U.S. Military, Public Safety Agencies to Receive Interoperable Communications Systems

  • Dec 19, 2011

SRI International and Covia Labs have become strategic partners, working together to develop low-cost and secure communications, network management and situational awareness systems for the U.S. military, public safety agencies and commercial clients.  Under the two-year agreement, the two organizations will support contracts with the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA) and the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to provide enhanced capabilities on communication devices such as smartphones. 

"Clients are asking for new capabilities and architectures that enable remote, secure, mission-based communications with and without cloud connectivity," said Chris Lockett, program manager at SRI.  "An important need is to be able to deploy commercially developed technology within military and security applications."

"SRI International's long history developing innovative solutions for the U.S. military and public safety agencies makes it an ideal partner for Covia as we develop a wider array of services for these markets," said David Kahn, chief executive officer of Covia Labs. "A longer-term objective of this relationship is to develop a low-cost solution that enables the seamless formation of secure teams across different military and public safety agencies."

Covia Labs and SRI will deliver solutions that combine the strengths of each organization, such as SRI's DynaMesh networking technology and Covia Labs' secure systems integration and interoperability products. DynaMesh is a secure, mobile, independent network that leverages customers' existing communications infrastructure to maximize public safety, security, and command and control resources, even during disconnected operations and emergency situations. It is instant and wireless, allowing improved response times and extended communication capabilities.

Covia's patented software platform merges the data and functionality found on multiple, diverse devices and equipment into one, fully integrated system. Regardless of hardware, OS or platform, Covia can create a single interoperable system that integrates commercial devices (cell phones, laptops, etc.) to mission-specific equipment (security cameras, sensors, weapons systems).  A designated administrator or multiple users can manage and utilize the resources of all devices on the platform.

For DARPA's Transformative Apps Program, SRI will evaluate and deliver Covia Labs' software platform coupled with SRI's DynaMesh "coreless" and secure computing technologies to provide warfighters with the right mobile software applications.  It is currently anticipated that the SRI-Covia system will be delivered in late 2011.   

For DHS and the public safety market, Covia Labs will extend its communication interoperability solution to enable mission-critical voice communication over emerging Long Term Evolution (LTE) cellular networks that enhance communication of high-speed data.  SRI will analyze the requirements for LTE deployments and assess its use for mission critical applications for public safety operations.

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