Harris shows new multiband software-defined radio

An important move on the communication interoperability front: Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS) is showing the Unity family of multiband software-defined radios aiming to allow federal, state, and local public safety agencies to communicate more effectively using a single radio. The first product is the Unity XG-100, a multiband portable land mobile radio. The Unity XG-100 provides secure interoperable communications over public safety frequency bands from 136 to 870 MHz. This enables emergency personnel to communicate directly without having to carry multiple radios or route transmissions through ad-hoc network bridges. The new radio will be compliant with the APCO Project 25 technical standard in both conventional and trunking modes and is approximately the same size as currently fielded single-banded radios. Harris is showing the Unity XG-100 for the first time at the 74^th annual APCO Trade Show and Exposition in Kansas City.

“The Unity XG-100 is an advanced multiband radio that will provide public safety personnel with direct communications interoperability whenever and wherever necessary,” said Dana Mehnert, president, Harris RF Communications. “As a result, federal, state and local first responders will be able to unify their efforts and provide a better, more coordinated response to emergencies. “The Unity XG-100 is based on our heritage as the leading provider of high-performance software-defined tactical radios for military use. Harris first introduced multiband radios to the U.S. Department of Defense more than a decade ago. We have gained a superior understanding of this field over that time and are now on our third generation of radios. Harris intends to use this expertise to create products that address the increasingly complex communication needs of government and public safety personnel.”

Harris has been providing radios for the military, and it entered the growing public safety/homeland security market in February with the RF-1033M, which the company said was the first multiband radio targeting the needs of federal first responders. The Unity XG-100 expands on the capabilities of the RF-1033M and extends the frequency range to cover the 700/800 MHz bands. Note that the multiband capability of the radio will allow public safety agencies to phase-in their transitions to new networks, including the newly available 700 MHz frequency band. The Unity XG-100 is also upgradeable via software updates to support evolving P25 standards, future capabilities and changing mission requirements. The Unity XG-100 will start field trials near the end of this year, with products expected to begin shipping in 2009.

Rochester, New York-based Harris RF Communications Division is a major supplier of secure voice and data communications products, systems, and networks to military, government, and commercial organizations worldwide. Melbourne, Florida-based Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in  the company has annual revenue of almost $5 billion and 16,000 employees — including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists.