When an emergency strikes, effective dissemination of information in a timely manner can be critical.
Intelligible voice messages can cover a wide area to alert and direct a large number of people in a short time.
Acoustic Technology Inc (ATI), a recognized leader in the design of Mass Notification Systems (MNS), Platinum Award Winner in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, newly nominated to compete in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, continues to innovate to provide their worldwide customer base with improved solutions to these demanding applications.
ATI’s new Universal Indoor Speaker Unit (UNI-ISU) provides more flexible, intelligent end points to customers’ critical indoor Mass Notification requirements.
Overview
A typical wide area voice system consists of several different components:
Indoor units:
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MNS systems typically cover large outdoor areas but it is also important to alert people inside the buildings.
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The UNI-ISU is a successor to ATI’s existing Indoor Speaker Unit (ISU) and offers customers more intelligent, flexible solutions to indoor MNS.
Large outdoor units (Giant Voice):
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ATI offers the High-Power Speaker Station (HPSS) with 1600 or 3200 watts of power to project alert tones or voice messages over a wide area.
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These are available in fixed pole mount, transportable or trailer mounted units.
A robust communication and control backbone:
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This is provided by ATI’s award winning REACT5000 Central Control Unit (CCU) and MassAlert software which provides an intuitive graphic display of the customer’s system.
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These support a number of communication options to ensure a reliable system.
Next Generation ATI Indoor Solutions
ATI currently provides the Indoor Speaker Unit (ISU) which can drive MNS speakers in buildings which do not already have a voice capable system installed.
It is also becoming more common to interface to 3rd party equipment such as Public Address (PA) systems and voice enabled Fire Alarm Control Panels when they already exist in a building.
In either case the new UNI-ISU offers a modular, intelligent solution which can be configured for a wide range of in-building MNS requirements.
The UNI-ISU takes full advantage of ATI’s Intelligent Control Gateway (ICG).
The ICG provides a powerful control unit with a flexible set of interfaces including Ethernet, USB, serial ports and a variety of ATI specific interfaces.
The 8-bit legacy CPU of older units is replaced by a 32-bit ARM based micro-controller with improved firmware including a modern IP stack for the Ethernet port as well as advanced encryption hardware.
Modular Flexibility
The base configuration of the UNI-ISU includes the ICG, a basic power supply and batteries.
This can be enough to support a simple interface to 3rd party units such as a PA system.
Modular options include:
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A 400-watt amplifier to drive speakers (70-volt or 8-ohm outputs)
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An expanded IO board with additional relays and inputs
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A variety of modems and media converters for flexible IP communications
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A power converter and interface to support a 25-watt UHF/VHF radio for longer distance communication
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A solar charge controller.
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Although primarily an indoor unit the UNI-ISU is available in a stainless-steel cabinet for outdoor use where solar power can be a convenient option.
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Remote LOC (Local Operator Console) interface.
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The LOC provides a small LCD screen and membrane switch panel for local control
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Flexible Control Options
The UNI-ISU can be controlled and monitored entirely from the remote CCU where local control is not desired.
However, the unit can also be equipped with one or more LOCs.
The Local Operator Console allows local control and activation even if communication to the CCU is interrupted and usually includes a microphone for local live PA.
Multiple LOCs may be connected to one UNI-ISU depending on power and distance restrictions. A large building may have multiple units.
An LOC attached to one UNI-ISU can trigger all the units in that building without going thru remote CCU, again improving system resiliency.
Multiple communication options can connect the UNI-ISU to the Control Station including IP links (Ethernet, optic fiber, cell modem and satellite modem) as well as UHF/VHF radio.
While requiring a licensed frequency and having limited bandwidth, 25-watt UHF/VHF radios allow system control over a fairly large area independent of 3rd party infrastructure such as wired network, cell towers or WiFi access points.
ATI also supports having multiple communication paths (for example Ethernet LAN and UHF/VHF radio) operating simultaneously in parallel for the very highest system reliability.
