C4i has developed a new product enhancement and integration feature that supports third party interfaces to their SwitchplusIP radio/telephone system. This technology takes advantage of C4i's established end-to-end IP communications network by providing additional endpoint and gateway devices access to IP communications connections, according to the company.

One of the many benefits of this new SwitchplusIP technology is that users are not restricted to using only C4i's products. Now it allows connections to the Omnitronics IPR and Raytheon NXU-2A products on the SwitchplusIP network.

As part of C4i's ongoing technology development program, the SwitchplusIP system now enables the use of these devices to minimize the amount of equipment needed, and also ensures that audio quality is maintained. Existing customer owned gateways could continue to be used to maximize the technology investment. Reutilization means more cost effective consumption of scarce funding and extends equipment life, thereby reducing overall cost of ownership. Reliability and quality are greatly enhanced, as there is no longer a need to convert a digital signal to analog and back again to connect to the gateway.

"We have developed this enhancement to the SwitchplusIP system in order to ensure that our customers are able to take advantage of their previous investments in radio-over-IP technology, while also improving audio quality and reducing end-to-end latency," said Brad Kay, C4i's U.S. president. "Many agencies have already implemented simple ROIP connections as leased line replacements, however have not taken the next step and provided End-to-End IP connectivity all the way to the dispatch console."

C4i has always been known as the complete end-to-end IP solution. With this newly advanced open technology, C4i's upgraded network has been dubbed "E2IP" which stands for "Extra End-to-End IP." Implementing an IP based solution when updating radio systems can be cost prohibitive. Thus, the ability to add to existing ROIP infrastructure and connect to sites that have only one radio will leverage an agency’s technology investment.

Kay said, "Our latest software offering allows customers to achieve true End-to-End IP within their system and free up their existing near end gateways for use elsewhere in the network. The new release also supports a mix of unicast and multicast IP to optimize use across Wide Area Networks."