Abstract
Scope
Requirements for public safety and homeland security mobile communications
systems are rapidly evolving as a direct result of recent world events. Many
government organizations are contemplating significant capital investment in
upgraded communications systems while hoping, if possible, to leverage systems
already in use. However, law enforcement agencies at the federal, state, and
local level have, over time, employed a range of independent and sometimes
proprietary systems. These systems' differences have often times precluded
fast and easy sharing of information between departments or even limited basic
interdepartmental communications.
This report addresses issues that are important to our homeland security. It
provides marketing and technology analysis of public safety radio, a necessary
component of the homeland security infrastructure. The report addresses a
phased approach to the development of P25 PSC (Public Safety Communications)
radio; this approach allows to grateful migration from existing PSC networks
based mostly on FM analog technology, to modern all-digital technology.
Recent events in the U.S. and all around the world showed that the existing
public safety radio characteristics do not satisfy new requirements.
Particular those events demonstrated that our first responders are not able to
communicate with each other in a case of crisis. Decentralized structure of
the public safety agencies, their desire to control means of communications
inside of one agency without any planning to communicate with other agencies
created a dangerous situation.
This situation is characterized by:
- Absence of coordination between government entities to equip first
responders with compatible radios and to create homogeneous networks
- Absence of adequate redundancy to support first responders communications
- Absence of continuity of operation planning
- Difficulties to fund new PSC networks.
This situation required immediate reaction, and governments of the civilized
world were pressured to allocate significant funds to create the
infrastructure for first responders communications.
As public safety agencies evaluate their two-way radio needs for the future,
many are reaching some similar conclusions:
- Radio spectrum is becoming more congested
- The demand for data transmission is more pronounced
- Systems need increased functionality
- Secure communication is a growing necessity
- Incompatible systems prevent communications between different agencies
- Improved voice quality is essential over more of the coverage area.
Government efforts resulted in gradual shifting from diversified technologies
used in public safety radio to two standard technologies, P25 and TETRA. The
first one was developed and deployed in the U.S. and there are many countries
around the world that are deploying it as well; and the second one was
developed in Europe, and spread to the rest of the globe. As it often
happened (good analogy is SONET and SDH technologies), P25 and TETRA, at the
present time, are incompatible, but efforts are in a way, which may result in
compatibility between these systems.
This report analyzes phased development of P25 technique, its market and
technological specifics.
Particular, it provides details of:
- Phase I: Vendors of P25-compliant equipment are shipping radios at the
present time
- Phase II: As the result of this development, P25 and Tetra radios may
become compatible (development can take several years)
- Phase III (Project MESA): Further compatibility and performance
improvements on a country or even global level.
The report provides results that are useful for first responders'
organizations, technical department of security agencies and vendors of public
safety radio.
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 have a picture of the market with the major players and their
portfolios to select the right equipment.
For vendors, this report provides valuable information on competition. It also
supports these vendors with the market assessment.
