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TCP/IP over the air becomes a reality; PADCOM Introduces RemoteData System TCP/IP Facility for Radio Data Transmissions
Business Wire - June 12, 1997 13:24
PADCOM %PENNSYLVANIA %COMPUTERS %ELECTRONICS %COMED %TELECOMMUNICATIONS %PRODUCT V%BW P%BW
BETHLEHEM, Pa.--(BUSINESS WIRE)--June 12, 1997--PADCOM, Inc. today announced the introduction of its RemoteData System(tm) TCP/IP Facility, the first system to enable cost-effective, flexible and clear IP transmissions for wireless environments. Now, wireless data application developers can take advantage of the same powerful software tools used for land-based TCP/IP systems.
Despite the prevalent belief the TCP/IP protocol is too "chatty" for radio transmission, PADCOM has leveraged its proven success with wireless data communications to reduce over-the-air chattiness by continuously maintaining the IP session for Mobile Data Terminals (MDT), even as they move in and out of radio coverage range. This breakthrough technology offers tremendous promise for eliminating the technical logjam that has slowed wireless data market expansion.
"In today's world, information is a commodity. Ease of access to that information anytime, anyplace is power," said David Whitmore, president, PADCOM, Inc. "With PADCOM's RemoteData System TCP/IP Facility, now you don't have to be the big guy to implement this type of communications power. The advent of TCP/IP support over radio networks is going to change the groundrules of mobile computing."
While other companies provide mobile IP solutions, they generally do so using less open protocol technology. As a result, their approaches are often only feasible for custom developed IP-based applications and do not offer the flexibility and industry-wide standard conformance that a true mobile TCP/IP solution can provide. Because PADCOM delivers complete TCP/IP capability, its customers enjoy the most flexible and cost-effective mobile application environment possible.
The RemoteData System TCP/IP Facility provides end-to-end network connectivity by transporting IP data between land-line networks and multiple mobile computers. The result is a broadened range of applications, which are operable in a mobile setting, including computer-aided dispatch, basic mobile Internet access, mobile e-mail, third-party applications with TCP/IP communication modules and automatic vehicle location (AVL).
Using this technology, companies can develop mobile-ready applications using standard TCP/IP tools on their land-line network and quickly deploy them in a mobile environment. Because the RemoteData System is inherently based on PADCOM's Transparent Wireless Data Technology, the use of complex radio data protocols and Application Programming Interfaces (APIs) is not required.
Additional benefits of true mobile TCP/IP capability include:
-- Flexibility -- mobile solutions can grow with customers' changing requirements.
-- Application Growth -- multiple mobile applications can easily be used by given customer and existing applications can quickly move into a mobile setting.
-- Ease of Implementation -- application integration from mobile to host is straightforward and does not require interface development.
-- Ease of Support and Development -- standard development tools can be used to create new applications.
-- Internet Compliance -- the Internet and company "Intranets" can be used for land-based portions of the communications link.
-- Reduced Operating Cost Structure -- total system implementation and ongoing support costs are lowered.
The technology is currently being deployed in mobile units of all sizes. For instance, the Brandon County Police Department in Vermont plans to roll out four vehicles using the RemoteData System as the central gateway and TCP/IP as its communications protocol.
In addition, the MITRE Corporation and CECOM have been working jointly in support of the Commercial Communications Technology Testbed and have proven PADCOM's capability of extending the "Tactical Internet" in the laboratory using commercial, low cost radios. With MITRE's testing at the U.S. Army Digital Integration Laboratory, the product has been successfully integrated as a commercially-available Tactical Internet communications solution.
"The objective of developing a technology which extends the capabilities of the Tactical Internet using alternative communications media to existing radio systems has been met in our labs," said Vincent Mosera, MITRE lead systems engineer. "PADCOM's portable wireless modem uses voice path modulation and connects via the audio interface on most commercial handheld or mobile radios. Use of voice path modulation provides the benefits of interfacing to a wide variety of communications media in difference frequency bands, thus providing 'radio independence.'"
The MITRE Corporation, based in Eatontown, N.J. is a non-profit organization contracted by the U.S. Army CECOM under the Commercial Communications Technology Testbed to investigate commercially-available communications products.
An open system provider, PADCOM successfully integrates existing technologies to create flexible systems. In the case of the RemoteData System, the comprehensive remote wireless solution is comprised of PADCOM's RNCP (Remote Network Control Processor) and Mobile Data Controller (MDC) Firmware Enhancements, which create a standard PPP link between the controller and the mobile host. The RNCP implements an IP router capable of performing log-on negotiation, address recognition and data routing to and from hosts using PPP and TCP/IP protocol.
Based in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, PADCOM offers a suite of mobile data products to serve a range of needs. The company integrates software, hardware and firmware into a complete solution to enable companies to send business information over voice radio systems, cellular and satellite networks, and emerging CDPD networks.
RemoteData System is a trademark of PADCOM. All other product names are trademarks of their respective holders.
CONTACT: Renee Coffey Kate Bochonko
(610) 882-9940 (212) 213-7061
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