1 scott grimmett, bsee interoperability analysis for digb 1 by scott grimmett, bsee

1 Scott Grimmett, BSEEScott Grimmett, BSEE

Interoperability Analysis Interoperability Analysis for DIGB 1for DIGB 1

By Scott Grimmett, BSEE By Scott Grimmett, BSEE


Scope of WorkScope of Work Three documented courses of actions Three documented courses of actions

(COA) pertaining to public safety voice (COA) pertaining to public safety voice interoperability communicationsinteroperability communications

Between each of the five Northern Idaho Between each of the five Northern Idaho Counties and the TribesCounties and the Tribes• KootenaiKootenai• ShoshoneShoshone• BonnerBonner• BoundaryBoundary• BenewahBenewah• Kootenai TribeKootenai Tribe• Coeur d’Alene Tribe Coeur d’Alene Tribe


Data GatheringData Gathering

Data gathering provided by each Data gathering provided by each county and tribes county and tribes

Data was limited Data was limited Most detailed data came from the Most detailed data came from the

agencies on the Kootenai and Bonner agencies on the Kootenai and Bonner County border and the Kootenai and County border and the Kootenai and Benewah County border. Benewah County border.


DeliverablesDeliverables

COA 1 will encompass interoperability COA 1 will encompass interoperability between all five northern countiesbetween all five northern counties

COA 2 will provide one detailed COA 2 will provide one detailed recommendation for interoperability recommendation for interoperability between Kootenai and Bonner Countiesbetween Kootenai and Bonner Counties

COA 3 will provide one detailed COA 3 will provide one detailed recommendation for interoperability recommendation for interoperability between Kootenai and Benewah Countiesbetween Kootenai and Benewah Counties


COA 1COA 1



GoalGoal

Long term comprehensive plan for Long term comprehensive plan for interoperability between the five interoperability between the five northern counties, Benewah, Bonner, northern counties, Benewah, Bonner, Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone, the Boundary, Kootenai, Shoshone, the Kootenai Tribe and the Coeur d’Alene Kootenai Tribe and the Coeur d’Alene tribe. tribe.

700 MHz P25 radio system and VHF 700 MHz P25 radio system and VHF conventional radio system conventional radio system


700 MHz P25 system 700 MHz P25 system

Two channels or talkgroups located at Two channels or talkgroups located at each 700 MHz site each 700 MHz site

One channel or talkgroup at each site will One channel or talkgroup at each site will be allocated to Fire/EMS and the other to be allocated to Fire/EMS and the other to Law Enforcement Law Enforcement

Where trunking systems are not available, Where trunking systems are not available, two 700 MHz conventional repeaters will two 700 MHz conventional repeaters will be needed be needed

ISSI connection capable of interfacing to ISSI connection capable of interfacing to the Statewide 700 MHz system the Statewide 700 MHz system


VHF SystemVHF System

Two channels Two channels One channel will be assigned for fire One channel will be assigned for fire

and EMS, and the other channel will and EMS, and the other channel will be used for law enforcement be used for law enforcement

Each channel will require a VHF P25 Each channel will require a VHF P25 capable repeater located at every capable repeater located at every VHF site defined in this study VHF site defined in this study


LinkingLinking

VHF Fire/EMS channel permanently VHF Fire/EMS channel permanently connected to the 700 MHz Fire/EMS connected to the 700 MHz Fire/EMS channel or talkgroup channel or talkgroup

VHF Law channel permanently connected VHF Law channel permanently connected to the 700 MHz Law channel or talkgroupto the 700 MHz Law channel or talkgroup

VHF and 700 MHz repeater systems should VHF and 700 MHz repeater systems should be connected through a P25 ISSIbe connected through a P25 ISSI

All sites connected All sites connected


Interoperability Communication SiteInteroperability Communication Site

VHF Users 700 MHz Users

VHF Fire/EMS Channel

700 MHz Fire/EMS

Talkgroup

VHF Law Channel

700 MHz Law Talkgroup

Communications Site


Microwave Linked Interoperability Microwave Linked Interoperability Communication Sites Communication Sites


700 MHz Fire/EMS Talkgroup

VHF Law Channel


Communications Site


700 MHz Fire/EMS Talkgroup

VHF Law Channel


Communications Site

Microwave Link


Simulcast RepeatersSimulcast Repeaters

Repeater A Range Fo Fo

Repeater B Range

Repeater ARepeater B

All repeaters share the same input and output frequencies. All mobiles can talk to each other any where in the system.

