Abstract
This report addresses current issues of wireless communications for first
responders with the emphases on interoperability and reliability on the
federal, state and local levels. The report, particular, emphasizes a
standardization process of first responders radio as a tool to build a unified
platform for public safety communications.
In this report, we analyzing:
-Software Defined Radio (SDR). This technology promises almost
unlimited abilities to reach adaptive interoperability on the global level
between security agencies radio communications.
Interoperability today is limited by incompatible radio systems that operate
on different frequency bands and/or use different protocols. Interoperability
could be accomplished through SDR implementation of multiband radios (e.g.,
radios that operate on nonadjacent VHF, UHF, and 700/800 MHz bands) and
multi-service radios (e.g., public safety land mobile radio, commercial
services, and so on) in conjunction with associated modifications to network,
infrastructure security, regulatory, and operational procedures.
SDR also has significant potential for both life cycle cost reduction and
enabling cognitive applications that allow a radio to adjust operating
parameters automatically to improve performance or better utilize spectrum
that enhances performance.
Technical developments that are needed to realize the above capabilities
include front-end processing, analog-to-digital (A/D) and digital-to-analog
(D/A) conversion, and portable multi-band antennas. Size, weight, and power
consumption constraints of portable units compound these challenges. The
technical challenges increase as the range of supported frequency bands
increases and as multiple services with significantly differing waveforms
(e.g., linear and non-linear) are supported.
Ultimately, SDR technology will play an important role in both the
infrastructure and terminal devices, but no preferred sequence of technology
introduction was identified.
-TETRA. This is a standard for public safety radio adopted by many
countries outside of the U.S.
-Project 25. This is a standard for public safety radio adopted by the
U.S. and several other countries. We also see as this radio goes beyond a
public safety communications arena
-Project MESA. This is a work in a progress on the global scale to
develop a unified strategy for reaching interoperability in communications for
multiple security agencies.
The report analyzes the addressable markets for existing technologies and
provides details of MESA evolving as a "System of Systems".
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.
For vendors of the first response technology, this report provides valuable
information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market
assessment.
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 SDR: Complex radio for Complex Situations
- 2.1 General
- 2.2 Wireless Evolution
- 2.3 Versatility
- 2.3.1 SDR Forum Position
- 2.3.2 Major Issues
- 2.4 FCC Position
- 2.5 SDR In Actions
- 2.6 Directions
- 2.6.1 Multifunctionality
- 2.6.1.1 Multi-modal
- 2.6.1.2 Multi-band/Multi-standard
- 2.7 SDR Contribution-Public Safety Communications
- 2.8 Decisions
- 2.9 Non-technical Issues
- 2.10 Features Summary
- 2.11 SDR and OSI
- 2.12 Developments
- 2.13 Applications
- 2.13.1 Commercial
- 2.13.2 SDR and Military
- 2.13.3 SCA
- 2.13.4 Commercialization
- 2.13.5 SDR: Applications Benefits
- 2.13.6 Benefits to Public Safety Communications
- 2.14 Market
- 2.14.1 Landscape
- 2.14.2 Features
- 2.14.3 Cost
- 2.14.4 Different Perspective
- 2.14.5 Drivers-Summary
- 2.14.6 Market Forecast
- 2.14.6.1 Model Assumptions
- 2.14.6.2 Estimate
- 2.14.6.3 Public Safety SDR Market Specifics
