For the most part, I am chomping at the bit to meet with exhibitors at SHOT Show. I had set up a meeting with Sam Pera at Persistent Systems LLC, and I was a bit apprehensive. It wasn’t about the opportunity to meet new people, which I love. I was afraid that I was not going to understand the technology.
A little inside info about our team at Police1: Ron LaPedis is more tech savvy than I am, and he usually meets with the tech exhibitors. There’s kind of a little competition going on here, but he wins every time when it comes to tech.
Persistent Systems is a networking communication company that creates mobile voice, video and other communications tools without reliance on fixed communications infrastructure. Persistent Systems uses a unique routing algorithm called the Wave Relay Algorithm. It is capable of dual layer encryption at a local transmission level.
The “networking hub” portion is the MPU5, a Mobile Ad Hoc Networking (MANET) radio, combined with their PT5 (Personal Transport 5), a pocket-sized certified 5G modem. The MPU5 can unite multiple data sources in real time. The PT5 unites internet connectivity-Starlink, a 5G hotspot and wired internet. This set up looks like a big portable radio.
Once Sam pointed this out, I started noticing personnel wearing the MPU5 at the SHOT Show. What were they doing? Demonstrating that Persistent Systems can create an entire communication sphere using portable, discreet, dismounted units.
They are completely encrypted. Here’s the most important part, and why this is the way to go for specialized units. The system is completely indistinguishable from every day cellular transmission packets.
Let’s put this into practical use. You and your team have a surveillance on an operation that uses counter surveillance that can likely spot radios, increased data traffic, cameras and similar devices. To penetrate the security, the operation needs to appear completely innocuous. With Persistent Systems equipment, assets can go in with handsets that one can purchase at any store. You know what I mean: The agents can just carry cell phones and have those white earphones in their ears.
It looks like regular phone use, or regular Wi-Fi use, except the transmissions are completely encrypted.
To tell you the truth, I understood what Sam told me, because I asked him to explain it in simple terms. The tech, however, is amazing.
Persistent Systems tools are already being used by governmental agencies. It has been deployed in unfriendly areas.
I really see this technology being used in operations where a local agency needs seamless connectivity with a larger government. For example, when a police agency is the counter sniper team in a stadium, and they are sharing intel with another agency, like the US Marshalls Service. Agencies can quickly connect and leave the signal security up to Persistent Systems.
How did I do, Ron?
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