Date: 10/05/2012

"System Solutions" from Arcturus for specialized audio/VoIP applications

Arcturus Networks Inc. has announced the availability of system solutions targeting three key vertical markets; transportation, healthcare and building systems. The system solutions are intended for equipment manufacturers looking to create nurse call systems, school intercoms, fire/safety notification, building access control or mass-transit passenger/vehicle communications. The business model bundles hardware, software, support and services into one tailored package, including toolkits that specifically address audio intelligibility recommendations made by standards bodies.

"Organizations including NEMA and NFPA recognize audio communication is key to improving a range of products from evacuation systems to devices that will help our aging population remain independent." said David Steele, product manager "Our system-solutions combine class-leading intelligibility tools with intrinsic supervision, making it possible for applications like nurse call equipment to handle the supervised monitoring of patient rooms using a combination of PC central stations and mobile agents such as iPads".

The system solutions build on a decade long commitment to deliver core technology to industrial equipment manufacturers. The engagement allows manufacturers to work directly with Arcturus, freeing up valuable resources to focus on their core areas of expertise and overall system architecture. In turn, Arcturus provides the building blocks, tools and any specialized integration required. A key part of this is a Device Virtualization Service, an M2M (machine-to-machine) protocol, developed by Arcturus that abstracts the operation and supervision of an embedded device into an IP based protocol. This protocol reduces time to market by providing a consistent interface for central operation, work flow interaction and overall system supervision. The Device Virtualization Service is suitable for the operation of many devices from one or more central stations (agents) and extends to iPad, iPhone and Android mobile platforms.

Specialized middleware

The solution is built using a Linux base system enhanced with Arcturus' middleware to improve reliability, support device management and enable local / wide area digital voice and audio distribution. In addition to the baseline middleware, specialized tool kits address:

1. Audio intelligibility, including noise compensation, call quality and acoustic performance monitoring
2. Advanced audio algorithms, providing better performance in intercom (speakerphone) applications
3. Autonomous (with M2M reporting) or fully supervised operating modes
4. M2M workflow integration tools for central operation and management of many devices
5. M2M workflow integration tools for converged mobile environments (iPhone, iPad and Android)
6. M2M tools for central administration and management (configuration, firmware, maintenance)
7. Integrated test tools, active failure detection (loss of service) and failure counter measures
8. Full reporting and remote logging

System solutions hardware platform

A 100 x 110 mm small form factor, single board computer (SBC) functions as both a development board and a deployment ready product. The system is designed to withstand operation in harsh environments and provides complete subsystems for power, Power over Ethernet (PoE), networking, analog audio and powered audio output. The solution supports advanced audio processing algorithms such as acoustic echo cancellation (AEC), wide band, narrow band or adaptive differential pulse-code modulation (ADPCM) vocoders and up to sixteen (16) optically isolated digital input and output signals. These signals may be used as part of a distributed control system (DCS), as part of supervisory control and data acquisition (SCADA) or as part of a programmable logic controller (PLC) system in support of interconnecting remote sensors, alarms, lights, push buttons, and switches.

For a complete list of modes of operation, features, support and options, refer: http://www.arcturusnetworks.com/solutions

A basic system solution package is available for $7,500.