Mobiles do not need to change frequencies (channel on the radio) when moving between repeaters

Fi Fi

Microwave


P25 InterfacesP25 Interfaces

Common Air Interface (CAI) Subscriber Data Peripheral Interface Fixed Station Subsystem Interface (FSSI) Console Subsystem Interface (CSSI) Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI) Network Management Interface Data Network Interface Telephone Interconnect Interface


Inter-RF Subsystem Interface (ISSI)

P25 RF P25 RF SubsystemSubsystem




P25 RF P25 RF SubsysteSubsyste

mm

P25 RF P25 RF SubsysteSubsyste

mm

ISSIISSI

ISSIISSIISSIISSI

A non-proprietary interface that enables RF subsystems built by different manufacturers to be connected together into wide area networks.


P25 ISSI

Non-proprietary interface IP based Interconnects radio systems built by

different manufacturers Connects systems operating in different

frequency bands Creates wide area radio networks for

extended coverage area for roaming subscriber units

Provides voice and data services, end-to-end encryption and roaming.


Manufacturer X P25 System A

MasterSite

Manufacturer Y P25 System B

MasterSite

Unit A1 Unit A2

TG A100 TG A100

Unit B1

TG B150

Unit B2

TG B150

No ISSI – No interoperable No ISSI – No interoperable communications between systemscommunications between systems



MasterSite


MasterSite

Unit A1 Unit A2

TG A100

ISSI

TG A100

Unit B1

TG B150

Unit B2

TG B150

ISSI – Interoperable ISSI – Interoperable communications between systemscommunications between systems



MasterSite


MasterSite

Unit A1 Unit A2

TG A100

ISSI

Unit B1

TG B150

Unit B2

TG B150TG B150

Mode Change

ISSI Roaming– Mode change required ISSI Roaming– Mode change required between systemsbetween systems


Why 700Why 700

It will continue to grow as the public It will continue to grow as the public safety radio system safety radio system

Recommended by the Idaho Statewide Recommended by the Idaho Statewide Interoperability Executive CouncilInteroperability Executive Council

Kootenai County Kootenai County Spokane County ISP and other state Spokane County ISP and other state

agenciesagencies SandpointSandpoint The Coeur d’Alene Tribe plans to migrate The Coeur d’Alene Tribe plans to migrate

700 MHz 700 MHz


Why VHFWhy VHF

North Idaho terrain presents propagation North Idaho terrain presents propagation challenges for 700 MHzchallenges for 700 MHz

VHF radio signals bend and follow terrain VHF radio signals bend and follow terrain better than do 700 MHz signalsbetter than do 700 MHz signals

Some counties do not plan to use 700 Some counties do not plan to use 700 MHz systems MHz systems

The Forest Service, BLM, and Idaho The Forest Service, BLM, and Idaho Department of Lands plan to stay with Department of Lands plan to stay with VHF frequenciesVHF frequencies


700 MHz Advantages/Disadvantages700 MHz Advantages/Disadvantages

AdvantagesAdvantages• Spectrum dedicated to public safetySpectrum dedicated to public safety• Less interference from other usersLess interference from other users• Lots of spectrum availableLots of spectrum available• TX and RX frequency spacing is goodTX and RX frequency spacing is good• Good building penetrationGood building penetration• Lower Noise FloorLower Noise Floor

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• Signal does not travel as farSignal does not travel as far• Signal does not bend over mountainsSignal does not bend over mountains• ExpensiveExpensive• More sites required to get same coverage as VHFMore sites required to get same coverage as VHF


VHF Advantages/DisadvantagesVHF Advantages/Disadvantages

AdvantagesAdvantages• Signal travels furtherSignal travels further• Signal bends over mountains betterSignal bends over mountains better• Reasonability priced equipmentReasonability priced equipment• Reasonable building penetrationReasonable building penetration

DisadvantagesDisadvantages• The spectrum is crowdedThe spectrum is crowded• Hard to get new frequenciesHard to get new frequencies• Inference with other usersInference with other users• TX and RX frequency spacing is closeTX and RX frequency spacing is close


Why MicrowaveWhy Microwave To communicate across the 5 To communicate across the 5

Northern Counties requires Northern Counties requires connectivity between radio sitesconnectivity between radio sites

The majority of the sites are on The majority of the sites are on remote mountain topsremote mountain tops

It is not practical to obtain fiber or It is not practical to obtain fiber or T1 lines these site locationsT1 lines these site locations


Coverage GoalsCoverage Goals

700 MHz P25 radio coverage700 MHz P25 radio coverage• Interstate 90 corridor - 95%Interstate 90 corridor - 95%• US-95 corridor from the Canadian US-95 corridor from the Canadian

border to the northern border of Latah border to the northern border of Latah County - 95%County - 95%

• Population centers of the 5 northern Population centers of the 5 northern counties – 95%counties – 95%

VHF coverageVHF coverage• 5 northern counties of Idaho - 95% 5 northern counties of Idaho - 95%


Coverage AssumptionsCoverage Assumptions VHFVHF

• 50-watt mobile transceiver, with a 3dB gain, omni-50-watt mobile transceiver, with a 3dB gain, omni-directional antenna. The antenna height is 2M (6.6-directional antenna. The antenna height is 2M (6.6-foot).foot).

