As of late I've been thinking of how electronic siren technology is evolving.
At the moment, it looks as though computer and cell phone technology has influenced electronic siren design.
The keypad controller (e.g. Federal Smart Siren and Whelen Cencom) vaguely resembles a computer keyboard, a device that allows users to 'punch in' their light and sound options just like hitting keys on a computer keyboard.
The handheld sirens have a controller that allows the user to select options with his/her thumb just like punching in telephone numbers or 'text messaging' on a cell phone.
And to top it off, some of the new sirens are programmable so the user can get the sounds and functions he/she wants.
I think the next step in the evolution of electronic siren technology should be to get the tone generating circuits out of the remote amplifier and into the control head.
By putting the tone generator inside the control head, the user could easily remove it from the vehicle and hook it up to a computer and program it for any type of siren sound he/she wishes. High pitch, low pitch, rate of rise and fall, dual siren tones, the 'rumbler' effect, mechanical tones, and just about any other siren-like tones could be programmed into the control head.
The remote amplifier, on the other hand, would be just that - an amplifier and nothing else. Something like the power amps used in high power car stereo systems. Siren manufacturers could offer 100 watt amps or 200 watt amps, or if there are users out there who want more speakers and power, two or more amps could be connected to the control head.
At the moment, it looks as though computer and cell phone technology has influenced electronic siren design.
The keypad controller (e.g. Federal Smart Siren and Whelen Cencom) vaguely resembles a computer keyboard, a device that allows users to 'punch in' their light and sound options just like hitting keys on a computer keyboard.
The handheld sirens have a controller that allows the user to select options with his/her thumb just like punching in telephone numbers or 'text messaging' on a cell phone.
And to top it off, some of the new sirens are programmable so the user can get the sounds and functions he/she wants.
I think the next step in the evolution of electronic siren technology should be to get the tone generating circuits out of the remote amplifier and into the control head.
By putting the tone generator inside the control head, the user could easily remove it from the vehicle and hook it up to a computer and program it for any type of siren sound he/she wishes. High pitch, low pitch, rate of rise and fall, dual siren tones, the 'rumbler' effect, mechanical tones, and just about any other siren-like tones could be programmed into the control head.
The remote amplifier, on the other hand, would be just that - an amplifier and nothing else. Something like the power amps used in high power car stereo systems. Siren manufacturers could offer 100 watt amps or 200 watt amps, or if there are users out there who want more speakers and power, two or more amps could be connected to the control head.