Archives: Solutions

Cornet Technology, Inc.’s Solutions for Tactical Voice, Video and Data

For close to three decades Cornet Technology,  Inc. has taken a leadership position in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of tactical voice, video and data solutions (C4ISR) that span all areas of data, video, and voice communications applications for Government and Prime Contractor clients. Our Command, Control, Communication & Computer solutions sit at the core of communication networks. Keeping Size, Weight, and Power – Cost (SWaP-C) requirements in mind, our communications subsystems offer secure and non-secure transmission, recording, monitoring, and information dissemination for a range of air, ground, and sea-based communication systems. Many of our solutions have received IA approval and JITC interoperability certification.

To assist the military in achieving battlefield dominance and first responders with superior emergency management response, Cornet Technology is at the leading-edge of delivering secure tactical voice, video and data services; communications integration; and interoperability solutions. 

Cornet Technology, Inc.’s TVCS Omni provides conferencing and any-to-any voice connectivity for the military, homeland security, and first-responders. Cornet Technology’s TVCS InterConnect Omni (TVCS Omni) is a JITC certified, highly compact communications, conferencing, and interconnect solution. The scalable TVCS Omni is ideally suited for mission operation centers requiring medium sized C2 voice systems. 

A vital component of the TVCS Omni solution is the CS-Commander, a soft voice phone that
runs on a PC and lets operators establish intercom calls, intercom conferences, radio calls, and radio conferences. The other products in this family, TVCS Interconnect 40, and TVCS Interconnect 10R allow custom solutions for typical scenarios like in vehicle communications network, and ROIP connections.

Cornet Technology, Inc.’s STINN LTEmp is a flagship product to handle and process Tactical Voice, Video and Data. It has an i7 processor based computer that enables video recording, and access to authorized users in the hierarchy. The STINN LTEmp can provide instant cellular communication to 32 dismounted users on secure cell phone communication. They can communicate with each other as well as anyone in the world over IP.

Check out other products in following areas offered by Cornet Technology, Inc.:

Circuit to Packet Solutions
Radio Crossbanding
Tactical Switches
Tactical Computers

 

The network evolution to all IP is on the fast track.   Even with networks that maintain their legacy formats for a variety of reasons (e.g. equipment investment cost,  quality control, and security issues) there is a push to take advantage of the benefits of IP networks. Building on our tech control expertise (operational control, test and monitoring of TDM and serial circuit legacy technologies) Cornet Technology has designed a family of products known as IPGate® that give governments worldwide the ability to interface their legacy networks with IP networks. These units provide a smooth and cost effective IP migration path whilst managing the existing infrastructure.

Serial to Packet

Testing and Monitoring Legacy Systems

For over 25 years Cornet Technology has designed and manufactured communications equipment that assists in the operational control, test, and monitoring of Time Division Multiplexing (TDM), serial, and circuit technologies. Leveraging this extensive knowledge, Cornet Technology has designed a family of gateway products that give governments, worldwide, the ability to interface their legacy networks with IP networks and provide a smooth and cost effective IP migration path while managing the existing infrastructure. IPGate® IP gateway products range in size, port capacity, and redundancy options.

Tech Control functions have traditionally been the domain of Matrix switches and patch panels.  It is their function to give test equipment access to network devices to perform monitoring operations (such as data line monitor or Bit Error Rate testing) and maintenance.

In many cases, as agencies move to take advantage of IP technology, they still have TDM and Serial based networks that need monitoring while they are being transitioned to or transported over IP.  Doing this without the costly and space consuming patch panels or retaining matrix switches, is a function of our IPGate family.  In addition to the primary function of converting legacy TDM-based endpoint to IP, each IPGate has the ability to provide circuit monitor and break enabling tech control operator anywhere in the network to test a connection, even if that connection is remote from the operator and spans more than one IPGate chassis.   This ability to test and monitor the legacy portion of a circuit is unique to our IPGate family and is an invaluable aid in diagnosing network problems and reducing the time to restore service.

Virtual Matrix

Enabling the National Airborne Operations Center (NAOC) personnel to communicate quickly in changing environments.  

In 2011, Cornet Technology became involved with the E-4B Modification Block 1 Audio Infrastructure Upgrade.  The new solution replaced the existing Cornet Technology Matrix-based Automatic Patch and Test systems (APTS) with our IPGate (virtual matrix) system which allows existing serial to packet applications to take advantage of VoIP benefits.   The eight IPGate solution saved the Air Force SWaP by replacing up to 31 difference pieces of equipment.

Long Haul Secure Communications

For security and warfighter safety as well as cost consideration, it is preferred that encryption devices be located at military C2 centers instead of remotely with the antennas and radios.   The challenge to this arrangement is how to ensure long-haul security and reduced latency.