Flexible Alert Options
The main purpose of these units is to provide building occupants with alerts and information in emergency situations, typically using prerecorded messages or live PA.
The UNI-ISU can be ordered with an amplifier which can drive a large number of 70-volt wall or ceiling speakers in buildings that do not have installed voice capability.
In buildings which already have a voice enabled Fire Alarm system or a PA system, the UNI-ISU can assert a relay to enable the 3rd party unit and provide line level audio into an auxiliary input.
It can be equipped with additional relay outputs and inputs for contact closures which can be configured to provide control and monitoring of various external equipment such as HVAC shutdown, gate control, perform handshaking, etc. Multiple activation sources can be assigned priorities that match system requirements.
The UNI-ISU can also be configured to drive strobes where visual alerting is required.
It is also an option to drive digital signs to provide text messages in addition to the voice alerts.
In summary, the increased intelligence and modularity of the UNI-ISU compared to the older units provides more options for meeting the customer’s needs in a flexible and efficient manner.
This offers improved indoor MNS capability.
Along with the HPSS for outdoor needs and the REACT5000 and MassAlert for control and monitoring, ATI can provide customers with complete indoor/outdoor wide area MNS solutions.
To learn More about this exciting new product offering, and ATI Systems wide range of improved solutions to meet your most demanding applications, please visit atisystems.com.
ATI Systems Returns to Sponsor and Compete in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program is specifically designed to honor distinguished government and vendor solutions that deliver enhanced value, benefit and intelligence to end users in a variety of government, homeland security and public safety vertical markets.
The Annual ‘ASTORS’ Awards is the preeminent U.S. Homeland Security Awards Program highlighting the most cutting-edge and forward-thinking security solutions coming onto the market today, to ensure our readers have the information they need to stay ahead of the competition, and keep our Nation safe – one facility, street, and city at a time.
American Security Today is pleased to announce that Deann Criswell, the NYC Emergency Management Commissioner will deliver the keynote address at the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Luncheon Banquet in New York City.
90% of ‘ASTORS’ Award Winners return to compete in the Annual ‘ASTORS‘ Homeland Security Awards Program, and 100% of ‘ASTORS’ Sponsors have returned year to year to reap the benefits of their participation in the industry’s largest and most comprehensive Annual Awards Program.
Nominations are now being accepted for the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards at https://americansecuritytoday.com/ast-awards/.
Comprehensive List of Categories Include:
| Access Control/ Identification | Personal/Protective Equipment | Law Enforcement Counter Terrorism |
| Perimeter Barrier/ Deterrent System | Interagency Interdiction Operation | Cloud Computing/Storage Solution |
| Facial/IRIS Recognition | Body Worn Video Product | Cyber Security |
| Video Surveillance/VMS | Mobile Technology | Anti-Malware |
| Audio Analytics | Disaster Preparedness | ID Management |
| Thermal/Infrared Camera | Mass Notification System | Fire & Safety |
| Metal/Weapon Detection | Rescue Operations | Critical Infrastructure |
| License Plate Recognition | Detection Products | And Many Others! |
Don’t see a Direct Hit for your Product, Agency or Organization?
With the unprecedented occurrence of the COVID-19 pandemic, the focus of the safety and security industries has realized the need to increase innovations to address the daily growing challenges.
As such AST aims to make sure these firms and professionals are reflected in the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program, so we’d like to encourage you to submit appropriate categories recommendations and include COVID-19 Frontline Professionals in your Nominations to see that these Professionals, Facilities, and Vendors receive the Recognition they Deserve!
Submit your category recommendation for consideration to Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at: mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program surpassed expectations with a record number of nominations received from industry leaders and government agencies, and drew over 200 attendees to the ‘ASTORS’ Awards Presentation Banquet – an exclusive gourmet luncheon and networking opportunity which filled to capacity, before having to turn away late registrants.
