our process
MCIS uses a well defined process to approach each project, not only
because it makes good sense to do so, it also delivers highly
reliable and functional wireless communication systems.
Our process approach is a management strategy and an operational
requirement. Our expertise in design of military infrastructure,
industrial process controls and project management have been refined
for the commercial implementation of wireless communication
systems.
There is a problem in this industry that dates back to the
mid-nineties when the FCC made unlicensed spectrum available for
commercial use. Manufacturers were quick to tout “plug & play”
radios and turned to Value Added Resellers of computer network
equipment to sell and install their equipment. This resulted in
many link failures due to lack of qualified RF engineering talent
and inadequate processes. Over the last few years, one third of our
business has come from correcting faulty wireless deployments. In
almost every case we found the link failure was the result of poor
engineering and design work.
Engineering a reliable microwave link involves more than Fresnel
zone, transmit power, antenna gain, effective isotropic radiated
power, system operating margin, multi-path interference, signal to
noise ratio and other RF considerations. At MCIS we have the
electrical and structural engineering resources to make certain the
grounding and other support infrastructure meet or exceed your
reliability requirements.
Our usual minimum design criteria are what we call “Standard
Operating Conditions”. This means operating to designed reliability
standards (i.e. 99.999%) in up to 50 mph winds and heavy rains, or
tropical storm conditions. We also design to “Extreme” (90 mph)
and “Survivability” (120+ mph) conditions. In the last hurricane
season, when four storms roared through, one of our central Florida
systems, designed to 120 mph, survived in wind gust of 160 mph.
MCIS employs the same professional processes and technical modeling
assumptions used to design the most secure and reliable microwave
links in existence. This insures predictable reliability of the
links and we have refined the processes to include the technical
and financial information needed by clients to make an informed
deployment decision.
- NEEDS ASSESSMENT and GOAL ALIGNMEMT
Wireless Technology is changing at a rapid pace and the selection of
appropriate technology to meet specific goals is critical to a
project’s success. As engineers, our obligation is to understand
technology and client objectives, match the right technology to
meet stated objectives in a manner that delivers an effective
solution.
- PLANNING AND ANALYSIS
Planning and Analysis is required to ensure any recommended solution
is fully thought through, documented and understood by all parties.
The intent is to identify and assess those areas that define the
viability of a project, establish the factors that drive cost and
performance, allow assessment of appropriate cost performance
trades so good decisions can be made and establish definitive
performance measures of success.
- PROJECT DESIGN AND ENGINEERING
Project Design and Engineering is critical to success. A methodical
approach and stated design criteria will result in a cost effective
combination of infrastructure, software, middleware, hardware and
end-user infrastructure to provide an integrated, optimized and
effective system. You would never construct a building without
engineering drawings and specifications, nor should any wireless
communication system be deployed without the same. Our standard
engineered design for outdoor wireless point–to-point (licensed or
unlicensed) is for 99.999% reliability in tropical storm conditions.
- SYSTEM IMPLEMENTATION, ACCEPTANCE TESTING AND COMMISSIONING
System implementation supported by acceptance testing and documented
commissioning is the only way you will know if your system is
performing as designed. Acceptance testing is performed with
sophisticated RF equipment (spectrum analyzers, Source, Network
Analyzer, BERT, etc.) and then verified against engineering
specifications. Acceptance testing and commissioning is not guess
work and actual performance is definitive and documented.
- ON-GOING SUPPORT AND MAINTENANCE
Documentation and expertise are the foundation of on-going support
and maintenance. With the appropriate acceptance testing and
documented commissioning reports, there is no uncertainty in system
configuration and restoration efforts. It is through documentation
that timely and knowledgeable response can be provided.