Meeting this challenge is the Cornet Technology IPGate with LHSC functionality.   IPGates within the C2 center receive plain and secure audio from the encryption devices, formats the audio into IP packets and then transmits it over a fiber Ethernet IP link to a SATCOM uplink or via a terrestrial link.    At the remote site, an IPGate receives the transmitted packets and converts them back into plain or secure audio and makes it available to the chosen radio.  The IPGate solution provides full-duplex communications enabling audio to be transmitted from the radio back to the C2 center operators. Additional functions of the IPGate is its ability to send PTT along with the voice making PTT available to the radio; and the ability to overcome satellite latency through a feature that ensures that cryptographic devices stay in sync. 

Remote Radio and Encryption Sharing

Cost considerations often generate creative ways of reaping savings.  Similar to the LHSC application, a Navy fixed site required that a large number of ground operators be able to connect to and use remote radios located at multiple sites to communicate with planes flying overhead.   The solution required that radios and cryptos be shareable.

Through the Cornet Technology solution, a ground operator choses any crypto (located at the fixed site) and any remote radio using a Cornet Technology operator interface unit to establish a connection. The combination of IPGate and Cornet Technology Tactical Voice Communications Subsystem (TVCS) securely connect the cryptos and the remote site radio over an IP WAN.   When the plane is out of range, the operator simply makes a connection with a radio at another site and continues to converse with his/her assigned plane.

 

As new video capabilities and standards emerge, defense agencies and first responders, globally, increasingly deploy video technology for an ever growing range of force multiplying applications such as:

• Enhanced visual situational awareness in the tactical battle space
• Live video streaming to the tactical operator at the edge
• Video Surveillance for force protection
• Manned and Unmanned Intelligence and Reconnaissance platforms with video sensors

Critical components in these systems are Cornet Technology’s IP-based, high- and standard-definition (SD and HD) encoders, decoders, recorders, and video streaming servers (VSS) designed to meet government/military standards for compression and streaming and quick and easy playback for viewing in harsh operational environments.   Our complement of video products fulfill roles in airborne, ground, and sea surveillance; video distribution; and video sharing systems.

Airborne Surveillance

P3 Orion’s are utilized by militaries worldwide for Intelligence, Surveillance, and Reconnaissance (ISR) missions at home and abroad.  Over the last 9 years, Cornet Technology’s iVDO family of airworthy encoders, decoders, and recorders have played a small but vital role in P3 Orion missions for a number of countries. Our standard (SD) and high definition (HD)H.264 encoders compress and transport motion video, audio and metadata from a wide range of video sources including electro-optical, infrared, and thermal cameras.  This video and associated metadata, along with accompanying audio, are combined with information from other ISR information sensors to provide commanders with unparalleled situational awareness in today’s increasingly asymmetric warfare.  Our storage and playback systems record, store, and playback multiple digital motion streams in compliance with STANAG 4609.  Like our encoders and decoders, these network video recorders (NVRs) meet all required safety and environmental specifications for airworthiness.

Shipboard – Video Distribution

At sea, Cornet Technology iVDO encoder family plays a vital part in naval electro-optical tracking and fire control systems aboard US Navy destroyers and a member of the optical and electronic mast system on select submarines. Providing standard definition H.264 encoders accepting both composite and RGsB streams for low-latency digital video distribution.

Ground

Video usage in ground warfare and incident management is on the increase specifically in the areas of situation awareness, surveillance, video sharing, and video distribution. 

In the area of video surveillance/situational awareness, Cornet Technology’s video encoders and decoders are deployed as part of the Army and Marine Corps’  Rapid Aerostat Initial Deployment / Ground-Based Operational Surveillance System (RAID/G-Boss) safeguarding forward operating bases (FOB), improving surveillance in day and night and accelerating response to evolving threats.

Our encoders and decoders aid in the efficient distribution of multiple PC graphics and video signals to display walls within Air/Missile Defense Planning and Control System (AMDPCS) mobile command centers enabling brigade commanders to monitor and control engagement operations by their battalions.

Video Streaming Server (VSS)

Last-mile real-time video distribution

Real-time video distribution for battlefield and emergency management situational awareness requires a large bandwidth pipe.  The integral VSS card in our TVCS InterConnect combined with an LTE deployable tactical cellular system is an example of our integrated video streaming capability.  The VSS is capable of receiving Full Motion Video (FMV) from field receivers and distribute the live feeds to ground commanders as well as the disadvantaged soldiers on their smart devices, all in real-time.  The VSS can also receive a live video stream from a warfighter or first responder’s authorized smartphone and re-stream it to others within the LTE bubble or upstream to commanders connected to the IP WAN backhaul network. The solution, another force multiplier from Cornet Technology for military and emergency management personnel, is easy to use, SWaP superior and builds on the deployed capabilities.

C4ISR Solutions— Tactical Voice, Video and Data

For close to three decades Cornet Technology,  Inc. has taken a leadership position in the design, engineering, and manufacturing of tactical C4ISR solutions that span all areas of tactical voice, video and data communications applications for Government and Prime Contractor clients. Our Command, Control, Communication & Computer solutions sit at the core of communication networks. Keeping Size, Weight, and Power – Cost (SWaP-C) requirements in mind, our communications subsystems offer secure and non-secure transmission, recording, monitoring, and information dissemination for a range of air, ground, and sea-based communication systems. Many of our solutions have received IA approval and JITC interoperability certification.