The event featured an impassioned and compelling keynote address by William J. Bratton, former police commissioner of the New York Police Department (NYPD) twice, the Boston Police Department (BPD), and former chief of the Los Angeles Police Department (LAPD), as he walked attendees through 50 years of American policing history, the impacts on the communities, and the evolution of critical communication capabilities in our post 9/11 landscape.
Commissioner Bratton, one of the world’s most respected and trusted experts on risk and security issues and Executive Chairman of Teneo Risk a global advisory firm, was recognized as the ‘2019 ‘ASTORS’ Person of the Year’ for his Lifetime of Dedication and Extraordinary Leadership in Homeland Security and Public Safety.
The 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program was sponsored by ATI Systems, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Desktop Alert, and SWORD Technologies, every one a returning Sponsor from 2018.
Why the ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program?
American Security Today’s comprehensive Annual Homeland Security Awards Program is organized to recognize the most distinguished vendors of physical, IT, port security, law enforcement, and first responders, in acknowledgment of their outstanding efforts to ‘Keep our Nation Secure, One City at a Time.’
Over 200 distinguished guests representing Federal, State and Local Governments, and Industry Leading Corporate Firms, gathered from across North America, Europe and the Middle East to be honored among their peers in their respective fields which included:
- The Drug Enforcement Administration (DEA)
- National Center for Missing and Exploited Children (NCMEC)
- United States Marine Corps
- The Federal Protective Service (FPS)
- Argonne National Laboratory (ANL)
- United States Postal Inspection Service
- DHS S&T
- United States Marshals Service (USMS)
- The Port Authority of New York & New Jersey Police (PAPD)
- The Department of Justice (DOJ)
- The New York State Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services (NYS DHSES)
- United States Border Patrol
- AlertMedia, Ameristar Perimeter Security, Attivo Networks, Automatic Systems, Bellevue University, BriefCam, Canon U.S.A., CornellCookson, Drone Aviation, FLIR Systems, Hanwha Techwin, HID Global, IPVideo Corp., Konica Minolta Business Solutions, LenelS2, ManTech, Regroup Mass Notifications, SafeLogic, SolarWinds, Senstar, ShotSpotter, Smiths Detection, TCOM LP, Trackforce, Verint, and More!
From innovative Military Cyber Programs, to Local, State and Federal Public Safety and Emergency Management Initiatives, New Physical and IT Products and Services, and Security Professional, Threat Assessment, Emergency Preparedness, Law Enforcement and Homeland Security Education and Training Opportunities – Join your ‘ASTORS’ Award-Winning Peers and Receive the Recognition You Deserve!
Excellence in Public Safety and Government Security Award Nominations are also encouraged, such as those 2019 Honored Winners which includes the DEA, U.S. Marine Corps, DHS S&T, Federal Protective Service, DHS S&T NUSTL, U.S. Marshals Service, U.S. Border Patrol, The Port Authority of NY/NJ, and the NYS Division of Homeland Security & Emergency Services.
Individuals are also encouraged to be nominated for Government Excellence in Public Safety and Homeland Security such as last years widely respected recipients.
Why American Security Today?
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
The traditional security marketplace has long been covered by a host of publications putting forward the old school basics to what is Today – a fast changing security landscape.
American Security Today is uniquely focused on the broader Homeland Security & Public Safety marketplace with over 75,000 readers at the Federal, State and local levels of government as well as firms allied to government.
American Security Today brings forward a fresh compelling look and read with our customized digital publications that hold readers eyes throughout the story with cutting edge editorial that provides solutions to their challenges.
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The AST Digital Publications is distributed to over 75,000 qualified government and homeland security professionals in federal, state and local levels.
‘PROTECTING OUR NATION, ONE CITY AT A TIME’
AST Reaches both Private & Public Experts, essential to meeting these new challenges.