Table of Contents
1.0 Introduction
- 1.1 Current Situation
- 1.2 New Era 9
- 1.3 Initial Actions
- 1.3.1 Road to Interoperability
- 1.3.2 New Technology
- 1.4 Scope and Goals
- 1.5 Research Methodology
- 1.6 Target Audience
2.0 Trunked Radio - The Way to Go
- 2.1 General
- 2.2 Concept
- 2.3 Details
- 2.4 Spectrum Efficiency
- 2.5 System Operation: Dispatch/Land Mobile Radio
- 2.6 System Administration
- 2.7 Directions
3.0 Technology: New Directions for Public Safety Communications
- 3.1 Requirements to Public Safety Radio
- 3.2 Standardization Process and Technologies
- 3.2.1 General: P25 Standard
- 3.2.2 Beginning
- 3.2.3 Project 25/TIA 102: Scope
- 3.2.3.1 Efforts
- 3.2.3.2 Phased Approach
- 3.2.3.2.1 Phases
- 3.2.3.2.2 Phase I
- 3.2.3.2.3 Phase II
- 3.2.3.2.4 Phase III
4.0 Current P25 Development-Phase I
- 4.1 General Mission and Objectives
- 4.1.2 Compliance
- 4.1.3 Benefits and Issues
- 4.2 Technical Highlights
- 4.2.1 Common Air Interface
- 4.2.2 Fixed Station Interface
- 4.2.3 Console Sub-system Interface
- 4.2.4 RF Sub-system
- 4.2.5 Inter-system Interface (ISSI)
- 4.2.6 Telephone Interconnect Interface
- 4.2.7 Network Management Interface
- 4.2.8 Host and Network Data Interfaces
- 4.2.9 Summary: Interfaces
- 4.3 Security
- 4.4 Coding
- 4.5 Frequency Bands
- 4.6 P25 Voice Messaging
- 4.7 System
- 4.8 Spectrum: Problems
- 4.9 Major Improvements
- 4.10 Services
- 4.11 Network Scenario
- 4.12 Transition
5.0 Phase II
- 5.1 Transition
- 5.2 Scope
- 5.3 Time
6.0 Phase III
- 6.1 General
- 6.2 Organization
- 6.3 Background
- 6.4 Project MESA Formulators
- 6.5 Networking
- 6.6 MESA Statement of Requirements (SoR)
- 6.6.1 General
- 6.6.2 Vision: Ad-hoc and Cell
- 6.6.2.1 Features
- 6.6.2.2 Technological Needs
- 6.6.2.3 General Technology-Requirements
- 6.6.2.4 Specific and Functional Requirements
- 6.7 Goals
- 6.8 Applications
- 6.9 Crossroads
- 6.10 Technology Details: System of Systems
- 6.10.1 Framework description
- 6.11 Architecture
- 6.12 Security
- 6.13 Projects P25 and MESA
7.0 P25 and TETRA
8.0 Roadblocks
- 8.1 Funding and Spectrum Issues
- 8.2 Control
- 8.3 Challenges
9.0 Market Analysis
- 9.1 General
- 9.2 Geography
- 9.3 Market Drivers
- 9.4 Market Forecast
- 9.4.1 Developments
- 9.4.2 Model Assumptions
- 9.4.3 Market Estimate
10.0 Characteristics
- 10.1 Technical
- 10.2 Economics
11.0 Projects and Trials
- 11.1 Alaska Project
- 11.2 Nationwide Network
- 11.3 National Capital Region Land Mobile Radio System
12.0 Vendors
- Daniels
- Datron
- Digital Voice System
- EDAS Security Systems
- EF Johnson
- Etherstack
- Kenwood
- M/A-Com (TycoElectronic)
- Midland
- Motorola
- Nexus Wireless
- Relm
- Raytheon JPS
- SmartLink Radio Networks
- Thales
- Tait Electronics
- Technisonic
- Westel
- Wireless Pacific
13.0 Conclusions
Glossary
APPENDIX: P25 Documents
References
Attachment: P25 Service Availability Matrix
Attachment: Standards
Attachment: Countries with P25-Compliant Radio
Figures:
- Figure 1: Trunked Radio Concept Illustration
- Figure 2: APCO Project 25 Interface Committee P25
- Figure 3: Generic-P25 System Structure
- Figure 4: P25 Radio System Model Illustration
- Figure 5: Revised Frequency Plan
- Figure 6: Revised Spectrum (Upper 700 MHz sub-band)
- Figure 7: 700 MHz Auction
- Figure 8: P25 Network Architecture
- Figure 9: Partners
- Figure 10: MESA Networking
- Figure 11: PSR Evolution
- Figure 12: P25 Phased Approach
- Figure 13: Public Safety Radio Market ($B)
- Figure 14: PSR Handheld & Mobile Market Estimate ($B)
- Figure 15: P25 Radio Major Applications
Tables:
- Table 1: Interoperability Solutions
- Table 2: P25 Advantages and Issues
- Table 3: PSR Bands
- Table 4: P25 Services
- Table 5: Mesa Networks Levels
- Table 6: TETRA vs. P25 Markets
