Waveform Analyzer

Electroshock weapons (ESWs) have a history of malfunctioning in the field, with failures posing risks to both officers and suspects. Officers are often unaware if an ESW is appropriately calibrated, which can cause insufficient or excessive force during high-stakes situations. This lack of reliability makes officers hesitant to use ESWs, limiting their effectiveness. Compounding the issue, the need to send weapons away for calibration means fewer available ESWs on hand, forcing departments to buy more units, driving up costs.

An emerging leader in professional security solutions reached out to Synectic to develop a field-ready device for law enforcement agencies to test, verify, and calibrate multiple types of ESWs. The solution needed to store the calibration data, with options for printing or transferring it to other devices. Additionally, to ensure widespread adoption, the device had to be compatible with all types of ESWs, while being reliable, safe, and durable enough to withstand the demands of daily use. To take on this project, Synectic assembled an interdisciplinary team of mechanical, electronic, and electrical engineers who:

• Performed extensive material research to find materials that could both withstand harsh environments and have non-conductive properties for user safety
• Created a universal docking system that fits a variety of ESWs, making it adaptable for different models
• Developed electronics and software that can record and analyze high-voltage signals over a short period and compare them to known specifications to determine whether the weapon is properly calibrated
• Added a built-in barcode scanner that records each weapon’s serial number, ensuring accurate tracking and history logging
• Incorporated a high-resolution, easy-to-read LCD touchscreen, ensuring officers can view the results in any lighting condition
• Created an intuitive user interface, allowing officers to confirm weapon functionality with minimal training

The result was a cutting-edge, portable device designed to ensure ESWs are correctly calibrated and perform within specifications before being deployed in the field.