The Remote Communications Suite (RCS) Family of Systems (FoS) is a product line of modular, scalable, and portable communications systems that provide voice, video, and data end-user services for any mission, in any location, regardless of the existing communications network infrastructure or lack there of. The family of products (RCS-Lite, RCS, and RCS-C3I) ranges from a small end-user access point for remote services connectivity to a larger access point that provides services locally, independent of any other network. Each Suite, regardless of size, is easily man-portable and airline checkable, many of which will fit in any airline overhead storage bin.
How the RCS Works
At the core of each RCS is a cellular gateway device that allows the system to connect to available cellular networks, Wi-Fi access points, or wired LANs/WANs providing users network access through whatever means is available. The RCS was designed with link redundancy and failover in mind. Users connect their wired or Wi-Fi enabled devices to the RCS and the system dynamically routes their traffic over the active backhaul links. If a backhaul link goes down, the redundant link continues to process the user traffic while a failover link is immediately, and seamlessly, brought online— completely transparent to the user.
Voice Services
Even in today’s Information Age where we have become attached to our smartphones, computers, and social media, two-way voice communication ensures that the information needing to be communicated is immediately received and understood by the distant end in a way that email and text messages cannot. The RCS Family of Systems provides multiple methods of voice communication; Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP), Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP), Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS), and Foreign Exchange Office (FXO). VoIP has become a predominant means of two-way voice communication for many individuals and organizations. Each system provides the ability to connect at least one VoIP enabled phone to the system in order for it to register with a remotely hosted VoIP provider. WiFi-enabled devices can also connect to the RCS’s access point and register to the same hosted VoIP provider via a variety of smartphone apps available for download. The RCS and the RCS-C3I take two-way voice communication to the next level by incorporating their own VoIP Private Branch Exchanges (PBX). User devices register locally at the RCS or RCS- C3I’s full feature PBX, giving them the ability to talk locally within the system provided network or externally to the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN). This full feature PBX includes conferencing, call waiting, three-way calling, music on hold (MoH), and voicemail among many other features at no extra charge, unlike hosted VoIP providers. RoIP technology also enables radios operating on different frequencies, bands, and waveforms to communicate with one another. For example, fire/rescue, police, emergency management, National Guard, etc. can communicate with one another regardless of the radio they have (one “donor” radio for each type must be connected to the RCS or RCS- C3I). FXS technology allows for the connection of traditional analog phones, fax machines, and modems to an RCS or RCS-C3I. FXO technology allows for the use of traditional analog telephone lines for direct connection of the RCS or RCS-C3I to the Public Switched Telephone Network.
Video Services
With more and more people using the Internet instead of television to remain up-to-date, the ability to view live news and weather streams has become a requirement for many individuals and organizations. Each system in the RCS family provides its users the ability to stream video from cloud hosted servers for professional or personal use. Each system also provides the backhaul for its users to upload their own videos to cloud-based servers to stream to anywhere in the world. The servers integrated into the RCS and RCS- C3I provide the ability to store video while hosting video streams to other users connected to the system or to authorized users located elsewhere on the Internet. The PBX component of the RCS and RCS- C3I allows users to place and receive two-video calls on their smartphones or other properly equipped devices.
Data Services
The flow of information not only drives the economy, it also drives world events and our lives. The ability to share information during times of disaster is vital to ensuring that personnel and resources are appropriately assigned in a manner that expedites the recovery process and returns things back to normal. The transmittal of data derived from field samples to corporate offices is crucial to management’s ability to make timely decisions that positively impact an organization’s bottom line in exploration efforts in the oil, gas, and mining industries. Each system in the RCS family provides its user the ability to receive information through virtually any user software platform while providing that same user the ability to send information to decision makers or to those who need to carry-out instructions.
Customization
The Linux and Windows-based servers of the RCS and RCS- C3I allow each system to be tailored to the specific requirements of the users without any physical changes to the system’s hardware. Publicly obtained or proprietary software can be installed and used in a variety of scenarios as the system administrator sees fit. The scalability and flexibility of the different RCS systems makes them suitable for use in disaster response/recovery, exploration, humanitarian assistance, etc. The RCS and RCS-C3I can come configured with a variety voice connectivity options to meet the user’s unique communication requirements. Each voice connectivity card slot can be equipped with a Radio over Internet Protocol, Foreign Exchange Subscriber, Foreign Exchange Office, or Hybrid gateway card. The RCS comes equipped with 1 card slot supporting up to a maximum of 4 channels. The RCS-C3I comes equipped with 4 card slots supporting up to a maximum of 16 channels. Cases are available in 5 standard colors (Black, Graphite, Olive, Orange, and Yellow), but if the color you need isn’t one of these, Summit Worx is more than happy to have a custom color developed just for you (minimum quantities would be required). Custom logo or product branding in full color or black and white are also available.
