Wireless Communications for First Responders

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.

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.

• 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.

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.

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.