Why is STARS™ different from other crisis communication devices?
First and foremost, STARS™ does not require the cooperation of the perpetrator or the breaching of a building or structure. In addition, it has the ability to listen as well as the ability to broadcast via wireless transmissions. If the perpetrator does not engage in negotiations, the crisis negotiator can still talk to the perpetrator, who is in a room or area immediately adjacent to the placement of a sensor node. Meanwhile, valuable intelligence will be gained by the mere deployment of a STARS™ sensor node because noise made inside a given structure can be monitored and recorded.
What is the effective radio range of STARS™?
STARS™ radio performance is impacted by such factors as distance, elevation and humidity. Testing has demonstrated a minimum residential range of 500 feet. Radio range is considerably greater with a clear line of sight and/or with an optional parabolic antenna.
What equipment comprises STARS™?
A STARS™ unit consists of four (4) sensor nodes, one (1) command node, one (1) antenna, one (1) command node case, (1) one sensor node case, thirty-two (32) attachment plates, forty-eight (48) Li-Ion 123 batteries. The customer must supply a computer with network interface and headset with microphone. The computer need not be dedicated.
How is computer interface with STARS™ implemented?
The STARS™ command node can be connected to a LAN and accessed by any authorized computer on the network or a dedicated computer can be connected directly to the command node with a LAN cable.
Can communications/negotiations be recorded?
At the time of the purchase of a STARS™ unit, Astrum, at the direction of the customer, will program the command node to either 1) digitally record all communications/negotiations, 2) digitally record at will any or all communications/negotiations at the discretion of the law enforcement agency or military unit, 3) not have the ability to record any communications/negotiations, or 4) utilize a "delayed start" option that will not record until triggered by the user, but once started, will not stop until STARS™ is shut down.
Can STARS™ be operated without a computer?
No, a user supplied computer is required. In order to initialize the sensor nodes and to control the various functions such as volume control, active noise cancelation, etc., access to the command node is required by accessing a web page generated by the command node. Access to a remote network is not required for operation.
Will outside noises, such as air conditioning units, crowd noise, airplanes, etc., interfere with communications?
Each STARS™ sensor node has an active noise cancellation feature, so extraneous noise from outside the structure will be reduced.
Can on-site news media or bystanders hear any conversation or negotiations between the crisis negotiator and the perpetrator?
The surface to which a sensor node is attached is serving as a speaker and sound will be projected both inside and outside the structure. The sound rapidly becomes indiscernible within a very short distance outside of a building due to background noise. As a practical matter, on-site news media and bystanders will not hear two-way conversations or negotiations.
Can the news media decode radio signals and listen to communications/negotiations?
The radio link utilizes 256 bit digital data encryption. The encryption, coupled with STARS™ proprietary data compression, will prevent the decoding of any radio transmissions.
What is the temperature range that a sensor node can be deployed using an adhesive plate?
A sensor node can be deployed using an adhesive plate as low as 15° F and as high as 120° F. Direct attachment to a steel surface can be accomplished virtually at any outdoor temperature.
Who do I contact to purchase STARS™ or to discuss its capabilities?
800.873.2872
info@etgi.us
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