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Strategy: Interoperability
•There are 6 ways to achieve interoperability in a system:
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1.
4.Use gateway
5.
5.System-specific roaming
6.
6.Standards-based shared systems
Speaking Points
4. Gateway (Console) Patching
•Gateway patching involves hardware, working much like an old telephone operator’s desk and connecting cords, where frequencies are patched together by an operator.
•The gateway (or console) system can link separate radio systems together, but it is limited by preplanning to link the systems involved and the need for an operator to create the links.
•Requires specific hardware between 2 networks
•Often requires an operator intervention to initiate
•Limited by preplanning and hardware

5. System-Specific Roaming
•System-specific roaming takes separate radio systems and links them together much like cell phones share a system of towers.  It’s a lot like pooling your resources.  To illustrate, start by imagining radio system “A” that uses 4 towers and another neighboring system “B” that uses 3 towers.  If the two systems are linked for roaming, any radio operated by either “A” or “B” can work in either area and transmit a signal on any of the 7 towers, using whatever tower is closest, regardless of whose system the tower belongs to.
•The system links resources to create a broader coverage area for multiple agencies, but becomes more vulnerable to overload as more and more systems are linked.
•This system requires extensive preplanning and cooperation to achieve.
•Similar to cellular telephone systems
•Multiple radio systems share a common coverage area
•Limited by compatible equipment, preplanning and overload

6. Standards-Based Shared Systems
•The most interoperable, new systems use technologies that adhere to a common set of manufacturer industry standards.  Because all new equipment follows the common standards, such systems have high degrees of interoperability regardless of the manufacturer of the equipment.
•APCO’s Project 25 used by Motorola in the U.S. and Europe’s TETRA are examples of common standard systems.
•Despite the enormous advantage of being able to handle very large volumes of information and high flexibility, even these systems require extensive preplanning to function effectively.
•Interoperability may become even easier in the near future as software-defined radios (SDR)’s are being tested which allow a user to immediately program any frequency or standard into the radio.  The ability to immediately reprogram a radio will lessen the limits of preplanning and compatible equipment.
•Use a common technology standard and compatible equipment
•APCO Project 25/TETRA
•Greatest capacity to handle large volume and greatest flexibility
•Dependent on equipment and preplanning
•Software Defined Radios (SDRs) may allow further interoperability