Bird Technologies
 | |
| Industry | Electronic Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1942 |
| Founder | J. Raymond Bird |
| Headquarters | Solon, Ohio, U.S. |
Number of locations |
Angola, New York, U.S. Reston, Virginia, U.S. Singapore São Paulo, Brazil Brottby, Sweden Farnham, Surrey, UK |
Area served | World Wide |
Key people |
Mark Johnson, President Dennis Morgan, CFO Terrence Grant, VP Sales Tom Kuklo, VP Business Development |
| Services | Repair and Calibration, Educational, Site Optimization |
| Website | bird-technologies.com |
Bird Technologies manufactures radio frequency measurement and management equipment and systems and provides educational solutions and other services. It serves broadcast, cellular, government, land mobile radio, medical, military, and semiconductor markets. Bird provides the physical infrastructure used by government agencies, public safety forces and the private sector.
Its products include accessories and connectors, antennas, attenuators, cavity filters, combining systems, components, duplexers and triplexers, laboratory grade instruments, plug-in elements, power measurement products, preselectors, spectrum analyzers, vector network analyzers, signal boosters, terminations and loads, test equipment, tower top amplifiers,receiver multicouplers, and wattmeters and line sections. The company sells its products through a network of distributors and sales representatives worldwide.
History
Bird Technologies was created with the merger of two RF communications companies, Bird Electronic Corporation, TX RX Systems and X-COM Systems. The merged company was formed in 1995 but its timeline actually began in 1942 when J. Raymond "Ray" Bird teamed up with a college friend to form the Bird Engineering Company in Cleveland, Ohio. The company began operating as a "job shop," which then led Ray Bird to develop a line of products for measuring the power generated by television and radio transmitters. During his career, Ray Bird will have been awarded 40 patents.
Key dates/patents in Bird Technologies history
2012 - Bird Technologies Celebrates 70 Years[1]
2010 - Bird Technologies acquires X-COM Systems of Reston, Virginia[2]
2009 - Radio Magazine Pick Hits Awarded at NAB Show for PC SignalHawk[3]
2008 - Radio Magazine Pick Hits Awarded at NAB Show for Transmit Power Monitor[4]
2007 - Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received (2nd time)[5]
2005 - Radio Magazine Pick Hits Awarded at NAB Show for Broadcast Power Monitor (BPME)[6]
2004 - Bird RF Technology (Suzhou, China) Co., Ltd founded
2003 - Radio World Cool Stuff Awarded to Bird Site Analyzer[7]
2002 - Bird Component Products facilities relocated to Solon, Ohio
2002 - Ohio Governor's "E" Excellence in exporting award received
1999 - Antenna Tester patent granted[8]
1995 - Bird Technologies is formed/TX RX Systems is acquired
1994 - Bird Component Products established in Largo, FL
1980 - Vari-notch filter patent granted[9][10]
1972 - Presidential "E" Award received for excellence in exporting
1963 - Bird Electronic Corporation is incorporated under the laws of the State of Ohio
1962 - J. Raymond Bird dies
1959 - Thruline power measurement patent granted[11]
1952 - Model 43 Thruline Directional Wattmeter introduced
1949 - Coaxwitch patent granted, to Ray Bird, first of more than 40 patents
1948 - First international shipment completed (UK) beginning the tradition of global sales excellence
1942 - Bird Engineering Company founded by J. Raymond Bird
Model 43 Thruline Directional Wattmeter
The Bird Model 43 Thruline Directional Wattmeter was created in the early 1950s. The self-contained instrument used microwatts of energy from the transmission it measured. Its reference line section made it economical and provided built-in reference accuracy that remained consistent with age. The patent was granted for the Directional Wattmeter in 1958.[12]
In the 1960s the mobile radio had the majority of its components stored in the trunk of a car and was comparable in size to a microwave oven. A Model 43 wattmeter was used to test the power output of the two-way mobile radio transmitter and to match it to an antenna most commonly mounted on the trunk. The transmission line to the antenna was very short providing easy access to the equipment which in turn made measuring the equipment convenient. Additionally, the same wattmeter was used to measure the RF power in the operational base station.
In the 1970s, the mobile radio had advanced from the trunk of the car to the car's front interior. The Model 43 was still used in the same capacity of testing the RF output and matching the transmitter to the antenna. However, the new interior position of the mobile radio, and the existing rear antenna position required a longer transition line. This still provided easy access to test and measure the system.
The Model 43 was also used in the aviation industry to accomplish identical results. Measure the power from the transmitter and match the antenna to the system.
