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SERVICES
The services provided are listed
below. These are described in general terms, and are for the most
part, technology independent.
System
Planning Planning is the first step
in the deployment process for new systems or in the expansion of
existing systems. Mr. Blais offers the following system planning
services:
Area Coverage Radio Systems
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Demographics analyses
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Communications performance
criteria
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Area signal coverage analyses
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Radio site location &
parameters
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Capacity planning &
provisioning
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Growth planning
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Backbone network &
interconnection
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Equipment recommendations
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Construction & operational cost
estimates
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Deployment intervals &
schedules
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Test & verification planning
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RFP development
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Staffing, spares & maintenance
recommendations
Point-to-Point Radio Systems
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Network topology development &
site location
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Radio path profiling &
availability analyses
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Radio site location & parameter
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Route selection & diversity
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Capacity planning &
provisioning
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Growth planning
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Equipment recommendations
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Construction & operational cost
estimates
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Deployment intervals &
schedules
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Test & verification planning
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RFP development
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Staffing, spares & maintenance
recommendations
The planning and analysis
activities are normally used in conjunction with plans for a new
communications system or significant expansion of an existing
system, and are based on the client’s needs and objectives for the
system being considered. This includes the immediate need and the
infrastructure needed for future growth. Many area coverage systems
use radio backbone networks comprised of point-to-point radio links
and combine all of the items in the lists above. The results are
presented in a professional report that is appropriate for all
levels of company management. Formal presentation of the results is
also provided where needed. Back to the top
Detailed System Design
When a decision is made to deploy a new communications system or
expand a new one, the first step is to develop a detailed project
plan and the second is the development of a detailed system design.
The detailed system design activities use the planning results as a
starting point and further develop these to a level of detail that
can be used to contract construction and installation contractors
and equipment suppliers. Mr. Blais offers the following detailed
system design services:
Area Coverage Radio Systems
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Detailed site surveys
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Site plans & tower profiles
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FCC licensing & FAA clearances
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Site acquisition support
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Detailed coverage predictions
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Detailed system design, site
engineering & drawing packages
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Procurement specification & RFP
development, and vendor management
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Construction & installation
support
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Factory test plan development &
test procedure review
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Field verification test plan
development & test procedure review
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System testing & performance
verification support
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Training & documentation review
Point-to-Point Radio Systems
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Network topology development &
site location
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Detailed site surveys
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Site plans & tower profiles
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FCC licensing & FAA clearances
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Site acquisition support
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Detailed radio path analyses &
field verification
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Detailed system design, site
engineering & drawing packages
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Procurement specification & RFP
development, and vendor management
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Construction & installation
support
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Factory test plan development &
test procedure review
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Field verification test plan
development & test procedure review
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System testing & performance
verification support
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Training & documentation review
Mr. Blais has been designing and deploying systems for most of his
professional career and has the knowledge and support tools
necessary to develop a thorough design. Back to the top
Feasibility Studies Another one of
the services offered by Mr. Blais is feasibility studies for the
replacement of existing communications systems. He has performed
studies for both land-mobile radio systems and point-to-point
microwave radio systems.
Area Coverage Radio Systems
Feasibility studies for land-mobile area coverage systems typically
involve evaluating the options available for replacing an aging
analog radio system with a newer and more spectrally efficient
digital radio system. For these types of systems, the study process
typically includes the following tasks:
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Existing system documentation
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Operational & regulatory
constraints
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Data collection on the number &
types of users
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Types of user equipment
deployed & services used
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Usage data
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Additional services needed by
the users
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Operational areas & extended
coverage needs
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Interconnection with other
systems
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Technology survey
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Conversion costs
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Migration Plan
Typically, there are multiple
solutions available to transition the system, so a matrix comparing
the needs and requirements of the organization to each replacement
option is prepared to assist in arriving at a recommended solution.
Point-to-Point Radio Systems
Feasibility studies for point-to-point radio systems typically
involve evaluating the options available for replacing an aging
analog radio system with a newer digital radio system more suitable
for carrying digital communications. For these types of systems, the
study process typically includes the following tasks:
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Existing system documentation
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Regulatory constraints
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Data collection on the points
of connection
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Types of circuits & equipment
connected to the system
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Usage data & traffic quantities
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Additional services &
capabilities needed
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Operational area
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Interconnection with other
systems
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Options to use other
technologies
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Technology survey
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Conversion costs
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Migration Plan
Typically, there are multiple
solutions available to transition the system, so a matrix comparing
the needs and requirements of the organization to each replacement
option is prepared to assist in arriving at a recommended solution. Back to the top
Technical
Project Management In instances
where the planning and design processes have been completed, Mr.
Blais can provide technical project management services during the
implementation and test phases of radio communications projects.
These activities typically include:
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System implementation plan
review
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Equipment supplier &
installation management
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Inspection of on-going
construction & installation activities
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Test plan & procedures review
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Test observation or witnessing
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Spare parts & test equipment
validation
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Documentation review
These activities are applicable to
either area coverage or point-to-point systems. Mr. Blais has a
sound understanding of all phases of system implementation including
those beyond the communications equipment installation. This
includes associated items such as towers, grounding, AC and DC
power, Telco interconnect, etc. Back to the top
Testing &
Verification Mr. Blais has been
involved in the development and execution of test plans and
procedures for most of his career. The plans and procedures cover a
variety of communications systems and technologies and include the
following tasks:
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Key parameter identification
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System-level test plan
development
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Component and subsystem test
procedure development
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Factory acceptance testing
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System level field test
procedure review or development
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Field verification testing
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Test results documentation
These have been developed to meet
the requirements of commercial, carrier and defense-related
applications. Back to the top
Training Development & Training Mr. Blais has been involved
in the deployment of new technologies for much of his career. As
part of these deployments, he has needed to train the staff
responsible for on-going operations in the theory and operation of
the technology. As a result, he has developed a number of training
courses targeted to a range of students.
At the “high end”, he has developed
training courses in cellular fundamentals and technology for AT&T.
These courses utilized formal work books with defined objectives by
chapter, exercises and tests to measure effectiveness.
Most of the training material he
has developed is less formal, consisting of conventional student
workbooks. These workbooks are more detailed than presentation
slides and provide students with a more thorough description of the
material which is far more beneficial as a reference after the
completion of the course.
Mr. Blais also teaches most of the
training courses he has developed.
Back to the top
Business
Case Support Business case support
consists primarily of those planning activities needed to estimate
the implementation and operational costs of a communications system.
Most business case development support in which Mr. Blais has
participated is for area coverage systems. The tasks he typically
performs include:
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Demographics analyses
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Area signal coverage analyses
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Quantities of radio sites &
their configuration
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Growth planning
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Backbone network &
interconnection
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Equipment recommendations
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Construction & operational cost
estimates
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Deployment intervals &
schedules
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Staffing, spares & maintenance
recommendations
Mr. Blais has supported a number of
business case planning activities by providing technical and
operational input, preparing the supporting documentation, and
preparing and presenting the technical findings. Back to the top
Legal &
Regulatory Support Legal and
regulatory support is one of the services provided by Mr. Blais. In
the past, clients have come to him with technical questions arising
out of legal proceedings. Since this has occurred on a number of
occasions he now lists this one of the services offered. The types
of support he has provided includes:
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Valuation of losses to
communications equipment due to accidents as part of insurance
settlements
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Technical advice to attorneys
in IP infringement claims
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Research and opinions on
financial losses resulting from improper equipment operation
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Technical advice regarding
installation practices for telecommunications equipment and
claims for additional compensation
Mr. Blais has been deposed on
numerous occasions and has testified in court. Back to the top
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