IPS Group makes products that are drop-in replacement for analog cellular control units. These are products unique because they emulate a telephone circuit, allowing the field device to retain a conventional modem. IPS can also provide adapter cables to enable the use of existing power supplies and antennas.

For additional information on replacing analog cellular please read the white paper Issues With Analog Cellular Replacement.

Utility Automatic Meter Reading Communications

There are two types of utility automatic meter reading system: mass-deployment and distributed. With mass-deployment systems a contiguous wireless or power-line carrier system must be deployed for all of the meters that are to be read. A distributed system uses a public communication network, and each meter just needs an interface to this network. Digital cellular communication networks are the most cost-effective communication transport for distributed AMR systems. Additionally, digital cellular can provide high throughput, low latency, and high security required by the most demanding applications.

The IPS Group manufactures digital cellular interfaces that have been used for AMR by over 30 utilities, including some the largest utilities in North America. IPS is very flexible, and we will configure our products into solutions that provide the most value for the least installed cost.

Utility SCADA Communications

Many utilities have SCADA (Supervisory Control and Data Acquisition) Systems that monitor and control their distributed assets. A large part of these systems’ operational cost is paying communication service costs or maintaining their communication subsystem. Advanced digital cellular networks can provide a financially attractive alternative to deploying a private communication system or using traditional terrestrial communication networks. When the Internet protocol (IP) service is used within a CDMA-1x or GSM-GPRS network, it can provide:

• High throughput -- up to 100 kbps
• Low latency – less than 1 second typical
• Extremely high security – when used with advanced encryption
• Voice communication

The IPS Group manufactures a wide range of digital cellular interfaces and related products and services. We can provide a cost-effective communication subsystem that meets the most demanding applications.

Utility Distribution Automation Communications

Automation of a utility’s distribution network can provide major improvements in the quality of service that is delivered to customers. However, a major impediment to deploying these systems has been the high cost of conventional communication methods. The evolution of digital cellular networks now provide a widely-available digital communication method that is ideal for distribution automation. When the Internet protocol (IP) service is used within a CDMA-1x or GSM-GPRS network, it can provide:

• High throughput – up to 100 kbps
• Low latency – less than 1 second typical
• Extremely high security – when used with advanced encryption

The IPS Group manufactures a wide range of digital cellular interfaces and related products and services. We can provide a cost-effective communication subsystem that meets the most demanding applications.

Automatic Teller Machine Communications

Automatic Teller Machines require a very reliable, secure data transport. Frequently the initial and recurring cost of providing this transport can represent a sizable portion of the operating budget. There is a less expensive alternative that offers equal performance and security – digital cellular.

The IPS Group has extensive experience in providing secure digital cellular transport for financial systems. Our product has been used by ATMs for many years. The reliability of IPS communication modules will help your clients retain customer loyalty by assuring their transactions are fast and efficient.

Changing ATMs using dial-up communication to digital cellular circuit-switched transport is simple, fast, and offers opportunities to reduce operating expenses through lower communication charges.

The module also supports Internet protocol data transfer using secure socket layer encryption for the ultimate in safety.

Thousands of these units have been used in the most critical applications, and they have been approved by Verizon, Cingular, Sprint and Alltel.

Credit and EFT Transaction Communication

Processing credit card and electronic fund transfer transactions requires a fast secure communication link. A dial-up business line is generally used for this, but security is questionable. Furthermore, high-volume transactions require a dedicated circuit, and this is expensive.

Internet protocol has its own set of problems. Using the merchant’s network requires penetrating the firewall, and this is troublesome. A dedicated frame relay circuit is very expensive.

Now there is an alternative that offers excellent performance and security – digital cellular.

The IPS Group has extensive experience in providing secure digital cellular transport for financial systems. Our product has been used for transaction processing for many years. The reliability of the IPS communication module will help your clients retain customer loyalty by assuring their transactions are fast and efficient.

The IPS digital cellular interface supports Internet protocol data transfer using secure socket layer encryption for the ultimate in safety.

Thousands of these units have been used in the most critical applications, and they have been approved by Verizon, Cingular, Sprint and Alltel.