Today’s new generation of public safety and security experts need real-time knowledge to deal with domestic and international terrorism, lone wolf attacks, unprecedented urban violence, shifts in society, culture and media bias – making it increasingly difficult for Homeland Security, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Military and Private Security Professionals to implement coordinated security measures to ensure national security and improve public safety.
These experts are from Government at the federal, state and local level as well as from private firms allied to government.
AST provides a full plate of topics in our AST Monthly Magazine Editions, AST Website and AST Daily News Alerts, covering 23 Vital Sectors such as Access Control, Perimeter Protection, Video Surveillance/Analytics, Airport Security, Border Security, CBRNE Detection, Border Security, Ports, Cybersecurity, Networking Security, Encryption, Law Enforcement, First Responders, Campus Security, Security Services, Corporate Facilities, and Emergency Response among others.
AST has Expanded readership into integral Critical Infrastructure audiences such as Protection of Nuclear Facilities, Water Plants & Dams, Bridges & Tunnels, and other potential targets of terrorism.
Other areas of concern include Transportation Hubs, Public Assemblies, Government Facilities, Sporting & Concert Stadiums, our Nation’s Schools & Universities, and Commercial Business Destinations – all enticing targets due to the large number of persons and resources clustered together.
To learn more about the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Award Winners solutions, please go to the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Championship Edition Fully Interactive Magazine – the Best Products of 2019 ‘A Year in Review’.
The ‘ASTORS’ Champion Edition is published annually and includes a review of the ‘ASTORS’ Award Winning products and programs, highlighting key details on many of the winning firms products and services, includes video interviews and more.
It is your Go-To source throughout the year for ‘The Best of 2019 Products and Services‘ endorsed by American Security Today, and can satisfy your agency’s and organization’s most pressing Homeland Security and Public Safety needs.
From Physical Security (Access Control, Critical Infrastructure, Perimeter Protection and Video Surveillance Cameras and Video Management Systems), to IT Security (Cybersecurity, Encryption, Data Storage, Anti-Malware and Networking Security – Just to name a few), the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ CHAMPIONS EDITION will have what you need to Detect, Delay, Respond to, and Mitgate today’s real-time threats in our constantly evolving security landscape.
It also includes featured guest editorial pieces from some of the security industry’s most respected leaders, and recognized firms in the 2019 ‘ASTORS’ Awards Program.
Acoustic Technology Inc. (ATI Systems), is a world leader in reliable emergency warning and notification systems for the campus, community, industrial, and military markets.
The company designs, manufactures, integrates, and installs reliable emergency warning and notification systems for the campus, community, industrial and military markets.
Through acoustic design and modeling, ATI Systems provide optimal sound coverage and superior voice intelligibility for both outdoor and indoor areas to ensure the safety of our clients worldwide.
ATI Systems (Acoustic Technology Inc.)
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Best Mass Notification System – Hardware
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Transportable High-Powered Speaker Station (THPSS)
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The Transportable High-Powered Speaker Station (THPSS) from ATI Systems meets the demand for outdoor mass notification that requires the durability of a permanent solution & transportability for a temporary situation.
ATI Systems (Acoustic Technology Inc.)
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2019 Extraordinary Leadership and Innovation Award
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ATI Systems has demonstrated a continued commitment to designing, manufacturing, integrating, and installing innovative, reliable, cost-effective, and compact emergency warning and notification systems to colleges and universities, communities, ports, refineries, power plants, military bases all over the world.
ATI Systems is also a Returning Premier Sponsor for the Fourth Consecutive Year for the Annual ‘ASTORS’ Homeland Security Awards Program, and a 2018 and 2017 ‘ASTORS’ Platinum Award Winner.
For more information about the 2020 ‘ASTORS’ Awards or All Things American Security Today, please contact Michael Madsen, AST Publisher at mmadsen@americansecuritytoday.com.
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ATI Systems Wins Best Mass Notifi-cation Hardware in 2019 ‘ASTORS’
