Feather Falls Casino is located in Oroville, CA (Butte County). nti recently completed design and implementation of a Bi-Directional Amplification System to provide adequate coverage within the building for Public Safety radio communications. nti provided Consulting, System Design, Detailed Engineering, Documentation, Procurement and Commissioning support services. The nti solution receives signals from a radio site over 60 miles away, includes filters to minimize interference, provides over 100dB of RF gain and distributes the signal to multiple antennas within the casino. Outbound signals are picked up by the indoor antennas, amplified and transmitted to two different radio sites. The system also incorporates exterior coverage of the casino campus for tactical channels. nti coordinated technical requirements and interfaces with local public safety officials and successfully demonstrated system performance and coverage for CDF, Butte County Sheriff and Mooretown Rancheria. Experience, Expertise, Industry Knowledge, Attention to Detail and Field Proven Processes are key contributors to the success of nti solutions and services.
The AltaVista Group, Inc. is a management and Information Technology consultancy firm focused on providing state-of-the-art methodologies, resources and IT vision to business, banking, government and public safety clients. The AltaVista Group provided consulting services to support Yolo County Communications & Emergency Service Agency (YCCESA) with the implementation of Wireless E911 call taking capabilities.
nti provided support services to AltaVista Group including the development of cell site location and sector maps for multiple wireless providers, participation in California Wireless E911 Meetings, identification of critical issues involved with implementation and integration, and the evaluation of Geographic Information System (GIS) proposals and presentations. The GIS Map Display Software would be utilized by YCCESA to aid in quickly locating wireless E911 callers and dispatching emergency response teams. YCCESA also required the new system to integrate with the existing E911 CPE, Computer Aided Dispatch, Record Management, Emergency Notification and future Automatic Vehicle Location Systems.
Verizon Enterprise Solutions Group is an industry-leading supplier of network products and services. Telamon Corporation provides integration, staging and field services to support Verizon’s sales and implementation programs.
SMUD required the implementation of an OC-48 SONET Ring System to establish high-speed transport of voice, data and video services needed at substations, power plants, Hydro power plants and the Energy Management Center (EMC).
The OC-48 SONET Ring System spans across Sacramento County to portions of El Dorado County and consists of six rings (41 sites) integrated in a matched node configuration, such that fiber cuts or node failures do not interrupt DS1, DS3, Ethernet, and OC-X traffic provisioned across the system. The system also includes a subtended Microwave Ring operating at an OC3 capacity, which provides service to remote locations and critical circuit connections for the UARP area in El Dorado County. Each of the primary rings also interconnect utilizing an OC-12 (1+1 protected) interface.
nti performed site survey services to support Verizon’s engineering and documentation requirements for the project. The engineering survey defined the requirements for implementing a new system, identified facility upgrades needed to support the new equipment and provided a bench mark set of red-lined drawings for detailed engineering activities.
The project requirements for Verizon include full system design, engineering, integrated documentation, new equipment and materials, upgrade of existing infrastructure, installation, comprehensive testing and commissioning/cutover. The survey documentation provided the information necessary for Telamon Corporation to proceed with final system design, documentation and material procurement activities.
KEMA Consulting, Inc.
KEMA Consulting, Inc. is a worldwide consulting organization that focuses on the Utility Industry and provides a variety of consulting, engineering and management support services to the Sacramento Municipal Utility District (SMUD). The primary purpose of the contract was to support the Reengineering Project Team with viable technical solutions for identified process change recommendations.
Services provided under the contract included Background studies of Utility Radio/Wireless Communications Systems, evaluation of the existing system, analysis of various transport and mobile technologies (Voice, IDEN, 802.11, Broadband and Wideband Packet Data, Bluetooth), system architectures, technology applications and viable vendors, regulatory issues as well as evaluation of available Leased/Commercial Services available in the Sacramento area. nti was tasked with supporting the Kema team with professional cost estimating, financial modeling and analysis of the various technologies and commercial services. nti also participated in the Final Report Presentation to the steering committee and board members by preparing and presenting the comparative financial analysis and recommendations.
Harris Corporation (Microwave Communications Division)
Harris Corporation is an industry leading manufacturer of microwave communications equipment utilized for a variety of applications in Government, Public Safety, Utility and Private markets.
nti participated with Harris Corporation in the SMUD microwave replacement project by provided a comprehensive SONET Multiplex solution. The microwave system operated as a subtended OC3 ring from the existing OC12 fiber system and provided backbone continuity to various sub-stations and remote radio locations located on the OC3 ring and microwave spur systems.
