Sierra Wireless Introduces New 3G Rugged Modems

Sierra Wireless announced it has begun shipping the MP 595 GPS and MP 875 GPS rugged wireless modems. Designed for use in the public safety, field service and transportation industries, Sierra Wireless MP are vehicle mounted and enable fast wireless data communications with headquarters and dispatchers.

In addition, they can provide vehicle location information using an integrated, independent 12-channel GPS receiver, increasing security for employees and enabling asset tracking. To ensure reliable performance in a variety of conditions, Sierra Wireless MP modems can operate in extreme temperatures (-30 C to +70 C); meet U.S. Military and Society of Automotive Engineers (SAE) J1455 specifications for vibration, shock, drop, rain, splash, sand, dust, humidity, and salt fog; support serial, USB, and Ethernet1 host connections; and offer four digital and four analog input/output ports, allowing dispatchers to monitor additional information such as speed and airbag status.

The MP 595 GPS provides connectivity to EV-DO Revision A networks, offering significantly faster data rates than previous models, with peaks of up to 3.1 Mbps on the downlink and up to 1.8 Mbps on the uplink. The faster data rates, particularly on the uplink, will improve the user experience for those who need to send large files such as photos or video over their wireless connection, enabling applications such as real-time video monitoring to improve the personal security of the vehicle operator. The MP 595 is also fully compatible with currently deployed EV-DO Release 0 networks and CDMA 1X networks, for use in areas where an EV-DO Revision A network is not yet available.

The MP 875 GPS is designed for use on HSDPA networks, offering connectivity in all three UMTS frequency bands (850/1900/2100 MHz) currently used worldwide, and supporting peak data speeds of up to 3.6 Mbps. For use in areas where an HSDPA or UMTS network is not yet available, the MP 875 is also fully compatible with EDGE and GPRS in all four frequency bands (850/900/1800/1900 MHz) used worldwide.