User:Andrew rodger/Andrew rodger/tews

= Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems =

Description

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is a leading supplier of critical communication systems and equipment to law enforcement, fire, EMS, public utility, transportation, government and select commercial markets, as well as to military facilities, all over the world. Formerly known as M/A-COM, Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems designs and builds both advanced IP-based communication networks and traditional wireless systems, and manufactures hardware and software for digital communication equipment, including portable and mobile radios, base stations, clients and other digital communications equipment. Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is based in Lowell, MA, with a major facility in Lynchburg, VA.

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems is a division of Tyco Electronics (NYSE: TEL). On April 16, 2009, Harris Corp. announced it would acquire Wireless Systems from Tyco Electronics for $675 million USD.

Notable Systems

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems has built large-scale communication networks for more than 450 customers worldwide, including the SLERS statewide system in Florida; the STARNET statewide radio network in Pennsylvania; the Nevada statewide radio network; and the National Capital Region communication network, which includes public safety agencies in greater Washington, DC, Maryland, Virginia and New York.

Products

Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems designs and manufactures a number of secure critical communication networks and products to meet the communication needs of various types of public safety agencies, public utilities companies, transportation and transit agencies, government agencies and entities, military installments and certain commercial markets.

VIDA Network

VIDA (Voice, Interoperability, Data, Access) Network is an IP-based network that provides state-of-the-art functionality and interoperability among legacy analog systems such as EDACS and new digital technologies such as P25, OpenSky® or VIDA Broadband, a WiMAX-based, 4.9 GHz data solution available from Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems. VIDA network also provides secure multimedia services such as encrypted voice, text messaging and streaming video.

VIDA Broadband

VIDA Broadband combines secure, standards-based IEEE 802.16 (WiMAX) technology to the licensed 4.9 GHz frequency band with VIDA network technology. VIDA Broadband extends the enterprise WAN to remote locations using the licensed 4.9 GHz public safety band, and can be utilized for such applications as remote streaming video surveillance, mobile broadband access to vehicles, backhaul of IP-based LMR traffic, connection of remote precincts to the enterprise and/or VIDA network, network connectivity to mobile command vehicles, and other high-speed data applications.

P25IP

P25IP (Project 25 to the power of Internet Protocol) combines the benefits of a network-centric, IP-based digital communication solution with the standard common-air interface of P25 as defined by APCO. The system provides both network-level and over-the-air radio level interoperability for radio users.

OpenSky

OpenSky offers digital voice and TDMA packet data communications with a high-performance IP backbone network in both 800 and 900 MHz frequency bands. The OpenSky TDMA air interface provides 6.25 kHz spectral efficiency in both 25 kHz or 12.5 kHz frequency plans. Highly scalable, OpenSky can be configured for use in applications ranging from single-agency local mobile radio networks to multi-agency, regional or statewide networks. All mobile requirements can be supported by a single OpenSky subscriber radio, incorporating voice and data communications, and GPS position detection.

EDACS

EDACS (Enhanced Digital Access Communications System) is a group-oriented critical radio communication system available in VHF, UHF, 800 and 900 MHz frequency bands. To provide flexible wide-area network operations, EDACS supports multisite, simulcast and combined configurations, and is capable of carrying both voice and data on a single system.

NetworkFirst

NetworkFirst provides IP packet-switched interoperable voice communications among multiple agencies that need to interoperate. NetworkFirst combines a universal analog audio port, the Interoperability Gateway, with an IP-based voice switch and network administrator to connect multiple radio systems together in an interoperable network. Highly scalable and secure.

History and Corporate Timeline


 * 1928: In an industry “first,” General Electric demonstrates mobile radios on the New York Central Railroad to federal agencies.
 * 1933: General Electric issued a patent for FM radio.
 * 1939: General Electric tests FM frequencies against AM frequencies for the FCC.
 * 1940: General Electric supplies an FM-based radio system to the Douglas County, Nebraska Sheriff’s Office.
 * 1950: Richard Walker and three other engineers founded Microwave Associates – later to become M/A-COM –in Boston, Massachusetts to serve the emerging microwave market.
 * 1977: General Electric introduces the first trunking communication system, the GE MARC.
 * 1989: Ericsson and General Electric form a joint venture to manufacture and distribute cell phones and related equipment in the US and Canada, called Ericsson-GE Mobile Communications.
 * 1995: AMP Inc. acquires M/A-COM.
 * 1995: M/A-COM launches a proprietary voice and data network that was first adopted by Federal Express and which would evolve into OpenSky.
 * 1998: Ericsson acquires the remaining interest in General Electric’s joint interest in Ericsson-GE Mobile Communications and is renamed Ericsson Private Radio Systems.
 * 1999: M/A-COM introduces OpenSky TDMA trunking system with an IP backbone and is selected to provide Pennsylvania’s statewide communication system.
 * 1999: AMP merges with Tyco International and becomes part of Tyco Electronics.
 * 2000: Com-Net Critical Communications acquires Ericsson Private Radio Systems, and the new entity is named Com-Net Ericsson.
 * 2001: Under Tyco Electronics, M/A-COM acquires Com-Net Ericsson Critical Radio Systems
 * 2002: M/A-COM introduces OpenSky four-slot TDMA trunking and NetworkFirst, a network level interoperability solution.
 * 2004: M/A-COM introduces the VIDA (Voice, Interoperable, Data, Access) Network platform
 * 2007: Tyco Electronics becomes an independent public company.
 * 2008: The public safety radio segment of M/A-COM is renamed Tyco Electronics Wireless Systems after divestiture of RF component business to Cobham plc.
 * 2009: Harris Corp. announces that it will acquire the Wireless Systems business segment from Tyco Electronics for $675 million USD.