Nomadic Callers: Localization in Emergency Situations - Assessment of Technologies and Markets

This report addresses issues important to our homeland security. Particular, in the first part, the report discusses E911/E112 technologies and markets to locate a mobile/cellular user. In its second part, the report concentrates on UWB technology and markets with a focus on assistance for first responders operations to localize objects, and in the third part of the report, we are discussing specifics of VoIP E911 calls.

All parts are united by the common theme- how to make efficient localization of nomadic communication object in the emergency situations to expedite assistance from police, firefighters or medics.

The first part of this report is dedicated to the technologies and the markets for PLS - Position Location Service- and particular to its applications in support of E911/112 mobile/cellular caller. This service permits emergency response personnel to pinpoint the location of a cellular telephone caller anywhere in the United States. While 911 operators are currently able to determine the location of a caller through the use of telephone records when a call is placed from a traditional landline telephone, it is clearly more challenging to pinpoint the location of a cellular phone. There are two major ways that the location of a cellular phone may be determined. The position may be tracked through the handset itself by using a built-in global positioning system (GPS). Alternatively, the wireless service provider may locate a cellular telephone through triangulation data collected by the network of cellular receiving towers.

Report also outlines the structure of similar to E911 services in other countries (such as E112) and also addresses the legal and regulatory E911 issues. We analyze various localization techniques used to support E911/E112 services, their advantages and disadvantages. We also provide the market analysis for services and equipment and analyzed portfolio of major equipment vendors.

In the second part of the report, we focused on UWB and its specifics of working with first responders. With UWB, radio signals can penetrate nearby surfaces while reflecting off surfaces that are farther away. This capability would allow radar-type applications to detect objects, such as people or weapons, behind walls or under surfaces, such as a collapsed building. UWB technology also can precisely measure distance and movement to within one inch. Precision geolocation systems can locate a person or vehicle by attaching locator beacons that send out signals to receivers, so that a precise location can be determined. Beacons could be inserted into pagers, cellular phones, or a vehicle.

This technology could aid emergency responders in locating victims, team members, and medical supply trucks, for example. Unlike GPS, this geolocation system could operate indoors, underground, in foliage, in noisy environments, and through bad weather.

Utilizing time-modulated digital pulses, UWB allows the use of very low-powered and relatively inexpensive equipment to broadcast signals at high rates over a large part of the spectrum. This technology may enable the use of public safety devices and wireless communications in areas that suffer from severe multipath and/or high levels of industrial noise and interference.

In the marketing part, we provided our estimates of the market for UWB circuitry. Currently, this market is just at the beginning of its dynamic evolving, but a number of companies are already involved in the manufacturing process. The majority of them produce chipsets that can be used in localization, RFID, security devices and radars and communications.

In the last part of the report, we are analyzing the specifics of the E911 technology and markets in relation to the VoIP industry. The significant obstacle to support VoIP 911 calls is a nomadic nature of the caller; such a caller, essentially, can move the phone in any position and address where the Internet access is available. We provide details of the FCC requirements, describe technological advances and estimation of the market to support VoIP E911 calls processing.

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 developing projects, which deal with emergency situations, particular to identify coordinates of nomadic objects. It is necessary for technical departments of such agencies to have a document, which in a simple language explains the technologies and architectures of networks supporting localization. They need to have a picture of the market with the major players and their portfolios to select the right equipment.

For vendors of the equipment, this report provides valuable information on competition. It also supports these vendors with the market assessment.