(FiReBRIC) First Responder's Body-worn Robust Integrated Communications HUB

Our objective is to develop an intelligent communications hub, or gateway device, capable of interconnecting wearable technologies with an array of wireless local and wide area communications systems like LMR, commercial & public safety 3G/LTE, WiFi, and mesh networking. To address this, MaXentric is proposing a solution capable of not only interconnecting devices to communications networks, but also to store significant amounts of data and serve as a node for distributed local cloud computing. MaXentric will be leveraging several internally developed technologies for this effort. The LMR service of the proposed solution will utilize a LMR (P25) SDR developed by MaXentric to form an integrated device, operating in both cellular broadband and LMR networks. This offers a proven and low-risk approach for the LMR network access. Moreover, the multi-network access and mesh networking capability is utilizing a network technology in a Command and Control (C2) network solution developed for the US Army. The latter is also extended to include solutions for distributed cloud computing in mesh networks. In addition, we will assess feasibility for first responders to operate the proposed solution while wearing Personal Protective Equipment (PPE) and evaluate system maintenance & training requirements. During the Phase I effort we will draw from MaXentric team members experience of previous work with public safety technologies and utilize our relationship with the public safety community in the San Diego region. Demonstration of key concept features of the proposed solution will be presented as part of the Phase I effort.