• Transmitter sites will conform to the height above Transmitter sites will conform to the height above average terrain curves that are in Part 90 of the FCC average terrain curves that are in Part 90 of the FCC rules rules

• No transmitter site will exceed 200 watts ERP No transmitter site will exceed 200 watts ERP 700 MHz700 MHz

• 30-watt mobile transceiver, with a 3dB gain, omni-30-watt mobile transceiver, with a 3dB gain, omni-directional antenna. The antenna height is 2M (6.6-directional antenna. The antenna height is 2M (6.6-foot).foot).

MicrowaveMicrowave• Any one of the remote can to be destroyed by fire, Any one of the remote can to be destroyed by fire,

natural disaster, or terrorism without interruption to natural disaster, or terrorism without interruption to the remainder of the system.the remainder of the system.


700 MHz Sites700 MHz Sites 1mi S SE of Border Mtn. 1mi S SE of Border Mtn. Dawson Ridge Dawson Ridge Black Mtn. Black Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. 4.7Mi E of Priest River 4.7Mi E of Priest River 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Mica Peak Mica Peak Killarney Mtn. Killarney Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Mason Butte Mason Butte Goose Hump Goose Hump Wardner Peak Wardner Peak Silverton Silverton Lookout Pass Lookout Pass Tekoa Mtn. Tekoa Mtn. St. Maries Court House St. Maries Court House


700 MHz Coverage – 30 dB700 MHz Coverage – 30 dB


Northern 700 MHz Coverage – 30 Northern 700 MHz Coverage – 30 dBdB


Central 700 MHz Coverage – 30 dBCentral 700 MHz Coverage – 30 dB


Sothern 700 MHz Coverage – 30 Sothern 700 MHz Coverage – 30 dBdB


VHF SitesVHF Sites 1mi S SE of Border Mtn. 1mi S SE of Border Mtn. Dawson Ridge Dawson Ridge Black Mtn. Black Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. 4.7Mi E of Priest River 4.7Mi E of Priest River 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Mica Peak Mica Peak Killarney Mtn. Killarney Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Mason Butte Mason Butte Goose Hump Goose Hump Wardner Peak Wardner Peak Silverton Silverton Lookout Pass Lookout Pass Tekoa Butte Tekoa Butte St Joe BaldySt Joe Baldy Bald Mtn.Bald Mtn.


VHF Coverage – 30 dBVHF Coverage – 30 dB


Northern VHF Coverage – 30 dBNorthern VHF Coverage – 30 dB


Central VHF Coverage – 30 dBCentral VHF Coverage – 30 dB


Northern VHF Coverage – 30 dBNorthern VHF Coverage – 30 dB


Microwave SitesMicrowave Sites 1mi S SE of Border Mtn.1mi S SE of Border Mtn. Copeland uW Relay Copeland uW Relay Dawson Ridge Dawson Ridge Black Mtn. Black Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Sundance Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. Schweitzer Mtn. 4.7Mi E of Priest River 4.7Mi E of Priest River 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. 1.7Mi NW of Gold Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Canfield Mtn. Mica Peak Mica Peak Killarney Mtn. Killarney Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Hoodoo Mtn. Mason Butte Mason Butte Goose Hump Goose Hump Wardner Peak Wardner Peak Silverton Silverton Lookout Pass Lookout Pass Tekoa Mtn. Tekoa Mtn. St Joe BaldySt Joe Baldy Bald Mtn.Bald Mtn. St. Maries Court House St. Maries Court House


Microwave LinksMicrowave Links


COA 2 and 3COA 2 and 3

No changes to the current VHF, UHF, No changes to the current VHF, UHF, and 700 MHz systems and 700 MHz systems

Based on feedback received from the Based on feedback received from the recent user surveys recent user surveys

May be other areas where May be other areas where interoperable communication may interoperable communication may remain an unidentified problem due remain an unidentified problem due to limited feedback to limited feedback


COA 2COA 2



Course of Action 2: Course of Action 2: Bonner County – Kootenai County BorderBonner County – Kootenai County Border

Regular Mutual AideRegular Mutual Aide KootenaiKootenai

• Sprit Lake FireSprit Lake Fire• Timber Lake FireTimber Lake Fire• Northern Lakes FireNorthern Lakes Fire

BonnerBonner• Sagle FireSagle Fire• West Pend Oreille FireWest Pend Oreille Fire


Assumed requirements Assumed requirements Each vehicle will carry only one two-way Each vehicle will carry only one two-way

radio. radio. Mutual aid vehicles will move the mutual Mutual aid vehicles will move the mutual

aid channel as soon as possible after aid channel as soon as possible after being dispatched.being dispatched.