The Remote Communications Suite-Lite (RCS-Lite) is an entry-level suite of equipment that provides remote access to network services (web, email, Voice over Internet Protocol, etc.) that are hosted at a single distant, centralized location (i.e. government or corporate facility), or multiple decentralized locations. All network traffic can be encrypted via the system’s cellular gateway utilizing Internet Protocol Security (IPsec) methods, via Virtual Private Network (VPN) software installed on client devices, or a combination of both. Remote services can be accessed via wired/wireless Wide Area Network, cellular, satellite, or line of site broadband modem methods. The RCS is ideal for small teams in remote locations, or for extending the reach of network access when paired with a Remote Communications Suite (RCS) or Remote Communications Suite- Contingency, Command, Control, and Information (RCS-C3I).
The RCS-Lite provides “First In” or “Remote Location” Internet Protocol network access in an easily managed, rapidly deployed, and very lightweight portable solution. Engineered primarily for small emergency response teams or industries requiring travel to geographic locations with limited or non-existent communications infrastructures, the RCS-Lite provides instant multi-user access to off-site voice, video, and data services.
- Alleviate network congestion concerns and ensure critical network resources are readily available through customizable Network Access Controls (NAC).
- Deploy a Beyond Line of Site (BLoS) system such as Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) to operate in remote locations that lack common commercial networks.
- Flexible power subsystem for wide range DC input (10-30V) and 2-3 Hours operation time on a fully charged internal battery.
The Remote Communications Suite is a mid-level suite of equipment that provides remote access to network services (web, email, Voice over Internet Protocol, etc.) that are hosted at a distant, centralized location (i.e. government or corporate facility), or decentralized locations while being able to simultaneously host those same types of services locally on its internal server. The RCS can function completely independent of the government or corporate facilities, or in conjunction with them. All network traffic can be encrypted via enterprise-level encryption methods, via Virtual Private Network (VPN) software installed on client devices, or a combination of both. Remote services can be accessed via wired/wireless Wide Area Network, cellular, satellite, or line of site broadband modem methods.
The RCS provides a full “First In” or “Remote Location” Internet Protocol network infrastructure in an easily managed, rapidly deployed, and lightweight portable solution. Engineered primarily for emergency response teams or industries requiring travel to geographic locations with limited or non-existent communications infrastructures, the Summit Worx Remote Communications Suite (RCS) provides instant multi-user access to voice, video, and data capabilities. The RCS utilizes proven, customized Virtual Network Appliances (VNA) to eliminate the physical hardware requirements typically found in today’s existing network architectures. Replacing hardware devices with VNA’s minimizes the overall system cost and dramatically reduces Size, Weight, and Power (SWAP) requirements. Virtual Network Appliances such as Routers, Servers, and Private Branch Exchange (PBX) are just a few of the functions that the Summit Worx RCS can provide.
- Create, monitor, and participate in Push to Talk (PTT) Safety Nets comprised of disparate Inter‐Agency radios, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, and secure cellular devices by way of the embedded Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
- Connect traditional analog phones, fax machines, modems, and other legacy devices by way of the embedded Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
- Connect to traditional analog lines from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by way of the embedded Foreign Exchange Office (FXO) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX) when newer technologies are not available or cannot be connected to in a timely or temporary manner.
- Alleviate network congestion concerns and ensure critical network resources are readily available through customizable Network Access Controls (NAC).
- Deploy a Beyond Line of Site (BLoS) system such as Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) to operate in remote locations that lack common commercial networks.
- Flexible power subsystem for wide range DC input (10-30V) and 2-3 Hours operation time on a fully charged internal batteries.
- Optional integrated video display for network monitoring, video monitoring, video conference, and network management.
The Remote Communications Suite – Contingency, Command, Control, and Information (RCS-C3I) is our largest suite of equipment that provides remote access to network services (web, email, Voice over Internet Protocol, etc.) that are hosted at a distant, centralized location (i.e. government or corporate facility) or decentralized locations, while being able to simultaneously host those same types of services locally on either of its internal servers. The RCS- C3I can function completely independent of the government or corporate facilities, or in conjunction with them. All network traffic can be encrypted via enterprise-level encryption methods, via Virtual Private Network (VPN) software installed on client devices, or a combination of both. Remote services can be accessed via wired/wireless Wide Area Network, cellular, satellite, or line of site broadband modem methods.
