Category: Uncategorized

  • Maxwell AF

    Maxwell AF

    Challenge:

    Air University (AU), headquartered at Maxwell AFB, Alabama, is a major component of the Air Education and Training Command (AETC) and driving force for overall Air Force education. Operating as the Air University Intelligence Office, the Curtis E. LeMay Center aboard Maxwell AFB provides educational electives and intelligence support for core Joint and Air Force Professional Military Education (PME) courses, as well as serves as the Special Security Office and the Senior Intelligence Officer for Air University. The LeMay Center develops a variety of doctrines, lessons learned, curriculums, wargaming, and subject matter expertise for airmen.

     

    The LeMay Center is designed with various educational and training environments. As part of the AU’s innovation initiatives to replace obsolete system equipment, Karcher Group commissioned new AV/VTC technology for the Large Auditorium, Small Auditorium, and Classroom 8. It was critical the new systems be state-of-the-art and integrate collaboration solutions to support residential and distance airmen pupils.

    Solution:

    KGI designed and installed a Crestron DigitalMedia System for audio, video switching, and control within the Auditoriums and Classroom. With Crestron control, instructors and operators will be able to collaborate on program material and seamlessly route source video content to a new Planar LED wall and other Displays. The Planar TVF LED wall is 18’ x 12’ and can display up to five different sources simultaneously within the Large Auditorium. Karcher Group also integrated a new lighting panel to control the auditorium lighting with various presets ideal for different utilization within the space.

    For both the Small Auditorium and Classroom 8, KGI designed and installed a new Secure Video-teleconferencing (SVTC) system to integrate with each room’s existing audiovisual components and conduct SIPR communications safely.

    The professional audio arrays across the 3 spaces are designed with quality Shure ceiling and podium microphones, Biamp TesiraFORTE DSPs, and Extron Power Amplifiers and Speakers that increase overall speech clarity and audio reproduction well for training and events hosted.

    Notable Features:

    Joined by Planar Professional Services, KGI was able to provide a new TVF 20-foot-wide Video Wall that boasts a 2.5mm pixel pitch, 100 individual LED panels for a 10×10 configuration, and integrated control processing tied into the matrix switching for multiple 4K source selection and layouts. Quite a brilliant display with tons of various ways to view and share content. Also within the Auditorium is an operator’s booth that gives users administrative control over training, events, and any visual display of information in the space. Operators have ultimate control with a Crestron 15” control panel for source selection, lighting, camera, switching, and monitoring. With a new BlackMagic 16-input multiplexer, operators can also view SD, HD, or 4K video sources in 2×2, 3×3, or 4×4 multi-view configurations; enabling a true production-style video preview system that is optimized for broadcasting across the Air University Television (AUTV) IPTV feeds.

    For additional information on this project or how Karcher Group, Inc. can assist your organization with its audio and video communication needs, please contact jjenkins@karchergroup.com or submit a service request at KGI Service.

    Gallery

  • ATF Operation Center

    ATF Operation Center

    Marine Corps University

    Challenge:

    In 2013, the ATF Headquarters in Washington DC commissioned Karcher Group, Inc. to provide AV system expansions within the Emergency Operations Command Center (EOC) and associated rooms. The project scope included provisions of new video, audio, VTC, and control systems for the main EOC space, overflow room, and a conference room. The challenge associated with a project of this size is to ensure the new technologies are purpose-built for the mission-critical command center and exceeds the customers’ expectations for overall reliability, serviceability, and functionality.

    Solution:

    Karcher Group designed-built an audiovisual solution for the ATF that significantly enhanced the AV systems operation and provided stable situational awareness for near and far end-users. The Karcher designed AV system included Video systems encompassing a 2X2 Video Wall and display arrays with the capability to output video sources from anywhere in the system and custom monitor concealment at the desks. Outcomes with this system expansion included turn-key solutions ready for personnel utilization to monitor emergencies for strategic planning purposes. Karcher Group designed systems have proven to be invaluable communication tools during terrorist and explosive threats and has helped support its National Response Team when being deployed to post-disaster relief efforts with federal, state, and local investigators.

    Notable Features:

    One notable feature of the control system is the ability for room users to annotate on any video source display and project that annotation information on any and/or all displays in the entire system. This advanced collaboration capability is made possible from a new Crestron 24” Smart Graphics display and Digital Graphics Engine card. Some of the specific equipment KGI selected to build the ATF AV systems included Crestron switching and controls arrays, Salitek Video Wall panels, Sharp 70” and 80” displays, Chief mounting systems, Cisco VTC, Extron Speaker arrays, Vaddio HD Cameras, ClearOne Microphone Arrays, HP Rack-mounted PC’s, and MidAtl rack enclosures.

