Interoperability Update

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          Radio interoperability products are constantly being improved and upgraded. Here are some of the latest ones worth noting.

HARRIS' UNITY XG-100 RADIO

     Harris RF Communications has introduced the next-generation Harris Unity XG-100 full-spectrum multiband radio for public-safety communications. The Unity XG-100 is the first in a family of Harris RF Communications radios designed to deliver interoperable communications among federal, state and local agencies, and is aimed at EMS officers communicating on analog or digital frequencies.

     The XG-100 offers full-spectrum frequency coverage from 136-870 MHz, and operates in four public-safety frequency bands, including VHF, UHF, 700 MHz and 800 MHz. Compliant in both conventional and trunking modes with Phase 1 of the Project 25 standard, the Unity XG-100 is easily upgradable via software updates to support evolving P25 standards (Phase 2), future capabilities and changing communication requirements. This kind of "future-proofing" can make a big difference to departments trying to make wise long-term equipment purchases.

     "The Unity XG-100 is an advanced multiband radio that will provide public-safety personnel with direct communications interoperability whenever and wherever necessary," says Dana Mehnert, president of Harris RF Communications. "As a result, federal, state and local first responders will be able to unify their efforts and provide a better, more coordinated response to emergencies."

     The XG-100's built-in capabilities include extended battery life, noise suppression for operation in high-noise environments, GPS receiver for position tracking and rapid response, and secure Bluetooth technology for wireless operation.

     The Unity XG-100 should begin shipping in the fall. For more information, check www.rfcomm.harris.com/talkasone/Unity_XG-100.asp.

C-AT'S ICRI-4TG/10P

     Communications-Applied Technology (C-AT) has built its interoperability reputation on the ICRI. Short for Incident Commanders' Radio Interface, the basic ICRI allows up to five radios and one phone line to be plugged into the same portable unit, with the audio being switched between these units for instant interoperability.

     Recently, C-AT released a new expanded version of the ICRI designed for larger incidents. Called the ICRI-4TG/10P, this device has ports for 10 radios plus one cell phone/telephone and one satellite link, and can support up to four talk groups (the original ICRI supports two). The ICRI-4TG/10P complies with the National Incident Management System (NIMS). It is designed to be rack-mounted. For those wanting true portability akin to the original ICRI, the new ICRI-4T comes in a similar portable case.

     All ICRI units can be modified to work with C-AT's new Radio over IP (RoIP) software, which allows the ICRIs to be ported into a first responder's IP network for wide-area distribution. See www.c-at.com.

CATALYST'S INTELLILINK

     The typical low-tech solution to connecting incompatible radio systems is to use a switch box to patch together push-to-talk (PTT) audio from disparate systems. These can literally be patch cords that connect one family of public-safety radios to another. They can also be actual devices like an audio bridge into which disparate radios all connect, like an old-fashioned telephone exchange.

     One problem with this solution is that the originating radio system has no knowledge of the destination radio system, which hampers its ability to provide reliable transmission. For instance, the target channel on the destination system may be busy with another transmission, but without this knowledge there is no way to buffer the audio until the channel is free, which will cause portions of audio to be lost.

     To remedy this problem, Catalyst Communications Technologies has developed a computer-configured and -controlled interoperability system call Intellilink. According to the company, Intellilink is an advanced RCoIP (Radio Control over IP) solution for interconnecting incompatible land mobile radio and cellular PTT networks regardless of technology, frequency or physical distance. This means the networks can be ported directly into the Intellilink system over IP, before the signals end up on the incompatible radio systems.

     Intellilink uses an icon interface that allows for fast patch creation and simple management. Each radio system is shown as an icon on the screen. These icons can be dragged and dropped as required by patch scenarios on the user's computer screen. Because the connections are made on a common IP level, interoperability is not an issue.

     "Catalyst's advanced digital radio control allows for specific groups or even specific channels to be selected as a patch member, specified as bidirectional or unidirectional," says David Simon, Catalyst's VP of sales and marketing. "Once a patch has been defined, Intellilink's advanced patch display automatically creates a diagram to clearly show how it's been constructed. An unlimited number of patches can be defined, and activating or deactivating a patch can be done with the click of a mouse."

     Intellilink allows multiple patches to be activated simultaneously, while the system allocates radio resources as needed. "For example, if a radio is involved in a patch and a radio resource needs it to transmit on a channel that's different from the one to which it is tuned, Intellilink will automatically retune the radio to the correct channel while buffering the audio," says Simon. "For interagency interoperability, Intellilink provides for full security by allowing each agency's firewalls to remain in place as communication is routed through an interoperability server." Find out more at www.catcomtec.com.

LINK'S TCB-1

     Interoperability isn't just a problem for large urban areas; rural jurisdictions also have issues. In localities where fire is on one radio system and police on another, the TCB-1 can be a cost-effective solution to interconnecting the two. The reason: The TCB-1 (short for Tactical Communications Bridge-1) comes with two radio ports to provide fast audio bridging. Made by Link Communications, it's lightweight, portable and runs off any car's 12V DC outlet. (An AC adapter is also included.)