Equipment required to provide the Equipment required to provide the mutual aid on a regular basis will be mutual aid on a regular basis will be permanently installed. permanently installed.

All on-scene tactical communications will All on-scene tactical communications will be facilitated through low-power cross-be facilitated through low-power cross-band vehicular repeaters installed in the band vehicular repeaters installed in the command vehicles and larger fire assets.command vehicles and larger fire assets.


Sagle Fire and West Pend Oreille Fire VHF Sagle Fire and West Pend Oreille Fire VHF provide aide to Spirit Lake Fire and Timber provide aide to Spirit Lake Fire and Timber

Lake Fire 700 MHzLake Fire 700 MHz Hoodoo Mountain VHF repeater to 700 Hoodoo Mountain VHF repeater to 700

MHz gatewayMHz gateway Little Blacktail VHF repeater to 700 MHz Little Blacktail VHF repeater to 700 MHz

gatewaygateway Create a Fire Operations South Talkgroup Create a Fire Operations South Talkgroup

on the 700 MHz system - on the 700 MHz system - IK Fire Ops IK Fire Ops North North

Kootenai County agencies use the 700 Kootenai County agencies use the 700 MHz talkgroup and Bonner County MHz talkgroup and Bonner County agencies use the VHF repeater for agencies use the VHF repeater for interoperability communications. interoperability communications.


Hoodoo VHF repeater gateway to Hoodoo VHF repeater gateway to Kootenai 700 MHz talkgroupKootenai 700 MHz talkgroup


Blacktail VHF repeater gateway to Blacktail VHF repeater gateway to Kootenai 700 MHz talkgroupKootenai 700 MHz talkgroup

VHF Repeater

700 MHz P25 Mobile

Gateway Controller

Duplexer

Little Blacktail VHF Interoperability

Repeater Kootenai 700 MHz System FIRE OPS North Talkgroup


VHF coverage from Hoodoo and VHF coverage from Hoodoo and Little Blacktail – 20 dBLittle Blacktail – 20 dB


VHF coverage from Hoodoo and VHF coverage from Hoodoo and Little Blacktail – 30 dBLittle Blacktail – 30 dB


Sprit Lake, Timber Lake and Northern Lake Fire Sprit Lake, Timber Lake and Northern Lake Fire 700 MHz aide to Sagle Fire and West Pend 700 MHz aide to Sagle Fire and West Pend

Oreille Fire VHFOreille Fire VHF 700 MHz to VHF gateway in Sandpoint700 MHz to VHF gateway in Sandpoint 800 MHz repeater to VHF gateway on Little 800 MHz repeater to VHF gateway on Little

Blacktail Blacktail 800 MHz repeater to VHF gateway at Stimpson 800 MHz repeater to VHF gateway at Stimpson

Lumber Lumber Create a Fire Operations South Talkgroup on the Create a Fire Operations South Talkgroup on the

700 MHz system - 700 MHz system - 7B-Fire-Ops-South7B-Fire-Ops-South Kootenai County Agencies use the 700 MHz Kootenai County Agencies use the 700 MHz

talkgroup and 800 MHz repeater while Bonner talkgroup and 800 MHz repeater while Bonner County agencies use the VHF repeater for County agencies use the VHF repeater for interoperability communications. interoperability communications.


Bonner VHF to Kootenai 700 MHz Bonner VHF to Kootenai 700 MHz GatewayGateway

VHF Mobile700 MHz P25 Mobile

Gateway Controller

Bonner VHF Fire Repeater on Baldy

Kootenai 700 MHz System

Bonner Fire Operations Talkgroup


Blacktail 800 MHz Repeater to Blacktail 800 MHz Repeater to Bonner VHF GatewayBonner VHF Gateway

800 MHz Repeater

VHF Mobile

Gateway Controller

Duplexer


800 MHz Repeater on Little Blacktail


Stimson 800 MHz Repeater to Stimson 800 MHz Repeater to Bonner VHF GatewayBonner VHF Gateway

800 MHz Repeater

VHF MobileGateway Controller

Duplexer


800 MHz Repeater at Stimson Lumber


700/800 MHz coverage into Bonner 700/800 MHz coverage into Bonner County – 20 dBCounty – 20 dB


700/800 MHz coverage into Bonner 700/800 MHz coverage into Bonner County – 30 dBCounty – 30 dB


On-Scene InteroperabilityOn-Scene Interoperability

A vehicular repeater provides a local, low A vehicular repeater provides a local, low power link between VHF portable radios power link between VHF portable radios and 700/800 MHz portable radios. and 700/800 MHz portable radios.

