C4i goes to great heights to test durability of its Radio Interface Unit (RIU), not only for military, but for an array of other fields as well-including public safety, government, transportation, and utilities, according to the company.

C4i demonstrated this extreme durability with the successful completion of Mil Std-810 Altitude qualification testing for its Radio Interface Unit (RIU). The assessment was conducted by an independent test facility in Virginia, and involved running the RIU at an extremely low temperature (-60° F) in a decompression chamber continuously for seven days.

Altitude testing is performed to determine whether the hardware can withstand and operate in a low-pressure, low temperature environment- a test that C4i's RIU passed with flying colors. The assessment mimics the effects of a high-altitude setting and simulates extreme cold weather, thereby proving the RIU's environmental survivability and its ability to function at great heights, even during potentially freezing temperatures.

In the public safety arena, this ability is vital in terms of high altitudes. For instance, C4i's RIU can be implemented as part of a radio gateway at an unmanned, remote radio site on a mountaintop, and operate without failing. The RIU connects to the radio system and converts voice signals from the radios into IP for transport across the network. C4i's ultra-rugged hardware ensures that the signal will get through regardless of the conditions.

"A high level of reliability is absolutely critical to public safety, military and government operations," said Brad Kay, president of C4i Inc. "They've all been tested, and exceed the very stringent military specifications, and those tests and rigorous development processes ensure reliability and performance."

C4i subjected its RIU to a series of "mil-standard" drop, shock, and vibration tests in order to further demonstrate the ruggedness of the equipment. These tests illustrate the RIU's ruggedness, and ensure its ability to function in unforeseen conditions, such as in a mobile or transportable operation, or in earthquake zones. Even when exposed to environmental hazards, the products will provide guaranteed performance.