TX RX Systems
| Industry | Electronic Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1976 |
| Founder | Dan Kaegebein and Elliot Johnson |
| Headquarters | Angola, New York, U.S. |
Area served | United States |
| Products | Combining Systems, Signal Boosters, Antennas, Duplexers and Triplexers, Preselectors, Tower Top Amplifiers, Receiver Multicouplers, Cavity Filters |
| Services | Engineering |
| Website | www.txrx.com |
TX RX Systems is located in Angola, New York. TX RX Systems was founded in 1976 by Dan Kaegebein and Elliot Johnson. The company manufactures RF communication equipment and systems for Land Mobile Radio, Public Safety, Wireless, Telecom, Cellular, Broadcast, Military and Government markets.
History
One of TX RX Systems most successful product lines are their Signal Boosters. In response to a requirement by Motorola Communications in 1978, TX RX Systems manufactured the first UHF two-way repeater amplifiers in an Inland Steel Corporation coal mine in Illinois.[13]
In addition, TX RX Systems brand Combiners and Antennas were included in the system configuration for the U.S. Customs and Border Protection (CBP) implementation of Project 25 (P25) and mesh network to secure the southwest border.[14]
Key dates/patents in TX RX Systems history
2006 - Antenna/coupler assembly for coaxial cable patent granted[15]
1997 - Parallel fed collinear antenna array[16]
1995 - Bird Technologies acquires TX RX Systems of Angola, New York
1985 - Tower mounted preamplifier[17]
1982 - Fixture for mounting cylindrical cavity filters[18]
1980 - Bi-directional filter system for amplifying signals in separate frequency bands[19]
1980 - Vari-notch filter patent granted[20][21]
1976 - TX RX Systems founded by Dan Kaegebein and Elliot Johnson
TX RX Systems Signal Boosters
Signal Boosters are also known as Two-Way Repeater Amplifiers, Bi-Directional Amplifiers or BDA's.
The TX RX Signal Booster lineup consist of the 700/800 MHz Signal Booster I, performance and value series, Signal Booster II series which provides in-building coverage in basements, parking garages, correctional facilities, courthouses, hospitals and malls, subways, rapid transit systems, airports, stadiums/arenas, high-rise buildings, large private enterprise facilities, schools and campuses. Channelized and Digital Signal Booster III series, offering user programmable center frequencies and filter characteristics and intuitive user interfaces and the RescueLine Signal Booster, designed to comply with the new International Fire Code and National Fire Protection Association standards. The objective of this series is to ensure that first responders have reliable radio communications in large structures.
X-COM Systems
| Industry | Electronic Manufacturing |
|---|---|
| Founded | 1994 |
| Founder | David Erisman, CEO |
| Headquarters | Reston, Virginia, U.S. |
Number of locations | Reston, Virginia |
Area served | World Wide |
| Products | RF Capture/Playback, Waveform Generators, RF Data Analysis, NTDS Switching |
| Services | Engineering |
| Website | www.xcomsystems.com |
X-COM Systems is located near Washington D.C. in Reston, Virginia. X-COM designs and manufactures products and solutions to all branches of the Department of Defense (DOD) and to commercial technology companies worldwide.
Its products include real-time RF capture and storage solutions, digital wideband waveform generators, Radio Frequency data analysis tools, and a line of Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) devices.
History
X-COM Systems was founded in 1994 by David Erisman as a technology firm specializing in the design and manufacture of digital communication hardware and software for military and commercial applications.
The company's equipment is primarily used by the US Navy to support shore-based systems that are used for the development and training on Naval Tactical Data System (NTDS) equipment. Much of X-COM's equipment is used by the Navy in its land-based test and development sites which support the Cruisers and Destroyers that contain the AEGIS Combat System, considered to have the most advanced tracking and combat system in the world. These land-based sites often have multiple missions that include NTDS systems testing, systems development, and training personnel for the Fleet.
In addition to manufacturing NTDS equipment, X-COM Systems products include the IQC-2110 RF Capture and Storage Recorder, WARP-6000 - Wideband Acquisition Record and Playback, CPG-2110 Continuous Playback Generator, 4CH-VSG2000 - Four Channel Phase Coherent Vector Signal Generator, Spectro-X - Signal Analysis Toolkit, and RF Editor - Graphical RF Signal Editor.
X-COM is the holder of multiple technical patents including Time-Shift Keying and other related technologies. TSK is a physical layer advancement that significantly improves bandwidth efficiency, noise immunity, and power consumption. TSK-based products provide low-cost solutions for communication links including twisted pair, microwave, satellite and RF.