    Gallery

  • TECOM

    TECOM

    Tecom

    Challenge:

    The Training and Education Command (TECOM), is charged with ensuring all Marines are armed with the knowledge, skills, and preparation to meet the challenges of operational environments, home or abroad. TECOM is able to accomplish its overall mission through regular use of cutting edge technology and unified communications systems to execute its training and education concepts with new and senior Marines. Karcher Group executed an AV design and install project in 2019 that would tremendously assist TECOM’s efforts in establishing a premier academic instruction facility at MCB-Quantico. The challenge with a project of this size was meeting the delivery schedule to fully consolidate three (3) individual commands into one (1) building. The total contract valued over $4 million dollars

    Solution:

    Karcher Group designed, furnished, and installed audiovisual solutions that significantly enhances the USMC’s operational training capabilities for years to come. The massive project incorporated audio and video infrastructures for 50+ conference rooms, training classrooms, and open office space in the 66,000 sq. ft. facility; all of which as-built schematics were designed with a D-Tools application. Karcher Group was able to deliver the complex system requirements by employing a project lifecycle management plan that is used in every project the organization takes on. By monitoring every project phase closely from initiation through closure, Karcher Group stayed on task and maintained quality performance to ensure each completed phase was acceptable by the client before progressing to the next. Feedback from TECOM Leadership has been extremely positive. Other MCB-Quantico tenant activities have toured the space to consider similar upgrades soon.

    Notable Features:

    Features of the TECOM technology refresh that stand out are the three (3) custom Leyard DirectLightX LED video walls provided for MSTP. The 12X6 video wall arrays are designed with an ultra-fine pixel pitch of 1.2mm, capable of driving up to 9 tiled images on each wall, and are the first of its kind to integrate advanced video wall processing within each panel. The Leyard DirectLightX technology leads the way in video wall design innovation, scalability, and delivery of truly seamless images. These video walls and the associated AV and VTC systems are designed to ensure 24/7 reliability of the visual communications in their respective spaces and mission-critical application.

    Gallery

  • Marine Corps University

    Marine Corps University

    Marine Corps University

    Challenge:

    Marine Corps University (MCU) added two facilities to its campus located at the Marine Corps Base in Quantico, VA that required brand new, audiovisual systems and IT infrastructures. The new AV and IT systems would further the MCU mission to leverage and integrate state-of-the-art information and education technologies to promote student learning and the rich history and heritage of the Marine Corps. Karcher Group, Inc. (KGI) delivered a skillfully design and comprehensive systems that were well received by the client and ultimately awarded for a contract valued at $10 million dollars.

    Solution:

    The massive project incorporated 35+ classrooms, a 300-student Lecture Hall, 500-person capacity Auditorium, centralized Help Desk for management and support of every room, over 200k feet of cabling, and 55 equipment racks; all of which as-built schematics were designed from a D-Tools application. Karcher Group’s strategy to fulfill all the technical requirements of the project was first to deliver a concise installation plan within the proposal, including conceptual design packages, on how the completed systems will function and the features of each system. Once the project commenced, KGI established a project timeline that included milestones to reach for each phase of the MCU project. When milestones were reached, KGI personnel tested each system component’s operability and provided end-user training, based on their application of use, on the functionality of each component.
    To ensure KGI remained on target with the project timeline that was impacted by other trades, it doubled its personnel with new hires; trained and qualified professionals dedicated to MCU and its completion.

    Notable Features:

    One of the biggest features of customization within the MCU project was the design and installation of the centralized Help Desk. The Help Desk would tie all rooms together so users experiencing any issues with the system components can use their touch panels to dispatch a technician for troubleshooting
    assistance or have a technician remote-in and interface with the room control panel to fix an issue. Some of the specific equipment KGI selected to build the extensive list of AV systems were AMX Control modules and Enova DGX Video Switchers, Biamp Customized Digital Sound Processors, JBL speakers and Crown amplifiers for the MCU audio arrays, Planar 55” professional grade displays for a 6X6 video wall and individual configurations, Cisco VTC, the Christie Digital CP2230 projector with over 32,000 brilliant lumens for the auditorium, and Final Cut Pro integrated custom iMac Apple PC’s for the AV Processing Area.

    Gallery

    Marine Corps University