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Harris Corporation Demonstrates Unity XG(TM)-100 Multiband Software-Defined Radio for Public Safety Communications

Posted on: Thursday, 19 March 2009, 14:29 CDT

New Radio Provides Full-Spectrum Interoperability to Federal, State, and Local Agencies; Deliveries to Begin Later This Year

LAS VEGAS, March 19 /PRNewswire-FirstCall/ -- (IWCE Booth #1150) -- Harris Corporation (NYSE: HRS), an international communications and information technology company, is demonstrating the first in a family of radios designed to deliver interoperable communications among federal, state, local, and tribal government agencies. The demonstration will take place March 18-20 at the IWCE Exhibition and Conference in Las Vegas.

At IWCE, Harris is conducting the first live demonstrations of the Unity(TM) XG-100, which delivers instantaneous, direct communications over public safety frequency bands from 136 to 870 MHz. Because the Unity XG-100 is a full-spectrum radio, it enables emergency personnel to communicate directly without having to carry multiple radios or route transmissions through ad-hoc network bridges. Currently, U.S. public safety communicators use single-banded radios, creating instances where agencies responding to a common incident cannot talk to each other.

"The demonstration of the Unity XG-100 highlights the power of multiband communications, a technology that Harris has pioneered for both military and public safety customers," said George Helm, vice president and general manager, Public Safety and Government Business, Harris RF Communications. "The Unity XG-100 allows first responders and other agencies to talk to each other directly, without having to navigate work-around systems. This brings improved safety and results in better coordination and cooperation in the field. We have made outstanding progress since entering the field, and are seeing significant customer interest in purchasing our multiband radios."

Harris has launched a number of field trials for Unity, including an extensive testing and development agreement with public safety agencies in Monroe County, New York. It has also conducted demonstrations of its public safety communications capabilities in Los Angeles, and has tests underway in several jurisdictions in the New York City metropolitan area. Earlier this year, Harris was awarded a blanket purchase agreement (BPA) to provide land mobile radios to the U.S. Departments of Interior, Agriculture, and FBI Training Academy.

The Unity XG-100 multiband radio -- comparable in size and weight to currently fielded single-band radios -- will be fully compliant with the APCO Project 25 technical standard in both conventional and trunking modes. Harris is currently working with law enforcement in several states to arrange field tests. The company expects to begin taking orders as soon as this summer.

Harris introduced the first multiband radio for public safety -- the RF-1033M -- that targets 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.

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 easily upgradeable via software updates to support evolving P25 standards, future capabilities, and changing or evolving standards.

Harris RF Communications is the leading global supplier of secure radio communications products and systems for military, government, and commercial organizations. The company's Falcon family of software-defined tactical radio products and systems include manpack, handheld, vehicular, strategic fixed-site, and shipboard applications. Falcon III is the next-generation of radios developed to address the U.S. military's Joint Tactical Radio System (JTRS) requirements.

About Harris Corporation

Harris is an international communications and information technology company serving government and commercial markets in more than 150 countries. Headquartered in Melbourne, Florida, the company has annual revenue of $5.4 billion and 16,000 employees -- including nearly 7,000 engineers and scientists. Harris is dedicated to developing best-in-class assured communications(R) products, systems, and services. Additional information about Harris Corporation is available at www.harris.com.

SOURCE Harris Corporation

Source: PR Newswire

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