Abstract
This report analyzes the status of first responders' communications
technologies and markets, concentrating on the following subjects:
- Satellites communications for pubic safety communications
- Mesh networks and their role in public safety communications
- Ultra Wideband communications for first responders
- North America standard land-mobile radio for first responders-Project P25.
All these subjects are united by their purpose - to serve first responders in
their activity, supporting reliable interoperable communications.
The report also addresses marketing profiles of the above technologies in the
public safety communications segment.
1. Satellite communications. With falling pricing and uniqueness of
this technology features, satellite links importance for disaster recovery is
difficult to underestimate. First responders can now use services offered by
several companies to sustain their interaction in various situations when
terrestrial links are damaged or completely destroyed. Modern technology
allows establishing such satellite links in a very short time, and it supports
both voice and data traffic. Satellite offerings to support public safety
communications can be categorize as:
- Permanent installations. They are typically only used for the most
important and vital government networks
- Pre-empted connections, which usually are utilized by non-public safety
communications users, but become available for first responders in critical
situations.
Satellite attractiveness is partially offset by:
Pricing structure (in comparison with other means of communications) Specifics
of establishing a communications path (the need for an antenna to "see" the
satellite) Relative bulkiness of equipment.
2. Wireless mesh networks. These networks are self-organized and
redundant by their nature - the ideal situation for first responders'
communications. Each responder may become a part of the network structure; in
a case of the failing link, the network itself will establish a new
connection. The WMN market is growing fast and public safety communications
plays a significant role in this market.
3. UWB. Ultra Wideband technology has a very important feature that
makes it attractive for public safety communications - it can combine in one
device a secure communicator and precise radar. Such properties allow first
responders to "see" through the wall and communicate at the same time. UWB is,
in our opinion, one of technologies that in the near future will establish a
significant presence in the discussed communications sector.
4. Project 25 radio.Project 25 defines a set of standards for first
responders' radio to establish such radio characteristics for North America
and several countries outside of the U.S. The goal of this standard is to make
sure that various agencies talk "the same language" and can communicate with
each other during emergencies. So far, there is still a lot of non-standard
equipment in hands of first responders, and this makes their efforts difficult
and inefficient.
It is important to mention that discussed technologies can help first responders in different situations:
- Satellite: to communicate globally and inside of the U.S.
- WMN: to communicate in a dense urban environment
- UWB: to communicate primarily inside of the buildings and other
constructions
- Project 25: to communicate inside of the agency.
Note that selection these wireless technologies do not guarantee
interoperability by default - careful frequency coordination as well as other
coordination steps are still necessary. The main point here is that discussed
technologies working together can provide reliable means of support for first
responders.
Altogether, the idea of this report is to attract attention to the most (in
our opinion) perspectives means of communications for first responders. The
task of regular communications is not easy; it becomes a real problem when
communications network have to deal with extreme and unfavorable conditions,
such as fire, flooding, or terrorism. Depending on a particular situation,
environmental conditions and particular tasks, discussed in this report
technologies can work together to sustain reliable communications.
The markets for UWB, P25 and WMN experience strong presence of governmental
influence and financial support. Though slowly, but persistently standards
bodies and governments in the U.S. and other countries realize the importance
of survivable interoperable networks for first responders. As many markets
that depend on governmental support and infusion of funds, the public safety
communications market is dynamically stretches its borders. It looks like
there is no any other alternative except it fast development to provide first
responders a degree of assurance that they will be supported by the most
effective survivable means of communications.
Research Methodology
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.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 General-Mobility and Interoperability
- 1.2 Requirements to Public Safety Radio
- 1.3 Interoperability Categories
- 1.4 Classification 1.5 Criteria