The RCS- C3I is an Incident Commanders most valuable on-scene resource, capable of supporting a command staff with voice, video, and data infrastructure for Safety, Information, Liaison, Logistics, and much more. Engineered to support diverse mission sets and overcome any terrain obstacles, the unit is completely self contained, self sufficient, and easily transported. With a setup and initiation time of less than 5 minutes, the RCS- C3I immediately provides secure network access for incident and resource management tools.
The RCS-C3I is the central component of a commanders Incident Response infrastructure and is easily scaled to meet increases associated with “Mission Evolution” or “Mission Directives”. Adaptive Gateway technology delivers reliable network access through commercial cellular networks at 3G/4G/LTE speeds with Multi-SIM/Multi-carrier redundancy and Wi-Fi/Wired WAN fallback ability. Access the RCS-C3I Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) network using “Soft Phone” technology, or by way of the Power over Ethernet (PoE) enabled LAN ports, which also provide network expansion capability and direct connect access to the dual operating platforms.
- Create, monitor, and participate in Push to Talk (PTT) Safety Nets comprised of disparate Inter‐Agency radios, Voice over Internet Protocol (VoIP) phones, and secure cellular devices by way of the embedded Radio over Internet Protocol (RoIP) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
- Connect traditional analog phones, fax machines, modems, and other legacy devices by way of the embedded Foreign Exchange Subscriber (FXS) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX).
- Connect to traditional analog lines from the Public Switched Telephone Network (PSTN) by way of the embedded Foreign Exchange Office (FXO) technology and embedded Private Branch Exchange (PBX), when newer technologies are not available or cannot be connected to in a timely or temporary manner.
- Alleviate network congestion concerns and ensure critical network resources are readily available through customizable Network Access Controls (NAC).
- Deploy a Beyond Line of Site (BLoS) system such as Broadband Global Area Network (BGAN) or Very Small Aperture Terminal (VSAT) to operate in remote locations that lack common commercial networks.
- Flexible power subsystem for wide range DC input (10-30V) and 2-3 Hours operation time on a fully charged internal batteries.
- Optional integrated video display for network monitoring, video monitoring, video conference, and network management.
- Business Continuity
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing a backup means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services during a service provider outage or even as a small satellite office.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for a small office as part of a disaster recovery plan.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for a small-medium sized office.
- Exploration- Oil, Gas, and Mining
- The RCS-Lite is is ideal for providing a means for land survey teams to report sample data for new sites in near real-time or for monitoring operational platforms/rigs.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for new job sites supporting a small number of users.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for small or expanding job sites.
- Humanitarian Assistance
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing small, early entry or mobile teams a means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services in areas where there is no infrastructure or the infrastructure has been damaged.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for a small recovery center or aid station.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for a medium-sized recovery center or field hospital.
- Conservation
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing mobile teams a means for accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services in patrol areas where there is no infrastructure.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for a small temporary camp.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for a small-medium sized outpost/command post.
- Event Coordination
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing event coordinators a means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services at event locations where there is limited or non-existent access. The RCS-Lite is also capable of providing Wi-Fi access to event attendees in areas where cellular reception is limited.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for small conferences or events where a just a smartphone will not do.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for medium sized conferences/events.
- Maritime Coordination
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing maritime captains or harbor pilots a reliable and secure means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services for submitting/receiving harbor pilot request forms or changes to orders/scheduling independent of the vessel’s on-board communication systems.
- Research
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing a means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services for field researchers with a need to report data in near real-time or during extended periods in the field.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for small, temporary research or excavation sites in remote areas where no other communications infrastructure exists.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for medium sized, semi-permanent research or excavations sites.
- Remote Outpost/Observation
- The RCS-Lite is ideal for providing a means of accessing the Internet and off-site applications/services for small or mobile outposts that need to report or monitor current conditions.
- The RCS is suitable for providing Internet access and hosting a limited number of server-based applications/services for small or temporary outposts in remote locations.
- The RCS-C3I is optimal for providing Internet access and hosting a greater number of server-based applications/services on either of its two servers for medium sized, semi-permanent or permanent outposts in remote locations.