Gallatin based WideBand Corporation has been awarded a Small Business Innovation Research (SBIR) Phase I contract from the US Army.
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The technical objective of this recently completed project was to research and develop a low latency, multi-node computer communication architecture based on the concept of WideBand Low Latency Networking, a patented technology invented by WideBand Chairman, Roger E. Billings and co-inventor, John A. Billings.
In conventional computer networks, the data may travel at nearly the speed of light over networking cables, but when it arrives at the electronic module used to switch it to its destination on the network, it encounters substantial delays usually on the order of 1,000 nanoseconds or greater. The amount of time that it takes for data to pass through each network appliance or switch is referred to as the "switch latency." This latency delay is cumulative for every appliance in a particular network resulting in sluggish performance even for very fast, state-of-the-art networking systems.
With the WideBand nano-latency technology, the latency is expected to be less than 25 nano seconds resulting in a very significant overall improvement in system performance. In addition, the WideBand low latency technology is being evaluated for application in experimental parallel processing systems where delays in moving data have a very major impact on overall performance.
WideBand Corporation is a manufacturer of professional networking equipment used for mission critical applications in industry and government. The company was the first to offer a gigabit over copper networking product, and Roger Billings was a steering committee member of the Gigabit Ethernet Alliance and an active contributor to the IEEE committee that issued the gigabit Ethernet standard.
WideBand Corporation is a private company that manufacturers their own products in their facility at 401 West Grand Street in Gallatin. They are one of the few remaining networking products companies to design and manufacture their own equipment in the US.
According to WideBand President, Joseph Billings, "We are committed to providing reliable networking solutions to customers. Our customer support is unequaled in the industry, and the fact that we operate 100% debt free including owning all of our own real estate and manufacturing equipment ensures our customers that we will be around to take care of them."
In addition to the completed project, the United States Army has also invited WideBand Corporation to submit a Phase II SBIR proposal for a follow up project. Phase II Proposal Submission is by Army Invitation only with a maximum possible award amount of $730,000.
The objective of every SBIR project is to develop a technology, product, or service that generates follow-on, non-SBIR revenues for the small business. These revenues could come from government or private sector sources, and could represent additional developmental funding in addition to product sales. The Army tracks the outcomes of all SBIR efforts to monitor and report Phase III progress. In addition, Phase III commercialization is monitored by Congress, the General Accounting Office, and the Department of Defense to determine the impact and effectiveness of the SBIR program in meeting its objectives of assisting participating small businesses. In particular, Congress weighs Phase III performance during its periodic reauthorization of the federal SBIR program.
Additional information regarding WideBand Corporation can be found online at wband.com.