Integrated Microwave Technologies (IMT), a leader in advanced digital microwave systems serving the state, local and federal law enforcement markets, introduced its Central Integrated Receiver Antenna System-x8 (CIRAS-x8) at ALEA Expo 2015, the Airborne Law Enforcement Association’s 45th annual conference and exposition (Booth 640).
CIRAS-x8 is a ruggedized COFDM(DVB-T compliant)eight-way diversity receiver integrated with six-segment side-looking antennas and two up-looking antennas into a single, small format pod. Its six vertical polarized antennas offer 14dBi gain per panel and the two up-looking antennas offer 3dBi gain. The system offers exceptional RF performance in a compact, lightweight IP66-rated weatherproof radome housing, enabling users to mount it onto vehicles, towers or building tops in any type of weather condition. CIRAS-x8 can also receive two signals simultaneously in the same package.
The IMT CIRAS-x8 unit is designed to optimize the receive signal automatically at all times, virtually eliminating human intervention. In contrast to older single, highly directional antennas, CIRAS-x8 covers 360 degrees of azimuth with no moving parts. The system sends an MPEG transport stream over IP either by Ethernet cable or ruggedized fiber to a remote decoder. The CIRAS-x8 is powered from a PoE switch or auxiliary DC input.
“ALEA is the perfect setting to demonstrate the aerial- and helicopter-downlink capabilities of CIRAS-x8,” says John Payne IV, CTO, Integrated Microwave Technologies. “Users can mount it on top of a command vehicle, tripod or tower for a range of helicopter-downlink applications, giving those on the ground a clear and reliable picture of what is being captured from above.”
IMT is focused on the integration and optimization of its antenna designs, using adaptive digital signal processing (ADSP)and maximal ratio combining (MaxRC) techniques. By combining and optimizing these areas, IMT is able to provide CIRAS-x8 a new class of fully autonomous central receive systems. CIRAS-x8 is the next generation of receive systems.
Typical diversity receive sites have the antennas, LNAs or BDCs mounted at the top of the command center with coaxial cables running to a receiver and decoder. This design makes the entire system susceptible to lightning and other EMI disturbances. By integrating the receiver into the pod, IMT has reduced the coaxial runs from eight Ethernet cables to one, while decreasing the vulnerability to lightning. This also reduces overall system costs.
The CIRAS-x8 is the latest addition to IMT’s family of IP diversity receivers. When used in conjunction with IMT's DR3 diversity receiver, multiple receivers can be paired together, expanding coverage seamlessly across a wide geographic area.
The CIRAS-x8 has an integrated Web page for simple controls and video monitoring. For advanced functions, such as changing frequency plans, AES decryption keys or unit naming, the unit comes with an easy-to-use Web-based administration software package.
More information can be found at www.imt-solutions.com.