- 2.14.7 Market Players
- Adaptix (SW, Broadband Access)
- AeroStream (Consumer, Military Radio-Modules)
- AirNet Communications-Tecore (SDR Base Stations)
- Altera (Automotive SDR)
- Analog Devices (Chipsets)
- Array Systems Computing (DSP)
- BitWave Semiconductor (Chipsets)
- Cambridge Consultants (802.16e)
- Cisco (802.11a)
- CRC -Canadian Research Center (Software)
- Harris (Radio Systems)
- Hypres (Chipsets)
- ICS-Radstone-GE Fanuc Technologies (Modules, Software)
- ISR Technology (Platforms)
- Kaben (Chipsets)
- Lyrtech (DSP and FPGA development solutions)
- Morpho (Software)
- Mercury Computers Systems (Toolsets)
- Motorola (SDR in Public Safety)
- NavSys (GPS and Communications)
- Nova Engineering (Platforms)
- Objective Interface (Software)
- Pentek (SDR Boards)
- picoChip (ICs)
- PrismaTech (SDR Development Environment)
- RadioScape (SDR Audio)
- Rockwell Collins (Radios)
- Smart Link
- Spectrum Signal Processing (Platforms)
- Sundance (Platforms, Modules)
- Thales (Radio)
- Wind River (Software)
- Xilinx (Chips, SDR Development Kits)
- Zeligsoft (Software Tools)
3.0 P25-Standard Trunked Radio for First Responders
- 3.1 Introduction
- 3.2 General
- 3.3 Project 25/TIA 102: Scope
- 3.3.1 Efforts
- 3.3.2 Phased Approach
- 3.3.2.1 Phase I
- 3.3.2.2 Phase II
- 3.3.2.3 Phase III
- 3.3.2.4 Transition
- 3.3.3 General Mission and Objectives
- 3.3.4 Technical Highlights
- 3.3.4.1 Common Air Interface
- 3.3.4.2 RF Sub-system
- 3.3.4.3 Inter-system Interface
- 3.3.4.4 Telephone Interconnect Interface
- 3.3.4.5 Network Management Interface
- 3.3.4.6 Host and Network Data Interfaces
- 3.3.4.7 Fixed Station Interface
- 3.3.4.8 Console Sub-system Interface
- 3.3.5 Major Characteristics-Summary
- 3.3.6 Spectrum: Problems
- 3.3.6.1 FCC Position
- 3.3.6.2 Major Improvements
- 3.3.7 Services
- 3.3.8 Network Scenario
- 3.4 Market
- 3.4.1 Prices
- 3.4.2 Forecast
- 3.5 Vendors
- Daniels
- EADS
- EF Johnson
- Kenwood
- M-A-Com (TycoElectronic)
- Motorola
- Relm
- Raytheon
- Tait Electronics
- Technisonic
- Westel
- Wireless Pacific
4.0 TETRA: Scope
- 4.1 General
- 4.2 Bands
- 4.3 TETRA and GSM
- 4.4 Main Features
- 4.4.1 General
- 4.4.2 Technical
- 4.4.3 Services
- 4.5 Benefits
- 4.6 Networking
- 4.7 Details
- 4.7.1 General
- 4.7.2 Interfaces
- 4.7.3 Structure
- 4.7.4 Spectrum Allocation
- 4.8 P25 and TETRA
- 4.9 Standardization
5.0 Pre-standardized "Standards"
- 5.1 TETRAPOL
- 5.1.1 General
- 5.1.2 TETRAPOL Technology
- 5.1.3 TETRAPOL and TETRA
- 5.2 iDEN
6.0 Market: Comparative Analysis
- 6.1 General
- 6.2 Geography
- 6.3 Market Drivers
- 6.4 Market Forecast
- 6.4.1 Model Assumptions
- 6.4.2 Market Estimate
- 6.4.3 Sensitivity Analysis
- 6.5 Applications
7.0 TETRA Characteristics
- 7.1 Technical
- 7.2 Economics
- 7.3 Major Benefits
8.0 Roadblocks
- 8.1 Funding
- 8.2 Lack of Spectrum
- 8.3 Control
9.0 TETRA Vendors
- Aerial Facilities Limited (AFL)
- Avitec
- Celex
- Cleartone
- DAMM
- EADS
- Frequentis
- Motorola
- Niros
- Nokia (EADS)
- Portalify
- Rohde-Schwarz
- Sepura
- SmartLink Radio Networks
- Siemens
- Simoco
- Zetron
- Zonith
10.0 Project MESA
- 10.1 Definition
- 10.2 Organization
- 10.3 Background
- 10.4 Project MESA Formulators
- 10.5 Architecture
- 10.6 MESA Statement of Requirements (SoR)
- 10.6.1 General
- 10.6.2 Vision: Ad-hoc and Cell
- 10.6.2.1 Features
- 10.6.2.2 Technological Needs
- 10.6.2.3 General Technology-Requirements
- 10.6.2.4 Specific and Functional Requirements
- 10.7 Goals
- 10.8 Applications
- 10.9 Crossroads
- 10.10 Technology Details:System of Systems
- 10.10.1 Framework description
- 10.11Architecture
- 10.11.1 PAN
- 10.11.1.1 Overview
- 10.11.1.2 Characteristics
- 10.11.1.3 Place
- 10.11.2 IAN
- 10.11.2.1 Overview
