Harris Corporation Unveils Next Generation OpenSky2 Platform

Top Quote Interoperable Communication Solution Features Enhanced User Services, Improved Coverage Reliability and Advanced Digital Audio Features. End Quote
  • (1888PressRelease) August 03, 2010 - HOUSTON, TX (APCO International, Booth 231) — Harris Corporation (NYSE:HRS), an international communications and information technology company, today announced OpenSky2™, the next generation of the company’s proven digital voice and data communications network. A fully interoperable digital radio communication network for public safety, utility, industrial and transit organizations, OpenSky2 is a comprehensive enhancement of the network platform that includes improved user services, superior coverage and a number of audio improvements and features.

    "With this next generation solution, we have incorporated several significant technical and service advancements into the OpenSky platform," said Steve Shanck, president, Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications. "OpenSky2 is a key system offering for Harris, as we continue to deploy a number of large-scale systems throughout North America. Broadening the capabilities and features of the platform ensures that OpenSky2 will continue to meet and exceed the needs of our mission-critical radio users."

    OpenSky2 also meets the RF standards defined by the FCC for the 700, 800 and 900 MHz frequency bands and it interoperates seamlessly — through its Harris VIDA network — with other analog or P25 (Project 25) systems. Supporting one of the highest data rates available over land mobile radio licensed frequencies, OpenSky2 harnesses the power of Time Division Multiple Access (TDMA) technology and provides performance improvements in two distinct areas: advanced digital audio features and enhanced user services.

    Advanced Digital Audio Features
    OpenSky2 provides a significant improvement in overall voice quality as well as background noise suppression and enhanced dynamic range. The OpenSky2 enhanced AMBE Vocoder provides radio users with 40 different volume settings that can be adjusted to balance the requirements of users with the ambient noise challenges of the surrounding environment. In addition, the My Audio equalizer setting enables agencies to customize and balance audio device levels across an entire system. Especially useful in high noise environments, system administrators can customize the sound levels based on who uses the radio and where they are deployed.

    Enhanced User Services
    OpenSky2’s advanced signal processing and registration improvements expedite the transition and access time when users move between tower sites to deliver faster and more efficient roaming. With these quicker transitions and more consistent roaming behavior, users will experience more reliable voice and data performance in a large network.

    OpenSky2’s VTAC (Vehicular Tactical Network) Profile Model will allow for up to 16 groups to be accessed by VTAC client, with up to 30 clients supported. OpenSky2’s VTAC triples the number of users supported by the legacy VTAC solution.

    OpenSky2 also features a standardized API (Application Programming Interface) for mobile radios and third-party applications to seamlessly extend radio functionality to applications such as CAD (Computer-Aided Dispatch) and AVL (Automatic Vehicle Location) to console vendors and other integrators.

    Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications is a leading supplier of assured communications® systems and equipment for public safety, federal, utility, commercial and transportation markets — with products ranging from the most advanced IP voice and data networks, to industry leading multiband, multimode radios, to public safety-grade broadband video and data solutions. With more than 80 years of experience, Harris Public Safety and Professional Communications supports over 500 systems around the world.

    About Harris Corporation
    Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has approximately $5 billion of annual revenue and more than 15,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications® products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

    Contact Information:

    Steve Frackleton
    Public Safety and Professional Communications
    stephen.frackleton ( @ ) harris dot com
    434-455-9501

    Jim Burke
    Harris Corporation
    jim.burke ( @ ) harris dot com
    321-727-9131

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