Public Safety Radio Interoperability Progress and Issues Assessment Markets and Technologies

Existing radio communications systems employed in public safety applications at the present time are a disparate mix of equipment operating at frequencies ranging from 25 MHz to 4.99 GHz and using modes ranging from basic analog FM to VoIP. This has created a frustrating and dangerous problem in that first responders from different organizations are often unable to communicate effectively. Existing solutions to this problem are predominately network-based, which requires prior planning and coordination.

This report addresses Public Safety Communications interoperability progress and problems in North America. It would be unfair to say that nothing was done to insure first responders communications interoperability. The government is spending billions of dollars on research and development in this area; some states have already implemented, or are in the process of implementation of the state-wide PSC networks. Some progress is made in the design of the conceptual view of the national PSC network.

This report addresses technological and marketing trends in the public safety communications interoperability. It emphasizes the progress as well as issues that still exist in the building an interoperability road between public safety agencies radio. This problem is especially serious in the U.S. with its highly decentralized public safety organizations structure.

The report provides a systematic approach to define and analyze interoperability methods. Particular, it concentrates on the following:

-IP-based methods
-Standards-P25
-Mesh-based methods
-Satellites
-Private networks
-Radio methods
-SDR.

For all these methods, the report provides technical details, and for some of them it provides also the marketing analysis. The IP group of methods is leading development, though all other methods have multiple benefits as well.

SDR seems like the most possible IP-methods contender, but it will take several years to tell this for sure.

Private networks that can serve first responders attract more and more attention. They can sustain faster development, be more organized and maintainable. There are several service offerings and proposals; to be adapted for public safety communications traffic, such networks should revise some SLAs to make them more stringent.

The report details market and technical development of the P25 standard and shows the phased approach that the industry suggested. Specifics of each phase are stressed. Eventually, in Phase III, the standard will receive (together with TETRA) a global acceptance and it is planned for interoperability; there are many roadblocks in this development, and it is still unclear how the whole industry will support it.

One more method, which is coming from military applications, is to use self-organized, self-reconfigurable and survivable mesh topologies. The report provides details of existing products and outlines benefits of this direction.

Satellites already provide inherently interoperable solutions that can be used as a back-up or the main configuration. Satellites networks can survive in situations when a terrestrial infrastructure is damaged or even destroyed.

Various radio methods (such as patching, cross-band repeaters and other) belong to the traditional ways to achieve first responders’ interoperability; they attract by their simplicity and price performance; their limitations, connected with more and more complex network scenarios, raise some questions of their wide acceptance.

The report also provides marketing data for sales of equipment to support North America first responders radios; estimates of the addressable markets for all major interoperability methods are developed as well.

Considerable research was done using the Internet. Information from various Web sites was studied and analyzed; evaluation of publicly available marketing and technical publications was conducted. Telephone conversations and interviews were held with industry analysts, technical experts and executives. In addition to these interviews and primary research, secondary sources were used to develop a more complete mosaic of the market landscape, including industry and trade publications, conferences and seminars.

The overriding objective throughout the work has been to provide valid and relevant information. This has led to a continual review and update of the information content.

Target Audience

This report is important for the government agencies involved in the first response to critical situations. It is necessary for technical departments of such agencies to have a document, which in simple language explains radio technology and architectures of networks supporting public safety radios. They also need to understand the market landscape and who are the major players and their portfolios to select the right equipment.

For vendors of the first response technology, this report provides valuable information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market assessment. SHOW LESS READ MORE >

1.0 Introduction

1.1 General-Mobility and Interoperability

1.2 Requirements to Public Safety Radio

1.3 Interoperability Categories

1.4 Classification: Emergency Communications

1.5 Criteria: Selecting Public Safety Communications Technology

1.6 States and Federal Support: Funds to Support Interoperability

1.7 Scope

1.8 Research Methodology

1.9 Target Audience 10

2.0 Interoperability Methods

2.1 Introduction

2.1.1 Requirements: Interoperability

2.2 Classification

2.2.1 Sub-Classes

2.2.1.1 Internet-IP-based Interoperability

2.2.1.2 Ad Hoc/Mesh

2.2.1.3 P25/TETRA

2.2.1.4 Software Defined Radio (SDR)

2.2.1.5 Satellite

2.2.1.6 Private Networks

2.2.1.7 Radio Methods/Patching

3.0 IP – Basis for Interoperable Public Safety Radio

3.1 General – RoIP

3.1.1 ISSI

3.2 Advantages

3.3 Market

3.4 Vendors and Services

Arinc

Codespear-Federal Signal

Catalyst

Communications-Applied Technology (IP and cross-band)

Cisco

Cistera

C4i

Fatpot (peer Intelligence-software)

M/A-COM

Motorola

NovaRoam (IP and Mesh)

Radio IP Software

Raytheon JPS

Ritron (IP, multi-band)

RoamAD

Sytech (IP and Mesh)

