ACU-Z1: A Modular, IP-Centric Interoperability Gateway Built for Modern Communications

In operational environments where reliable communication is critical — such as public safety, defense, emergency response, utilities, and industrial networks — agencies often rely on a mixture of legacy radio systems, telephony, dispatch consoles, smartphones, and Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) platforms.
However, these systems do not inherently understand each other. Without a unified interoperability gateway, communication breaks down, slowing response time and degrading situational awareness.

The ACU-Z1 was developed to solve this problem. As a modular, fully IP-centric interoperability gateway, it enables seamless communication across different radio networks, telephony systems, IP platforms, and wireless devices — regardless of brand, operating band, or underlying infrastructure.

Built on 30 Years of Interoperability Expertise

The ACU-Z1 carries forward nearly three decades of JPS’ leadership in communications interoperability solutions. Unlike traditional fixed hardware patching systems, the ACU-Z1 is designed with a flexible resource architecture that supports both hardware and virtual (IP) communication interfaces.

It combines:

• Scalable hardware modules for radio and telephony connections
• Virtual IP-based communication channels
• Native PoC and RoIP integration capabilities
• A modern, network-oriented control engine

This makes it suitable not only for standalone interoperability operations, but also as a central controller in wide-area, multi-site communication environments.

Modular Architecture for Maximum Flexibility

The ACU-Z1 is built around a modular card-based design:

This modular approach allows the system to be tailored to mission needs, expanded over time, and integrated with existing infrastructure without forcing equipment upgrades.

Network-Centric Interoperability

The ACU-Z1 embraces an IP-first design philosophy. It can seamlessly integrate other JPS devices such as:

• RSP-Z2 gateways
• NXU-2B RoIP interfaces
• Other ACU-Z1 units in remote locations

These connections occur over IP, meaning:

• No additional radio ports are consumed
• No special wiring is required
• Deployment over existing networks is straightforward

This ensures reliable communication even across geographically distributed operational areas.

Dispatch and Monitor: Dual Operational Zones

A key advantage of the ACU-Z1 is its ability to support both dispatch and monitoring workflows directly through its web-based user interface:

Dispatch Mode

• Any configured resource can act as a dispatcher
• Supports two-way communication control
• Enables quick, on-the-fly net formation

Monitor Mode

• Any resource can be configured as a monitoring listener
• Enables passive situational awareness without affecting traffic
• Useful for command centers, supervisors, training, and status auditing

This separation of roles increases operational clarity and reduces channel congestion.

Native Push-to-Talk over Cellular (PoC) Integration

Unlike many gateways that require external devices or proprietary middleware, the ACU-Z1 provides native PoC connectivity at the card level.
This allows seamless bridging between traditional radio systems and cellular-based talkgroups — a key advantage for:

• Rapid deployment teams
• Cross-agency cooperation
• Remote field personnel using smartphones instead of radios

Advanced System Features

The ACU-Z1 includes several advanced capabilities that improve operational reliability and audio quality:

• Patented Adaptive Transmit Delay — Optimized trunked radio performance without clipping.
• Resource-specific audio tuning — Ensures high clarity across mismatched system types.
• Dedicated recording streams — Fully compatible with third-party logging recorders.
• AES-256 and ChaCha20 encryption (optional) — Supports secure encrypted communications.

Scalable, Browser-Based User Interface

The ACU-Z1 does not require dedicated operator consoles.
Users can access the full system from any web-enabled device, including:

• Command center workstations
• Laptops
• Tablets
• Smartphones

The UI supports:

• Multi-user light dispatch
• On-screen audio listening
• Drag-and-drop net management
• Flexible layout personalization for each operator

This reduces training time and supports decentralized or remote operation.

Deployment Use Cases

The ACU-Z1 is ideal for mission-critical environments such as:

• Emergency Operations Centers (EOC)
• Joint public safety & defense task forces
• Industrial or utility network control rooms
• Municipal, statewide, or national communication systems
• Rapid disaster response deployments

Technical Specifications (Summary)

Conclusion

The ACU-Z1 is a robust, modern interoperability gateway purpose-built for environments where communication reliability and coordination are critical. With its modular hardware, native IP resource handling, PoC integration, and scalable dispatch/monitor interface, it enables organizations to unify diverse communication platforms into one seamless operational network — without forcing system replacements or complicated integrations.

It is a proven, future-ready solution for interoperable communications at any scale.