GPS World

Tag: ComTech

  • Comtech contracted by U.S. Army to sustain Blue Force Tracking

    Comtech contracted by U.S. Army to sustain Blue Force Tracking

    Comtech Telecommunications Corp.‘s Command & Control Technologies group — part of Comtech’s Government Solutions segment — has been awarded contract modifications totaling $4.2 million.

    The contract modifications are part of a five-year sustainment support contract for the U.S. Army’s Project Manager Mission Command (PM MC) Blue Force Tracking (BFT-1) program.

    BFT-1 is a battle command, real-time situational awareness and control system. Under the five-year BFT-1 sustainment contract, Comtech performs engineering services, satellite network operations and program management.

    A U.S. soldier preparing his Blue Force Tracker before departing Camp Victory, Iraq in 2005.
    (Photo: Petty Officer 1st Class Brien Aho, U.S. Navy)

    Comtech continues to perform engineering services, satellite network operations and program management through a Firm Fixed Price (FFP) contract with Time & Materials (T&M) and Cost Reimbursement elements. The base performance period began April 15, 2017 and ends April 14, 2018, and the contract provides for four twelve-month option periods exercisable by GSA.

    Of this amount, $3 million was received during its fourth quarter of fiscal 2017 and $1.2 million was received during its first quarter of fiscal 2018. This additional funding applies to the original award in April 2017, which today totals $7.7 million of the total potential value of the base year. These modifications fulfilled the government’s obligation to fund the Firm Fixed Price (FFP) portion of the contract.

    “We are pleased that our Army customer recognizes the value of Comtech’s services,” said Fred Kornberg, president and CEO of Comtech Telecommunications Corp. “Comtech is committed to providing the Army and its soldiers with the highest level of support to enable them to complete their missions.”

    Blue Force Tracking systems consist of a computer, used to display location information, a satellite terminal and satellite antenna, used to transmit location and other military data, a GPS receiver (to determine its own position), command-and-control software (to send and receive orders, and many other battlefield support functions) and mapping software, usually in the form of a geographic information system (GIS) that plots the BFT device on a map.

    The system displays the location of the host vehicle on the computer’s terrain-map display, along with the locations of other platforms (friendly in blue, and enemy in red) in their respective locations.

    BFT can also be used to send and receive text and imagery messages, and Blue Force Tracking has a mechanism for reporting the locations of enemy forces and other battlefield conditions (for example, the location of mine fields, battlefield obstacles or bridges that are damaged.)

    The Command & Control Technologies group is a provider of mission-critical, highly-mobile C4ISR solutions. Comtech Telecommunications Corp. designs, develops, produces and markets innovative products, systems and services for advanced communications solutions. The Company sells products to a diverse customer base in the global commercial and government communications markets.

  • Mobile briefs: Silicon Labs acquires Zentri for IoT

    Silicon Labs acquires Zentri

    Silicon Labs has acquired Zentri, an innovator in cloud-connected Wi-Fi technologies for the Internet of Things (IoT). Zentri helps customers worldwide securely connect and manage products across a range of industrial, commercial and consumer applications. Zentri provides combinations of modules, embedded and cloud software, APIs and other tools for rapid development of secure IoT end-node products.

    Comtech renews LBS contract

    Comtech Telecommunications Corp.’s Commercial Solutions segment received a renewal agreement worth $2.8 million for use of its Xypoint Location Platform (XLP), providing precise location for a major mobile network operator. XLP is a standards-based solution suite that enables wireless carriers to launch a variety of location-based services (LBS). The renewal will support the continued roll out of services during the remainder of a three-year agreement.

    Teleena, Cumulocity partner on IoT

    IoT enabler Teleena is partnering with Cumulocity, an IoT device platform provider. Teleena will roll out its IoT Suite with functionalities for enterprises to build transformational IoT solutions and monetize new business models. The suite consists of five modules and is a configurable one-stop-shop for customers.

  • Comtech launches Location Studio at CTIA Super Mobility

    Comtech launches Location Studio at CTIA Super Mobility

    Comtech Telecommunications Corp. has launched Location Studio, a versatile service platform for mobile operators, application developers and enterprises to build or enhance cloud-based, embedded and hybrid applications using a modular set of location-based services (LBS) tools.

    location-studioLocation Studio incorporates multiple technology suites that provide a broad range of functionality, allowing developers to create location enabled applications with contextual awareness, including:

    • GeoSuite for integration of maps, search, geocoding, routing and navigation. Also includes geofencing for triggering alerts when devices enter or exit a specified space, and Comtech’s Trusted Location solution for verifying and validating a device’s location to prevent fraudulent activity.
    • PositioningSuite, a powerful engine that can locate and track assets, such as IoT devices, seamlessly switching between inside and outside environments while minimizing device power consumption using a proprietary geofence algorithm that eliminates the need for “always on” GPS.
    • MessagingSuite, a comprehensive, carrier-grade messaging platform that supports virtually all messaging protocols and is capable of supporting personalized high-volume messaging applications for alerts and notifications, such as product and/or services information, emergency alerts, and critical internal communication.
    • AnalyticsSuite, a web-based portal for reviewing and exploring user, device or application data.

    “Location Studio encompasses two decades of location-based services experience that can be easily configured into consumer, industrial or workforce-ready applications and services while minimizing deployment timelines, costs, and resource requirements,” said Jay Whitehurst, president of Enterprise Technologies, Comtech Telecommunications Corp. and member of CTIA’s Board of Directors. “We are excited to see how this new platform influences and enables the use and impact of location intelligence across a number of different markets.”

    Location Studio supports both hosted and in-network LBS solutions and provides API’s that can be tailored to meet the specific needs of various vertical market customers, including mobile network operators, automotive OEMs, fleet and logistic organizations, insurance and financial organizations, as well as manufacturers. As part of these solution offerings, Comtech provides project management, coordination and testing support.

    Editor’s Note: Comtech placed third in the IoT category for 10th annual CTIA Emerging Technology Award at CTIA Super Mobility 2016. According to the wireless association, the winners represent the latest innovation in mobile products and services that have the power to transform networks, businesses, smart cities and connected consumers. Newell Thompson, vice president, Category Marketing, Technology & Telecommunications, Time Inc. presented the winners at the live awards ceremony at the Sands Expo.

    “CTIA Emerging Technology Award winners represent the best mobile products, apps and services of the year that have the potential to influence and benefit businesses and consumers,” said CTIA Show Director and Conventions AVP Heather Lee. “Marking the tenth year of this distinguished awards program, CTIA is honored to once again recognize companies that are raising the bar of excellence for mobile innovation.”

    A panel of 35 industry experts and analysts judged submissions across 15 award categories to determine the finalists and winners. The “Crowd Favorite” was determined by a popular vote of CTIA Super Mobility 2016 attendees and online visitors.