A: Not only has the Internet & bandwidth improved radically over past few years, but so has VoIP technology. VoIP can seamlessly reconstruct out of order and missing packets with ease. MCRoIP Radio Bridge RoIP technology effectively guarantees a reliable, never-ending connection. (A typical VoIP-only solution will not last a day, and requires manual intervention to re-establish a broken connection) For critical applications, it is possible to connect the MCRoIP Radio Bridge to a stand-alone data line instead of the Internet.

Q: I’ve tried RoIP products previously and found the software and hardware to be unreliable. Is the MCRoIP Radio Bridge any better?

A: Yes. While connecting Radio equipment to a PC may be suitable for hobbyists, we feel that there is a far more economical, reliable, space saving solution: the MCRoIP Radio Bridge. Our products use the same embedded firmware and hardware techniques (no moving parts to break, no OS to crash) that give reliable, continuous operation to devices like telephones and routers. Your MCRoIP Radio Bridge can provide years of trouble-free service as physical hardware failures are rare.

Q: What kind of speech delay is typical when connected to the Internet?

A: Minimal. In most instances, you can expect less than 200 ms. This is dependant on the codec you select, and your Internet connection.

ADVANTAGES Q&A

Q: What are some key features of the MCRoIP Radio Bridge that sets it apart?

A: PHYSICAL OPERATION

• Channel Conferencing • Remote Gain Control (Potless)

• 4 Radio Interoperable Interfaces • Automatic Channel setup

• Telephone (POTS) Operation • Dynamic Channel configuration

• Modem & Wireless Operation • Tone Channel control

• Low Bandwidth Modes • Digital Keyed Encryption

• True Serial Bridge • Transparent Network Access

• Direct Heaset/Handset connection • Inband Signaling

• Backwards Compatibility • Upgradeability

Q: Aside from features, does the MCRoIP Radio Bridge provide other advantages?

A: Yes. The MCRoIP is the market leader in size, and in power consumption – at a price that doesn’t break the budget. Have a look:

• MCRoIP Radio Bridge advantage over JPS/Raytheon NXU-2:

A 400% volume advantage, and a power consumption advantage.

• MCRoIP Radio Bridge advantage over MA/COM NetworkFirst:

A 1,597% volume advantage, and a large power consumption advantage.

• MCRoIP Radio Bridge advantage over PC Based competitors:

A 7,035% volume advantage, and a huge power consumption advantage.

(estimations based upon volume and watts per channel)

Q: Can the MCRoIP Radio Bridge save me money in our dispatch center?

A: Yes! Imagine not having to pay all of your leased line bills from all over the city, county, country, even the world. Instead, imagine plugging into your existing corporate network, or using a far cheaper data line at these locations. The savings are huge!

Q: Can the MCRoIP Radio Bridge solve my interoperability problems?

A: Yes! The MCRoIP Radio Bridge uses a common protocol for all devices connected to the channel interfaces. Whether you have radios on each end with different frequencies, or any combination of analog or digital radios, phones, consoles, etc – those devices can speak and conference to one another!

Q. Can I interface the MCRoIP Radio Bridge with my existing dispatch console?

A. Yes. The MCRoIP Radio Bridge looks just like one (or several) radios connected to the console – even though the radios could quite literally be anywhere in the world! This is a simple wiring connection that is easily accomplished without additional hardware.

Q: Is the MCRoIP Radio Bridge all that I have to purchase?

A: Yes! With the MCRoIP Radio Bridge, there’s no catch. Other vendors might have you purchase “VoIP enabled base stations”, new consoles, and more. With Positronics’ MCRoIP Radio Bridge, you can “cut the cords” of leased lines, attach a MCRoIP at either end to your existing Radios, console equipment, and data network and you’re done!

Q: How many devices (such as radios) can I have talking to each other at once?

A: Four. You can have up to 4 consoles connected to each MCRoIP unit. If you’re using single frequency transmitters, you can have up to 4 different transmissions simultaneously. By the addition of more units, you can virtually have an infinite number of units connected.

Q: Can I use the MCRoIP Radio Bridge on my existing computer network?

A: Yes. There’s no need for proprietary and expensive infrastructure with the MCRoIP Radio Bridge. In most cases, the existing company/organization network is perfectly suited for the MCRoIP.

Q: Can I use the MCRoIP Radio Bridge where I don’t have a network connection?

A: Yes. In instances where it is not possible or practical to install data services such as ISDN, Cable, or DSL, you can use a telephone line or a wireless data connection. The MCRoIP has upgrade options such as: a phone line interface, an internal 56K modem, wireless GSM/GPRS, or wireless CDMA/1xRTT. These options can also be used as a backup when used in conjunction with the Ethernet connection.

Q: Can the MCRoIP Radio Bridge be upgraded as my needs expand?

A: Yes. We have designed the MCRoIP in such a way that we can easily make and attach a custom interface to any radio or device you desire. We can add an external firewall/VPN router for added protection on the internet. As well, we have created internal provisions for upgrades such as: Phone Line Interfaces (DAA/SLICs), Dial-up internet connection (56K modems for US, Europe, and Global), Wireless cellular connectivity (GSM/GPRS US & Europe & CDMA/1xRTT). Positronics also offers numerous software applications to control and manage multiple MCRoIPs in multiple locations. Future upgrades may include Wireless Ethernet (802.11), dual MCRoIP linking (essentially turning it into an 8 channel MCRoIP), full internal firewall, an internal VPN, a remote status module, and an interface/operation console.

TECHNICAL Q&A

Q: How much traffic will this create on my existing network?

A: The MCRoIP Radio Bridge uses codecs that offer 64/40/32/24/16/8.0/6.4/5.3 kbps per channel. Audibility is quite respectable at the lower levels. Depending on your network traffic, you can adjust the codec and simplex/duplex on each channel separately to suit your needs. (Residential high-speed networks can support the 64 kbps codec without much hindrance.). The MCRoIP periodically sends status bits, even when no audio is being sent – this ensures that the channel is always ready for communication, and is re-established quickly if a network problem occurs.

Q: Is my transmission secure when I connect a MCRoIP Radio Bridge to the Internet?

A: Yes. Since your MCRoIP unit is connected to an Internet connection, your transmissions will take advantage of all the security provided by your local area network. This includes firewalls and routers. The MCRoIP remains transparent on a network, connected directly to a cable modem or DSL line if you wish. In other words, it is a standalone unit that does not interact with unwanted connections. The MCRoIP design includes basic firewall-like protection using keyed encryption, ping blocking, and offers password protection on network accessible interfaces.

Q: Is the Positronics MCRoIP compatible with the JPS/Raytheon NXU-2?

A: Yes. Although the MCRoIP Radio Bridge is technically more advanced than the NXU-2 in almost every way, we have designed the MCRoIP keeping in mind that there are many NXU-2s that have not yet been upgraded to a MCRoIP Radio Bridge. We have created a compatibility mode which supports 64/32/24/16 kbps bit rates.

Q: How can the MCRoIP and the NXU-2 be compatible at 32/24/16 kbps since the McRoIP uses the G.726 standard, while the NXU-2 uses the G.723 standard?

A: The MCRoIP Radio Bridge uses the new ITU-T G.726 instead of the retired G.723 ITU-T reference. We have implemented this in such a way as to extend capability of MCRoIP-MCRoIP connections, while ensuring backwards compatibility for MCRoIP-NXU-2 connections.