EION Selected for 2010 Winter Olympics Security Application

NAV CANADA Chooses EION for Rugged Wireless Solution

OTTAWA, Canada – February 8, 2010; EION Wireless, a Canadian manufacturer of broadband wireless products today announced it is supplying backhaul connectivity for a new surveillance technology used to monitor air traffic at the 2010 Winter Olympic Games in Vancouver. The WAM surveillance system commissioned by NAV CANADA provides fill-in surveillance coverage to account for the increased air traffic during the Winter Games. The new system uses a number of inter-connected sensor sites to create a picture of the sky instead of relying on one central antenna. The intelligence in the WAM system creates a familiar picture of air traffic for the controller.

The overall system uses a new technology called Wide Area Multi lateration (WAM). This system provides a method for coverage in areas where a traditional rotating single-dish radar installation could not work due to terrain blockage. Advanced wireless equipment from EION is used to extend IP circuits from the remote sites.

“As a Canadian manufacturer we are very proud that our wireless products have been selected for this critical safety application at the Winter Olympics in Vancouver,” said EION CEO Kalai Kalaichelvan, “EION Wireless equipment is right now powering thousands of public safety and video surveillance applications around the world and we are pleased that our equipment is able to help athletes and their supporters arrive safely to their destination in Vancouver.”

“The EION Wireless equipment was selected for its rugged construction and reliable operation in demanding weather conditions. The remote sensing sites are located in the British Columbia Coast Mountain Range and the equipment must be capable of withstanding freezing temperatures, strong winds and ice and snow” said Kim Troutman, Vice President, Engineering, NAV CANADA.

EION was selected because of its rugged operation quick deployment capability, and cost effectiveness. Using a traditional wire line service to reach these remote locations would have been prohibitively expensive and the EION equipment was able to be installed in a timely manner which was critical in getting the system online in time for the increased air traffic for the 2010 Olympic Games.