Kenwood Joins ARINC Radio Test Lab, Adds New Land Mobile Radio Equipment

Annapolis, Maryland—ARINC Incorporated today announced the continued expansion of its AWINS^TM radio interoperability test laboratory in Annapolis with the addition of a new industry partner, Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation. Kenwood has provided a number of P25 Trunked Radio Subscriber Units for unrestricted research at the test laboratory.

Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation Communications Sector is a leading worldwide provider of mobile and portable radios and custom systems to public safety, government and commercial users.

The ARINC Interoperability Test and Demonstration Center (ITDC) is a unique, vendor-neutral platform where makers of Land Mobile Radio (LMR) equipment, customers, and technology partners can test performance characteristics and evaluate the interoperability of systems, independent of radio system manufacturers.

“The emergence of the P25 interoperability standard has been very positive for the land mobile radio market in the U.S.,” stated John North, General Manager, Kenwood USA Corporation. “We are excited to partner with ARINC in supporting this one-of-a kind laboratory for our industry. The research performed here will support more open standards and improve interoperability initiatives among all manufacturers of P25 radio systems.”

Marvin Ingram, Senior Director, ARINC Public Safety Systems, said “Despite the successful P25 Compliance Assessment Programs of many manufacturers, LMR systems still differ widely in operational characteristics. ARINC’s lab enables hands-on interoperability testing across multiple platforms, and objective performance evaluations. Customers want to know more about usability: is it easy to program, manage, and deploy? We work in areas that the Compliance Assessment Program might leave out, and we look at real-world product usability.”

The ARINC ITDC lab is equipped with trunked, conventional, and P25 land mobile radio systems, broadband wireless, voice, video and data technologies, video surveillance and physical security platforms. Other suppliers who have joined the center this year include EADS North America, Cisco, Tait, E.F. Johnson, Thales, Zetron, and Exacom.

ARINC is in discussions with several P25 vendors seeking a test and demonstration lab for future equipment prior to market release. “As an independent lab, we can assist vendors in determining their ability to meet both customer requirements and standards compliance, prior to a public test. Many vendors are looking for a way to test in the consultative environment only an integrator can provide,” added Ingram.

Kenwood U.S.A. Corporation is a leading developer and manufacturer of consumer electronics and communications equipment. Kenwood Communications, based in Suwanee, GA, maintains a leadership position in North and South America for mobile and portable two-way radios. Kenwood land mobile portables, mobiles, and custom systems are acknowledged to be a top choice in the world market, particularly by first responders. For more information, visit the web site at www.kenwoodusa.com.

ARINC Incorporated, a portfolio company of The Carlyle Group, provides communications, engineering and integration solutions for commercial, defense and government customers worldwide. Headquartered in Annapolis, Maryland with regional headquarters in London and Singapore, ARINC is ISO 9001:2008 certified.

Release: 09-104

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