Key dates/patents in X-COM Systems history
2013 - VSG5000A Multi-Channel Phase Coherent Vector Signal Generator launched[22]
2013 - IQC5000A Series, RF Spectrum Capture and Playback System launched[23]
2013 - X-COM Systems releases Spectro-X 4.0 Signal Analysis Toolkit[24]
2012 - X-COM Systems releases Version 3.0 of RF Editor Graphical RF Signal Editor Software[25]
2012 - X-COM releases Spectro-X ver. 3.0 Enhanced RF Signal Analysis Software
2011 - X-COM launches 4CH-VSG200 Vector Signal Generator
2011 - X-COM launches WARP-6000 Wideband Acquisition Record and Playback
2010 - Bird Technologies acquires X-COM Systems of Reston, Virginia
2009 - Real Time Fiber Optic Matrix Switch Interconnection patent granted[26]
2002 - Burst Mode Digital Communications System patent granted[27]
1999 - Cosine Segment Communications System patent granted[28]
1995 - Time Shift Keying Digital Communications System patent granted[29]
1994 - X-COM Systems founded by David E. Erisman
Spectro-X, RF Signal Editor and IQC5000A Spectrum Capture and Playback System
X-COM Systems Spectro-X, Signal Analysis Toolkit graphically displays I & Q sample files and provides menu-driven signal search and analysis tools. X-COM's latest version Spectro-X 4.0, lets users visualize and analyze up to four recorded RF and microwave spectrum files at the same time making it a valuable tool for system and test engineers developing and analyzing the performance of radar, ELINT, SIGINT, ECM, ESM, multi-channel communications, telemetry, and MIMO systems, or for characterizing and testing conventional and AESA radar systems.
Spectro-X is compatible with X-COM's RF Signal Editor and IQC5000A, Spectrum Capture and Playback System. The RF Editor, Graphical Signal Editing software lets users modify signal data, insert new spectra and waveforms, modify spectrum in the frequency domain, and move any waveform or slice of spectrum anywhere among 10 tracks in the recording. The IQC5000A Series, Spectrum and Playback System can record and play back one or two independent channels of signal activity up to 160 MHz in bandwidth from HF through millimeter wavelengths.
Distributors
Henry Radio, Inc.
UK & Europe - Aspen Electronics Ltd
External links
References
- ↑ "Bird Technologies celebrates 70 years of helping others be heard loud and clear". Retrieved 15 November 2012.
- ↑ "Bird Technologies acquires X-Com Systems", UPI, 27 July 2010. Retrieved on 2010-10-15.
- ↑ "The Radio magazine Pick Hits of the 2009 NAB Show". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ↑ "NAB Insider from Radio magazine - Apr 22, 2008". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ↑ "2009 Governor's Excellence in Exporting Awards - Previous Award Winners (2007-1995)" (PDF). Retrieved 16 June 2010.
- ↑ "NAB Insider from Radio magazine - April 26, 2005". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ↑ "Radio World Names 2003 "Cool Stuff" Award Winners". Retrieved 25 June 2012.
- ↑ US 5949380, Swank II, John D., "Antenna Tester", issued 1999
- ↑ US 4186359, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Notch Filter Network", issued 1980
- ↑ US 4206428, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Series notch filter and multicoupler utilizing same", issued 1980
- ↑ US 2891221, Bird, James R.; Henery J. Calderhead & Herbert H. Heller, "Standing wave indicator", issued 1959
- ↑ US 2852741, Bird, James R.; Henery J. Calderhead & Herbert H. Heller, "Directional Wattmeter", issued 1958
- ↑ "Repeater Amplifier Systems -- Principles and Applications". Retrieved 20 March 2005.
- ↑ "Mission Critical Magazine (Aug. 2010) - Communications on the Border (page 26)". Retrieved August 2010. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ US 6996421, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Antenna/coupler assembly for coaxial cable", issued 2006
- ↑ US 6057804, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Parallel fed collinear antenna array", issued 1997
- ↑ US 4565972, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Tower mounted preamplifier", issued 1985
- ↑ US 4493422, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Fixture for mounting cylindrical cavity filters", issued 1982
- ↑ US 4317216, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Bi-directional filter system for amplifying signals in separate frequency bands", issued 1980
- ↑ US 4186359, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Notch Filter Network", issued 1980
- ↑ US 4206428, Kaegebein, Daniel P., "Series notch filter and multicoupler utilizing same", issued 1980
- ↑ "Multi-Channel Phase Coherent Vector Signal Generator: VSG5000A". Retrieved 1 June 2013.
- ↑ "High-performance X-COM system records, analyzes RF spectrum". Retrieved 1 May 2013.
- ↑ "Spectro-X 4.0 Software Analyzes Four RF Spectrum Capture Files". Retrieved May 2013. Check date values in:
|access-date=(help) - ↑ "X-COM Systems Releases Version 3.0 of RF Editor Graphical RF Signal Editor Software". Retrieved 17 September 2012.
- ↑ US 7493045, Erisman, David E., "Real time fiber optic matrix switch interconnection", issued 2009
- ↑ US 6493398, Erisman, David E., "Burst Mode Digital Communications System", issued 2002
- ↑ US 5864585, Erisman, David E., "Cosine segment communications system", issued 1999
- ↑ US 5406584, Erisman, David E., "Time Shift Keying Digital Communications System", issued 1995
