DHS awards more than $980K to North Carolina firm developing digital paging system

Device Solutions, Inc., based in Hillsborough, N.C., has been awarded $981,657.52 via the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Program for digital paging development.

The scope of work calls for Device Solutions to provide a standards-based, public safety one-way digital paging system using the Advanced Television Systems Committee 3.0 (ATSC 3.0) standard.

“It is vital that we develop and implement the most advanced interoperable communications technologies so our emergency responders can to do their jobs effectively, protect the public, and remain safe themselves,” DHS Senior Official Performing the Duties of the Under Secretary for Science and Technology Kathryn Coulter Mitchell said. “We must continue to leverage technology advancements, and by using the ATSC 3.0 standard to develop a more robust digital paging system, we can address the substantial challenges of slow speed, limited coverage, and capacity found with existing analog voice paging systems.”

The work would provide improved pager coverage capacity, quicker dispatching, and overall improved situational awareness.

“The SBIR Program allows us to tap into the power of small business to develop innovative technology for emergency responders,” S&T Program Manager Norman Speicher said. “Developing an interoperable paging solution that has increased bandwidth, speed, and coverage will allow EMS personnel to more effectively communicate and respond to daily and urgent disaster and emergency situations.”