Vehicular repeaters in command vehicles Vehicular repeaters in command vehicles and larger fire assets are necessary and larger fire assets are necessary because they allow handheld radios from because they allow handheld radios from different districts with different frequency different districts with different frequency bands to communicate with one another bands to communicate with one another on site. on site.


Bonner Fire/EMS Vehicular Bonner Fire/EMS Vehicular RepeatersRepeaters

VHF Mobile Radio

800 MHz Vehicular Repeater

Home VHF TAC

Frequency

Neighbor 800 MHz Vehicular Repeater

Frequency

Home County VHF Portable

Radios

Neighbor County 800 MHz Portable

Radios


Kootenai Fire/EMS Vehicular Kootenai Fire/EMS Vehicular RepeatersRepeaters

800 MHz Mobile Radio

VHF Vehicular Repeater

Home 800 MHz TAC

Frequency

Neighbor VHF Vehicular Repeater

Frequency

Home County 800 MHz Portable

Radios

Neighbor County VHF Portable

Radios


Trunking RepeatersTrunking Repeaters



What is trunking?What is trunking?

A large group of users sharing a pool of A large group of users sharing a pool of frequencies.frequencies.

The system infrastructure is shared by all The system infrastructure is shared by all the users and for multiple purposes.the users and for multiple purposes.

Unlike conventional radios where each Unlike conventional radios where each repeater is designated for a separate repeater is designated for a separate purpose.purpose.


Trunking Sharing Example Trunking Sharing Example


Trunking System ExampleTrunking System Example

Freq 1

Freq 2

Freq 3

Freq 4

Freq 5


Trunking System ExampleTrunking System Example

Trunking takes the advantage of the Trunking takes the advantage of the fact that not every agency will need fact that not every agency will need to transmit at exactly the same time.to transmit at exactly the same time.

Statistically, more than 5 agencies Statistically, more than 5 agencies can be having a conversation on the can be having a conversation on the 5 channels without interruption of 5 channels without interruption of each conversation. each conversation.


Trunking Blocking ExampleTrunking Blocking Example


Trunking Repeater SystemTrunking Repeater System

Site A Range

Site B Range

Site A Site B

Each site has a pool of frequencies. The site hardware uses a base station for each frequency which are combined together into one transmit and one receive antenna per site. The sites

are tied together via Fiber, T1, and/or Microwave and controlled by a trunking controller.

Multiple Frequencies

Multiple Frequencies


Talkgroups not ChannelsTalkgroups not Channels

In trunking, do not think of the In trunking, do not think of the channels as different frequencies channels as different frequencies instead think of the channels as instead think of the channels as different talkgroups. different talkgroups.

With trunking you decide who you With trunking you decide who you want to talk with instead of what want to talk with instead of what frequency to use.frequency to use.


Trunking Repeater SystemTrunking Repeater System

Site A Range

T1T1

Site B Range

Site A Site B

T2 T1

Mobiles communicate with every radio in the same talk group regardless of where they are in the system. There is no need to

change channels while moving throughout the system. Talk groups can be patched together for mutual aid.

T2

T3

T3


FCC Rule 90.205FCC Rule 90.205


ERP is: ERP is: ERPallow = ERPallow = ERPmax x (HAATref / ERPmax x (HAATref / HAATactual)HAATactual). .

Hoodoo ExampleHoodoo Example Example: The HAAT is 661 Example: The HAAT is 661

meters. Using the formula meters. Using the formula the ERP would be:the ERP would be:

Allowable ERP = 500 * 670/ Allowable ERP = 500 * 670/ 667 = 667 = 502.2 watts ERP502.2 watts ERP (80 kilometer radius)(80 kilometer radius)

Allowable ERP = 500 * 110/ Allowable ERP = 500 * 110/ 667 = 667 = 82.4 watts ERP82.4 watts ERP (40 kilometer radius)(40 kilometer radius)

Requested Service Area

Max ERP Max (Ref) HAAT

(Meters)

3 kilometers 1 watts 15










1 scott grimmett, bsee interoperability analysis for digb 1 by scott grimmett, bsee

Documents

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