Syska Hennessy Group Enhances Design Capabilities With iBwave Software

Tool Facilitates Development of First-Responder Radio Systems, DAS, and Wi-Fi Design

New York, NY /PRNewswire/ - Syska Hennessy Group, the international engineering firm, has enhanced its wireless design capabilities by licensing iBwave software.

iBwave is a software tool that supports the design of complex in-building wireless systems. With this software, Syska can now offer the most advanced and reliable designs for in-building solutions, including first-responder and commercial two-way radio systems, cellular distributed antenna systems (DAS), and Wi-Fi (802.11) systems.

"We are using iBwave to proactively address the need for a higher level of design based on the convergence of wireless technologies," says Larry Werner, senior associate at Syska. He expects that 5G, the next step in the evolution of wireless technologies, will drastically enhance system performance and user experience, but also require more complex tools for in-building design. "This is where iBwave plays a major role," he points out.

Werner adds that iBwave is also a necessary tool in the design of high-rise first responder radio systems, which are required by code in all major metropolitan areas. For instance, in New York City, FDNY Auxiliary Radio Communication Systems (ARCSs) must be installed for all new construction and fire alarm upgrades in high-rise projects (over 75 feet in height).

Werner, who holds an FCC General Radiotelephone Operator license, explains that the FDNY uses ARCS for mobile radio-based communications during emergency operations in lieu of the legacy fixed Fire Phone System. "The FD considers radio communications just as important as putting water on the fire," Werner notes. "Properly designing these mission-critical life-safety systems is essential to the safety of firefighters and tenants within these buildings."

To minimize costs associated with ARCS, Syska employs a solution developed by Werner called "overlapping coverage," which eliminates the need to protect horizontal antenna cables in a two-fire rated pathway.

"Landlords, tenants and first responders across the U.S. are going to demand better in-building wireless systems in the future, both for safety reasons and for connectivity," says Werner. "Our role in working with owners, developers and architects is to make the installation of these systems as cost-effective and efficient as possible while ensuring the highest level of performance."

Syska Hennessy Group is a leading global, full-service MEP, information and communication technology (ICT), vertical transportation, and commissioning engineering firm. With more than 500 professionals across 18 offices, the company provides a full range of engineering services for projects of every size and budget. Since 1928, Syska has been designing smarter, safer, and more efficient buildings by integrating essential systems that respond and adapt to a changing world.