The RAD44 is a portable network and communications “hub”. It was developed to meet the demands of research and infrastructure control in the most remote areas.

The 44 Imperial Gallon (55 US Gallon) drum was chosen, as it is a universal unit of transportation and is not only designed to keep liquid in, but also to keep it out. Housed inside the drum, is a cartridge that provides a full network capability by incorporating a rugged military grade PC, running Windows 7 “professional”, 4Tb of raided NAS storage, hardware VPN routing and external weather proof interfaces including an IP67 rated 15in touchscreen. The RAD44 also has its own onboard lithium battery power and solar regulators and comes with 416 watts of heavy duty flexible amorphous solar panels and pole system which then forms a protective roof for the system. Everything fits inside the drum for transport and can be setup easily anywhere, by anyone.

(Note: Windows 7 provides adequate computing power without the electrical power demand of later versions of Windows)

Once deployed the RAD44 can use any internet source from its own built in 3/4g modem to satellite, Wi-Fi or hard line. VPN connections will be able to be established to any other parts of “your network” and authorised people can be granted VPN access “in” from any computer or mobile device anywhere in the world.

The RAD44 also has the ability to transfer any data captured in the field and to be worked on “on-site”, or at selected locations, as well as, directly and securely transferred into a central storage access point. The RAD44 can also provide its own 300m Wi-Fi access point.

The Real Access Water Beetle

A floating, self-righting, sealed housing for both salt or fresh water environments. They can be tethered or left to float freely.

The Water Beetle can measure pH, Salinity, Oxygenation, conductivity, Oxidation Reduction Potential, temperature and these can be cross referenced to its location on the earth’s surface location. GPS can also be used to map ocean currents for example. In development for this unit are Mercury, Faecal coliform and microplastic sensing.

Multi sensor packs can be incorporated into each unit allowing (for example) readings from the surface, 10m, 20m and 30m depth which can give a far better overall picture of the environment being monitored.

Powered by an internal lithium battery, the units come equipped with a solar panel, built in to the top of the unit. This onboard power generation allows the units to be left onsite indefinitely. Real Access designed circuitry controls power usage to ensure reliable operation.

With the ability to use Wifi for easy network connection, the units also have an inbuilt Iridium satellite modem, with external satellite antenna, which allows the Water Beetle to be used anywhere in the world as long as it can “see” the sky. This means a lack of infrastructure is no impediment to operation.

Real Access Brolga

The Brolga shares the features of the Water Beetle but is designed in a static location housing, with multi adjustable legs. These units are designed to be placed in rivers, lakes, swamps etc and fixed in place. The Housing is capable of expansion and evolution of components.

As well as measuring the same qualities as the Water Beetle they also record water level, turbidity and current flow and water depth.