CSU Monterey Bay and Firetide Announced a Research Collaboration

CSU Monterey Bay and Firetide Announced a Research Collaboration

Firetide, Inc., a provider of high-performance, wireless, infrastructure, mesh networks, today announced that they have partnered with California State University, Monterey Bay (CSUMB) to deploy an outdoor, mesh-infrastructure, testing environment to conduct research on the performance of various Firetide solutions. This project will utilize students and faculty of the university’s Computer Science and Information Technology (CSIT) department, working in collaboration with Firetide’s engineering team to conduct a variety of experiments on their mesh products.

Throughout their education at CSUMB, students gain a strong grounding in fundamentals with many opportunities to apply what they have learned in real-world situations through class projects and a senior year capstone. The capstone program requires each student to complete a significant project for an external client, during their senior year. This provides students with professional-level, hands-on, work experience while the clients benefit from the students’ research and contributions to the projects.

“Every capstone project is focused on bringing the community and CSUMB students together to work toward a common goal,” said Dr. Sathya Narayanan, director of CSUMB’s computer science and information technology program. “The ability to work directly with local industry, especially leading-edge companies like Firetide that are located in the heart of Silicon Valley, not only provides our students with relevant, hands-on experience, but also access to some of the best technologies and brightest thought leaders in the industry.”

The university’s CSIT course curriculum and required capstone project provides students with a unique blend of theory, hands-on experience, and real-world application that make this program ideal for students interested in pursuing careers in computer science and information technology.  Working in conjunction with Los Gatos, CA-based Firetide, senior-class students of the CSIT program have direct access to a fully-functional, Firetide wireless infrastructure mesh network they can use to complete their capstone projects. Students will conduct research on the Firetide wireless mesh network to run experiments on a variety of voice, video and data mobility applications in vehicles moving at different speeds. The students also get to work with Firetide’s engineering team, who provide them with ongoing, expert guidance and training.

“Here we are, in our senior year of undergrad, not only reading textbooks and doing simulations in the classroom lab. We are out in the field, working with state-of-the art equipment, interacting with experienced engineers. This is an invaluable opportunity, and we’re very excited about it,” said Vishaal Sharma and Jason Zandona, computer science and information technology students.

Firetide’s wireless mobility test track is located along the side of a 1½ mile stretch of public road located on CSUMB land. The network is comprised of Firetide’s high-performance HotPort 7020 wireless mesh nodes that are mounted on street-light poles, 50 feet above the ground; FMC 2000 mobility controller; and HotView Pro network management software that provides centralized management and control of the wireless mesh nodes.  

“This is not your typical university lab setting that has multiple students working in classrooms with outdated technologies they may never use again,” said Duane Zitzner, chief executive officer of Firetide. “The network at CSUMB presents students with a unique opportunity to work with new, state-of-the-art, outdoor, wireless mesh infrastructure networks that have been successfully deployed for mission-critical public safety, emergency response and transportation mobility applications across the globe.”

Featured

  • Survey: 54% of Organizations Cite Technical Debt as Top Hurdle to Identity System Modernization

    Modernizing identity systems is proving difficult for organizations due to two key challenges: decades of accumulated Identity and Access Management (IAM) technical debt and the complexity of managing access across multiple identity providers (IDPs). These findings come from the new Strata Identity-commissioned report, State of Multi-Cloud Identity: Insights and Trends for 2025. The report, based on survey data from the Cloud Security Alliance (CSA), highlights trends and challenges in securing cloud environments. The CSA is the world’s leading organization dedicated to defining standards, certifications, and best practices to help ensure a secure cloud computing environment. Read Now

  • Study: Only 35 Percent of Companies Include Cybersecurity Teams When Implementing AI

    Only 35 percent of cybersecurity professionals or teams are involved in the development of policy governing the use of AI technology in their enterprise, and nearly half (45 percent) report no involvement in the development, onboarding, or implementation of AI solutions, according to the recently released 2024 State of Cybersecurity survey report from ISACA, a global professional association advancing trust in technology. Read Now

  • New Report Series Highlights E-Commerce Threats, Fraud Against Retailers

    Trustwave, a cybersecurity and managed security services provider, recently released a series of reports detailing the threats facing the retail sector, marking the second year of its ongoing research into these critical security issues. Read Now

  • Stay Secure in 2024: Updated Cybersecurity Tips for the Office and at Home

    Cyber criminals get more inventive every year. Cybersecurity threats continue to evolve and are a moving target for business owners in 2024. Companies large and small need to employ cybersecurity best practices throughout their organization. That includes security integrators, manufacturers, and end users. Read Now

Featured Cybersecurity

Webinars

New Products

  • FEP GameChanger

    FEP GameChanger

    Paige Datacom Solutions Introduces Important and Innovative Cabling Products GameChanger Cable, a proven and patented solution that significantly exceeds the reach of traditional category cable will now have a FEP/FEP construction. 3

  • HD2055 Modular Barricade

    Delta Scientific’s electric HD2055 modular shallow foundation barricade is tested to ASTM M50/P1 with negative penetration from the vehicle upon impact. With a shallow foundation of only 24 inches, the HD2055 can be installed without worrying about buried power lines and other below grade obstructions. The modular make-up of the barrier also allows you to cover wider roadways by adding additional modules to the system. The HD2055 boasts an Emergency Fast Operation of 1.5 seconds giving the guard ample time to deploy under a high threat situation. 3

  • Compact IP Video Intercom

    Viking’s X-205 Series of intercoms provide HD IP video and two-way voice communication - all wrapped up in an attractive compact chassis. 3