The solution provided by nti included equipment and support services that fully met SMUD’s technical and contractual requirements and complimented the in-house expertise of the Harris staff. The SONET Multiplex integrated seamlessly with the microwave radio terminals, existing OC12 backbone and Network Management System. Activities performed by nti to support the Harris microwave replacement effort included vendor/subcontractor selection and negotiations, SONET multiplex equipment, comprehensive technical data and documentation, project management and technical support for Factory Integration, Factory Acceptance Testing, Field Commissioning and Final Acceptance Tests. The system/solution will provide SMUD with an economical backbone system with enhanced Network Management accessibility and will minimize SMUD’s maintenance cost.
Saint Agnes Medical Center
SAMC was under tight schedule constraints to provide a high-speed connection to their new Imaging Center. The maximum capacity available from the local Telco was a DS3 with a high reoccurring cost. Line of Sight was questionable and a tower was expected to be required at the Imaging Center.
nti researched the client's requirements for higher capacity, laser and microwave technologies and selected microwave as the optimum method of meeting the performance objectives based on path clearances and atmospheric conditions in the area. nti surveyed and verified site coordinates and elevations, performed LOS verification, identified trees in the path (owners allowed removal and trimming through negotiations) and selected locations for the new antennas and equipment. The requirement to build a tower was eliminated by effective negotiation with the tree owners saving SAMC the cost of the structure and considerable delay in meeting their objectives. nti researched acceptable equipment suppliers and local service companies capable of providing and installing the system as well as on-going maintenance services.
nti also developed a bid specification and evaluated the bidders responses and costs. The specification included roof mounts, antenna systems, transmission line protection, 23GHz, OC3 radios equipped with a 100Mb Fast Ethernet interface, Unlicensed 6GHz, 10Mb back-up link, Ethernet Switch and fiber modems. Installation requirements for cable protection, grounding and system testing were also included in the bid specification. SAMC received very competitive prices from the vendors.
BrookStone Telecom Inc.
BrookStone Telecom is in the process of starting a microwave and turnkey division to expand their construction and telecom divisions. During their start-up process, BrookStone elected to contract a consultant to assist in the pursuit of turnkey opportunities by providing engineering and proposal support services. BrookStone Telecom has been recently purchased by SPX Corporation and is part of the Dielectric Division. nti has performed the following activities:
- Developed and implemented targeted strategies to increase BrookStone’s business development opportunities.
- Engineered a complex microwave system to meet client requirements including full system and site design along with a comprehensive management and deployment services and migration plans.
- Created design criteria for wireless and optical systems based on limited client requirements.
- Presented and negotiated an optical/wireless system ensuring acceptance of the proposed design and subsequent change orders.
- Coordinated and performed survey activities necessary to develop the scope of work and equipment requirements for two public safety systems.
- Directed the development of a large design/build proposal including the definition of the system and scope of work.
- Planned effective strategies for addressing contract changes.
- Developed engineering strategy, staffing plan and schedule for performing a large-scale feasibility study and system engineering program for a dominant wireless. Addressed turnkey requirements for the County of Hawaii, The Mills and AT&T Wireless.
St. Joseph Catholic Church
St. Joseph Catholic Church required a new phone and data system for the office and living quarters. nti coordinated with the local Telco to add and convert existing services; defined and coordinated implementation and training for a NorStar Meridian phone system with Voicemail and auto-attendant options; defined and coordinated the installation and testing of Cat5e data cabling within the offices and living quarters areas; defined, sourced, implemented and programmed the DSL router, Workgroup Switch and existing computer terminals.
RCC Consultants, Inc.
RCC Consultants, Inc. is an international consulting firm with over fifteen years of industry experience offering customized services in the application of wireless and wireline communications and computer technologies for government, utility and public safety clients. RCC has a contract with Orange County Transit Authority to provide consulting services and expert opinion in the resolution of integration issues between the mobile radio system and the Counties backbone transport system. nti provided experienced technicians to perform inspections and system verification tests on Orange County’s microwave radios and associated channel bank and DSU equipment. The activities performed by nti provided RCC with benchmark performance data and isolated installation and provisioning deficiencies contributing to the integration issues.
The AltaVista Group, Inc.
The AltaVista Group is a management and Information Technology consultancy firm focused on providing state-of-the-art methodologies, resources and IT vision to business, banking, government and public safety clients. The AltaVista Group has a contract with GTI to provide consulting services to support the upgrade and modernization of the Fort Lewis public safety system and migration to a consolidated/centralized PSAP for MP, Fire, Security and Public Works requirements. nti supported The AltaVista Group with discovery and needs assessment for the mobile radio system including focus group interviews, review of existing system information, site visits and analyzes of resource utilization for deployment and maintenance needs. nti provided a comprehensive report including the current and planned system inventory, location maps, traffic patterns, and change recommendations for current operational processes and procedures.