To assist the military in achieving battlefield dominance and first responders with superior emergency management response, Cornet Technology is at the leading-edge of delivering tactical 4G LTE end-to-end secure voice, video, and data services; communications integration; and inter-operability solutions. 

Our video, voice, and data solutions are utilized in a wide range of applications covering:

Maritime C4ISR Solutions

In 2006 Cornet Technology received a 5-year IDIQ contract to supply red and black conferencing systems (Tactical Variant Switches- TVS) to replace manual rotary switches by the U.S. Navy.  Today over 200 ships (both surface and submarine) utilize our tactical communication switches and Communication Terminals (CT) for external communications.  In 2014, we expanded our offerings to consolidate both Internal and External communications into a single ISDN and IP-based CT on 16 LCS ships.

In support of maritime ship-to-ship, boarding party, and ship-to-shore operations requiring distributed command and control and navigational tract to all parties connected to the IP Network, we now offer the Small Tactical IP Network Node (STINN) product line for maritime operations.   Our network enabled solution uses AES 256 encryption to provide secure voice, video and data services between all parties using backhaul connections to form a federated 4G LTE network.  Our solution extends mission critical data services including navigational, sensor, personal locator information (PLI), text and video services between ships, cutters and small boats depending on maritime operations.

Fixed, Mobile, Command Posts

Meeting the needs of expeditionary maneuver in support of air, ground and sea operations, is our family of Small Tactical IP Network Node (STINN) based voice, video and data solutions. These units support command post operations on-the-move and/or at-the-halt, as well as disadvantaged and disconnected users in  a size-optimal form factor.  Providing ease of use, quick set-up, and mobility (mounted or dismounted), these all-IP baseband units bring Warfighter network services (voice, video, and data (PLI, email, chat, etc.) to the tactical edge.  These solutions are a key combat enabler that allows operational maneuver, situational understanding, joint and coalition interoperability and assured access to mission critical voice, video and data services. 

STINN LTEconverged  (future) supports enroute mission planning whether connected to a WAN or not, as well as an early entry command post capability when connected to a SATCOM or HCLOS terminal.

At the company level command post, our STINN LTEcp (future) all-IP solution provides mission critical command and control and situational understanding in a form factor.  This unit can also be easily mounted in a vehicle.  It provides radio cross banding, VOIP, video streaming services and a 4G LTE base station in all the commercial bands for worldwide deployment.

For Special Forces and dismounted users, we offer the STINN LTEmp, 4G LTE manpack unit, that provides voice, video, and PLI at the tactical edge to improve end-to-end situational awareness for informed decision making.   

All of our STINN solutions are easily adopted to support first responder scenarios for interoperability, command and control and synchronization.

 The advanced STINN family makes the “Tactical Cloud” a reality for all tactical users.

Command and Control Centers

Command and Control (C2) is the process of exercising authority and direction over assigned forces to accomplish missions – real-world operations or training.  When conducting C2, commanders rely heavily on reliable, maintainable, and available communications.  In a typical C2 center (e.g. BC3) the mission crew utilizes both Internet Relay Chat (IRC) and voice communications.  The Cornet Technology Tactical Voice Communication System (TVCS) is proven and fully vetted and enables military personnel to transmit and receive, via both secure and non-secure means, voice communications regarding an assigned mission or a higher headquarters’ tasking.

Military Application
Scenario:  A C2 RADAR operations center is tasked to provide air support to friendly troops coming under hostile fire.  The operator assigned to the air support task views the air and ground situation on his/her RADAR monitor.  Essential information such as hostile action coordinates, combat air patrol aircraft availability, and contact frequency of the ground troops under fire are then communicated from the Air Support Operations Center (ASOC) to the operator via the TVCS.   Also passing through the TVCS is target and status information from the operator to the pilot of the assigned aircraft via secure tactical radios.  This information consists of geo-location, landmarks, vector to the target (direction and altitude), hazards on route, and any known ground situation information.  Peripheral support is organized by other C2 mission crew operators to support the tasking; these may include air refueling tankers and medivac helicopters.  The pilot of the strike aircraft and the operator stay in constant contact through the TVCS via radio as the scenario unfolds.   At the same time, the TVCS intercom conferencing and radio monitoring capability enables internal mission crew coordination and situational awareness within the operations center.  This ensures mission crew managers and support personnel are fully aware of mission progress. Communication among all participating parties continues until the mission is completed.

Though this scenario is generic in nature, the TVCS has been a key 24/7/365 C2 enabler in combat missions throughout Southwest Asia since 2008.  With the US Air Force now integrating the TVCS into their world-wide deployable CRC C2 systems as well as the US operations center in Korea we are confident in using the following well-worn phrase – we are at “the tip of the spear.”

Our TVCS solution is integrated into a number of  US Air Force operational Command and Control (C2) systems:

• The Battlespace Command and Control Center (BC3)
• The Control and Reporting Center (CRC)
• Range Control Squadrons
• Air Control Squadrons