PORTS

Efficient ship-to-shore integrated communications

Due to the inherent flexibility of C4i’s system design, we are able to offer a variety of Port Communication Systems, perfectly tailored to meet the specific requirements of any individual organization. C4i utilizes our vast knowledge of maritime operations to create vital communication systems enabling ship-land, land-land and ship-ship communication. C4i systems can be mobile or land-based; suitable for providing ship traffic management, active monitoring of vessels and navigational advice.

Ultimate Interoperability

C4i Port Communications Systems use Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) and Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) to integrate legacy and modern equipment. This technology enables seamless inter-device communication between radio and telephony assets.

Increased Productivity

C4i combines disparate systems to achieve total system integration via a simple touchscreen HMI. Our Port Communication Systems can incorporate radio control, telephony networks, shipping traffic control, alarm monitoring, resource tracking, facility control, public address, CCTV and voice and data recording. C4i systems can also automate Standard Operating Procedures (SOP), crisis response, and incident reporting; decreasing the time employees spend on manually recording and passing on information.

Enhanced Safety Procedures

C4i communications systems are designed to support safety policies and hazard management at the Port. Through automation of SOP and crisis response procedures, the time taken to respond to an incident is minimized. Upon detection of an incident, the system would automatically initiate alarms, notify emergency response personnel and display standard procedures on the screen; reducing the need for cumbersome policy books and providing accountability.

Absolute System Reliability

C4i’s solutions are fully-fault tolerant and have network redundancy at every end-point to ensure high availability, minimum downtime and rapid access to vital tactical communication assets at all times. C4i systems are also capable of ‘Voting’, a technology that guarantees the best signal is always received and transmitted in situations where more than one is available. This is particularly useful in harbours and ports where line of site can often compromise radio communications.

Scalable and Flexible Solutions

C4i solutions are created using small, modular building blocks, ensuring our systems can easily be scaled down or increased in size to suit your requirements. This flexibility is crucial if your infrastructure is likely to expand in the near or distant future. With C4i, you can be confident that any plans for future growth will be easily integrated into your system.

System building blocks:

Simplifying Operator Audio

The OIU is one of the SwitchplusIP core building blocks and is the communications hub of the SwitchplusIP operator position. It provides the operator with dedicated DSP audio processing resources that enable efficient support for a diverse range of audio equipment including mono and stereo headsets, handsets with PTT, boom mics, monitor speakers etc. It efficiently converts the audio from these devices to standards-based Voice over IP (VoIP) which can be streamed to any compatible device via the LAN. It also supports dual LAN interfaces ensuring that mission critical audio always gets through to its destination.

The OIU is generally used as part of a larger total C4i communications solution however can be delivered on its own to be used as part of an open standards communications system utilizing SIP or RTP protocols controlled via the C4i API.

Simplifying connection of operator audio equipment

The OIU provide direct connect interfacing for a range of audio devices including:

Dual headsets - using either the industry standard dual 6mm prong PJ7 for mono or 8pin barrel for Stereo audio programs
2 mono or stereo headsets with in-line PTT
Handset with PTT and
Monitor speaker

Interface to voice recorders are provided via a dedicated analogue output or via an RTP stream over the LAN.

Simplifying Configuration

Simplifying Switching

The CSU is the core of all of the SwitchplusIP systems and provides a number of network based services key to the operation of the system. It also provides the gateway between the SwitchplusIP systems and external telephony resources such as Pbx and telecom carriers. It can be supplied in either non-redundant or high availability variants depending upon operational requirements.

Network Services

The CSU provides a number of network functions and telephony gateway services:

overall system SIP registry
multiple node
seamless redundancy
flexible call handling and distribution (conferencing, transfer, hold, park etc) and
a range of physical telephony interfaces (PRI ISDN (E1, T1) BRI ISDN, FXO, FXS, voice mail etc).

For small applications such as Mobile-Dismount the CSU functionality can be optionally embedded within the RIU for truly mobile communications.

Simplifying Operator Control

The OCU provides each operator with complete control of their communication environment via an intuitive, highly-configurable user interface that is extremely simple to use.

Flexible Hardware Platform

The OCU hardware can also be varied to suit your operator's target environment. Whether you need desk and console mount, sunlight readable equipment in an office environment or ruggedied, small format equipment for your deployed operatives C4i has a solution for you. Shared hardware resources can also be utilised under certain circumstances to provide an even more integrated answer for you operators.

Intuitive Graphical User Interface

The user interface, typically touchscreen based, provides the operator with all the facilities required to perform their allotted tasks including:

role logon,
initiate and answer telephony and intercom calls,
connect to and control multiple radios,
conference various audio streams,
select radios for retransmission (radio patch)
patch telephones to radios (phone patch)
monitor alarms,
initiate standard operating procedures (SOPs),
control facilities;
manage incidents, dispatch vehicles and resources etc

C4i can also completely customise the user interface for your unique operational situation if needed.

Simplifying Radio Interfaces

The Radio Interface Unit (RIU) provides a seamless interface between radios and telephony assets using Voice Over IP technology. The RIU can be used standalone as a Radio Over IP (ROIP) gateway or as part of a larger total C4i communications solution. It can also be integrated with other open standards types solutions utilizing SIP or RTP protocols.

Within its super compact footprint, the RIU provides support for 4 programmable audio devices each with its own serial port for configuration or data transmission.

Standards-based communications

connect your unit to the state police
your patrol officers to an EMS bike team
your paramedic to the public utilities control room
the Chief's office to the incident ground or
the Governor to the incident commander

All simply done with C4i Products. The RIU can connect you to your radios, PTT phone, cell phone or department PBX.

Simplifying configuration

The RIU is extremely easy to configure. Using an intuitive web interface, users have access to all of the advanced facilities of the RIU.

SwitchplusIP for Transportation