Rajant, a manufacturer of kinetic mesh™ technology for building private wireless networks, today announced the launch of its CacheCrumb node, a wireless transceiver with built-in processing power that enables applications to be pushed to the edge of a network for quicker access.
Rajant makes scalable and highly reliable kinetic wireless mesh technology, which provides an always-on communications network so critical applications can be accessed in real-time.
Its new CacheCrumb applications processor is tuned for distributed video, sensors, algorithms and up to a terabyte of storage. It pushes applications, data and computing power (services) away from centralised points to the edge of networks, reducing transmission costs, shrinking latency, and improving quality of service.
"Edge application services significantly decrease the data volume that must be moved, the consequent traffic, and the distance data must go," said Don Gilbreath, vice-president, media services at Rajant.
"Those benefits are important for sectors like mass transit, public safety and mining, where access to real-time information from secure sources is essential."
A CacheCrumb node has extra processing power and solid state memory, which allows it to perform edge-processing. The edge-processing can store video and other data, "groom" the data, and enable it to be consumed directly from the device.
"CacheCrumb devices offer a myriad of applications in a secure and scalable environment," said Robert Schena, CEO and co-founder of Rajant.
"Asset tracking and management, sensor processing, perimeter security, and distributed video recording provide municipalities and industrial enterprises the tools for improved productivity and decision-making."
For example, buses capture video during their daily travel schedules and often require drivers to hand-deliver video hard drives at the end of shifts. With CacheCrumb technology, the enormous video files can be uploaded wirelessly without human intervention.
This type of edge-processing also can be used to help transportation officials in other ways. Nodes embedded into sensors at railroad crossings and intersections can relay data on potential hazards. In open-pit mining applications, they can mitigate heavy equipment from interfering with each other. In the oil and gas sector, CacheCrumbs enable video surveillance for enhanced security in a unique way, using multiple radios operating in extreme conditions, and supporting high-definition video with up to a terabyte of storage.
In Media, Pennsylvania, CacheCrumb devices are used as distributed video recorders to monitor intersections and other areas of the municipality, effectively serving as a force multiplier positioning more feet on the street.
"CacheCrumb’s VideoLocker application lets us conduct long-term distributed video processing and storage for up to 30 days," said Bob McMahon, mayor of Media, PA.
"As a result of VideoLocker’s massive storage capabilities, we can house multiple video resolutions without the need for a control room."
Rajant CacheCrumb nodes use multiple radios to perform multiple functions concurrently. They form a mesh network with Rajant’s patented InstaMesh® networking protocol when used with other CacheCrumb nodes.