September Advisory Board Meeting

Summary:

The discussion centered on the PR5G Zone Advisory Board, where participants shared insights on the global implications of their work in 5G technology. The conversation transitioned to the advisory group's international composition and an upcoming event in mid-September, which Sam, the co-founder of the Puerto Rico Energy Forum, promised to elaborate on later.

Sam Talman outlined the agenda, which included updates on a Department of Defense (DOD) white paper and a presentation from Joe Edwards of DataShapes. Kevin Larrabee, the head of products, provided an overview of DataShapes' focus on the defense sector and discussed the challenges in electronic warfare, particularly the U.S. decline in spectrum dominance. He introduced the GlobalEdge platform, which automates RF sensing and enhances decision-making capabilities for both military and commercial applications.

During the presentation, Kevin emphasized the importance of real-time detection and distributed RF awareness, presenting three key use cases: drone detection, spectrum reconnaissance, and signature management. He discussed the technological advancements that allow for the miniaturization of computing power and the complexities of managing large datasets from signal sensing. Kevin also addressed operational strategies, including the use of an MQTT publisher-subscriber model for efficient communication and the potential scalability of their infrastructure.

The conversation also touched on the DOD white paper's focus on leveraging 5G technology for distributed energy resources, particularly in enhancing resiliency in regions like Puerto Rico. Sam highlighted the need for U.S. alternatives to counter competitive challenges from companies like Huawei. The discussion concluded with an emphasis on actionable outcomes from the advisory group's efforts, including the importance of establishing a program of record within the DOD to support the implementation of 5G technology and the potential economic development opportunities linked to local research applications.

Chapters & Topics:

Introduction and Meeting Management

Gail informed the group about her connectivity issues while joining from Reykjavik, Iceland, and delegated meeting management to Sam. Sam, co-founder of the Puerto Rico Energy Forum, welcomed attendees and acknowledged the international nature of the group. He also mentioned an upcoming event that aligns with the advisory group's initiatives.

DOD White Paper Update and DataShapes Presentation

Sam Talman outlined the meeting agenda, highlighting updates on a DOD white paper and a presentation from Joe Edwards of DataShapes. Kevin Larrabee, who leads product efforts at DataShapes, shared his military background and the company's work primarily in the defense sector. Sarah Cuellar and Michael Lichko also introduced themselves, detailing their roles and experiences within the company.

Challenges and Innovations in Electronic Warfare Technology

Kevin Larrabee outlined the challenges in electronic warfare, including cognitive overload and technical difficulties in signal processing. He introduced DataShapes' software solution, GlobalEdge, which operates on various sensors to enhance their intelligence. The software aims to automate RF sensing and improve the speed of decision-making in complex environments, focusing on edge deployments without relying on cloud resources.

* Challenges and opportunities in scaling DataShapes' technology for military applications.

Discussion on Multi-Domain Data Infrastructure

Kevin Larrabee invited questions and comments from the attendees, emphasizing the importance of interaction. Gail noted that many participants were eager to understand how their projects connect with Kevin's work. Joe Edwards elaborated on the capabilities of the GlobalEdge product, linking it to the vision of efficient information transfer in multi-domain environments.

Use Cases in Modern Warfare Technology

Kevin Larrabee outlined the significance of drone detection, spectrum reconnaissance, and signature management in contemporary military operations. He highlighted the advancements in technology that allow for rapid training of models to identify threats and the integration of low-size, weight, and power (SWAP) compute on small drones. Larrabee also mentioned the challenges of managing vast amounts of data generated from these technologies and the need for effective alerting capabilities.

DataShapes Technology and Operational Insights

Kevin Larrabee explained the current traction of DataShapes, emphasizing their business model of rapid deployment, particularly with SOCOM as a key customer. He detailed their innovative approach to data processing, which involves optimizing detection and using a lightweight AI model that does not rely on traditional computer vision techniques. Larrabee also addressed questions about data compression and operational deployment capabilities.

Advances in Vectorization Technology

Kevin Larrabee addressed the technical aspects of their vectorization process, acknowledging that it is typically lossy but has shown promising outcomes in model differentiation and re-identification. He emphasized the challenges posed by dense signal environments, which can hinder the detection of certain signals. Larrabee also mentioned that their technology is backed by 18 patents and originated from research in the pharmaceutical sector.

Strategic Deployment and Operational Integration of Electronic Warfare Capabilities

A conference room participant inquired about the strategic deployment of electronic warfare capabilities, particularly regarding ownership and management in larger military contexts. Kevin Larrabee acknowledged the complexity of these issues and highlighted their current focus on tactical operations. He noted the demand from various military branches for effective tools to analyze the electromagnetic spectrum and support operational needs.

DOD White Paper and Strategic Partnerships

The necessity for the Department of Defense to create a program of record for 5G technology was emphasized, focusing on its potential value to stakeholders. Sam Talman noted the significance of the DOD white paper, which addresses the integration of 5G in distributed energy resources, particularly in Puerto Rico, where it could enhance operational efficiency and resiliency. The discussion also touched on the competitive landscape with Huawei and the need for U.S. alternatives in the Caribbean.

* The DOD white paper on using 5G for distributed energy resources and its implications for military and commercial sectors.

Economic Development and Collaboration Initiatives

Sam Talman highlighted the significance of the Economic Development Administration's HALO project for Puerto Rico's economic and workforce development. It was specified by a conference room participant that the white paper should be sent to key figures within the Department of Defense, including the Undersecretary for Energy Installation and Environment, to ensure it receives proper attention. Talman also mentioned an upcoming event focused on energy's role in military resilience.

* Upcoming Puerto Rico Energy Forum event and its relevance to the community.

Action Items:

* Sam Talman will share more information about the upcoming Puerto Rico Energy Forum event scheduled for mid-September.

Here’s the link to the event. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/puerto-rico-national-clean-energy-week-2025-sept-15-16-tickets-1439251362569?aff=ebdssbdestsearch

PR5G Zone Advisory Members can get a 10% discount using the code PR5GZPREF at checkout.

* Kevin Larrabee will provide a demonstration of DataShapes' technology if requested by the participants. Please contact Gail Nolan to schedule at: gail@pr5gzone.org