pole-mounted sectionalizer control cabinets. The Raven contains its own built-in TCP-IP stack and supports UDP/TCP PAD functionality. Therefore, there was no need for special provisions or to add anything to the control cabinets. In addition, the Raven modem self-regulated its own transmit power level based on received signal conditions, and has built in diagnostics and comprehensive tools and utilities to easily monitor and control the remote devices. Once the AirLink solution was deployed, DOC supervisors found that they were able to address problems in near real-time and better contain the outage. For example, they were able to remotely control the sectionalizer just beyond the problem area, thus isolating
the actual problem within one load block, which enabled quick resolution while minimizing the number of customers actually affected. The ruggedness and quality of the Raven made it intrinsically safe and suitable for the harsh weather and varying temperatures of southwestern Pennsylvania.

AboutAirLink

AirLink Communications, Inc. has been a leading provider of fixed and mobile wireless data solutions for more than a decade. A
pioneer in the field of machine-to-machine (M2M) communications, AirLink offers wireless solutions that work with existing hard-
ware, software, and communications protocols. Rugged and versatile, AirLink’s solutions work on all major public wireless wide area
networks (WWAN) available today, and offer a migration path to next generation technologies. AirLink’s technical expertise has
resulted in a simple, yet powerful reputation - we make wireless data work.

Results

The initial cost to install and automate the Raven modem was approximately $640 per location. This is significantly less than Duquesne Light’s existing wire-line communications installation costs, which are typically $10,000 per location. The company has initiated progressive installation of 50 Raven modems per year to extend direct communication to all field automation equipment. Duquesne Light estimates the need for 1000 modems over a 20-year period and, during this rollout period, can anticipate an estimated annual savings of $468,000 per year.
The solution deployment using AirLink’s Raven modems resulted in:
• Immediate functionality – modems integrated with existing hardware
• Real-time solutions – enabled DOC supervisors to instantly review data and decide how best to correct the situation
• Better performance – enhanced network management allowing containment of network outages
• A cost effective deployment solution – wireless saved Duquesne Light $9,360 per location
• Reduced infrastructure expenses – a progressive annual saving of $468,000 per year
• Sustained competitive lead – a concrete long-term program to ensure that Duquesne Light continues to lead the industry in the distribution automation field, expand its service area and maintain unparalleled customer service

We Make Wireless Data Work
3159 CORPORATE PLACE
HAYWARD, CA 94545
PHONE 510.781.9700
FAX 510.781.9799
WEB WWW.AIRLINK.COM

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Candid cameras to help police record evidence

Belmar's Vidmics are first in state

Posted by the Asbury Park Press on 07/4/07

BY ERIK LARSEN
COASTAL MONMOUTH BUREAU

BELMAR — For years, dashboard cameras in police cars have been invaluable tools of law enforcement. Now, in this popular beach town, the cameras are hidden on the officers themselves.

Police here say they are the first in New Jersey to acquire Vidmics, unveiled at an Atlantic City Police Security Expo in mid-June to promote new police technologies.

Vidmics look and function just like regular two-way shoulder radios that officers wear over their uniforms. But these radios include a small, nearly indistinguishable lens peering out at the world from the center. The officer can turn the camera on and off.

The device records sound and video and shoots still photographs. The images recorded include a time and date stamp, so what's recorded can be used in court.

The borough has two and plans to purchase two more, Police Chief Jack Hill said. Police plan to use the cameras on foot patrols.

"It assists the officer in performing at a higher professional level," Hill said. If officers are being recorded, they "will conduct themselves in a professional manner. We in law enforcement have to take advantage of new technology to lower our liability exposure and protect our citizens and our officers."

Explained Special Officer Andrew Ragati, "It's just like instant replay on a football game."

Each camera costs $595, which includes the unit and software that downloads the data through a cable and USB port just like a digital camera, said Dick Cottrell, senior business development executive for Quality Communications in Lakewood. That firm represents EarHugger, the Utah-based manufacturer, in New Jersey.

First in N.J.

Cottrell said EarHugger owns the patent on the technology, and Belmar's is the first police department to acquire the product in the state and among the first in the United States. Previously, the cameras have only been used in trials among a select group of departments in Utah.

"On first blush, it sounded like a great idea, because of the limitation of the cameras in the car. While car cameras offer a great deal, they don't give the level of detail that this piece does," Cottrell said.

If the Vidmic is employed during motor-vehicle stops in which a driver is suspected of being intoxicated, for example, the officer will be able to record his or her interaction with the driver, and the driver's appearance and demeanor, Cottrell said.

For a department's self-interest, the cameras also will either vindicate or make liars out of those who file excessive-force complaints, Cottrell said.

Belmar's policy will be to retain video and audio recordings for at least 120 days.

"There is the obvious benefit in seaside resort towns where there's so much activity going on, up and down at the boardwalks, and we won't even mention the police department the Press has just done a huge expose on," Cottrell said.

An Asbury Park Press investigation last month found Seaside Park had paid $1.5 million to settle five excessive-force lawsuits against police in the past two years without any admission of wrongdoing by the borough or the officers. The Press documented a total of 13 lawsuits filed by people who allege rough treatment during their arrests.

Ray Martyniuk, a spokesman for the New Jersey State Association of Chiefs of Police, said there's no doubt the technology will serve in evaluating the legitimacy of a complaint made against an officer.

"If Belmar is the first department in New Jersey, then they will also be a laboratory for how this technology will be used," Martyniuk said.

"Pictures don't lie"

"The camera doesn't lie, pictures don't lie," said Shaun McGrath, 24, of Sea Girt, who operates a daily surfing clinic on the Third Avenue beach called "Summertime Surf."

About three weeks ago, he said, a group of teenagers tried to steal one of his instructor's cars. The keys had been left in the car at the 18th Avenue beach. After police intervened, "I took their picture with my camera," McGrath said.

The teens were not charged, but McGrath said, "As far as accountability, it'll keep everybody honest.

"Obviously, there are some things that are open to interpretation, but that's what the courts are for," he said.

The still-photography option enables police to snap pictures of evidence or a minor crime scene, Cottrell said.

Regarding potential concerns that the devices smack of Big Brother — undue government surveillance of individuals — Hill said there should be no expectation of privacy in public, but he acknowledged the cameras would be used in response to residential calls.

"The courts have ruled you don't have to notify you're recording, as long as one party is knowledgeable. All it's doing is recording the actions of the people in public, not private," Hill said. "It's no different than taking any photo in public. We're not intruding on anyone else's privacy."

http://app.com/apps/pbcs.dll/article?AID=/20070704/NEWS/707040433

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AirLink Communications is pleased to announce that the Raven X and PinPoint X are certified and commercially available for use on the Verizon Wireless Evolution-Data Optimized, Revision A (EV-DO Rev. A) broadband network. The Raven X, a wireless data communications platform, is perfectly suited for a diverse range of commercial broadband wireless networking applications, as well as remote industrial solutions including utilities, automation and infrastructure connectivity. The PinPoint X, a versatile mobile networking and communications platform, is equally well suited for a broad set of mobile enterprise, public safety, fleet management and AVL solutions.

The Raven X and PinPoint X offer increased processing power and expanded memory within an enhanced and scalable architecture optimized for current and future 3G wireless networks. The X Platform products are powered by ALEOS™ technology, the longstanding industry benchmark for reliable and feature-rich embedded intelligence.

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