- 10.11.2.2 Characteristics
- 10.11.2.3 Relations
- 10.11.3 JAN
- 10.11.3.1 Overview
- 10.11.3.2 Characteristics
- 10.11.3.3 Relations
- 10.11.3.4 Example: MESA IAN and MESA JAN Integration
- 10.11.4EAN
- 10.11.4.1 Overview
- 10.11.4.2 Characteristics
- 10.11.4.3 Relations
- 10.12 Structure/Architectural Scenarios
- 10.12.1 Components
- 10.12.1.1 PAN Elements
- 10.12.1.2 Communication Devices
- 10.12.1.3 Connections
- 10.13 Network Requirements
- 10.13.1 PAN
- 10.13.1.1 Class 0
- 10.13.1.2 Class 1
- 10.13.2 IAN
- 10.13.2.1 Class 0
- 10.13.2.1.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.1.2 Description
- 10.13.2.1.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.1.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.2.2 Class 1
- 10.13.2.2.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.2.2 Description
- 10.13.2.2.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.2.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.2.3 Class 2
- 10.13.2.3.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.3.2 Description
- 10.13.2.3.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.3.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.2.4 Class 3
- 10.13.2.4.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.4.2 Description
- 10.13.2.4.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.4.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.2.5 Class 4
- 10.13.2.5.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.5.2 Description
- 10.13.2.5.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.5.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.2.6 Class 5
- 10.13.2.6.1 Characteristics
- 10.13.2.6.2 Description
- 10.13.2.6.3 Applications
- 10.13.2.6.4 Network Requirements
- 10.13.3 JAN
11.0 Device Requirements
- 11.1Common Communication Device Requirements
- 11.1.1 Required Features
- 11.1.2 Optional Features
- 11.2 Mobile Terminal
- 11.3 Public Safety Communication Device
- 11.4 Public Safety Sensor
- 11.5 Project MESA -Significance
12.0 Conclusions
Appendix 1: P25 Documents
FIGURES
- Figure 1: First Responders: Frequency Bands
- Figure 2: Simplified Block-Diagram of SDR System (Tier 2)
- Figure 3: SDR Market Estimate for the Military Segment ($B)
- Figure 4: SDR Market Estimate for Commercial Segment ($B)
- Figure 5: SDR Market Estimate ($B)
- Figure 6: Market Estimate for SDR Software ($B)
- Figure 7: Market Estimate for SDR Hardware ($B)
- Figure 8: Market Estimate for SDR Base Stations ($B)
- Figure 9: Market Estimate for SDR Portables ($B)
- Figure 10: SDR market Geography (2006)
- Figure 11: Total Public Safety Radio Market ($B)
- Figure 12: Market Estimate: Public Safety Radio (SDR-based) in $M
- Figure 13: P25 Generic Structure of P25 Radio Interworking
- Figure 14: P25 Network Architecture
- Figure 15: Estimate of the U.S. P25 Radio Market
- Figure 16: Worldwide P25 Market Estimate ($B)
- Figure 17: Interworking Illustration
- Figure 18: Network Scenarios
- Figure 19: TETRA Connectivity
- Figure 20: TETRA: Spectrum Allocation
- Figure 21: P25 Phased Approach
- Figure 22: TETRA and TETRAPOL Users
- Figure 23: Public Safety Radio Market ($B)
- Figure 24: Portable Radio (Handsets): Market Estimate ($B)
- Figure 25: TETRA Geographic (2005)
- Figure 26: TETRA Major Applications
- Figure 27: Partners
- Figure 28: MESA Networking
- Figure 29: Simplified: MESA Ad-Hoc Network Configuration
- Figure 30: Integration
- Figure 31: Illustration-MESA-network Connections
- Figure 32: Connections
TABLES
- Table 1: States Emergency Network Examples
- Table 2: Multiple Tiers
- Table 3: SDR Market Drivers
- Table 4: P25 Services
- Table 6: P25 Radio Prices
- Table 7: TETRA Established
- Table 8: TETRA vs. P25 Markets
- Table 9: TETRA Benefits