Twisted Pair

VoiceInterop/Twisted Pair

4.0 Mesh Networking and PSR Interoperability

4.1 Definition

4.2 Properties

4.2.1 General

4.2.2 Benefits

4.2.2.1 Use

4.3 Major Features and Limitations

4.4 Major WMN Applications

4.5 Architectures

4.5.1 Frequency Bands

4.6 Routing Protocols

4.6.1 Lack of Standardization

4.6.2 Applications Variety

4.6.3 Protocols

4.7 Security Issues

4.7.1 General

4.7.2 IEEE 802.11

4.7.3 UWB (Ultra Wideband) Technology

4.7.4 ZigBee

4.7.5 Summary-Security

4.8 Market: Mesh Networks

4.8.1 Market Estimate

4.8.1.1 Market Leaders

4.8.1.2 Forecast

4.9 WMN and First Responders

4.10 Major WMN Vendors and their Products (Interoperability for PSR Applications)
BAE Systems (Public Safety)

BelAir (Nodes)

Cisco (Protocols, Nodes)

Global Mesh Technologies (SW Public Safety)

IPMobileNet (WMN)

FireTide (Mesh network-Public safety applications)

Motorola (Nodes-Public Safety Communications)

Newtrax (WSN-mesh, UGS)

Northrop Grumman (Nodes)

Nortel (WMN Systems)

NovaRoam (Public Safety Communications –WMN)

PacketHop- In 2007, SRI International Acquisition (PSC)

Proxim (WMN Nodes)

Rajant (WMN-Military, First Responders)

Sensoria (WMN for Public Safety Communications)

SkyPilot Networks (WMN Nodes)

Strix (Nodes-First Responders)

Trango (Mesh for First responders)

5.0 P25 Technology and Market

5.1 Standardization Process and Technologies

5.1.2 General: P25 Standard

5.1.2.1 Process

5.1.2.2 Structure

5.1.3 Beginning

5.2 Project 25/TIA 102: Scope

5.2.1 Efforts

5.2.2 Phased Approach

5.2.2.1 Phases

5.2.2.2 Phase I

5.2.2.3 Phase II

5.2.2.4 Phase III

5.3 Current P25 Development-Phase I

5.3.1 General Mission and Objectives

5.3.2 Compliance

5.3.3 Benefits and Issues

5.3.4 Technical Highlights

5.3.4.1 Common Air Interface

5.3.4.2 Fixed Station Interface

5.3.4.3 Console Sub-system Interface

5.3.4.4 RF Sub-system

5.3.4.5 Inter-system Interface (ISSI)

5.3.4.6 Telephone Interconnect Interface

5.3.4.7 Network Management Interface

5.3.4.8 Host and Network Data Interfaces

5.3.4.9 Summary: Interfaces

5.3.5 Security

5.3.6 Coding

5.3.7 Frequency Bands

5.3.8 P25 Voice Messaging

5.3.9 System

5.3.10 Spectrum: Problems

5.3.10.1 700 MHz Band

5.3.11 Major Improvements

5.3.12 Services

5.3.13 Network Scenario

5.3.14 Transition

5.4 Phase II

5.4.1 Transition

5.4.2 Scope

5.4.3 Time

5.4.4 Motorola and “Harmonized” Solutions

5.5 Phase III

5.5.1 General

5.5.2 Organization

5.5.3 Background

5.5.4 Project MESA Formulators

5.5.5 Networking

5.5.6 MESA Statement of Requirements (SoR)

5.5.6.1 General

5.5.6.1.1 Vision: Ad-hoc and Cell

5.5.6.2 Features

5.5.7 Technological Needs

5.5.7.1 General Technology-Requirements

5.5.7.2 Specific and Functional Requirements

5.5.8 Goals

5.5.9 Applications

5.5.10 Crossroads

5.5.10.1 Vendors Position

5.5.11 Technology Details: System of Systems

5.5.12 Framework description

5.5.12.1 Overview

5.5.12.2 Architecture

5.5.13 Security

5.5.14 Projects P25 and MESA

5.6 Market Analysis

5.6.1 General

5.6.2 Geography

5.6.3 Market Drivers

5.6.4 Market Forecast

5.6.4.1 Developments: New Interoperability Requirements

5.6.4.2 Model Assumptions

5.6.4.3 Addressable Market Estimate

5.7 Vendors

Catalyst

Daniels

Datron

Digital Voice System

EDAS Secure Networks

EF Johnson

Etherstack

ICOM America

Kenwood

M/A-Com (TycoElectronic)

Midland

Motorola

Nexus Wireless

Relm

Raytheon JPS

Thales

Tait Electronics

Technisonic

Westel

Wireless Pacific

6.0 Software Defined Radio (SDR) and PSR Interoperability

6.1 General

6.2 Scope

6.2.1 Developments

6.2.2 Prospective

6.2.3 Features

6.3 Need

6.4 Status

6.5 Objectives

6.6 New Development

6.7 Benefits and Challenges

6.8 JTRS

6.9 Market Estimate

6.9.1 Market Forecast

6.9.1.1 Model Assumptions

6.9.1.2 Estimate

6.9.1.3 Public Safety Radio Market Specifics-SDR

6.10 Market Players

Adaptix (SW, Broadband Access)

