DAS Acts As a Sensor Network to Detect Gunshots

Nextivity recently added capabilities to its distributed antenna system (DAS) portfolio that enable equipped DAS networks to also function as sensor networks—including the ability to perform acoustic gunshot detection.

The company’s Shield Extend and Shield Solo solutions are part of Nextivity’s ERCES (Emergency Responder Communication Enhancement System) portfolio. The two solution sets support the company’s WAVE Edge Services product line, which address public safety needs including server-side antenna monitoring and panic-button alerts in compliance with Alyssa’s Law.

“The new solution builds on patented Nextivity technology, enabling DAS infrastructure to act as a sensor network in addition to providing wireless coverage,” the company said when introducing the capabilities. “The intelligence inside Shield ERCES products—known as IntelliBoost technology—uses information gathered by smart server antennas and relayed to an edge server, to offer … emergency response notifications. In addition to offering complete regulatory compliance to NFPA, IFC, and UL standards, and compliance with Alyssa’s Law, the system includes the ability to perform acoustic gunshot detection,” which it adds is a world-first for a DAS. “This ability makes the Nextivity ERCES solution a cornerstone of a school’s or other public space’s emergency response plan.”

Nextivity offers the capability as a solution-as-a-service.

“The Nextivity WAVE Gunshot Detection Service is a unique patented solution that offers gunshot detection and location information,” the company said. “The on-premise system is self-monitoring to ensure it is available when needed and reacts quickly to detected events. This WAVE system integrated with emergency management platforms to become an integral part of a comprehensive active shooter response plan. Any platform with an open API can be supported. If no emergency management platform is available, the system can send an SMS notification to a list of emergency contacts, or a text to 9-1-1.”

“Our WAVE Edge services combine what we’ve learned through four generations of chip design, and deployments with 200-plus operators in 100 countries and AHJs in every state, into a much-needed, easy-to-deploy scalable IoT sensor network that leverages either cellular or ERCES DAS infrastructure,” commented Michiel Lotter, Nextivity’s chief executive officer. “We are very happy to see our advanced DAS technologies working together to deliver leading-edge solutions that help keep people safe.”

The system uses a unique version of Nextivity’s Smart Server Antenna (pictured). The antenna has a feature called “acoustic gunshot detection,” which includes the following.

• An omnidirectional microphone to capture sound events
• Artificial intelligence (AI) algorithms that process the sound inside the antenna to classify gunshot events. Processing the sound inside the antenna, at the capture point, ensures privacy. No sound is recorded or exists inside the antenna.
• The ability for multiple antennas to simultaneously detect and classify a gunshot event, enhancing the system’s accuracy
• The ability to respond quickly; only a short message indicating a gunshot was detected is set to the gunshot localization algorithm.

The company further pointed out that its Shield Extend solution is “a code-compliant ERCES” that “offers building owners the fastest pathway to receiving their certificate of occupancy. The system combines ease of installation, performance, and scalability with remote system monitoring and management to ensure reliable LMR [land mobile radio] and FirstNet connectivity indoors.”

Meanwhile, Shield Solo “sets a new benchmark for low-power ERCES,” Nextivity stated, adding that this solution “brings the features and capabilities found in the Shield Extend public safety DAS to the low-power ERCES market.” The single-box solution “gives business owners the fastest pathway to getting an ERCES installed, receiving AHJ approval, obtaining their certificate of occupancy, and opening the doors to their business.”

You can learn more about Nextivity’s gunshot-detection capabilities here.