- 1.6 States and Federal Support
- 1.7 Scope
- 1.8 Research Methodology
- 1.9 Target Audience
2.0 Satellite Communications - Help from the Sky
- 2.1 General
- 2.2 Features
- 2.3 Planning
- 2.4 Technology Specifics
- 2.5 Services
- 2.6 Benefits and Issues
- 2.7 Channels
- 2.8 Voice
- 2.9 Services and Providers
- 2.9.1 CapRock
- 2.9.2 Cyren Call Communications Corp
- 2.9.3 Inmarsat
- 2.9.4 Iridium and JPS
- 2.9.5 PacStar and Spacenet
- 2.9.6 DataPath
- 2.9.7 New Hampshire Satellite Responder Network
- 2.9.8 IDirect Technologies
- 2.9.9 IP Access International
- 2.9.10 SES Americom
- 2.9.11 Anvil
- 2.10.12 Vendors
- RaySat Antenna
- Raytheon JPS
3.0 Mesh Networks
- 3.1 Definition
- 3.2 Major Features
- 3.2.1 General
- 3.2.2 Attractiveness
- 3.3 Benefits and Limitations
- 3.4 Major WMN Applications
- 3.5 Architectures
- 3.6 Routing Protocols
- 3.6.1 Lack of Standardization
- 3.6.2 Applications Variety
- 3.6.3 Protocols
- 3.7 Security Issues
- 3.7.1 General
- 3.7.2 IEEE 802.11
- 3.7.3 UWB (Ultra Wideband) Technology
- 3.7.4 ZigBee
- 3.7.5 Summary-Public Safety Security
- 3.8 Market: Mesh Networks
- 3.8.1 Market Estimate
- 3.8.1.1 Market Leaders
- 3.8.1.2 Forecast
- 3.9 Major WMN Vendors and their Products
- Atheros (chipsets)
- BelAir (Nodes)
- Cisco (Protocols, Nodes)
- Crossbow (nodes)
- Dust Networks (WMN Nodes)
- Ember (ZigBee chips for WMN)
- Intel (Nodes)
- IWT(Network Solution)
- IPMobileNet (WMN)
- FireTide (Mesh network-Public safety applications)
- Kiyon
- MeshDynamics (Nodes)
- Millennial Net (SW and Systems)
- Moteiv (Nodes and SW)
- MeshNetworks (Motorola)
- Mitre (protocols)
- Motorola (Nodes-Public Safety Communications)
- Newtrax (WSN-mesh, UGS)
- NexGen City (Mesh-Public Safety)
- Northrop Grumman (Nodes)
- Nortel (WMN Systems)
- NovaRoam (Public Safety Communications -WMN)
- Octave Technologies (SW)
- PacketHop (WMN SW; in a process of acquiring by SRI International)
- Proxim (WMN Nodes)
- Rajant (WMN-Military, First Responders)
- Sensoria (WMN for Public Safety Communications)
- Sensicast (WMN for Industrial Automation)
- SIAE (WMN for IA)
- SkyPilot Networks (WMN Nodes)
- Strix (Nodes-First Responders)
- Trango (Mesh for First responders)
- Qorvus (WMN for IA)
- Tropos (routers, OS)
- Ubiwave (Mesh Network)
- 3.10 WMN and First Responders
4.0 Ultra Wideband (UWB) Technologies and First Responders Communications
- 4.1 General
- 4.2 Obstacles
- 4.3 Benefits
- 4.4 Definition
- 4.5 Rates
- 4.6 Spectrum Allocation
- 4.7 Choices
- 4.8 Major Features
- 4.9 Standards and Regulations
- 4.9.1 Multiband OFDM
- 4.9.2 DS-UWB
- 4.9.3 Groups
- 4.9.4 Security
- 4.10 Major Applications
- 4.11 Market Estimate
- 4.11.1 General
- 4.11.2 Geographical Segmentation
- 4.11.3 Forecast
- 4.12 Industry
- Aether (localization devices)
- Alereon (chipsets)
- Artimi (chipsets)
- BBN (radio, first responders applications)
- Camero (radar, equipment for first responders)
- Focus Enhancement (chipsets)
- Freescale (chipsets, systems)
- General Atomics (chipsets)
- Intel (Chips, standards)
- Multispectral (RFID and others)
- Parco (RFID)
- Pulse~ Link (chipsets)
- Staccato (chipsets)
- Time Domain (chipsets-fusion of communications & radar)
- Tzero (chipsets)
- Ubisense (RFID-tracking)
- Wisair (chipsets)
- WiQuest (chipsets)
5.0 P25-Standard Trunked Radio for First Responders
- 5.1 Introduction
- 5.2 General
- 5.3 Project 25/TIA 102: Scope
- 5.3.1 Efforts
- 5.3.2 Phased Approach
- 5.3.3 General Mission and Objectives
- 5.3.4 Technical Highlights
- 5.3.4.1 Common Air Interface
- 5.3.4.2 RF Sub-system
- 5.3.4.3 Inter-system Interface
- 5.3.4.4 Telephone Interconnect Interface
- 5.3.4.5 Network Management Interface
- 5.3.4.6 Host and Network Data Interfaces
- 5.3.5 Major Characteristics-Summary
- 5.4 Spectrum: Problems
- 5.5 Services
- 5.6 Network Scenario
- 5.7 Market
- 5.7.1 Prices
- 5.7.2 Forecast
- 5.8 Vendors
- Daniels
- EADS
- EF Johnson
- Kenwood
- M-A-Com (TycoElectronic)
- Motorola
- Relm
- Raytheon
- Tait Electronics
- Technisonic
- Westel
- Wireless Pacific
6.0 Conclusions
Appendix 1 - Project 25/ANSI 102 Major Standards
Figures:
- Figure 1: First Responders: Frequency Bands
- Figure 2: Satellite Channels
- Figure 3: Radio Technologies for WMN
- Figure 4: Mesh Network Equipment Sale: Market Estimate ($B)
- Figure 5: Estimate: Mesh Network equipment Sale for First Responders
Application
- Figure 6: Technology Segmentation: Mesh Network Market
- Figure 7: Mesh Network Market Geography (2006)
- Figure 8: UWB Spectrum
- Figure 9: Market Estimate: UWB Circuitry ($B)
- Figure 10: Market Estimate: Multiband OFDM UWB Circuitry ($B)
- Figure 11: Market Estimate: DS UWB Circuitry ($B)
- Figure 12: Estimate of UWB Market - Communications Applications ($B)
- Figure 13: P25 Network Architecture
- Figure 14: P25 Phased Approach
- Figure 15: Estimate of the U.S. P25 Radio Market
- Figure 16: Worldwide P25 Market Estimate ($B)
Tables:
- Table 1: States Emergency Network Examples
- Table 2: WMN Security Options
- Table 3: Comparison: DS-UWB and MB-OFDM
- Table 4: UWB Forum and WiMedia
- Table 5: P25 Services1
- Table 6: P25 Radio Prices
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