AeroStream (Consumer, Military Radio)

Analog Devices (Chipsets)

Cambridge Consultants (802.16e)

Cisco (802.11a)

CRC –Canadian Research Center (Software)

Harris (Radio Systems)

ICS- GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Modules, Software)

In Motion Technology (PSC)

ISR Technology (Platforms)

Lyrtech (DSP and FPGA development solutions)

Motorola (SDR in Public Safety)

NavSys (GPS and Communications)

Nova Engineering (Platforms)

Objective Interface (Software)

RadioScape (SDR Audio)

Rockwell Collins (Radios)

Spectrum Signal Processing –Vecima Networks (Platforms)

Sundance (Platforms, Modules)

Thales (Radio)

7.0 Radio Methods

7.1 Swap Radios

7.2 Multi-agencies Operations

7.3 Shared System

7.4 Multi-band Radio and Repeaters

7.5 Patching

8.0 Private Networks for Public Safety

8.1 Business Issues

8.2 Technical Issues

8.3 Progress

9.0 Satellite Communications – Help from the Sky

9.1 General

9.2 Features

9.2.1 Types

9.3 Planning

9.4 Technology Specifics

9.4.1 Scenarios

9.5 Services

9.6 Benefits and Issues

9.7 Channels

9.8 Voice

9.9 Services and Providers

9.9.1 CapRock

9.9.2 Inmarsat

9.9.3 Iridium and JPS

9.9.3.1 Iridium

9.9.4 PacStar and Spacenet

9.9.5 DataPath

9.9.6 New Hampshire Satellite Responder Network

9.9.7 IP Access International

9.9.8 SES Americom

9.9.9 Anvil

10.0 Addressable Market: PSR Interoperability

10.1 Directions

10.2 Estimate

11.0 Conclusions

Appendix 1 - Project 25/ANSI 102 Major Standards

Figure 1: First Responders: Frequency Bands (2008)

Figure 2: Interoperability Methods

Figure 3: Estimate: Addressable Market – IP Technology Interoperability PSR Equipment ($B)

Figure 4: IP-based Interoperability Geography

Figure 5: Radio Technologies for WMN

Figure 6: Mesh Network Equipment Sale: Addressable Market Estimate ($B)

Figure 7: Addressable Market: Mesh Network Equipment Sale for PSC Applications
Figure 8: Technology Segmentation: Mesh Network Market

Figure 9: Mesh Network Market Geography (2006)

Figure 10: APCO Project 25 Interface Committee P25

Figure 11: Generic-P25 System Structure

Figure 12: ISSI-P25 System-to-System

Figure 13: ISSI-Roaming

Figure 14: P25 Radio System Model Illustration

Figure 15: Revised Frequency Plan

Figure 16: Revised Spectrum (Upper 700 MHz sub-band)

Figure 17: 700 MHz Auction

Figure 18: P25 Network Architecture

Figure 19: Partners

Figure 20: MESA Networking

Figure 21: PSR Evolution

Figure 22: P25 Equipment Addressable Market (U.S. and Canada, $M)

Figure 23: PSR Handheld & Mobile Market Estimate ($B)

Figure 24: P25 Radio Major Applications (2008)

Figure 25: Estimate: SDR Addressable Market-Military Sector ($B)

Figure 26: Estimate: SDR Addressable Market-Commercial Sector ($B)

Figure 27: SDR Market Geography (2007)

Figure 28: Estimate: Addressable Market-SDR in PSC ($M)

Figure 29: Satellite Channels

Figure 30: Interoperability Methods Distribution

Figure 31: PSR Addressable Market: N.A. Interoperability Equipment Sales ($B)

Table 1: Interoperability Levels

Table 2: States Emergency Network Examples

Table 3: WMN Security Options

Table 4: P25 Advantages and Issues (Phase I)

Table 5: PSR Bands

Table 6: P25 Services

Table 7: MESA Network Levels

Table 8: TETRA vs. P25 Markets

Table 9: SLA Comparison – Private Networks vs. Public Safety Networks

Table 10: DHS State Grant Funding to Improve Interoperability in Selected States (2003-2005)

Adaptix (SW, Broadband Access)

AeroStream (Consumer, Military Radio)

Analog Devices (Chipsets)

Cambridge Consultants (802.16e)

Cisco (802.11a)

CRC –Canadian Research Center (Software)

Harris (Radio Systems)

ICS- GE Fanuc Intelligent Platforms (Modules, Software)

In Motion Technology (PSC)

ISR Technology (Platforms)

Lyrtech (DSP and FPGA development solutions)

Motorola (SDR in Public Safety)

NavSys (GPS and Communications)

Nova Engineering (Platforms)

Objective Interface (Software)

RadioScape (SDR Audio)

Rockwell Collins (Radios)

Spectrum Signal Processing –Vecima Networks (Platforms)

Sundance (Platforms, Modules)

Thales (Radio)