     "The TCB-1's friendly user interface allows operators to control the connection between the radio ports with just a flick of a switch," says www.link-comm.com. "When operating the TCB-1, a local speaker and microphone port are available for local operation, without compromising the number of available radio ports. Housed with a 10-watt 4-inch speaker, the TCB-1 provides plenty of audio for use in a noisy environment." The TCB-1 comes with digital audio delay, DTMF control and DSP-based digital audio interface.

MOTOROLA'S APX 7000

     Unveiled at last year's APCO show, the Motorola APX 7000 multiband radio is now being sold to first responders. The Project 25-standard APX 7000 comes with front and top-mounted LCD displays so users can see who's calling them from either position. The APX 7000 covers the 700/800 MHz and VHF bands, works with current and future networks (FDMA and TDMA) and has integrated GPS to allow real-time tracking of users.

     "The APX 7000 has a microphone on each side of the radio that independently suppresses most background noise and uses a digital vocoder to process and enhance the remaining speech after it is filtered," says Motorola spokesperson Steve Gorecki. "Yet the APX 7000 is 15% smaller and 50% louder than existing Motorola P25 radios." More at www.motorola.com/apx.

RSM'S CK301 COMKIT

     Many radio interoperability solutions require the user to plug handsets into a central audio bridge. But the CK301 ComKit, made by Radio Systems Marketing (RSM), comes with the radios already included. Designed to fit between the front two seats of a car or truck, the CK301 is a console unit with space for five built-in radios and microphones.

     The CK301 also interconnects the outputs from the radios, such that the driver can tie them together as needed. The CK301 can link to "other sub-systems such as the onboard VoIP PBX telephone system and remote access via satellite, providing a bidirectional gateway to and from private and public switched telephone networks," says the company's website, www.interopradio.com.

DIRECT CONNECT HANDSETS

     Direct Connect users, rejoice: You now have four more cutting-edge wireless devices on which you can access this Sprint service. The new handsets are the BlackBerry Curve 8350i Smartphone (pictured below), the Motorola i365IS (intrinsically safe) handset, the Motorola Stature i9 flip-phone, and the Motorola ruggedized i580 clamshell in new easy-to-see yellow.

     The BlackBerry Curve 8350i is for business-minded Direct Connect users who want a full keyboard at their fingertips, plus the BlackBerry's advanced PDA functions and two-megapixel camera. The Motorola i365IS is for first responders who work in potentially flammable environments. According to Sprint spokesperson Mark Elliott, "The i365IS is incapable of releasing sufficient electrical or thermal energy to ignite fuel and cause a fire or explosion. Such intrinsically safe devices are designed for deployment in hazardous areas that may contain flammable gasses, vapors or dust."

     The Motorola Stature i9 is a sleek, superthin flip-phone well suited to those who need their cell phones to look elegant and professional. Meanwhile, the i580 clamshell is a tough device designed to take the worst of the elements. In fact, it is built to military specifications. It also supports Bluetooth and has an onboard camera and MP3 player.

     Despite the wide differences between these handsets, all of them operate on Sprint's Direct Connect first responder network. More details are at www.sprint.com.

MICROVOICE LYNX

     Voice over IP (VoIP) is winning acceptance in the first responder universe. This is why an interoperability unit that includes some form of VoIP connectivity is a real plus.

     Microvoice Communication's Lynx mobile VoIP networked intercom and radio interoperability system is one such device. Designed to be used inside a truck/car, low/medium-altitude aircraft or even on a transmission tower, the Lynx supports interconnection and signal switching between first responder radio systems, SATCOM terminals, user headsets and VoIP networked communication terminals such as laptops, work stations and IP telephones.

     According to the company, the Lynx can support four radios and up to 16 VoIP-based communications terminals. For ease of use, specific mission profiles can be preconfigured, then loaded onto the Lynx via its flash card slot, ethernet port or serial data port. Once in the field, users can plug in radios, satellite phones, headsets and VoIP-networked communication terminals.

     The Lynx's ruggedized case is small enough to fit any vehicle (or even a backpack). It can be powered from a 12-28VDC supply, and weighs just 1.5 lbs. Learn more at www.microvoice.com.

CONCLUSION

     Progress continues in the area of radio interoperability products. Even the smallest fire/EMS units can afford to establish a bare minimum of interoperability with police and other first responder agencies, thanks to the low cost of entry-level systems.

     How can you decide which product is best for you? The easiest way is to review situations when your department has had to work with other agencies. Who were these agencies, and what radio systems did they use? How often did you work together? If your budget is tight, it might make sense to put interoperability with local police first, perhaps with a simple unit like the TCB-1. Then, when the opportunity arises, you can add a more diverse interoperability bridge to bring in other departments.

     In a pinch, sharing each other's radios and using cell phones as a backup can provide a limited form of interoperability. Should you follow this route, it is imperative to work out procedures with the departments you are sharing with beforehand. This way, everyone will know what to do during an incident, so the ad hoc connections actually work.

     The bottom line: Interoperability is for everyone, whether through the advanced products noted above or the simplest jury-rigged solution. Do something about it today!

     James Careless is a freelance writer with extensive experience covering broadcast, radio and satellite communications, telecommunications and computer technologies.