narrowbanding and public safety communications and... · all vhf, uhf radio systems must narrowband...
TRANSCRIPT
Narrowbanding and Public Safety Communications
Introduction and Overview
Jay SextonGeorgia Tech Research Institute
IntroductionsIntroductions
What equipment is used on every call by every public
safety responder?
What equipment is used on every call by every public
safety responder?
Radio
GTRI & GT Corporate - 324Jan2011
Basic Radio 101First: There are 5 Bands of the Radio Frequency Spectrum that are used by radios in GA. Radios for one cannot usually talk to radios for another. Which do you have?
Direct (Simplex)
Direct (or Simplex or Talkaround) Everyone is on
one frequency One radio
transmits, the other radios receive
Radio
Radio
Repeated
Repeaters Improve field unit to dispatch and off-scene
units Uses two frequencies: one for transmit, one
to receive
Radio RadioRepeater
Conventional vs. Trunked
Conventional Most common system type One “channel” (frequency or pair) per use (e.g.
police, fire, etc.) Simple and inexpensive Spectrally inefficient
Trunked Most common in large urban areas Channels are “pooled” and used in talkgroups Complex and expensive Spectrally efficient
What is Narrowbanding?
Why is it important?
What is Narrowbanding?
Why is it important?
What is Narrowbanding?
NOT rebanding! FCC mandate Affects VHF and UHF radio systems
Most systems in Georgia Changes the way frequencies are used Equipment must be reconfigured or
replaced Deadline: December 31, 2012
Wideband vs. Narrowband
Narrowbanding Impact
Good Increase number of available frequencies System growth instead of replacement
Bad May have to replace pre-1996 equipment All equipment must be reconfigured Unfunded mandate – agencies bear costs Radio coverage will be reduced (up to 40%) DEADLINE: December 31, 2012
Coverage Loss
Coverage loss (up to 40%) Most current systems only cover most
(maybe 90-95%) of a county Post-narrowbanding coverage could
be 60% of a county Depends on current coverage and
topography Three main options to address
coverage loss
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Coverage Loss –Three Options
Live with the coverage loss Most economical May compromise public safety
Install new antenna sites More costly May require relicensing
Install new digital system
Digital Systems –Pros and Cons
Pros Increased coverage Additional features (e.g. geolocation, over-
the-air programming, basic data, prioritization)
Can protect you from future “ultra”-narrowbanding
Cons More costly (probably) Hinders interoperability (no one universal
standard)
Interoperability Problems
During transition Narrowband Signal to a Wideband Radio
Quiet or ignored audio Wideband Signal to a Narrowband Radio
Loud and distorted audio Narrowband signals may be missed
After transition Digital systems possibly not compatible with
analog systems or each other
Agencies Effected
Law enforcement Fire EMS Boards of Education (including school
buses) Public Works / Utilities Departments of Transportation Others
16
Recommended Next Steps
GTRI & GT Corporate - 1724Jan2011
Talk about budgets early! Inventory current equipment
Portables and mobiles Base stations and repeaters Radio caches Gateway radios Pagers
Perform coverage tests
Recommended Next Steps (cont’d)
GTRI & GT Corporate - 1824Jan2011
Talk with neighbors Shared channels (may require MOUs) Sharing a system (would require MOUs)
Change FCC licenses Administrative change if narrowbanding only Other changes require coordination
Plan ahead!
NarrowbandingSummary
All VHF, UHF Radio Systems must narrowband by December 31, 2012
Planning and coordination are crucial ALL equipment must be reconfigured or
replaced Coverage loss must be addressed NOTE: Systems must ultimately go to
6.25KHz bandwidth (no date set)
NarrowbandingWebsites
FCC Narrowbanding page - Briefs, Tech Topics, FAQs http://www.fcc.gov/narrowbanding
OEC/ICTAP Public Safety Technology Assistance Tools http://publicsafetytools.info Narrowband Status, Frequency Mapping,
CASM
Helpful Documents from Today
Hard copy Narrowbanding Guide – March 2011 Narrowbanding Guide Letter Template FCC Narrowbanding Update July 2011
Electronic copy How-to Funding Guide How-to Guide for Lifecycle Planning Narrowband License Status Tool Narrowbanding 101 Narrowbanding VCOMM FCC Instructions
Narrowbanding
questions?
Narrowbanding
questions?
OTHER STATEWIDE RADIO EFFORTS
Georgia Interoperability Network (GIN)
Statewide gateway system Connects mobile radio systems and dispatch
centers from multiple agencies and jurisdictions Six-year project Funded by federal grants and state funds, with
additional local investments Serving 159 counties, hundreds of cities, and some
state agencies Provides interoperability with surrounding states Currently includes two mobile communications
trailers
Importance of the GIN
Georgia’s first statewide interoperability project
Local governments and state agencies driving system design
Cooperation model serves as a model for larger initiatives
Communication Assets Survey and Mapping (CASM)
CASM = Communication Assets Survey and Mapping
Created by US Navy (SPAWAR) for DHS Online inventory of communications
assets in a region or state Provides analysis of compatibility and
interoperability
Why CASM?
Locally Collect communications data in one place Create Tactical Comms Interoperability Plans (TICP) Help with strategic investment of funds
Regionally Encourage and enable interoperability on a day-to-day
and incident basis
Encourage partnerships for new systems
Statewide Help to direct communications funds
Training
Web-based (efficient delivery) GIN Overview Video GIN Operators Course GIN Supervisors Course Other future classes (e.g. Radio 101)
Classroom (advanced training) Communications Unit Leader (COML) Communications Unit Technician (COMT) Telecommunicator Emergency Response
Taskforce (TERT)
Helpful Websites
http://www.gainterop.com
Open to the public
Repository of information
http://www.niix.org
Restricted access
Information sharing, discussion, calendar,
etc.
Questions?Questions?