Caltrans Uses Proxim's Broadband Wireless Gear to Provide Video Surveillance and Security

California Deploys Proxim Broadband Wireless Network in 
First-of-its-Kind Surveillance Project Project To Enhance 
Security of Bay Area's Transportation Infrastructure

    The California Department of Transportation is deploying a state-of-the-art electronic surveillance system using Proxim Corporation's line of high-speed Tsunami Ethernet bridges. The multi-million dollar security initiative, designed to protect the Bay Area's transportation infrastructure is unmatched in the scale and scope of its use of     wireless networking technology.

    The project, called Bay Area Security Enhancement (BASE), shows that wireless surveillance is the wave of the future in homeland security. The system is constructed to safeguard the lives of the many Americans who rely on these transportation routes daily.

    "Caltrans is amply demonstrating that wireless networking technology has an important role to play in homeland security and surveillance," said Jonathan Zakin, chairman and chief executive of Proxim. "Wireless technology ensures enhanced security that can be deployed rapidly, reliably, flexibly and affordably. We are committed to teaming with homeland security innovators such as Caltrans and to providing products that are ideally suited to help protect other high-risk sites such as major ports, military installations or power plants."

    Caltrans has begun to install video cameras with encoders that convert images into Internet protocol (IP) packets. The IP packets are then transmitted via Proxim's Tsunami point-to-multipoint subscriber units to Tsunami Multipoint base stations. From there, the digital images are sent through a wireless backbone of Tsunami point-to-point bridges to a Caltrans office. The high-resolution video is then downloaded to a large off-site viewing screen.

    In addition, using wireless local area networking equipment, the images can be viewed locally at each facility. The sophisticated detection equipment working in conjunction with the video cameras provides force-multiplying capabilities to the CHP.

    Once completed, the BASE system will connect all major Bay Area transportation infrastructure to Caltrans and to each other using video cameras, Tsunami subscriber units, Tsunami multipoint base stations, and point-to-point radios links.

    Royal Electric Co., a Caltrans prime contractor with deep experience in telecommunications infrastructure work, is overseeing construction design and management of the BASE project while Open Computing Platform Inc., a subcontractor to Royal, designed the wireless system, including specifying equipment. Rosendin Electric Inc. and Steiny and Company Inc. also are prime contractors on the project.

    "Caltrans made an innovative and wise choice to take advantage of the power, dependability and flexibility of wireless technology for the BASE project," said David Brown, the division manager who is overseeing the project for Royal Electric. "Not only would fiber have required much more time to lay, but it would have cost three to five times more than the wireless system."

    After an equipment shoot-out, in which products from various manufacturers were tested, the only equipment that still worked in the harsh environment by the test's end was Proxim's Tsunami Multipoint and Tsunami point-to-point system and the video camera, notes Steven A. Williams, CEO of Open Computing Platform.

    "Proxim was the only logical choice to serve as the wireless backbone for the BASE system," added Williams. "Caltrans is on the cutting edge of using wireless for homeland security, and Proxim's Tsunami products provide the flexibility and reliability Caltrans needed."

    About Proxim
    Proxim Corporation is a leading manufacturer of high-performance wireless local area networking (WLAN) and wireless wide area networking (WWAN) products. The company a leader in the fast-growing markets for 802.11b, 802.11a, and license-exempt fixed wireless networking systems. Proxim's systems securely connect networks within buildings as well as between locations up to 40 miles apart, providing enterprises, service providers, and consumers with unprecedented networking capacity and mobility. Proxim Corporation was created by the merger between Proxim, Inc. and Western Multiplex Corporation in March 2002. Its web site is www.proxim.com.

    About Royal Electric
    Royal Electric Company, headquartered in Sacramento CA, specializes in the designing, building and maintaining of infrastructure projects including airports, highways, treatment plants, wireless telecommunications, schools and other government facilities. Established in 1969 the company has steadily grown and is now ranked as one of the largest electrical contractors in Northern CA. Licensed throughout the western US, Royal selectively chooses projects where it can harness that diverse experience, adding significant value to complex projects. Royal Electric holds General Engineering licenses, is bondable for up to $25M and can provide a range of services ranging from construction management, design consulting and construction. www.royalelect.com.

    Open Computing Platform Inc.
    Open Computing Platform Inc. provides fully integrated wireless solutions for public agencies and private firms. OCP's consulting services include comprehensive system analysis and design, site surveys, path analysis, project management, and installation across a wide spectrum of wireless projects. As a successful and creative integrator, OCP brings together skills and expertise from many industries to formulate innovative design solutions. OCP has experience with industries including security, surveillance, video, telecommunications, construction, engineering, enterprise networking, system design, software development and transportation research and development. www.ocpinc.com .

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Contacts: 
Amy Martin 
Proxim Corporation 
(408) 731-2781
 amartin@proxim.com  

Mark Shapiro
Davis-Marrin Communications for Proxim 
(858) 573-0736 
mshapiro@davismarrin.com